BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/16/2015

chris-hemsworth-blackhat-movieBLACKHAT

“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-SNIPERAMERICAN 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

“Keeps firing shots heard round the world.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

The-Wedding-Ringer-1THE 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-movie (1)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

“”…A MOST VIOLENT YEAR stands toe-to-toe with the films it tries to emulate.” – Max Covill, Fresh From the Theater

“It’s not entirely successful, but it’s more diverting than watching a bunch of goons shoot each other.” – David Riedel, San Antonio Current

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP, JANUARY 14th 2015

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

selma-01_1500x1000SELMA

“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

 

vice_article_story_largeINHERENT 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

 

Liam Neeson i Taken 3TAKEN 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-2014-Ethan-HawkePREDESTINATION

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

 

 

 

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP – JANUARY 7, 2015

Deirdre Crimmins and Charles Nash podcast on 2015’s most-anticipated horror

Monica Castillo braves THE BABADOOK

Norm Schrager has A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

Jake Mulligan talks KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE for The Brattle

Joyce Kulhawik posts her Ten Best Picks for 2014

SpoilerPiece Theatre is back with a Best of 2014 podcast

Bob Chipman brings a two-part Terrible Twenty list

David Riedel has a Top Ten of his own

Sean Burns brought out his Five Worst breakdown as part of the Vulture List and reviews WILD

Dan Kimmel elaborated on his own Top Ten …and also his Worst List

Michael Cox reviewed A TRIP TO ITALY and THE EQUALIZER