2filmcritics3 days ago3 minAnother Round (“Druk”) ★★★1/2The complexity of “Another Round” and its rejection of the preachy demonization of excessive drinking make it interesting and entertaining.
2filmcriticsFeb 35 minThe White Tiger ★★★1/2The story of Balram and his “masters” is complex, fascinating, and chilling, a populist tale of caste and class, resonating systemic racism.
2filmcriticsJan 264 min2 Film Critics: Top 10 Films for 2020In spite of being deprived of theaters, it was a good year for film.
2filmcriticsJan 224 minOne Night in Miami ★★1/2...woefully little celebration takes place, an unlikely scenario given the Champ’s need for applause and the monumentality of his win.
2filmcriticsJan 63 minMa Rainey’s Black Bottom ★★★White racism is the backdrop against which all actions—including some not predictable—occur. That’s the tragedy.
2filmcriticsDec 22, 20204 minMangrove ★★★1/2The Mangrove 9, including reluctant Frank, go on trial at the venerable and Dickensian Old Bailey—lots of white wigs and disgraceful conduct
2filmcriticsDec 10, 20204 minMank ★★★1/2 It's the story of one man’s struggle to preserve his identity—as a person and as a writer—in a world committed to stripping him of it.
2filmcriticsNov 22, 20203 minThe True Adventures of Wolfboy ★★★Paul, about to celebrate his 13th birthday, questions his self-worth; only his reason is unusual - he's covered with hair, like a dog.
2filmcriticsNov 8, 20204 minThe Vast of Night ★★1/2 McCormick and Horowitz can’t save this film, but they are entertaining and credible in their disparate roles.
2filmcriticsOct 24, 20205 minMartin Eden ★★★1/2 It's standard film-making—a familiar tale, told chronologically—with some significant departures from the norm, esp. the change in setting.
2filmcriticsOct 1, 20204 min"The Wild Goose Lake" ★★★This Chinese thriller is film noir meets modern action movies: double-crossers, rain and fog, high-speed chases, unlikely escapes.
2filmcriticsSep 25, 20203 minCuties (“Mignonnes”) ★★★Some see the final dance scenes—performed by 11-year-old girls—as exploitative, others as verging on child pornography. Decide for yourself.
2filmcriticsSep 11, 20203 minI’m Thinking of Ending Things ★★★1/2Kaufman's faux horror film explores existential angst. Buckley and Plemons are superb.
2filmcriticsSep 7, 20203 minThe Assistant ★★★Kitty Green’s “The Assistant" is an 87-minute, single-point-of-view film, with a stellar performance from Julia Garner (Ozark); it works.
2filmcriticsAug 23, 20203 minPalm Springs ★★★The R-rated Romcom is alive and well in “Palm Springs,” a creative look at the 40-ish slacker and the woman who'll drag him into adulthood.
2filmcriticsAug 14, 20203 minSorry We Missed You ★★1/2 "Loach is strong on details; some of the best scenes are of Ricky’s “day at the office”: loading boxes under pressure, fighting traffic..."
2filmcriticsAug 2, 20204 minThe Painted Bird ★★★1/2 Horrific and lengthy, no uplifting message, notable for people who've walked out, it's about demonizing the "other," relevant to us now.
2filmcriticsJul 20, 20204 minThe Truth ★★★There's a mechanical quality that can make it difficult to become involved. To the extent that’s not the case, credit the superb acting.
2filmcriticsJul 10, 20203 minBacurau ★★★1/2Bacurau is not a simple Manichean melodrama, but a trenchant commentary on surprisingly themes: blatant racism & government disintegration.
2filmcriticsJun 29, 20205 minDa 5 Bloods ★★1/2 Derivative, unfocused, politically superficial, and sometimes silly, “Da 5 Bloods” isn’t the epic Lee thought he was making.
