BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/29/2016

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THE FINEST HOURS

“Disney has made a family-friendly movie that treats its characters with respect, but anything in the script resembling grit or rough edges has been sanded away by the Disney Machine.” – David Riedel, Salt Lake City Weekly

“What a breather in a new year marked by murkier depths than ever before.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

“…there’s something to be said for blockbusters that validate life instead of treating it as disposable.” – Andy Crump, A Constant Visual Feast

“It tells us more about heroism in real life than many a Hollywood fiction.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“… the whole thing may be a bit wobbly but it delivers on the promise of telling an untold story of stone-faced sailors overcoming insurmountable odds.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

 

717613_118KUNG-FU PANDA 3

“While none of it is going to change how we look at animated films, there’s some good stuff in KUNG-FU PANDA 3 that people will be able to find value in.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“You’ll see worse animated offerings this year, and you’ll definitely see better, but you may not see many that are quite so tragically lackadaisical. ” – Andy Crump, A Constant Visual Feast

 

 

Mojave Movie (4) MOJAVE

“…a halfhearted attempt at giving Hollywood’s studio system what it deserves.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“One ultimately wonders how much of the movie is Monahan indulging in a bit of sardonic self-flaggelation for all his success in an industry that he doesn’t seem to respect very much.” – Sean Burns, The Artery

“Luckily, MOJAVE has so many out-of-left-field tricks that you can’t help but admire its scattered approach.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

 

The-Lady-In-The-Van-ReviewLADY IN THE VAN

“See it for Smith’s performance, stay for the genuine twists on a tired and old tale of friendship despite warring personalities.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 1/27/2016

Monica Castillo reports in from Sundance

Andrew Crump reviews BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, MOJAVE, AFERIM and talks #OscarsSoWhite

Charlie Nash interviews the makers of ANOMALISA

Kilian Melloy review Blu-rays for LADY SNOWBLOOD and THE AMERICAN FRIEND

Evan Crean review THE BIG SHORT, BROOKLYN and THE MEND

Bob Chipman reports the movie news from ScreenRant

Spoilerpiece Theatre looks at 45 YEARS, DIRTY GRANDA, GOODNIGHT MOMMY and ROAR

Joyce Kulhawik reviews SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM and 12TH NIGHT

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/22/2016

181576_019DIRTY GRANDPA

“Spread the word. The worst movie of 2016 has just been released. It’s called DIRTY GRANDPA.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“It would have taken a decent sized miracle to make DIRTY GRANDPA amusing in any way.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“Too bad that amoral isn’t in right now.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

 

download (16)THE 5TH WAVE

“Casting Moretz as Cassie was a smart move. Like Jennifer Lawrence in THE HUNGER GAMES films and Shailene Woodley in the DIVERGENT series, Moretz is first and foremost an actress.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…plodding pacing and sub-par effects prevent The 5th Wave from moving beyond its middling status.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

 

ip-man-3-mike-tyson-donnie-yenIP MAN 3

“There’s ultimately nothing groundbreaking in IP MAN 3, but it’s a serviceable martial arts film done in a fashion that many have enjoyed for years.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

 

45-Years-xlarge45 YEARS

“In order to watch 45 YEARS without feeling gutted by the end, you must lack the requisite guts entirely.” – Andy Crump, Birth. Movies. Death.

 

 

7b8119d2-4e02-4a5a-9ccb-be7e9bc73301-620x372SON OF SAUL

“The film’s visual style only rarely opens up, and when it does it shows us glimpses of unrelenting horror: Piles of corpses, heaps of ash, leaping flames, white smoke and encroaching darkness that blot everything out.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

 

 

 

 

 

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 1/20/2016

Tim Estiloz covers the Critic’s Choice Awards and the Oscar Nominations

Andy Crump talks STAR WARS, BAND OF ROBBERS, MOONWALKERS and interviews Jim Whitaker for THE FINEST HOURS

Jared Bowen talks Oscar Nominations

Kilian Melloy reviews SHANGHAI, PEACE OFFICER, FREEHELD, PARTISAN and SON OF SAUL

Deirdre Crimmins and Film Thrills talk 2016 movies

Bob Chipman reports on Jet Li, LEGENDS OF TOMORROW and BOONIE BEARS

Joyce Kulhawik looks at Oscar Nominations and DISGRACED

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/15/2016

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13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI

“Politics aside, 13 HOURS is just a dull and poorly assembled grab for ticket sales.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“It’s the bloated and relentlessly violent brother of PEARL HARBOR, another Bay film we almost forgot about being offensive for the sake of the director’s juvenile compulsions.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

“If you take all of the film’s political trappings away, all you have is a mediocre war movie made with a grand total of zippety-do in the craft department.” – Andy Crump, A Constant Visual Feast

“13 HOURS is not a political film, but will be treated as such by those with an agenda.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

ride-along-2RIDE ALONG 2

“Unfortunately, the movie shows its cards much too early, defeating the element of surprise.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“RIDE ALONG 2 shocked me a little bit by maybe being better than the original.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

hero_Mustang-2015MUSTANG

“Ergüven doesn’t tip the outrage scale into histrionics, but she doesn’t need to. We can sense exactly how pissed off she is behind the lens.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“Whatever the outcome maybe, though, always keep that early image in mind, the one with the girls cuddled protectively around each other. Carry it with you as you leave the theater. ” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

 

 

band of robbersBAND OF ROBBERS

“Ever wonder what Tom Sawyer might look like in the mold of a 20-something millennial slacker? Then this film is for you.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine