BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/30/2018

a6b8a95cdc09a2869bec6e63f5f2ef1c-h_2018SHOPLIFTERS

“SHOPLIFTERS presents a mighty story of connection, lost dreams, found homes and forced hope in an intimate package.” – Allyson Johnson, Cambridge Day

“The rap against Kore-eda is that sometimes he can get a little sappy, but the nature of this story brings with it an undercurrent of darkness that tempers the director’s more winsome tendencies.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

“From a purely cinematic perspective, it’ll be easy for most to gain an appreciation for all that SHOPLIFTERS hopes to achieve.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“…SHOPLIFTERS is held up by the strength of its ensemble and Kore-eda’s gifts as a storyteller, which gain with every movie he makes—even in the same year.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

 

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 11/28/2018

Andrew Crump reviews Art Brut’s latest

Joyce Kulhawik looks at new productions of MACBETH and EQUIVOCATION

Spoilerpiece Theatre goes into CREED II, THE OUTLAW KING, and SIMON AND THEODORE

Bob Chipman talks the history of STAR WARS and infamous un-made movies

Jaskee Hickman reviews SHOPLIFTERS

Sean Burns talks 2018 Coolidge Award recipient Michael Douglas and Orson Welles’ THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND

Robyn Bahr argues on behalf of a HARRY POTTER animated series

Andy Hoglund interviews Michael McKean

Jared Bowen interviews James Comey

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/23/2018

CREED IIcreed-ii-2-1542729450

“…take the movie for what it is: a better Creed sequel than you’d expect, and an improvement on the Rocky sequel that could use some work.” – Andy Crump, Men’s Health

“It may not be a fantastic picture, but CREED II is a serviceable boxing movie that will almost certainly please the crowd primarily because its positive attributes far outweigh its negatives.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“It’s definitely not the original, nor will it ever be, but it’s still enjoyable to endure. There’s just no escaping that shadow.” – Greg Vellante, Edge Boston

“Just as Adonis Creed is a worthy of the Apollo Creed legacy, CREED II is another deserving addition to the ROCKY canon.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“CREED II is pretty much the movie everyone was worried the first CREED was gonna be, but it’s well-acted enough that I couldn’t hate it.” – Sean Burns, North Shore Movies

 

Film Title: Green BookGREEN BOOK

“GREEN BOOK is about two men from very different worlds and experiences who discover their common humanity.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“GREEN BOOK plays like a bizarre Trumpist’s anti-Obama empowerment fantasy, in which a proudly ignorant white prole is constantly humiliating an erudite, sophisticated black man and showing him how the world really works.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

 

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNETRALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET

“It’s in the grand tradition of the classic Hollywood cartoons in that it provides entertainment for all ages, even if you end up laughing at different things.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movie

“The brainstorming and care put into both WRECK-IT RALPH and RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET are obvious. Aside from the journey we get being comprehensively pleasant, this sequel is also just a project brimming with thoughtfulness.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

RHO_D059_26871_RC (1)ROBIN HOOD

“Non-super things made super isn’t a new aesthetic, but it’s at its most shameless in ROBIN HOOD, superimposing raw essential parts stolen from Batman’s background upon its source material.” – Andy Crump, Polygon

 

at-eternitys-gate-AEG_005_rgb-1000x663AT ETERNITY’S GATE

“AT ETERNITY’S GATE is about van Gogh as a painter and a craftsman, not a symbol. Schnabel puts the focus back on the work, and in the process allows us to see these familiar paintings with fresh eyes.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/16/2018

rev-1-fbcog-cctrlr-010_high_res_jpegFANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD

“For Rowling’s loyal fans – who are legion – this is an exciting next chapter. For those who haven’t really paid much attention, THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD may provide some fantastic moments but may seem otherwise impenetrable.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“It’s very possible in these filler films to craft a sense of urgency and wonder, but THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD just falls flat.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

5b858ad1b65a1WIDOWS

“…an entertaining thriller that grabs you from the start and puts you through the wringer. It may not be art, but it’s rattling good entertainment.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“As a pure, visceral experience, it’s an undeniably entertaining ride.” – Charlie Nash, Edge Boston

“WIDOWS as a commendable duality where it’s able to be fun but not forgettable and exciting without being mindless fluff.” – Allyson Johnson, The Young Folks

 

The Front RunnerTHE FRONT RUNNER

“At a cultural moment when powerful men are finally being called upon to answer for their sexual improprieties, a film like THE FRONT RUNNER couldn’t possibly be less in tune with the times.” – Sean Burns, North Shore Movies

imageINSTANT FAMILY

“Adoptive parents and their kids should be represented in contemporary cinema. They just deserve better than INSTANT FAMILY.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/09/2018

THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEBgirl-in-the-spiders-web-880x320

“You might want to avoid getting caught in this web.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEB is a nearly solid action film, but it’s underutilization of its main character stunts the film, and denies Lisbeth the opportunity to continue her life’s mission.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“…an entertaining thriller that falls short of the excitement and originality of the Swedish originals…” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

MV5BYjEzMmMwNTUtNmQxOS00N2UzLTliNGUtNDU4NjkwMTZmYWRhXkEyXkFqcGdeQWtlbGFyc2Vu._V1_CR8,0,1419,798_AL_UY268_CR2,0,477,268_AL_THE GRINCH

“In a perfect world, films would only be remade when there’s room for improvement.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“Without a truly grumpy Grinch, and without the Seussical aesthetic, THE GRINCH is just a standard and serviceable Christmas movie.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“This GRINCH is not the mess that the live action movie was, and should entertain family audiences. Skeptics will remain unconvinced that there was any need for a new version.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

78c4f32c2f1f5b45-600x338

OVERLORD

“OVERLORD is not a memorable movie or one that you have to rush out to see. However, being disappointed after watching it is highly unlikely.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

 

boy-erased-2BOY ERASED

“…means well but is exactly the kind of star-studded, issue-oriented snore that makes Oscar season such a slog.” – Sean Burns, North Shore Movies

“Proof that a powerful story doesn’t always easily translate to transcendent cinema, BOY ERASED is undoubtedly effective in its attempt to earn an emotional response and by the time the consequential beats of catharsis take place, we are fully invested in the lives of these characters.” – Allyson Johnson, The Young Folks

“The second movie this year to shine a spotlight on so-called “gay-conversion therapy,” writer/director/producer/actor Joel Edgerton’s BOY ERASED will be seen by many more viewers than THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST. That’s a real shame…” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

 

pine_outlaw_kingOUTLAW KING

“…a historical melodrama that will engage the eyes and stir the blood.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

 

viper-club-susan-sarandon-youtube-original

VIPER CLUB

“Rather than construct an emotional tether to a faraway war, VIPER CLUB instead focuses on a poorly conceived character and her martyrdom. How dull.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest