BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP 12/30/2016

HIDDEN FIGURES

HIDDEN FIGURES

“HIDDEN FIGURES soars in bringing their stories to light and it’s long past due.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…stirs your soul as you watch their story unfold… Henson, Spencer and Monáe give a master class in how it should be done.” – John Black, Color Magazine

“It’s refreshing to go to the movies and see a film about a time when America strove for true greatness, international pre-eminence, and scientific primacy.” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE

“This is about as good as mainstream inspirational biopics get.” – Bob Chipman, Geek.com

“It makes our eyes wander and our ears perk, always on the look out for those who may next pioneer us into greater, undiscovered territories.” – Allyson Johnson, The Young Folks

“…thanks to an intelligent script, captivating performances and thoughtful direction (not to mention gorgeous production design), this is a film that deserves a spot on Oscar ballots this year and social studies classrooms for years to come.” – Kristofer Jenson, C-Ville Weekly

“What is most important about HIDDEN FIGURES is that this eye-opening story is told at all.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

FENCESFENCES

FENCES is about how certain personalities can keep you in or keep you out.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“This is a filmed play, not a movie, and the rare moments outside of Troy’s house or backyard fails to “open it up.” – Dan Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Washington directs this massive emotional load with great delicacy.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 12/28/2016

Max Covill talks BLADE RUNNER 2049

John Hanlon looks back at DIE HARD

Spoilerpiece Theatre discusses ASSASSIN’S CREED, PASSENGERS, JULIETA and FENCES

Bob Chipman offers up his Worst Films of 2016

Joyce Kulhawik offers her Top 5 of 2016

Andrew Crump reviews THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE, Netflix’s 22 Best Documentaries and The Playlist’s Best Performances

Kristofer Jenson’s Boston Reel shares it’s Weekly Repertory Picks

BOFCA Review Round-Up: 12/23/2016

patriotsday-markwahlberg-marathonbannerPATRIOTS DAY

“The narcissism is grotesque. In PATRIOTS DAY, Wahlberg can’t even walk down the street without people stopping him just to say what a great guy he is.” – Sean Burns, North Shore Movies

“…the amazingly faux Hollywood heroism of the fictional Tommy Saunders topples the film into outright insult and insensitivity to the real heroes accomplishments and memory.” – Tim Estiloz, El Mundo Boston

“Be warned that the re-creation of the confusion and carnage in the immediate aftermath of the explosions is intense and realistic. Rest assured, though, that the film — for its occasional gaps in coherence — avoids a sense of exploitation.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“…personal baggage aside, the film is too choppily made, rushed and heavy-handed to be anything greater than a by-the-numbers, “based on true events” pic.” – Allyson Johnson, Cambridge Day

PATRIOTS DAY is able to give viewers an inside look at one of the most insane and illogical periods in recent Boston history.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

2a17ae65b70621fc_passengers-dom-DF-15386_rv2PASSENGERS

“PASSENGERS is the last what-the-fuck-were-they-thinking debacle to be released in a year that’s been lousy with them.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“The plot point of the man’s malfeasance is necessary to give the film depth and force, and the woman’s forgiveness provides the only possible upbeat resolution, but the very nature of the situation, saddled as it is with gender-role baggage that’s sure to chafe, can’t help but create a huge PR problem.” – Kilian Melloy, Kal’s Movie Blog

“PASSENGERS is a movie that hopes to bring something different from what is normally demanded of Hollywood these days.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“PASSENGERS lacks the derring-do of ROGUE ONE or the deep-dish philosophizing of ARRIVAL, but it is a solid and worthy science fiction effort that treats its characters–and its audience–as adults.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

 

lion-633x356LION

“This is, at its very heart, a simple story about a young boy desperately wanting to be reunited with his mother again.” – Allyson Johnson, The Young Folks

“The drop-off that separates Pawar’s LION from Patel’s is so sheer that it’s vertiginous. Cut half of the latter from the picture and maybe you’d have something—at the very least you’d have a much leaner, and much more watchable, production.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“Like a lot of The Weinstein Company’s recent Oscar bait, LION ends with more than half a dozen pages of onscreen text telling you all sorts of things the filmmakers couldn’t figure out how to fit in the story – including an explanation for the title.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

 

assassins-creed-gallery-03-gallery-imageASSASSIN’S CREED

“It does what it has to do for its target audience, but isn’t likely to reach out beyond that.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Alas, this movie does not transcend either its genre nor its technical expertise.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

 

 

thumbnail_24634SING

“As with the year’s best animation, ZOOTOPIA and KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS, it’s a movie that adults can go to without any kids and enjoy it on their own.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

 

Fences633x356FENCES

“For a first-timer, the film would be an achievement. For Washington, it’s further proof of his indelibility as an actor.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/16/2016

rogue-one-jyn-ersa-geared-upROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

“This might be the franchise’s first stand-alone film, but it won’t be the last.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“ROGUE ONE is a vast improvement over Disney’s first big screen venture in this beloved science fiction universe.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“…if we must have a STAR WARS picture every December for the rest of our lives, I’m hoping they’ll eventually stray from familiar formulas and take us to unknown worlds, far, far away from those first couple of films.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“In short, this movie is what the “Star Wars” prequels should have been, and that’s meant as high praise indeed.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

LLL d 29 _5194.NEFLA LA LAND

“‘Mandatory fun’ were the first words I scribbled in my notebook after sitting through Damien Chazelle’s oppressively whimsical throwback.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“Chazelle and co. have created a magical moment in time over the span of it’s two hours.” – Allyson Johnson, The Young Folks

“Even if you’re not a fan of movie musicals, he’ll quite possibly make a convert out of you.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

 

 

t-Collateral-BeautyCOLLATERAL BEAUTY

“..a movie best suited for those not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves..” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies