“Gangster Squad” (2013) – Ruben Fleischer’s Disappointing Gangster Period Piece

Director: Ruben Fleischer Writer: Will Beall (based off novel by Paul Lieberman) Starring: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Sean Penn … More

“Airplane” (1980) – The Worst Comedy Ever Made

Writers/Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker Co-writers: Arthur Hailey, Hall Bartlett, and John C. Champion Starring: Robert Hays, … More

“Past Lives” (2023) – Personal Reflections on a Magnificent Masterpiece

Do you remember the time when you fell in love with your first crush?  Memories of crushes have shaped my … More

“A Man Called Otto” (2022) – Tom Hanks’ Magnificent Mid-life Crisis Drama

Director: Marc Foster Starring: Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevino, Truman Hanks                      … More

“Pieces of a Woman” (2020) – A Heartbreaking Drama About Painful Homebirths

Director: Kornél Mundruczó Writer: Kata Webér Starring: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf and Ellen Burstyn ‘Heartbreaking Homebirth Drama’ It is never … More

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019) – A Powerful Portrait of a Lesbian Romance

Writer/Director: Céline Sciamma Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel and Valeria Golino ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted … More

“Just Mercy” (2019) – A Remarkable Courtroom Drama About Racial Injustice

Writer/Director: Destin Daniel Cretton Co-writer: Andrew Lanham (based on book) Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson ‘Captivating … More

“Zero Dark Thirty” (2012) – A Terrific Thriller About Terrorism

 Director: Kathryn Bigelow Writer: Mark Boal Starring: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler ‘Tense Terrorism Thriller’ From what I … More

“Saving Private Ryan” (1998) – My Favourite War Movie of All-Time

Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns ‘Wonderful War Epic’ Few filmmakers in the world are as … More

“The Hours” (2002) – A Deeply Moving Drama About Depression

Director: Stephen Daldry Starring: Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep ‘Deeply Moving Drama’ “The Hours” is directed by Stephen … More

“The Zone of Interest” (2023) – A Haunting Drama About the Holocaust

Writer/Director: Jonathan Glazer  Starring: Sandra Huller, Christian Friedel ‘Powerful Holocaust Drama’ The Holocaust is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in … More

“The Whale” (2022) – A Heartbreaking Drama About Obese Communities

Director: Darren Aronofsky Starring: Brendan Fraser, Hong Chau and Sadie Sink                   … More

“Joyland” (2022) – A Joyous Achievement for Pakistan

Writer/Director: Saim Sadiq Starring: Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq                     … More

“Aftersun” (2022) – A Mesmerizing Masterpiece About Fatherhood

Writer/Director: Charlotte Wells Starring: Frankie Corio, Paul Mescal                         … More

“Pieces of a Woman” (2020) – A Heartbreaking Portrait of Painful Homebirths

Director: Kornél Mundruczó Writer: Kata Webér Starring: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf and Ellen Burstyn ‘Heartbreaking Homebirth Drama’ It is never … More

“Hillbilly Elegy” (2020) – A Mediocre Adaptation of a Memoir

Director: Ron Howard Writer: Vanessa Taylor (based on book by J.D. Vance) Starring: Amy Adams, Glenn Close and Gabriel Basso … More

“The Father” (2020) – A Mesmerizing Masterpiece About Dementia

Writer/Director: Florian Zeller Co-writer: Christopher Hampton Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman and Mark Gatiss ‘Powerful Dementia Drama’ Dementia is a … More

“Pain and Glory” (2019) – A Glorious Portrait of a Great Artist

Writer/Director: Pedro Almodóvar Starring: Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia ‘A Glorious Achievement’ Few filmmakers from Spain have achieved … More

“Jojo Rabbit” (2019) – A Spectacular Satire About Nazi Germany

Writer/Director: Taika Waititi Based on the book by Christine Leunens Starring: Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell ‘Hilarious … More

“Hereditary” (2018) – One of the Scariest Movies Ever Made

Writer/Director: Ari Aster Starring: Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro and Gabriel Byrne ‘A Terrifying Thriller’ Before I begin this review, I … More

“Suicide Squad” (2016) – The Worst Comic-Book Movie Ever Made

Writer/Director: David Ayer Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto ‘A Suicidal Disaster’ Have you ever been let down … More

“Dallas Buyers Club” (2013) – Captivating AIDS Crisis Drama

Director: Jean-Marc Valee Writers: Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner ‘Powerful AIDS Drama’ You … More

“The Counselor” (2013) – Disastrous Drug Cartel Drama

Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Cormac McCarthy Starring: Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz ‘Waste of Talent’ Glamorous style overrides … More

“Zero Dark Thirty” (2012) – Terrific Terrorism Thriller

 Director: Kathryn Bigelow Writer: Mark Boal Starring: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler ‘Tense Terrorism Thriller’ From what I … More

“Flight” (2012) – Amazing Alcohol Addiction Drama

Director: Robert Zemeckis Writer: John Gatins Starring Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle ‘Astonishing Alcoholism Drama’ It’s not often that … More

“The Dark Knight Rises” (2012) – Fantastic Batman Franchise Finale

Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and Anne Hathaway ‘Fantastic Batman Finale’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is written … More

“Avengers: Endgame” (2019) – Fantastic Avengers Franchise Finale

Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo Writers: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth … More

“The Zone of Interest” (2023) – Haunting Holocaust Historical Drama

Writer/Director: Jonathan Glazer  Starring: Sandra Huller, Christian Friedel ‘Powerful Holocaust Drama’ The Holocaust is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in … More

“The Iron Claw” (2023) – Breathtaking Wrestling Brothers Biopic

Writer/Director: Sean Durkin Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Holy McCallany                    … More

“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Christopher Nolan’s Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt                   … More

“The Dark Knight Rises” (2012) – Fantastic Batman Farewell

Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and Anne Hathaway ‘Fantastic Batman Finale’ “The Dark Knight Rises” is written … More

“A Man Called Otto” (2022) – Tom Hanks at His Best

Director: Marc Foster Starring: Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevino, Truman Hanks                      … More

“Saving Private Ryan” (1998) – The Greatest War Movie Ever Made

Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns ‘Wonderful War Epic’ Few filmmakers in the world are as … More

“The Banshees of Inisherin” (2022) – Meaningful Friendship Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan                     … More

“All Quiet on the Western Front” (2022) – Wonderful German War Remake

Writer/Director: Edward Berger Starring: Felix Kammerer, Daniel Bruhl, Albrecht Schuch                     … More

“Promising Young Woman” (2020) – Spectacular Sexual Assault Satire

Writer/Director: Emerald Fennell Starring: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham and Alison Brie  ‘Riveting Revenge Thriller’ Sexual assault is a sensitive subject … More

“Pieces of a Woman” (2020) – Heartbreaking Homebirth Drama

Director: Kornél Mundruczó Writer: Kata Webér Starring: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf and Ellen Burstyn ‘Heartbreaking Homebirth Drama’ It is never … More

“The Invisible Man” (2020) – Powerful Psychological Thriller

Writer/Director: Leigh Whannell Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Aldis Hodge ‘Terrifying Psychological Thriller’  Over the past decade or so, … More

“Hillbilly Elegy” (2020) – Mediocre Memoir Adaptation

Director: Ron Howard Writer: Vanessa Taylor (based on book by J.D. Vance) Starring: Amy Adams, Glenn Close and Gabriel Basso … More

“Just Mercy” (2019) – Captivating Courtroom Drama

Writer/Director: Destin Daniel Cretton Co-writer: Andrew Lanham (based on book) Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson ‘Captivating … More

“Cats” (2019) – Catastrophic Musical Adaptation

Writer/Director: Tom Hooper Co-writer: Lee Hall Starring: Francesca Hayward, Jennifer Hudson and Judi Dench ‘A Cat-astrophic Musical’ It is not … More

“Another Round” (2019) – Amazing Alcohol Addiction Drama

Writer/Director: Thomas Vinterberg Co-writer: Tobias Lindholm Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen and Magnus Millang ‘Dazzling Drinking Drama’ Alcoholism is … More

“Adrift” (2018) – Powerful Survival Drama

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell and David Branson Smith Starring: Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin ‘Spectacular Survival … More

“Detroit” (2017) – Riveting Racism Historical Drama

Director: Kathryn Bigelow Writer: Mark Boal Starring: John Boyega, Anthony Mackie and Will Poulter ‘Tense Historical Thriller’ Racism has long … More

“Suicide Squad” (2016) – Suicidal Supervillain Disaster

Writer/Director: David Ayer Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto ‘A Suicidal Disaster’ Have you ever been let down … More

“Moonlight” (2016) – Magnificent LGBTQ Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Barry Jenkins Based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney Starring: Mahershala Ali, Ashton Sanders and Naomi Harris ‘Magnificent … More

“12 Years a Slave” (2013) – Magnificent Slavery Masterpiece

Director: Steve McQueen Writer: John Ridley (based on true story of Solomon Northup) Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano … More

“A Separation” (2011) – Mesmerizing Iranian Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Asghar Farhadi Starring: Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, and Sareh Bayat ‘Magnificent Masterpiece’ Certain decisions are difficult to make. Especially … More

“Saltburn” (2023) – Sensational Social Class Satire

Writer/Director: Emerald Fennell Starring: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elrodi, Rosamund Pike                      … More

Why “Past Lives” Was My Favorite Film of 2023

Do you remember the time when you fell in love with your first crush?  Memories of crushes have shaped my … More

“Maestro” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Bradley Cooper Starring: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer                     … More

“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Martin Scorsese Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro                                    … More

“The Iron Claw” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Sean Durkin Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Holy McCallany                    … More

“All Quiet on the Western Front” (2022) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Edward Berger Starring: Felix Kammerer, Daniel Bruhl, Albrecht Schuch                     … More

“Spencer” (2021) – Movie Review

Director: Pablo Larraín  Writer: Steven Knight Starring: Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall and Sally Hawkins ‘Dazzling Diana Biopic’ It isn’t simple to … More

“Da 5 Bloods” (2020) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Spike Lee  Co-writers: Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo and Kevin Willmott Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors and Clarke Peters … More

“Another Round” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Thomas Vinterberg Co-writer: Tobias Lindholm Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen and Magnus Millang ‘Dazzling Drinking Drama’ Alcoholism is … More

“Marriage Story” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Noah Baumbach Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Laura Dern ‘Mesmerizing Marriage Masterpiece’ It is always hard to move … More

“Adrift” (2018) – Movie Review

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell and David Branson Smith Starring: Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin ‘Spectacular Survival … More

“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014) – Movie Review

Director: Marc Webb Writers: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx ‘A … More

“12 Years a Slave” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Steve McQueen Writer: John Ridley (based on true story of Solomon Northup) Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano … More

“World War Z” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Marc Forster Writers: Drew Goddard, Matthew Carnahan and Damon Lindelof Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and Fana Mokoena ‘Bland … More

“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2” (2012) – Movie Review

Directed by Bill Condon Written by Melissa Rosenberg (based on novel by Stephenie Meyer) Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor … More

“Flight” (2012) – Movie Review

Directed by Robert ZemeckisWritten by John GatinsStarring Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle ‘Astonishing Alcoholism Drama’ It’s not often that … More

“A Separation” (2011) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Asghar Farhadi Starring: Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, and Sareh Bayat ‘Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ Certain decisions are difficult to make. Especially … More

“Oppenheimer” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt                   … More

“2 Guns” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Blake Masters (based on graphic novels by Steve Grant) Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula … More