2015

Posted on January 23, 2015 by bofca

MORTDECAI

“It isn’t one of the worst movies you’ll ever see, but Mortdecai certainly has a long way before it can be seen as a respectable piece of cinematic art.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

THE BOY NEXT DOOR

“Few movies actually live up to that notion of a movie that is so hilariously awful they it is perversely entertaining. “The Boy Next Door” does. It is–at least unintentionally–the laugh-riot of the year.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“I didn’t pay and I still want my money back.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT

“…part of what makes Two Days, One Night miraculous is the restraint the Dardennes display.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“Fragility is a tough thing to sell on the big screen, but Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose) gives a masterclass on the art of how to do it.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

STILL ALICE

“It’s tasteful to a fault, exploring a terrifying subject with the utmost decorum. You feel bad when it’s over, but not too bad.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

SONG ONE

“SONG ONE isn’t bad; it is, however, disjointed as a melancholy testament to music’s ability to heal all wounds and as a love story about disaffected souls set against the backdrop of New York City’s modern folk scene.” – Andy Crump, Movie Mezzanine

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY

“…a strange bit of lesbian erotica, elegantly presented and throbbing with anxious discomfort.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

BELOVED SISTERS

“Even the parts that are meant to feel light and silly seem muted and too heavy.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP – 1/21/15

Posted on January 21, 2015 by bofca

Norm Schrager reviews STARRED UP

Evan Crean looked at IN A WORLD

Jared Bowen talked embargos, art and geopolitics with the owner of Boston’s Galeria Cubana

Sean Burns offers a Michael Mann retrospective

Bob Chipman joined an Oscar Podcast and talked the proliferation of superhero movies

John Black reviews a slew of new-release DVDs including BOYHOOD, WETLANDS and JESSABELLE

Spoilerpiece Theatre aims at AMERICAN SNIPER and more

Andy Crump talked controversial GHOST IN THE SHELL casting and praised the career of Scarlett Johansson

Kris Jenson interviewed FISH & CAT director Shahram Mokri

A NOTE FROM BOFCA:

The advent of a new year brings with it many changes, and The Boston Online Film Critics Association is no exception to this. BOFCA would like to officially welcome Max Covill and Sam Cohen as the newest members of our fine organization. You’ll now find their reviews, writings and other offerings right here on this site.

In addition, BOFCA also extends its gratitude and wishes of good luck to departing member Inkoo Kang, who may have left Boston and the Boston-area media behind for sunny San Francisco but will be fondly remembered here for her unique perspective on all things cinematic and spirited, thoughtful contributions to the Boston film-criticism scene. We wish her good luck in future endeavors and as part of the San Francisco Film Critics Circle.

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/16/2015

Posted on January 16, 2015 by bofca

BLACKHAT

“The film repeatedly lulls the audience into a sense of comfort just before yanking the rug out from under their theater seats.” – Deirdre Crimmins, All Things Horror

“BLACKHAT is not the worst movie I’ve ever seen, but it’s just a monotonous affair that ends up being a waste for a handful of reasons.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“Shut up, whatever. Look cool.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“…Mann takes on us a wild, labyrinthine and, as usual, visually stunning journey that leaves one, once again, awestruck by this director’s skill at constructing a compelling thriller…” – Tim Estiloz, Boston Examiner

“BLACKHAT is silly, explosive, gorgeous, thrilling, and we should all be thankful, as viewers, to be blips of data on Mann’s digitally rendered canvas.” – Sam Cohen, Sumo Skinny

“…Mann’s idea of following data through computer systems leaves you thinking he’s worn out his VHS tape of TRON.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

AMERICAN SNIPER

“AMERICAN SNIPER strips down and rearranges Chris Kyle’s best-selling, self-aggrandizing autobiography into something far more troubled and unsettling.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“In spite of my complaints, AMERICAN SNIPER is actually a decent movie overall.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“It’s wisest to leave one’s personal politics outside the multiplex when viewing AMERICAN SNIPER.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

“…there’s much flag-waving during the newsreel footage of the real Kyle’s funeral that runs under the end credits, but this is Eastwood at his most apolitical, no matter what chair he prefers talking to.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“For a film that opens with the chanting of the Muslim call to prayer, AMERICAN SNIPER never bothers to venture into understanding any other point of view than Navy Seal hero, Chris Kyle’s (Bradley Cooper).” – Sam Cohen, Sumo Skinny

“AMERICAN SNIPER is a mature film of the toll war takes on its warriors, and you should see it, regardless of your politics.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

THE WEDDING RINGER

“Listen carefully: between the barking of bad behavior and the hand-wringing of male anxiety, you’ll hear the braying of barnyard animals.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

“A MOST VIOLENT YEAR plays out more like an exercise in ambition.” – Norm Schrager, Paste Magazine

“Was heating oil really the accelerant that almost burned New York City to the ground in 1981? Watching A Most Violent Year, you’d never even know.” - John Black, Boston Event Guide

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP, JANUARY 14th 2015

Posted on January 14, 2015 by bofca

BOFCA members Daniel Kimmel, Bob Chipman, Monica Castillo and Deirdre Crimmins will be appearing at Boston’s Arisia 2015 Convention

Spoilerpiece Theatre talks The Worst Movies of The Year

Jared Bowen talks A FUTURE PERFECT with Ken Urban

Bob Chipman weighed in on #JeSuisCharlie

Monica Castillo reveals 18 Signs You Definitely Grew Up Latina in Florida for Cosmopolitan

Andy Crump reviews APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, MEDEAS and BROOKLYN NINE-NINE

Jaskee Hickman profiles SELMA director Ava DuVernay

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/09/2015

Posted on January 9, 2015 by bofca

SELMA

“SELMA is a paean to the power of civil disobedience, and what good can come from solidarity against government-sanctioned hate.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“For the first major theatrical release of a film about Martin Luther King Jr., SELMA does a great job of telling a story that was important in defining the man, the people and the country that they lived, fought and died in.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“This is the King that secular sainthood has stolen from the history books” – Bob Chipman, Escapist

“A film that demands to be seen, despite its flaws. It’s part of American history and a story that we should all know.” – Daniel Kimmel, North Shore Movies

INHERENT VICE

“…this is a movie that rewards multiple viewings, where the lingering questions might amount to “INHERENT twice, or INHERENT thrice?” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“There’s a melancholy undercurrent gathering force as the movie sidewinds its way through the convoluted mystery.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“Anderson has created an aesthetic approach at once overwhelming and laid back. He’s given us a deep indica high.” – Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston

“If you’re going to watch INHERENT VICE, be sure to ignore all of the twists and turns in the supposed story line. Doing so will save you from problems that could come with this flick if you don’t know what you’re in store for.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

TAKEN 3

“…Neeson, one of the unexpectedly essential action stars of the day, has outgrown this franchise by several leagues.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“TAKEN 3 is a slapdash throwaway. Your Dad deserves better.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“That’s basically the underlying appeal of the whole TAKEN franchise: The universe conspires, in form of Scary Foreign Terrorist Types, to teach the ungrateful women in our hero’s life how desperately necessary his presence is.” – Bob Chipman, Escapist

PREDESTINATION

“This movie, true to its title, feels completely foreordained — not mention forced and contrived.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston