movie review INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER Running time: 106 minutes. <br>PG-13 (strong violent content, some strong language, bloody images, terror). In theaters. In the final clash of “Insidious: Out of the Further,” the sixth film in the horror franchise that makes the dead into goofy Victorian dolls, the characters must find a red door. … Read more
movie review COYOTE VS. ACME Running time: 103 minutes. Rated PG (cartoon violence and some language). In theaters Aug. 28. Talk about loony. It’s borderline insane that the ludicrously funny “Coyote vs. Acme,” a cracking comedy that’s easily among the top “Looney Tunes” movies ever, was almost never seen by anybody. Three years ago, the $70 million live-action/animation … Read more
movie review ONE NIGHT ONLY Running time: 102 minutes. Rated R (sexual material, language, and brief nudity). In theaters Aug. 7. A version of “The Purge” in which U.S. singles can only legally have sex for one day a year is a good pitch. A great pitch. Too bad the set-up is also the funniest … Read more
movie review TONY Running time: 106 minutes.<em> </em>Rated R (pervasive language, drug use, and sexual content/nudity). In theaters Aug. 7. I can’t say I had “No Reservations” when it was announced that an Anthony Bourdain biopic was in the works. I had plenty. How could any movie about the bad-boy chef, author and TV star … Read more
movie review SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Running time: 145 minutes. Rated PG-13 (sequences of action/violence and some language). In theaters July 31. The entire world has forgotten about Peter Parker. However, back in our reality, the planet has definitely not blanked on “Spider-Man.” Even taking into account the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s crises in recent years, … Read more
movie review THE ODYSSEY Running time: 173 minutes. Rated R (violence and some language). In theaters. It’s hard to fathom going bigger than Batman and the father of the atomic bomb. But we are mere mortals and not that Zeus of directors, Christopher Nolan, the man whose ambitions grow more gargantuan with every movie. His … Read more
movie review YOUNG WASHINGTON Running time: 125 minutes. PG-13 (Some bloody images, strong war violence). In theaters. During a 1755 battle in “Young Washington,” future U.S. president George Washington dangerously runs toward the enemy French and their Native American allies alone and clutching a gun. “He’s making himself a target,” a stunned fellow soldier says. … Read more
movie review MINIONS & MONSTERS Running time: 89 minutes. Rated PG (violence, action, language and rude/macabre humor). In theaters. One of the best odes to Old Hollywood in a long time comes courtesy of … the Minions? Yes, somehow the funny yellow Tic Tacs, who heretofore clumsily served supervillains, are leading a smart and detailed tribute to Georges … Read more
movie review VOICEMAILS FOR ISABELLE Running time: 118 minutes. Rated TV-14 (sexual content, alcohol use, suggestive jokes, frequent foul language and some comedic violence). On Netflix. Netflix is giving me rom-com whiplash. On June 5, Jennifer Lopez starred in an execrable one for the streamer called “Office Romance” — I wonder what that’s about! — … Read more
movie review SUPERGIRL Running time: 108 minutes. Rated PG-13 (sequences of strong violence, action, language, and smoking). In theaters. It was only a year ago when everybody was euphorically proclaiming, “DC is saved! This is the dawn of a new era!”. Well, hold your Kryptos. With the forgettable “Supergirl,” the second chapter in the revamped … Read more
The highly anticipated first-look teaser for “Shrek 5” just dropped, and it has sparked a mixed reaction from fans. One of the most beloved global animated franchises of all time is set to return to the big screen in June 2027, which marks 16 years since its last installment, “Shrek Forever After” hit cinemas in 2010. … Read more
movie review THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD Running time: 123 minutes. Rated R (strong bloody violence). In theaters. Was it when Robin Hood shot an arrow through a boy’s eye socket or when Little John ripped off another man’s jaw? Maybe it was the part when Robin slit a young woman’s throat and held her … Read more
movie review TOY STORY 5 Running time: 102 minutes. PG (some thematic elements, rude humor). In theaters. Long before Chat GPT was a household name, Hollywood had been making AI the villain for decades — from HAL 9000 to Skynet to Agent Smith. Yet the most emotionally involving spin on the terrors of tech in … Read more
With a new Steven Spielberg alien movie coming out, everybody’s nervously wondering: Is this thing “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” or “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”? movie review DISCLOSURE DAY Running time: 145 minutes. PG-13 (Some bloody images, action, violence, strong language). In theaters June 12. Neither, actually. “Disclosure Day” … Read more
movie review OFFICE ROMANCE Running time: 94 minutes. Rated R (graphic nudity, sexual material, language throughout). On Netflix. As Jennifer Lopez makes her entrance in Netflix’s “Office Romance,” the seventies song “I Believe In Miracles” by Hot Chocolate (“Where ya from? You sexy thing!”) plays. And, suddenly and wincingly, we’re back in 2000, when that retro tune … Read more
movie review MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE Running time: 132 minutes. PG-13 (some suggestive material, sequences of violence, action, language). In theaters. Mattel’s Oscars track record ends with “Masters of the Universe.” The toy company’s latest movie is no “Barbie,” and Tony Kushner won’t be hosting any classy for-your-consideration events for it come winter. Thank goodness. … Read more
movie review TUNER Running time: 109 minutes. R (language throughout, drug use, brief nudity, some violence). In theaters. Just when you thought NYC crime thrillers had run out of new ideas, here comes “Tuner,” a refreshingly inventive and captivating thug movie that focuses on compelling and rich characters over chases and shootouts. What sets director Daniel … Read more
movie review BACKROOMS Running time: 105 minutes. Rated R (some violent content, language, bloody images). In theaters. Hollywood trembles in fear of the havoc the internet has wrought and will continue to wreak on its core business. Execs wake up in a cold sweat from a nightmare that blockbusters have been replaced by 30-second TikTok … Read more
Callin’ out around the world — are you ready for a brand new beat? Summer’s here and the time is right for sitting quietly in a dark theater. I mean it! Hollywood is having its biggest sweaty season since at least 2019, with a much-anticipated release opening almost every single week for the next two … Read more
movie review IN THE GREY Running time: 97 minutes. Rated R (violence, language and a sexual reference). In theaters. During “In the Grey,” underworld characters call each other “clever” so many times that the viewer starts to wonder if these trigger-happy people, as well as the man who wrote their repetitive lines, really are clever … Read more