https://screenrant.com A complete list of movie reviews and ratings from the Screen Rant film critics and industry experts - helping movie lovers decide which films to watch for over 15 years. Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:01:21 GMT en-US hourly 60 Editor's note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the [series/movie/etc] being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:01:21 GMT https://screenrant.com/til-death-do-us-part-review/ Editor's note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Thu, 03 Aug 2023 20:10:42 GMT https://screenrant.com/dreamin-wild-review/ Editor’s note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the [series/movie/etc] being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:10:03 GMT https://screenrant.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-review/ Editor's note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the [series/movie/etc] being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Sun, 30 Jul 2023 17:11:15 GMT https://screenrant.com/earth-mama-review/ Editor's note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the [series/movie/etc] being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Fri, 28 Jul 2023 20:04:55 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-beanie-bubble-review/ Editor's note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the [series/movie/etc] being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Thu, 27 Jul 2023 20:34:55 GMT https://screenrant.com/happiness-for-beginners-review/ Editor's Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:01:19 GMT https://screenrant.com/sympathy-for-the-devil-review/ Editor's Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the show being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 21:00:20 GMT https://screenrant.com/haunted-mansion-review/ Editor's Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and the movie covered here would not exist without the labor of the writers and actors in both unions.

]]> Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:00:18 GMT https://screenrant.com/fear-the-night-review/ Editor's Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn't exist.

]]> Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/oppenheimer-review/ Editor's Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and the movie covered here would not exist without the labor of the writers and actors in both unions.

]]> Tue, 18 Jul 2023 23:00:17 GMT https://screenrant.com/barbie-review/ Juel Taylor's feature film debut is a smashing success — They Cloned Tyrone is everything and then some. The bold stylistic choices work at every turn and are never overextended. John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Jamie Foxx (Baby Driver) are giving some of their most exciting performances to date, and Teyonah Parris (If Beale Street Could Talk) has that something special that brings it all together. They Cloned Tyrone is funny, well-paced, and just plain cool, and when you think that's all it is, the script digs even deeper.

]]> Fri, 14 Jul 2023 18:28:28 GMT https://screenrant.com/they-cloned-tyrone-review/ Screenwriting and directing duo Álex Pastor and David Pastor face the enormous task of crafting a story that is as engaging, thrilling, and unique as Bird Box without relying on the same themes and plotting. Bird Box Barcelona suffers from the reality that the creatures cannot truly be revealed, as the premise thrives on the characters and audiences not knowing what they are. This may lead to repetitive actions and scenarios, requiring creativity on the part of the filmmakers. However, the franchise can’t continue without feeling redundant or evolving to the next step, figuring out how to defeat these beings or developing a cure. Both of these possibilities are hinted at in Bird Box Barcelona, but they're not fully explored. The Pastors work on this by honing in on personal narratives and teasing the possibility that humans can resist and defeat these creatures. The allure of the unknown is still very much intact, but a third film may not be able to maintain the shtick.

]]> Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:30:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/bird-box-barcelona-review/ The idea that time heals old wounds is one people often bring up to provide comfort to their loved ones. The reality for some of us is that time is a luxury afforded to be able to deal with the hurt that follows. In Thaddeus O'Sullivan’s heartwarming and healing feature, The Miracle Club, a group of friends come to the ultimate realization that it takes more than time to repair old wounds. Jimmy Smallhorne, Timothy Prager, and Joshua D. Maurer pen this thoughtful script starring Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, Agnes O’Casey, and Laura Linney. The themes in The Miracle Club may be as old as time, but it beautifully celebrates the idea that friendship and compassion can be healing.

]]> Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:01:17 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-miracle-club/ The Lesson has one of the best opening scenes of the year, and it gets even more exquisite from there. Although the film broadcasts how the story will end, there are still plenty of twists and turns that will surprise and unsettle you. Directed by Alice Troughton from a screenplay by Alex MacKeith, The Lesson is a mystery/thriller that will leave you watching with bated breath. The story unfolds at a steady pace, and the characters, each of whom is manipulative in their own way, are exciting, the mystery lush and introspective. You’ll find you can’t get enough of this tantalizing world, with its incendiary commentary on originality, inspiration, and what makes good writing.

]]> Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:31:53 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-lesson-review/ The Out-Laws is a Happy Madison Production movie. While Adam Sandler is not present onscreen, his spirit looms large. The jokes are funny, but not wholly original or unexpected. The physical comedy is juvenile, but Adam DeVine’s commitment makes up for the cringe-worthy moments. Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin deserve so much more and have so much more to give, but the script — by Evan Turner and Ben Zazove — doesn’t give them anything to utilize their skills and star power properly. The Out-Laws is predictable and at times lazy. But as lazy as it may be, there is a decent comedic backbone that carries it to its inevitable end. Going in with low expectations is probably best because you will come out of it not feeling like you wasted 95 minutes of your day.

]]> Fri, 07 Jul 2023 07:06:15 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-out-laws-review/ Mel Eslyn has been in the orbit of the Duplass brothers for a while now, directing episodes of Room 104 and Cinema Toast. The Duplass Brothers were right to trust Eslyn, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Duplass, because Biosphere is a fascinating study of male relationships in the face of extraordinary changes. The setting could be described as post-apocalyptic, but the production design is closer to a stage production. The collision of these worlds has been explored in films like 10 Cloverfield Lane, but Biosphere is far less kinetic and much more concerned with the dynamics of its characters. Duplass and Sterling K. Brown are fully committed; by the end of the film, it's hard to argue against either performance. At its core, the film is a sci-fi two-hander, but what it has in store for us is so much more than that.

]]> Thu, 06 Jul 2023 19:18:34 GMT https://screenrant.com/biosphere-review/ Nearly three decades and seven movies later, the Mission: Impossible series has, improbably, aged like a fine wine. Each film has outdone the last — Brian DePalma's sexy and intriguing opener gave way to John Woo's bombastic and electrifying M:I-2. J.J. Abrams' Mission: Impossible 3 gave the franchise its greatest villain and laid the foundation for an emotional Ethan Hunt story that is threaded through the Christopher McQuarrie era that began after Brad Bird's Ghost Protocol. McQuarrie, who went on to direct one of the greatest action movies of all time six movies and 22 years into the franchise, has helped Ethan Hunt outlast two James Bonds, three Batmen, and the entire DCEU. Now, all of this is culminating in what has been touted as an event with a capital E. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is the first in a two-part story that will conclude in 2024 and after numerous setbacks, including COVID-related shutdowns, release date delays, and a leaked on-set rant, it is here in all its glory.

]]> Wed, 05 Jul 2023 16:00:15 GMT https://screenrant.com/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-1-review/ Raunchy comedies are back, and they’re making a big splash. Following Jennifer Lawrence’s No Hard Feelings is Joy Ride, a genuinely funny and heartfelt film about friendship, identity, and not needing to be perfect. Directed by Adele Lim from a screenplay by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, Joy Ride is the kind of film that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Bolstered by a fantastic ensemble cast, the road trip comedy isn’t afraid to get dirty, but it never forgets its heart in the process.

]]> Wed, 05 Jul 2023 14:01:15 GMT https://screenrant.com/joy-ride-review/ After what felt like ages of uncertainty and heartbreak, those who remained steadfast in their support for Nimona finally feel triumphant. Harsh circumstances made it so that a revelatory animated feature about a shape-shifting hero and two gay knights became a causality of intolerance and moral policing, but against all odds, Nimona has found new life. Disney never saw the value of Nimona and promptly forced production to close after acquiring Blue Sky Studios through the acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Instead of having a film under their banner that affirmed queer identities, had a heartfelt and fulfilling gay romance, and a genderfluid hero, they scrapped it in favor of half-assed attempts at representation and participation trophies. Annapurna and Netflix saw the value, heard the passionate cries from fans of ND Stevenson's graphic novel, and sprung into action.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:52:52 GMT https://screenrant.com/nimona-review/ Being a teenager is hard. Countless movies and television shows have been dedicated to that fact. DreamWorks' latest animated features posits the same thing, but with a unique twist: Being a teenager is hard, but being a teenage kraken is harder. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken mixes the fantastical with the realistic in portraying its titular heroine's journey of self-discovery and growth. Coming in at a very slim hour and a half, Kirk DeMicco's movie (co-directed by Faryn Pearl) is sometimes too speedy for its own good, and anyone who has seen a single trailer will already know its biggest plot twist. Despite all that, though, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is saved by a stunning voice cast and its sweet depiction of family, especially when it comes to its central mother-daughter duo.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:00:17 GMT https://screenrant.com/ruby-gillman-teenage-kraken-review/ Netflix's latest horror movie, Run Rabbit Run, an acquisition out of Sundance, has all the hallmarks of the genre fare seen in recent years. A grieving mother, a young (and unsettling) child, and generational trauma. There's a discomfiting score punctuated by warbling strings that crawl under your skin. The atmosphere is moody. The normally sun-drenched Australian countryside is shrouded in clouds and dipped in grays and browns. Unfortunately, Run Rabbit Run is less than the sum of its parts, and even an excellent turn from Sarah Snook can't elevate the movie beyond its basest instincts.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 21:03:22 GMT https://screenrant.com/run-rabbit-run-review/ Perhaps one of the biggest question marks during this summer's movie season is James Mangold's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. It's the latest installment in a beloved franchise, though its predecessor, 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, is seen by many as a blemish on the series' reputation. Additionally, Dial of Destiny is the first in the franchise to not be directed by Steven Spielberg, and with those two factors combined, it's led to uncertainty over whether the newest movie can restore some glory to the property. With star Harrison Ford adamant that this is his last one as the iconic archeologist, the stakes are high. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny doesn't quite match the highs that came before it, but with Ford's assured performance at its center, it's still an entertaining and nostalgic ride.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-review/ Directed by Matt Smukler from a screenplay by Jana Savage, Wildflower attempts to be a heartfelt dramedy and a coming-of-age story about a teenager who cares for her disabled parents and struggles under the pressure of doing that alongside balancing her personal life. On the surface, Wildflower succeeds, but digging deeper into its message reveals a more disheartening and disingenuous film. Despite a fantastic cast, Wildflower doesn’t live up to its potential, and uses its disabled characters as vehicles to drive the main character’s story, which will leave a bitter taste in your mouth after all is said and done.

]]> Sun, 25 Jun 2023 18:51:47 GMT https://screenrant.com/wildflower-review/ It’s important to note right away that Numa Perrier’s The Perfect Find isn’t anything we haven’t scene before. In fact, it’s all the rom-com tropes we love (or hate) combined with a high-fashion setting, which also happens to celebrate old-time cinema. Adapted from the book of the same name by Tia Williams, Leigh Davenport’s script sees a down-and-out, middle-aged woman pick up and stitch together the broken pieces of her life. Her complicated new journey opens up an interesting conversation about women starting over when the world around you tells us it’s too late. Though The Perfect Find struggles with the romance aspects, its commentary on finding love late in life is a pure delight.

]]> Fri, 23 Jun 2023 19:38:35 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-perfect-find-review/ Since her career began in 2008, Jennifer Lawrence has starred in roughly 25 films. That none of them is an out-and-out comedy may come as a surprise to some. David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook is as close as Lawrence has gotten, but that film is laced with a melancholic tenderness that netted the actress her first Academy Award. Now, after stepping back from the spotlight and shifting away from franchise filmmaking, Lawrence is back and better than ever. Her latest film, No Hard Feelings, is a dual coming-of-age story hidden inside a raunchy comedy that, despite its faults, is both sweet and hysterical, with a chaotic performance from Lawrence that shows the actress can do just about anything.

]]> Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:13:54 GMT https://screenrant.com/no-hard-feelings-review/ Written, directed, and produced by Brooklyn Nine-Nine alum Chelsea Peretti, First Time Female Director offers a glimpse into one woman’s opportunity to advance in her career with as little support as possible. Peretti also stars in her feature debut as Sam, a playwright who takes over the director role after her male counterpart gets fired for inappropriate behavior. With Sam having to prove herself at the theater, along with being subjected to the opinions and hesitations of her cast, her debut at the theater becomes more challenging than she originally thought. A mix of satire and mockumentary, First Time Female Director had the material to succeed, but the irksome humor overshadows its important messaging.

]]> Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:36:35 GMT https://screenrant.com/first-time-female-director-review/ School shootings continue to happen. It’s tragic, heartbreaking, and it often feels rather hopeless watching as things unfold, and the cycle of violence repeats. Far from being a film that capitalizes on the shock value of such a devastating event, The Graduates is an understated story that focuses on the aftermath — healing, mourning, and attempting to move forward are at the center of this character-driven narrative. Writer-director Hannah Peterson quietly and tenderly explores the complicated feelings at the center as grief and a sense of loss, and being lost, punctuate every scene. If there was ever a film to watch about mourning and learning to adjust to a new normal, it’s Peterson’s poignant masterpiece.

]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2023 20:14:48 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-graduates-review/ Director and screenwriter Roxine Helberg premiered her feature debut, Cold Copy, at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. Tracee Ellis Ross stars as Diane Heger, the cutthroat news reporter with an impressive track record of getting the truth from public figures. When an ambitious journalism student, Mia Scott (Bel Powley), desperately competes for her attention, it raises a lot of questions about friendly competition, ethics, and truth in reporting. Truth be told, Helberg’s debut contains a lot of the right sentiments, but never gives a proper message through her characters. Disappointingly, Cold Copy, while entertaining in delivery, struggles to say something meaningful about the media and the ugly truth behind journalism and narrative.

]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2023 15:03:43 GMT https://screenrant.com/cold-copy-review/ Being stuck in a hopeless situation, and a location that has no other human in sight for miles, can make someone desperate enough to take extreme action. Catching Dust, written and directed by Stuart Gatt, hinges on this premise. While it plays into certain expectations regarding characters and their relationships, the film is a desert drama brimming with tension that’s wound so tight it could snap at any moment. It plays its cards right for the most part, building suspense and creating intriguing character dynamics, even though its focus gets too caught up in the climactic ending more than anything else.

]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:19:08 GMT https://screenrant.com/catching-dust-review/ When it comes to small space settings in film, developing an engrossing story takes a bit more effort. Other Tribeca offerings, like You’ll Never Find Me, do this remarkably well. I.S.S. is certainly committed to its premise and excels at building tension; it’s an example of the ways in which suspense and conflict can be developed in the story and between characters. And while the plot is suspenseful and unsettling because it’s something that could happen, the film underwhelms when it comes to its dynamics and individual arcs, each character lacking a depth that would have elevated an otherwise solid thriller.

]]> Sat, 17 Jun 2023 16:23:18 GMT https://screenrant.com/iss-review/ Adapting Downtown Owl, the novel by Chuck Klosterman, co-directors Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, who also wrote the screenplay, deliver a messy, aimless film. It has moments of intrigue that are quickly extinguished by the film’s attempts at doing too much. The film’s depiction of small town life in the early 80s is grim, but if it had centered on the ways in which its characters feel stuck it might have made up for everything else. The adaptation is a missed opportunity made up of scattered pieces with no clear vision.

]]> Sat, 17 Jun 2023 14:54:12 GMT https://screenrant.com/downtown-owl-review/ Maggie Moore(s) aims to please with a mixture of mystery, buddy cop humor and a sprinkle of romance. While most of the comedy never lands and is often half-baked, the film, directed by John Slattery from a screenplay by Paul Bernbaum, has a winning cast and a serviceable true crime premise that will at least keep you interested the whole way through, even if the ending rushes to tie up loose ends.

]]> Sat, 17 Jun 2023 14:32:42 GMT https://screenrant.com/maggie-moores-review/ Horror is such a versatile genre, and when it finds its sweet spot, it can be electrifying, emotional, and chilling in equal measure. You’ll Never Find Me is all of these things and more, and its ending will evoke such a visceral reaction of shock and awe. Directed by Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell (who also wrote the screenplay), You’ll Never Find Me is an intimate story, one that is carried by an intense ongoing exchange between two characters that will rattle your nerves and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

]]> Fri, 16 Jun 2023 19:59:59 GMT https://screenrant.com/youll-never-find-me-review/ Written and directed by Olivia West Lloyd, Somewhere Quiet deals with the aftermath of a Final Girl’s survival. Sure, she may have lived through a traumatic event, but Lloyd’s film examines how that may have affected her. Could someone go back to a normal life after such a horrific experience? How did the experience shape them, and how does it impact their relationship with others? Somewhere Quiet attempts to answer some of these questions, though not in a way you might expect. Bolstered by a moving performance by Jennifer Kim, the film is a slow-burn, character-driven thriller that brings us to question what is real and what is imagined.

]]> Fri, 16 Jun 2023 17:27:11 GMT https://screenrant.com/somewhere-quiet-review/ Have you ever felt the need to yell at the screen while a character in a horror film decides to investigate some strange noise they’ve heard? Or how about after identifying that there’s a killer around, a group of friends decides to split up to increase their chances of survival? These tropes have consistently been used in the genre, but director Tim Story is here to kiss them goodbye in his latest horror comedy/satire The Blackening. Written by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins and based on the digital short film, this hilarious feature deconstructs the genre through a Black cultural lens while unpacking what “Blackness” in America truly means.

]]> Fri, 16 Jun 2023 16:45:23 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-blackening-review/ Fans of the beloved actor Michael Shannon, who most recently reprised his role as Zod in The Flash movie, understand him as a performer with a strong onscreen presence and even better emotional conviction. After a career of over 30 years, Shannon turns his talents towards directing. A long-time lover of stage plays, it’s not entirely shocking that his debut would be an adaptation of one. In his first feature film, he explores grief, guilt, and blame after a school shooting plagues a small town with turbulent sorrow. Eric LaRue is a devastating and emotionally gripping story enhanced by Shannon’s longtime experience with stage plays and Judy Greer’s perfect performance.

]]> Thu, 15 Jun 2023 20:25:56 GMT https://screenrant.com/eric-larue-review/ Marriage, divorce, and custody battles have been popular topics to explore in a range of genres for a long time. In 1993, the late Robin Williams graced us with his nanny skills after a divorce separated him from his children in Mrs. Doubtfire. Steve Carell’s seemingly perfect marriage with Julianne Moore in Crazy, Stupid, Love falls apart after his wife’s infidelity leads to a divorce. More recently, the acclaimed Marriage Story detailed the ugly details behind custody battles. For his second feature, director Bill Oliver aimed to explore these difficulties through a gay couple by pulling from his personal experiences. In Our Son, Luke Evans and Billy Porter deliver stunning performances, but it’s a familiar story we’ve all seen before.

]]> Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:17:29 GMT https://screenrant.com/our-son-review/ Sam Hargrave, a long-time stunt actor and coordinator, is following up his solid directorial debut with Extraction 2. Though both Extraction films are weak narratively, they are relatively rare gems that highlight the artistry of action and illuminate how poorly Hollywood has treated this art form. Here, Hargrave finds his groove with incredibly deliberate camera movements and extended scenes of action that ramp up the adrenaline. I hoped for a nonstop action trip that started with Chris Hemsworth's Rake entering the prison and ended with his final boss battle at the end. It cut out the story's emotional core, which ultimately meant very little. Extraction 2 is weighed down by Rake’s hang-ups over his choices, but the drama of the familial unit Rake is out to rescue is enough. Hargrave's vision is clear.

]]> Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:05:59 GMT https://screenrant.com/extraction-2-review/ About halfway through Jeffrey Darling’s crime thriller, He Went That Way, I had to consistently fight through the anger to remind myself that this genre-mashup is “just a movie.” At this point in the film, 19-year-old serial killer Bobby Falls had just made good on a promise and provided a kind gesture to his latest captive Jim Goodwin. It’s the kind of scene that felt emotionally manipulative; I felt some cheesy speech about how people could change was right around the corner. Thankfully, this never came to pass, but the film’s quality didn't get any better.

]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:36:09 GMT https://screenrant.com/he-went-that-way-review/ Grief is an emotion that we all will experience at some point in our lives. Whether it’s due to the loss of a parent, friend, or pet, sorrow is an inevitable part of the human experience. Though the way grief is processed tends to look differently for different people, all-out avoidance tends to cause more problems than intended. That’s the premise of Robert Schwartzman’s emotional dramedy, The Good Half. Schwartzman combines his personal experiences with Brett Ryland's script to deliver an expressive showcase of loss and grief in a way that will hit close to home for many. Their study of grief and its many faces feels sincere, even if a bit skewed towards one type.

]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:34:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-good-half-review/ There are few brands as well-respected in Hollywood as Pixar, though the iconic animation studio has faced an awkward period ever since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. With its best 2020s offerings going straight to Disney+ (Soul, Turning Red) and its grand return to theaters largely considered a disappointment (Lightyear), many have turned to Pixar's latest release, Elemental, with some high expectations. On paper, the colorful and impressively animated film appears to be a return to form for the studio. In reality, Elemental is bursting with clever ideas and timely social commentary, but ultimately passes over both for a more conventional tale.

]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:02:52 GMT https://screenrant.com/elemental-review/ One of the most important aspects of good mental health is being able to understand yourself and the things that would contribute to your well-being. Some people find difficulty in self-soothing when it comes to things like anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Others find it challenging to speak up even to those close to them because that means there’s a recognition of a problem, and perhaps more frightening, a realization that they can’t face it alone. For those that fall into the latter category, hotlines often serve as a means to release their problems because they can talk through them with a stranger. It’s often unheard of to understand what those on the other end of the call go through, which is why Steve Buscemi’s feature, The Listener, is an interesting watch.

]]> Tue, 13 Jun 2023 22:32:38 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-listener-review/ Blue Jean is a strikingly confident feature. With her debut, writer-director Georgia Oakley has made a film that knows exactly what it intends to explore and goes about it by wielding mood, an especially tricky tool in the filmmaker's kit, with total precision. The movie examines internalized homophobia through its protagonist, taking her on a journey of recognizing and grappling with her troubled relationship with her own identity. But Blue Jean is just as interested in the sociopolitical atmosphere that distorts self-denial into appearing logical - and the power of community to, if not heal those wounds, give people hope that healing is possible. Give yourself over to its wavelength, and I believe you'll find it engrossing, insightful, and, unfortunately, quite timely.

]]> Sat, 10 Jun 2023 13:25:50 GMT https://screenrant.com/blue-jean-review/ The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is one of the year's best horror movies. Everything from the production value to the performances syncs perfectly with writer-director Bomani J. Story’s vision. His script moves like a finely tuned watch and there is zero fat left on the bone. Some of the CGI is a bit hokey, but the reality is that even these effects align with the film's self-awareness.

]]> Fri, 09 Jun 2023 20:01:55 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-angry-black-girl-and-her-monster-review/ It's impossible not to talk about The Flash movie without talking about Ezra Miller. The actor plays not just one version of Barry Allen in The Flash, but two, sharing the screen more with themselves than with any of their co-stars. However, in the last few years, attention has been drawn to Miller's off-screen activities, ranging from the actor physically attacking a woman in 2020 to facing charges of burglary and being accused of grooming in 2022. The actor issued an apology in August 2022 and has kept a low profile since, not participating in the press lead-up to The Flash, leaving much of the promo to director Andy Muschietti (IT) as they attend to their mental health.

]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 19:00:18 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-flash-review/ Two unsuspecting humans find themselves on a globe-trotting journey in search of a very special object that could save humanity and Transformers from the brink of destruction. I could be describing any of the previously released live-action Transformers movies (of which there are 5, not including 2018's Bumblebee), but the latest, Rise of the Beasts, falls into the same plot trappings, so there's really no difference. The bar is pretty low, but the latest Transformers movie is about what you'd expect: a smorgasbord of CGI battles, quippy one-liners from humans who find themselves in the middle of an intergalactic struggle, and an inexplicably named MacGuffin that drives the plot around the globe and back to Brooklyn. It's a serviceable summer blockbuster with two charismatic lead performances, but its familiar plot and mindless CGI muddles an obvious attempt to relaunch a franchise that might be better off dormant.

]]> Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:21:12 GMT https://screenrant.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-review/ For the uninitiated, Sterling Films is a production house that specializes in micro-budget movies. Fangs Out, much like many Sterling productions, is not for everyone, especially if you want cohesive narratives, production value that rises above the average student film, and acting that is a notch above after-school specials. When those expectations are adjusted, you can settle into the ludicrous story that unfolds, though it doesn't mean it's necessarily good.

]]> Sat, 03 Jun 2023 20:26:09 GMT https://screenrant.com/fangs-out-review/ Robert Rodriguez's latest action thriller felt like a disappointment waiting to happen. He wrote the original screenplay over 20 years ago, but the film hadn’t seen much life since 2018 when Max Borenstein rewrote the script. Three production halts and one insurance lawsuit later, Hypnotic released in theaters on May 12 to poor reviews, and it’s not too difficult to see why. Though it contains fascinating ideas, it is not executed well, coming off as an experiment that tends to die faster than we can get any answers. Rodriguez may have been going for a thrilling film that features creativity and excitement, but Hypnotic is everything but.

]]> Fri, 02 Jun 2023 19:53:38 GMT https://screenrant.com/hypnotic-review/ Based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name, The Boogeyman smartly crafts a story that is as disconcerting as it is emotionally raw. There is something to be said about our society’s lack of openness about death and grief, but The Boogeyman definitely handles these themes well, all while connecting them with the horror of childhood fears — real and imagined. Directed by Rob Savage, The Boogeyman does an outstanding job of terrifying without forgetting about the very human emotions and relationships that anchor and elevate the story.

]]> Fri, 02 Jun 2023 14:47:46 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-boogeyman-review/ April Mullen’s (Wanderer) seventh feature film, Simulant, is drenched in classic sci-fi tropes, but it never makes a mark of its own. Ryan Christopher Churchill's (Love Your Enemy) script is predictable up until the final ten minutes of the film. Though the cast is full of recognizable names and faces, none of them are up to the task of elevating Simulant in a meaningful way. The production value is where the film shines and both the practical and special effects are seamless, but Simulant is a story we’ve seen before that sadly brings nothing new to the genre.

]]> Fri, 02 Jun 2023 14:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/simulant-review/ Todd Haynes’ quirky and cutthroat dramedy, May December, is an uncomfortably twisted examination on consent and the long-lasting effects it may have on a family. Through Julianne Moore’s character, Gracie, screenwriter Samy Burch elicits an uneasy truth about predators and sex offenders. Simultaneously, he takes a gentle approach in analyzing a victim’s mentality over the years. The outcome is unconventional character studies showcased through a campy lens and unsettling humor. It combines the best worlds of meticulous storytelling with exceptional acting — two components that leave a lasting impression on us.

]]> Thu, 01 Jun 2023 21:50:58 GMT https://screenrant.com/may-december-review/ When Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse released in 2018, it was clear Sony Pictures Animation had something special and with the sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Sony solidifies the series as one of the best film franchises of all time. Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra), Kemp Powers (Soul) and Justin K. Thompson (The Angry Birds Movie) direct the movie from a script by Phil Lord, Chris Miller (The LEGO Movie), and David Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is phenomenal from start to finish, raising the stakes, emotion and heart with beautiful artistic animation.

]]> Wed, 31 May 2023 13:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-review/ Jessica Hausner’s latest drama, Club Zero, premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to mixed reception. The story follows a passionate teacher as she navigates her new position as a conscious eating instructor at an elite school. As she begins to form a strong bond with five students, they stumble further into the depths of eliminating food from their diet. Soon, their parents become concerned, calling for the firing of the teacher. Unfortunately, their demands may come too late as the students are willing to go to a point of no return.

]]> Sat, 27 May 2023 14:56:09 GMT https://screenrant.com/club-zero-review/ Directed by Laura Terruso from a screenplay by comedian Sebastian Maniscalco and Austen Earl, About My Father has a fun, trope-y premise that somehow doesn’t land, and a fantastic cast can’t save it. It’s hard to come by a really good comedy these days, and though About My Father has its moments, its humor and story never reach the heights they were perhaps aiming for. At times sweet and occasionally funny, the film leaves a lot to be desired despite a stellar cast, and is an exercise in wasted potential.

]]> Sat, 27 May 2023 14:21:22 GMT https://screenrant.com/about-my-father-review/ The story of King Henry VIII has been told in various forms of media throughout the years. Five of his six wives, while less so, have also had some of their tragic stories told alongside his tyrannical reign. With desired annulments and a couple of decapitations, marriage to King Henry VIII had always seemed to end in catastrophe, each of which had left the king more paranoid and angrier than the last. However, there was one woman who managed to live through and survive the horrors under his tumultuous sovereignty. That story belongs to Catherine Parr. Director Karim Aïnouz brings Parr’s story to life with conviction and style in Firebrand.

]]> Fri, 26 May 2023 22:22:43 GMT https://screenrant.com/firebrand-review/ Christianity offers the teachings of Jesus in the form of his commandments as a way to live like him, but there are arguments made that a Bible isn’t necessary to be a decent human being. In his latest feature, which premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, writer-director Warwick Thornton examines these competing topics with sincerity and wonder. With his story and direction comes magical encounters that intermingle culture and new religion from a child’s perspective. The New Boy is an ethereal experience with transcendent performances from Cate Blanchett and Aswan Reid that will leave lasting impressions.

]]> Fri, 26 May 2023 20:33:09 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-new-boy-review/ Sean Price Williams, American cinematographer known for his usage of grain and natural/available lighting in his films, has turned to directing after over 50 indie feature films as a director of photography. Williams premiered his feature debut, The Sweet East, at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, which sees a high school girl traverse the east coast of the United States in an attempt to escape her mundane life. For all the chaos Williams’ debut offers, including a gun-man/conspiracy theorist (Andy Milonakis), a period piece actor (Jacob Elordi), and a kind neo-Nazi (Simon Rex), the film sets itself up as a wild journey through the armpits of America.

]]> Fri, 26 May 2023 13:49:28 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-sweet-east-review/ Director Ric Roman Waugh (National Champions) is no stranger to action movies starring Gerard Butler (Law Abiding Citizen). Kandahar is the duo’s third film together, and they have continued making serviceable action flicks for a little over half a decade now. Butler seems to have settled into his role as an action movie star, whether it's in theaters or on demand. The result is a career that has perhaps not lived up to the promise of 300 but has certainly stayed relevant longer than the average career that took off in 2007. Kandahar's script lives in a morally gray area, but the filmmaking is proficient enough to keep audiences engaged.

]]> Fri, 26 May 2023 12:48:38 GMT https://screenrant.com/kandahar-review/ Reality begins in a dimly lit office, flat screen televisions adorning the walls as Fox News plays footage of former FBI director James Comey while reporting on his firing by Donald Trump. Later, Reality Winner (Sydney Sweeney) will cite the incessant drone of Fox News as one of the reasons for her sending classified documents about Russian interference in the 2016 election to The Intercept. It's a direct quote, as is the entire script. Based on the play Is This A Room by Tina Satter, who also directs in her feature debut, Reality is a chilling and clinical look at the surveillance state and a fraught time for the United States as a whole, with a transformative performance from Sweeney as the title whistleblower.

]]> Thu, 25 May 2023 13:30:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/reality-movie-review/ The logline: An assassin discovers that he must kill six other assassins or be assassinated himself. The world is their arena, and only one can come out alive. A kill-or-be-killed globe-trotting action thriller starring Henry Golding and Noomi Rapace sounds like the perfect recipe for a fun time after the massive success of John Wick. Is there the possibility of being called redundant or generic due to such a powerhouse franchise already existing? Yes. But if it is fun, then it doesn't matter, but fun is a bit of a reach for Assassin Club.

]]> Mon, 22 May 2023 19:10:57 GMT https://screenrant.com/assassin-club-review/ After much anticipation and debate, Disney's live-action The Little Mermaid officially swims into theaters this week. The Rob Marshall-directed movie is the latest in a steadily growing line of live-action remakes put out by the Mouse House, and it's safe to say it is one of the studio's better offerings. In terms of faithfulness, The Little Mermaid is similar to the remakes of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, in that the exact same story is told, albeit with some extra padding and a few new songs. Led by a pitch-perfect Halle Bailey, The Little Mermaid is bolstered by deeper characterization and a grand scope, even as it grapples with awkward visuals and a strangely shallow climax.

]]> Mon, 22 May 2023 13:00:17 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-little-mermaid-review/ White Men Can’t Jump, which was first released in 1992, has gotten the remake treatment. It isn’t the first film, or the last, from the last 50 years to be adapted for modern audiences. Nostalgia has dominated the public consciousness, or so the studios say. So, let’s picture this: You want to watch White Men Can’t Jump, and there are now two versions on Hulu with 2023 remake, which was directed by Calmatic from a screenplay by Kenya Barris and Doug Hall. The trend says that the choice is to watch the new one, but is that the right one?

]]> Fri, 19 May 2023 21:05:31 GMT https://screenrant.com/white-men-cant-jump-review/ Hirokazu Kore-eda returned to the Cannes Film Festival to debut his ninth feature film, marking his seventh entry at the popular international event and his first in which he does not pen the script for a feature since his debut. In his first Japanese language film since Shoplifters, the director collaborates with the renowned Japanese TV writer, Yuji Sakamoto. Monster reveals a story about adolescence, lies & deceit, and the consequences thereof from a humane perspective, slowly revealing intricate details of life’s biggest complications through three vantage points. The film demands a great deal of patience from you, but the payoff and the events leading up to it are well-earned emotional depositions.

]]> Fri, 19 May 2023 19:24:10 GMT https://screenrant.com/monster-review/ Brooklyn 45, from writer-director Ted Geoghegan, takes place in a single location — a Brooklyn brownstone — during a singular period of time — the Christmas after World War II drew to a close. Utilizing both its single location and its unique setting in time, Brooklyn 45 is a chilling and emotional film that looks at PTSD, xenophobia, and the ethical dilemmas of war through the lens of one séance gone horrifically wrong. It's striking and uncomfortably relevant to modern times despite taking place almost a century ago and while it won't make you jump out of your seat often, it's a scary look at the effects of war and the ghosts, both real and imagined, that haunt the public consciousness.

]]> Thu, 18 May 2023 21:45:27 GMT https://screenrant.com/brooklyn-45-review/ Paul Schrader's loose trilogy, comprising First Reformed, The Card Counter, and now Master Gardener, has centered lonely men coping with the sins of their past while searching for a way forward in a world that feels alien. In Master Gardener, Joel Edgerton stars as Narvel Roth, a man who tends to the vast and abundant gardens of Sigourney Weaver's Mrs. Haverhill, seemingly the only person who knows about his violent neo-Nazi past. In a striking moment of intimacy, Haverhill takes Narvel's shirt off to reveal a canvas of neo-Nazi imagery splayed across his back, but she is not fazed. This scene is intended to be shocking or, at the very least, evocative, but, like Master Gardener itself, it is staid and muted, the last gasp of an effort to connect his two previous films via a thematic framework that has become a bit tired. While Schrader's directing and the casts' performances are more than up to standard, Master Gardener somehow ends up being less than the sum of its parts.

]]> Wed, 17 May 2023 16:49:39 GMT https://screenrant.com/master-gardener-review/ Over the last two decades the Fast & Furious franchise has evolved from a simple movie about street racers into one of the highest grossing franchises in history. Newcomer to the Fast series, Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk, Now You See Me), takes on directing duties for Fast X, working from a script by Dan Mazeau (Wrath of the Titans) and longtime franchise director Justin Lin. Continuing the story of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family of racers and car enthusiasts, Fast X flips the script by making Dom the target of an old vendetta. Fast X is a breathless thrill ride that occasionally gets bogged down in melodramatic dialogue, but Jason Momoa's villain makes it a blast to watch.

]]> Wed, 17 May 2023 16:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/fast-x-review/ Mortal Kombat meets Power Rangers in the undercooked and over-the-top Knights of the Zodiac, a live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime series, Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya, and the manga Saint Seiya by Masami Kurumada. Kurumada has always wanted to adapt his manga while he worked on it, and you can see why in the opening narration. But like many manga and anime with great stories of epic battles, intricate mythologies, and colorful characters, their potential only sometimes translates to live-action. More often than not, Hollywood cannot faithfully adapt anime stories without sacrificing some crucial elements, and the same goes for Knights of the Zodiac.

]]> Sat, 13 May 2023 21:02:08 GMT https://screenrant.com/knights-of-the-zodiac-review/ Jennifer Lopez is back in her action bag with The Mother from Netflix. Directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Misha Green, Andrea Berloff and Peter Craig, The Mother follows the titular character (Lopez) who becomes an FBI informant. The Mother is a lean, mean actioner, but one that could have benefited from better editing and a tighter script. That’s not to say that the film is terrible or unbearable by any means, it's just that it is a straightforward narrative that does not require a nearly two-hour run time to tell it right.

]]> Sat, 13 May 2023 19:36:44 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-mother-review/ Some movies are heartfelt and moving despite not having much of a story at all, and Book Club: The Next Chapter is one such film. The sequel to 2018’s Book Club, The Next Chapter sees the characters on a trip to Italy as they enter the next stage in their lives and reaffirm their friendship. It’s a lovely, warm film overall, though it lingers for longer than need be and has no major conflict. Directed by Bill Holderman from a screenplay he co-wrote with Erin Simms, Book Club: The Next Chapter is fluff, but if you’re willing to go along for the ride, it will occasionally pull on the heartstrings, while also serving as a beautiful travel commercial for Italy.

]]> Fri, 12 May 2023 13:30:17 GMT https://screenrant.com/book-club-the-next-chapter-review/ In 2010, Aaron Sorkin created a sub-genre with the release of his Facebook drama The Social Network, a masterpiece and one of the best films released that decade. Since then, there have been plenty of imitators who have failed to even near the impossibly high benchmark set by Sorkin's film. Think of the Steve Jobs biopic Jobs led by Ashton Kutcher or the Tesla biopic that couldn't even be saved by Ethan Hawke's lead performance. Then, there have been those who have come close to the greatness of The Social Network — Moneyball, The Big Short, The Wolf of Wall Street. BlackBerry, a new film from writer-director Matt Johnson, lands somewhere between the duds and the masterpieces. It's full of fast-talking tech nerds and morally compromised corporate A-holes, it bites off a bit more than it can chew in telling the story of Research in Motion, but it's still a good time, reminiscent of mid-budget dramedies that have all but disappeared in recent years.

]]> Tue, 09 May 2023 14:20:36 GMT https://screenrant.com/blackberry-review/ Monica begins with an explosion of sound and the bright shine of artificial UV rays. Trace Lysette lays in a tanning bed, her eyes covered by beady protective glasses, while New Order's "Bizarre Love" plays. This extreme close-up, both jarring and immediately intimate, is a primer for the rest of the film, a story of alienation and acceptance centered on Lysette's stunning turn as the title character. The narrative of Monica is scant, but this makes way for a poignant examination of trans identity and loneliness through the lens of one family.

]]> Tue, 09 May 2023 13:38:13 GMT https://screenrant.com/monica-review/ Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde was a highly influential piece of cinema that ushered in a new era of violent and stylish storytelling that featured young people at the center. It was controversial and sexy, launched both title stars to superstardom, and has cemented itself in Hollywood history by birthing a new subgenre. Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers picked up the mantel and created an explosive film that pushed the boundaries of technical creativity in a highly stylized, satirical, and violent homage to Bonnie and Clyde. Now in 2023, Tom DeNucci hopes that his Johnny & Clyde can leave as big a mark as its cinematic parents, but can it?

]]> Mon, 08 May 2023 19:10:34 GMT https://screenrant.com/johnny-clyde-review/ Benjamin Millepied makes his directorial debut with his screen adaptation of Bizet’s opera Carmen. The reimagining supplants the setting and time, strips the characters of their arcs, and selectively features segments of the opera's music sung by a French choir. Bizet’s Carmen is reduced to an echo in a modern adaptation that is in name only. Millepied’s Carmen indulges in the art of dance and music, but what does that say for its standing as a film adaptation of the iconic story?

]]> Fri, 05 May 2023 16:40:37 GMT https://screenrant.com/carmen-review/ Sisu is a Finnish word used to describe extraordinary bravery and resilience during extreme levels of adversity. With no true literal equivalent in English, who better to showcase its meaning on screen than Finnish director and screenwriter Jalmari Helander. In his feature, Jorma Tommila stars as Aatami Korpi, a Winter War veteran and gold miner living in the wilderness of Lapland. When Korpi uncovers a life-changing amount of gold, he must traverse through the minefields and escape Nazi platoons to cash in his hefty prize. In all its nonsensical glory, Helander’s historical action film is full of surprises and grit. Sisu is a beautiful story about pure determination while containing epic action sequences for superfans of the genre.

]]> Fri, 05 May 2023 13:50:59 GMT https://screenrant.com/sisu-review/ In Paolo Cognetti's Le otto montagne, the narrator ruminates, "If the point at which you immerse yourself in the river is the present...then the past is the water that has flowed past you." The Eight Mountains, an adaptation of Cognetti's novel written by the author alongside directors Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch, follows Pietro (Luca Marinelli) from adolescence to adulthood and the film is like the river Cognetti writes about. Like the book it's based on, The Eight Mountains is a contemplative film, one that uses its lengthy runtime to settle in and take you through the four or so decades in which it tracks Pietro's relationship with Bruno (Alessandro Borghi), a friendship that is achingly pure even as outside forces alter the course of it.

]]> Thu, 04 May 2023 21:14:20 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-eight-mountains-review/ The rom-com continues to make a solid comeback to the big screen with the new offering What's Love Got to Do with It?. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, this movie holds all the ingredients of a successful romantic comedy: Two attractive leads with decent chemistry, a swoon-worthy premise, and a triumphant conclusion. What's Love Got to Do with It? also has an extra advantage in its thoughtful exploration of Pakistani culture, particularly with its tradition of arranged marriages (or, as it is called these days, assisted marriage). Though the sparks could be brighter for its central couple, What's Love Got to Do with It? still has plenty of charm.

]]> Tue, 02 May 2023 14:54:10 GMT https://screenrant.com/whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-review/ After launching the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, filmmaker James Gunn returns to the franchise to wrap up his trilogy of space-based superheroes with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Infamously, there was a time when it seemed Gunn wouldn't be the director in charge of giving the Guardians of the Galaxy team their sendoff, since the filmmaker was fired from the project in 2018. However, he was re-hired by Disney and was able to complete the story he started back in 2014. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 mixes Gunn's usual wacky action and laugh-out-loud humor with a grounded, emotional story to create something special.

]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-review/ Disney refuses to let any stone go unturned when it comes to remaking its animated classics into live-action, so ahead of this May's The Little Mermaid, the Mouse House is slipping in an additional remake. Peter Pan & Wendy, which flies to Disney+ rather than theaters, aims to put a deeper, more grounded spin on the 1953 animated flick that was solely named after the male hero and based on J.M. Barrie's iconic written works. Director David Lowery (Pete's Dragon) brings a more mature sensibility to the tale of a boy who never wants to grow up, and it ultimately yields some mixed results. While Peter Pan & Wendy is strangely lacking some magic, it is saved by a scene-stealing Jude Law and a narrative that forces one to reckon with Peter's more negative traits.

]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:06:15 GMT https://screenrant.com/peter-pan-wendy-review/ There is no better time for Clock to come out. With government officials threatening and, in some cases, successfully repressing women's bodily anatomy, a horror about a woman pressured into being a mother could not be more relevant.

]]> Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:36:33 GMT https://screenrant.com/clock-review/ There are plenty of movies about artificial intelligence, though it’s Alex Garland’s Ex Machina that comes to mind first when watching The Artifice Girl. Written and directed by Franklin Ritch, the film is a nuanced look at AI over the years, how we interact with it, the way in which it develops, and the ethics surrounding it. The action unfolds in only two rooms for the entirety of its runtime, which can be suffocating at times, but The Artifice Girl is engaging and compelling, bolstered by stellar performances from its cast, and exceeds where other AI-focused stories might falter.

]]> Tue, 25 Apr 2023 21:04:33 GMT https://screenrant.com/the-artifice-girl-review/ It’s okay for a film to simply be a romance. Ghosted doesn’t understand that at all, going the action route to the point that it fumbles its central relationship. Directed by Dexter Fletcher from a screenplay by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Erik Sommers, and Chris McKenna, Ghosted is an unfunny waste of time, a romantic comedy that is too caught up in its spy subplot to be considered remotely entertaining. When even its leads have little chemistry to speak of, and the romantic comedy aspect is barely explored, the film, which has an identity crisis, isn’t worth your time.

]]> Sun, 23 Apr 2023 19:41:28 GMT https://screenrant.com/ghosted-review/ A Tourist’s Guide to Love follows an ambitious, straight-laced woman who has recently exited a dead-end relationship, and takes a vacation that will have her discovering what it truly means to be adventurous and to be in love. A Tourist’s Guide To Love is precisely what one might expect, and there is nothing wrong with that. Audiences can collectively hem and haw about the lack of creativity or ingenuity in these cookie-cutter romances that Netflix keeps producing, but the results tend to be the same. If one is familiar with the recent Victoria Justice-led The Perfect Match, one will sense some familiarity within the story. If one has seen Love, Guaranteed, then Rachael Leigh Cook’s performance will feel consistent. However, Netflix has one thing over Hallmark: The streamer's exuberant budgets and jet-setting productions. A Tourist's Guide to Love is not remarkable, but its simplicity and familiarity are comfortable and, most importantly, entertaining.

]]> Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:15:12 GMT https://screenrant.com/a-tourists-guide-to-love-review-2023-movie/ Ray Romano is in the director's chair for the first time for Somewhere in Queens. The movie doesn’t have any flashy filmmaking, but the story is honed in on a single and very strong theme. The film also marks Romano's first time as a feature screenwriter, and while the script, which he co-wrote with Mark Stegemann, is no masterpiece, it feels true to life in a way that will get under one's skin and stay there. With Laurie Metcalf coming off the bench to co-star, the entire supporting cast comes to feel like Romano's actual family in a way his iconic sitcom did not.

]]> Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:45:14 GMT https://screenrant.com/somewhere-in-queens-review-2023-movie/ In 1970, Judy Blume’s novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret took the world by storm and would impact generations to come. It’s a timeless coming-of-age story that sees an 11-year-old girl adjust to a new life in the suburbs while going through puberty. Throughout the years, many television shows, authors, and movies would reference Blume’s classic novel. As such, it’s hard to believe that the first film adaptation would come 53 years later (mostly due to rejected offers) considering its noticeable impact on popular culture. But with so much uncertainty and turmoil surrounding sex education for the youth and religious freedom, now seems like the perfect time.

]]> Thu, 20 Apr 2023 00:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-review-2023-movie/ Ari Aster has become the poster child for A24 horror with Hereditary and Midsommar, but in his latest feature, Beau is Afraid, the director is given carte blanch to explore his thematic concerns. Some of those are familiar — mothers, attics, decapitations, the lineage of madness — while others are unique to this Odyssean journey that sees Joaquin Phoenix's title character journey to the depths of his tortured psyche. Beau is Afraid, for better and worse, is an overindulgent, disturbing, and hysterically terrifying mommy-issues movie that twists the classic hero's journey into an otherworldly contortion.

]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:22:34 GMT https://screenrant.com/beau-is-afraid-review-2023-movie/ The latest entry in the Evil Dead franchise opens on a familiar image, inverted for this new chapter — instead of a dilapidated cabin in the middle of an overgrown forest, there is an A-frame in a green meadow straight out of Midsommar's idyllic Swedish countryside. Nestled snuggly against a lake, the cabin's occupants have yet to come across the horrors of the Necronomicon. The opening scene is a microcosm of Evil Dead Rise itself, a nasty movie that cleverly subverts franchise tropes for a grisly and bitterly hysterical riff on motherhood in horror and the mythology that began with Sam Raimi's 1981 cult classic. While it doesn't quite reach the horrific highs of the 2013 remake, it rips through other splatter-fests with the finesse of a freshly whetted chainsaw blade.

]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2023 16:05:36 GMT https://screenrant.com/evil-dead-rise-review-2023-movie/ The gang from Super Troopers is back and as raunchy as ever in their newest comedy, Quasi. Director, co-star, and co-writer Kevin Heffernan plays multiple roles on and off camera and does so effectively. This medieval farce sports all the faces fans love and plenty of contemporary jokes for newcomers. The addition of Agents of SH.I.E.L.D.'s Adrianne Palicki is very welcome, and she seamlessly fits into the long-time comedy troupe, Broken Lizard. The jokes in Quasi are solid, but can sometimes be relentless in their need to bring the Super Troopers dialogue to medieval times. While Quasi isn't the most amazing comedy, the fantastic cast is enough to maintain viewers' enjoyment in an otherwise entertaining film.

]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:24:08 GMT https://screenrant.com/quasi-review-2023-movie/ The War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) has been a resource for storytelling within various movies over the last decade. Guy Ritchie, known for his extravagant characters and quirky/fun dialogue, is the latest director to set his sights on this genre of filmmaking. From a script collaboration with Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, the trio detail a tale of survival and debt repayments through a U.S. Army Sergeant and Afghan interpreter. The war drama offers a new side to Ritchie’s direction, where emotional substance, heroism, and violent sequences are at its core. Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant is as sharp on deep human elements as it is with intensity, giving rise to a welcomed change in the director’s repertoire.

]]> Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:45:57 GMT https://screenrant.com/guy-ritchies-the-covenant-review-2023-movie/ For the 30th anniversary of the 1993 series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Netflix's special, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always reunites most of the original cast for an epic battle against their greatest adversary: Rita Repulsa. Zordon is missing, and the rangers are still doing their best to protect the planet from evil forces, even though they are no longer teens with attitude. Trina Kwan’s daughter Minh will join the fight this time because Rita Repulsa’s tactics have turned deadly. This latest nostalgia trip in no way changes the tone or styling to adapt to modern entertainment standards. Once & Always is a direct sequel to the original series. The 1995 film of the same name adopted a more cinematic style to bring the Rangers to the big screen, but Once & Always brings it back to basics. The special effects, clear digital photography, and drone camera is the only notable improvement. However, much is the same, including the dialogue.

]]> Tue, 18 Apr 2023 14:22:24 GMT https://screenrant.com/mighty-morphin-power-rangers-once-always-review-2023-movie/ Television shows and films about serial killers have stood the test of time in popular culture. Tapping into the psyches of the different types of murderers seems to intrigue audiences unlike any other genre. In his English language debut, director Damián Szifron takes on this genre with screenwriting partner Jonathan Wakeham. Their script sees Shailene Woodley as a modern-day Clarice Starling whose past both interferes and assists with tracking a disturbed individual. While it doesn’t exactly nail everything it sets out to accomplish, the film contains some great moments that deem it worthy of a singular watch. To Catch a Killer isn’t as strong as its predecessors, but it’s backed by great performances and sequences even when it leans into implausibility.

]]> Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/to-catch-a-killer-review-2023-movie/ There has been a lot of discussion of late, sparked by the critical reception of certain blockbusters, about the value of film criticism. Some moviegoers think of it as a red light/green light predictor of enjoyment, but there are many other ways to conceive of its purpose, something each critic grapples with when starting a review. In this writer's estimation, movies like Kelly Reichardt's Showing Up are why criticism exists — not because everyone will enjoy it, nor because it is opaque in a way that begs interpretation, but simply because it is a richly layered work of art. It will take time, thought, and several perspectives voiced over thousands of words to tease out everything it has to offer. A good review, positive or negative, could feel illuminating to read.

]]> Sat, 15 Apr 2023 14:04:15 GMT https://screenrant.com/showing-up-review-2023-movie/ Directed by Chris McKay from a screenplay by Ryan Ridley and Robert Kirkman, Renfield starts off strong before deteriorating in quality. Its premise, primarily having to do with leaving a codependent relationship, is great on the surface, but the decision to focus on one too many plots derails the film’s potential and initial conceit. There is still some fun to be had, and Renfield is goofy, with fantastic action sequences and a few comedic beats that land, but it could have also been so much more.

]]> Wed, 12 Apr 2023 16:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/renfield-review-2023-movie/ There are some movies that, just from the premise alone, sound like they'll be a blast. Catherine Hardwicke's new film Mafia Mamma is one such title, and it certainly leans into the silliness of its central conceit. In some ways, it's like wish fulfillment for anyone who has felt severely underappreciated in life, provided they don't mind some illegal activities. Even when it gets too slight for its own good, Mafia Mamma keeps things moving along at a brisk, entertaining pace that pushes its flaws to the wayside. Led by a delightful Toni Collette, this is one wild ride.

]]> Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:00:15 GMT https://screenrant.com/mafia-mamma-review-movie-2023/ Paint may have its heart in the right place, but it’s difficult to discern exactly what writer-director Brit McAdams intended with the film. It has something to say about the media’s treatment of someone based on their age and profitability, being replaced by someone younger, and how going through the motions is ultimately detrimental to the creativity of a painter. Unfortunately, Paint is tonally inconsistent, neither sweet nor funny, and lacking direction. It’s less of an homage to Bob Ross than it is a mess of a film that struggles to find its footing despite a stellar cast.

]]> Sat, 08 Apr 2023 01:14:49 GMT https://screenrant.com/paint-review-2023-movie/ Sean McNamara’s On a Wing and a Prayer doesn't stand a chance from the opening frame. The flat comedy and ham-fisted themes from screenwriter Brian Egeston (The Game) don’t do the film any favors and, sadly, the performances range from bad to worse. The occasional moment of tension or interesting use of split screen is about all the film has to offer, which is a shame because the real-life actions of Doug White are nothing short of extraordinary. On a Wing and a Prayer is a tale of two halves and neither is entertaining.

]]> Thu, 06 Apr 2023 20:29:17 GMT https://screenrant.com/on-a-wing-and-a-prayer-review-2023-movie/ The climate crisis is here. Whether it's unprecedented weather in Texas shutting down power grids or devastating flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan, communities are facing the effects of climate change head-on every day. Giving this subject the nuance it deserves in a two-hour package is a nearly impossible task, but How to Blow Up a Pipeline tackles the climate crisis with a radical and heart-pounding approach that manages to both thrill and inform without becoming preachy or sacrificing its razor-sharp perspective for the centrist position often taken by Hollywood.

]]> Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:00:16 GMT https://screenrant.com/how-to-blow-up-a-pipeline-review-2023-movie/ In recent months, the Taylor Jenkins Reid adaptation to receive the most attention is Prime Video's rocking Daisy Jones & the Six miniseries. On top of that, Reid already has several additional adaptations in the works, and the mere idea of each one has inspired plenty of excitement online. Amid all that is One True Loves, an understated movie based on one of Reid's earlier novels. One True Loves couldn't be farther from the glitz and glam of Daisy Jones and the other in-development projects, though that isn't a knock against its quality. One True Loves occasionally suffers from melodrama and a blunt approach, but its winning trio and earnest depiction of love save the day.

]]> Wed, 05 Apr 2023 21:43:37 GMT https://screenrant.com/one-true-loves-review-2023-movie/ Praise This is the latest project from Will Packer’s Will Packer Productions and Tim Story’s The Story Company. Directed and co-written by Tina Gordon, this original musical comedy follows a struggling Praise Team that finds its shining light of hope in the wayward wannabe pop star Sam, played by real-life singer Chloe Bailey. Faith and a coming-of-age story come together in a heartwarming, sometimes funny but underwhelming musical comedy that arrives on Peacock in time for Easter.

]]> Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:00:17 GMT https://screenrant.com/praise-this-review-2023-movie/ Nearly 30 years after Nintendo's last movie based on their beloved Mario franchise — the 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. film — the Japanese company has partnered with Illumination for a second attempt at a theatrical release with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The film combines Illumination's bright, candy-colored 3D animation style with Nintendo's Mario world designs and assembles a star-studded voice cast worthy of the Mushroom Kingdom's Superstar. However, while The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a love letter to Nintendo fans, it offers little else. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is chock-full of Nintendo Easter eggs, and it's to the detriment of the story and its characters, which lack any real substance.

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