2018

Posted on November 16, 2018 by bofca

FANTASTIC 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

WIDOWS

“…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 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

INSTANT 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

Posted on November 10, 2018 by bofca

THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEB

“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

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

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

“…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

OUTLAW KING

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

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

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/02/2018

Posted on November 2, 2018 by bofca

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

“Watching Queen come together, work together, and perform elevates the movie and gives it just about all of the value that it has.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“[Malek] burns up the screen as Mercury whether dealing with intimate personal issues, ego-driven conflicts behind the scenes, or on stage in performance.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

SUSPIRIA

“SUSPIRIA is cut off from the aesthetic pleasures of [Guadagnino’s] previous pictures, suffocated in the self-serious stupidity of trying to make his sexy witch movie into a statement about the Holocaust.” – Sean Burns, North Shore Movies

“SUSPIRIA is wholly its own film and offers frantic energy and lush visuals to make for a nearly perfect cinematic experience.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS

“… an imaginative and charming movie for the upcoming holiday season.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Were it not for the lush art direction and occasional nods to Tchaikovsky, THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS would be a vapid, money-grabbing release for the Christmas season.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

WILDLIFE

“…a quietly devastating work from Dano, leaving behind scar tissue you may not even notice until the credits have rolled.” – Charlie Nash, Edge Boston

“…WILDLIFE, while distant in its approach at the start, is a lingering familial drama that promises a rising, directorial talent.” – Allyson Johnson, Cambridge Day

CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?

“The greatest pleasure CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? offers, though, is the chemical reaction between [Melissa] McCarthy and [Richard E.] Grant, perhaps an unlikely pairing but no more perfect a pairing than you will find in theaters as we roll into the juddering doldrums of awards season.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

MUSEO

“…in the end it’s the questions this restlessly intelligent film asks about the shifting values we ascribe to objects that make “Museo” worth the price of a ticket.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

MONROVIA, INDIANA

“MONROVIA, INDIANA begins with a series of strikingly beautiful, postcard-worthy vistas featuring cornfields, mailboxes, blue skies and assorted other familiar, stock images of Americana. It ends with a shot of a grave.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 10/31/2018

Posted on October 31, 2018 by bofca

Spoilerpiece Theatre talks BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, MID90S and HOLD THE DARK

Max Covill looks at the finale of THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA

Bob Chipman talks Classic Scary Movies and SUICIDE SQUAD 2

Dave Riedel talks scary movies

Jared Bowen looks at MEASURE FOR MEASURE and WINNIE THE POOH: EXPLORING A CLASSIC

Charlie Nash reviews WILDLIFE

Sean Burns looks back at WANDA

Andrew Crump talks Films By Women and HALLOWEEN

Joyce Kulhawik reviews THE TRAGIC ECSTASY OF GIRLHOOD, ALL MY SONS and FUN HOME

Jaskee Hickman reviews THE GUILTY

Daniel M. Kimmel reviews CHASING THE BLUES and MOLLY

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 10/26/2018

Posted on October 26, 2018 by bofca

MID90S

“…this film does a lot of things right, yet leaves much to be desired at the same time.” – Greg Vellante, Edge Boston

“…the roughness of Hill’s boxy, 16mm compositions cast their own spell.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“There’s a lackadaisical, conflict-averse quality to this picture that leaves a galling aftertaste.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

HUNTER KILLER

“HUNTER KILLER insults the intelligence of its audience, plays into decades-old politics, and wastes the talents of some solid actors. It’s wholly without value.” – Deidre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“Like the recent HALLOWEEN, it is an unapologetic genre film that treats its material – and the audience – with respect.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN

“Fans of the two previous JOHNNY ENGLISH films will find this on par with the previous efforts, as will those who have enjoyed Atkinson’s turn as the equally inane Mr. Bean.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN is perfectly fine in its own right, but its naiveté feels dated and unnecessary. For a spy film with car chases and explosions, it falls flat and fails to fully engage.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“Sure, it’s silly fun that you might forget the moment you leave the theater, but given these tense times, that might be enough.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“If you found any sort of value in the first two movies in the trilogy and know what to expect ahead of time, you should give JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN a chance.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

WHAT THEY HAD

“WHAT THEY HAD feels like a timely film, given the aging population in America, and will likely strike a nerve with people who are struggling with elder care issues in their own families.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING

“THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING is not hard-hitting investigative journalism. It’s a soft, though sporadically prying, look at the high prices and high living of art dealers and collectors today.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

Boston Online Film Critics Association

The Boston Online Film Critics Association was established in May of 2012 to foster a community of web-based film critics.

Category Archives: Review Roundups

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/16/2018

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/09/2018

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/02/2018

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 10/31/2018

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 10/26/2018