Steven Spielberg is often credited as the father of the summer blockbuster, thanks to his mega-hit “Jaws” in 1975. He’s worked effortlessly between prestige dramas and popcorn entertainment for the entirety of his career (sometimes in the same year, like 1993, which saw the release of “Jurassic Park” and the year’s Best Picture winner, “Schindler’s […]
Movies
Posted inMovies
Octavia Spencer to receive the George Eastman Award
The star of “The Help,” “Hidden Figures,” and “The Shape of Water” will be honored for her contributions to the art of cinema during a ceremony on July 17.
Posted inMovie Previews
Mara Ahmed’s cinema of the unseen wound
Best known for her non-linear multimedia work, filmmaker Mara Ahmed creates documentaries, soundscapes and visual art projects that challenge colonial narratives and cross political and cultural borders. Born in Lahore but educated in Belgium, Pakistan and the United States, Ahmed’s work reflects those layered histories and displacements. She has directed five films, including “The Muslims I Know,” “Pakistan One […]
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REVIEW | ‘Blue Heron’
Writer-director Sophy Romvari’s “Blue Heron” is a deeply personal feature debut. Romvari has been making shorts since 2011, which would indicate she has been ready to make the leap to features for a while. Most filmmakers would use a few well-received shorts as their launchpad to feature filmmaking, but “Blue Heron” feels like Romvari needed […]
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REVIEW | ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’
Two decades later, the devil you know is flawed — but enjoyable company.
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FILM REVIEW | ‘Michael’
Musical biopics have become an easy target of criticism these days, and it’s even easier to be entirely cynical about them. Sometimes, a movie about a musician dares to break the mold and escape the tried-and-true formula to create an unique experience (2024’s “A Better Man” wasn’t a good movie, but certainly tried to do […]
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REVIEW | ‘Fantasy Life’
In the early moments of “Fantasy Life,” written and directed by Matthew Shear, Sam (played by Shear himself, in a feature debut) is told he is being let go from his job at a law office. While trying to process the news, he goes to a bookstore and a panic attack overtakes him, causing him […]
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Review | ‘You, Me & Tuscany’
“You, Me & Tuscany,” directed by Kat Cairo, is less its own film and more a patchwork of other, better films that came before. Escape to an Italian villa? “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Only You.” A heated moment during an impromptu rain (or in this case, sprinkler) shower? “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” A […]
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REVIEW | ‘The Drama’
Despite solid lead performances by Robert Pattinson and Zendaya, this dramatic character study can’t justify doing it for the plot.
Posted inFilm Features
What to watch when you’re watching together
Film and TV streaming options for all ages in your household.
Posted inMovie Reviews
REVIEW | ‘Project Hail Mary’
Author Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary,” his latest book, follows “Cast Away” (but in space) to the big screen, bookending 2015’s “The Martian.” The previous Weir adaptation, which was directed by Ridley Scott, garnered seven Oscar nominations including Best Picture and starred Matt Damon as an astronaut presumed dead but trapped on Mars. Now it’s […]
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The Oscars love disability stories, but it’s complicated
The trailer for “Song Sung Blue,” director Craig Brewer’s Oscar-nominated biographical drama about a Neil Diamond tribute act, sets up a familiar arc. While looking for glory, musicians Mike and Claire — played by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson — find each other. And when the glory arrives, so do the struggles: alcoholism, addiction and, […]
