BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 06/12/2020

Delroy Lindo looks sweaty and tired in the movie Da 5 BloodsDA 5 BLOODS

“Like in his previous two works, CHI-RAQ and BLACKkKLANSMAN, Lee tears apart any notion that fiction should be separate from the world around us. He’s as much a political tactician as he is a cinematic technician. Lee isn’t just asking important questions. He’s demanding immediate action.” – Kristofer Jenson, C-Ville Weekly

 

THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND
Pete Davidson shirtless with sunglasses and arms outstretched in the movie The King of Staten Island

“Obviously, THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND is not a typical comedy. But it is funny. It’s also sad, empowering, fascinating, and frustrating.” – John Black, Cinekong Reviews

“There’s a lot to enjoy about THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND despite its many faults, but there’s an even more interesting collision between Apatow-branded dramaturgy and Davidson’s own stream of consciousness style of comedy that really makes things fall in place quite nicely.” – Sam Cohen, EDGE Media Network

THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND would be much easier to recommend if it wasn’t so unnecessarily long.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND shows another side of Apatow, as a director in control of his film. There is much more attention paid to how a scene is filmed, blocked, and edited to reflect shifting attitudes and power dynamics.” – Kristofer Jenson, C-Ville Weekly

“Apatow has always had a hard time telling the difference between good fat and gristle, and THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND is no exception to that rule.” – Nick Johnston, Vanyaland

“Apatow’s raunchy humor often makes me squirm. But here, he tenderizes his comedic chops, with a good deal of insight and even grace, holding these characters loosely and lovingly in his sights.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

“Apatow manages to make mental illness humorous (though I can see some objecting), but this is a less a story about depression and more a vehicle to help Millennial or Gen X men find purpose.” – Randy Steinberg, Blast Magazine

 

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