One of the most appealing things about the films of Aardman Animations is their hand-crafted nature. From fingerprints in the modeling clay to the simple character designs, their films possess a rough-hewn, tactile quality that sets them apart from the more polished work of studios like Laika — which puts a more modern spin on […]
Movie Reviews
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Film review: ‘Fifty Shades Freed’
The “Fifty Shades” franchise packs up its riding crops, handcuffs, and nipple clamps as it reaches its third and climactic final chapter, concluding the story of Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) and her tumultuous romance with brooding, kink-loving billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). The opening scenes of “Fifty Shades Free” find the couple tying the knot […]
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Film review: ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’
Netflix dropping a trailer for the latest “Cloverfield” movie in the middle of Sunday’s Super Bowl appeared to be business as usual. After all, most of the year’s big-budget blockbusters debuted splashy new footage during the big event. But when that ad promised the movie would be available to watch immediately after the game? That […]
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Film review: ‘Winchester’
The story of Sarah Winchester, infamous heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms company fortune, is a fascinating one: growing despondent after the death of her infant daughter and then her husband, Sarah (played here by Helen Mirren) moved to San Jose in the late 1800s. There, she purchased a modest property, turning it into a […]
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Film Review: ‘Paddington 2’
The first Paddington movie was nothing short of a gift when it was released in 2015. It was the most pleasant of surprises: a simple, beautiful, open-hearted tale told with endless warmth and intelligence. “Paddington 2” just might even be a slight step up from the original. The film continues the adventures of the sweet, […]
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Film review: ‘Den of Thieves’
If Michael Mann’s “Heat” is the filet mignon of cops and robbers stories on screen, “Den Of Thieves” plays more like the Big Mac version — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a film that knows exactly what it is: it might not be good for you, but it’s a satisfying enough meal […]
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Film review: ‘Call Me By Your Name’
“Call Me By Your Name” is a vividly-drawn coming-of-age story that captures both the exhilaration and melancholy ache of first love. It’s one of 2017’s most purely pleasurable films.
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Film review: ‘I, Tonya’
In chronicling the rise and precipitous fall of notorious figure skater Tonya Harding (played by Margot Robbie), director Craig Gillespie’s “I, Tonya” tells a quintessentially American story of class, cycles of abuse, and sensationalist tabloid culture, wrapped up in a barbed, darkly funny, and wildly entertaining package. “I, Tonya” traces Harding’s hardscrabble life from childhood […]
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Film review: ‘All the Money in the World’
Just a few short months ago, Ridley Scott’s new crime drama “All the Money in the World” faced disaster when the career of Kevin Spacey — who played one of the film’s major roles — imploded spectacularly in the wake of several allegations of sexual misconduct. The behind-the-scenes shake-ups threatened to overshadow the film completely, […]
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Film review: ‘World of Tomorrow Episode Two: The Burden of Other People’s Thoughts’
From the absurdist humor of “Rejected” to the bittersweet melancholy of “It’s Such a Beautiful Day,” animator Don Hertzfeldt has made a career of combining minimalist, almost crude drawings with big ideas that tilt toward the existential. His latest film, “World of Tomorrow Episode Two: The Burden of Other People’s Thoughts,” is Hertzfeldt’s follow-up to […]
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Recap: CITY’s top movies of 2017
Adam’s favorite films of 2017 were stories that said something about the current state of the world, or reminded him of the humanity that makes it worth fighting for.
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Film review: ‘The Greatest Showman’
It’s easy to respect the ambition behind “The Greatest Showman,” an all-new, completely original movie musical based on the life of circus impresario P.T. Barnum. Coming from a first-time filmmaker — Australian music-video director Michael Gracey — the long-in-the-works film has been something of a passion project for star Hugh Jackman. The film’s an over-the-top, […]
