THE MIDNIGHT SKY: BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
George Clooney stars in this space parable that starts out well, then goes adrift. Set in the stereotypically bleak near-future, the story focuses on a defeated scientist who chooses to stay behind in the Antarctic, knowing his days are…
WW84 (WONDER WOMAN 1984)
WW84 starts on a promising note, taking a page from the Superman playbook: Wonder Woman sweeps into a shopping mall and dispatches a gang of crooks while saving imperiled children, even sharing a knowing wink with one of them.…
NEWS OF THE WORLD: SUPERIOR STORYTELLING
It shouldn’t be unusual to praise a film for its storytelling prowess—especially one based on a best-selling novel—but it’s something I no longer take for granted. Other films may succeed as mood pieces, character portraits, or expressions of personal…
PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN: SURPRISES RIGHT TO THE FINISH
Carey Mulligan has never played a woman quite like the one she brings to life in Promising Young Woman… but then, few leading actresses have taken on such a stark and uncompromising character. Writer-director Emerald Fennell sets her up as…
‘ANOTHER ROUND’: ANOTHER GREAT ROLE FOR MADS MIKKELSEN
Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen has great charisma—and great taste, as he turns up in one exceptional film after another. Another Round reunites him with writer-director Thomas Vinterberg and co-writer Tobias Lindholm, who collaborated so memorably on The Hunt. Once again their combined efforts…
‘MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM’ IS FUELED BY GREAT PERFORMANCES
Two searing performances—by Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman—make Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom more than just a faithful adaptation of a great theater piece. Davis captures the matter-of-fact fury of blues singer Ma Rainey, who is willing to perform two…
LEONARD’S GIFT GUIDE
We thought it might be fun to come up with a short gift-giving guide for your favorite cinephiles. Please remember to support small businesses today and every day. Hope you enjoy. GROUCHO MARX FACE MASK Amuse your friends and…
