2017

Posted on February 10, 2017 by bofca

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE

“If the trend of late is to give superheroes more somber cinematic treatments, then THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is a reminder that fun need not be traded for po-faced melodrama to come up with something meaningful.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“Audiences universally will surely be entertained, and us comic book fans will get a little extra with the plethora of nods to the genre.” – Nick Casaletto, We Live Entertainment

“…this may be one of the very best films based on the DC Comics universe.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2

“It is rare that a sequel lives up to the hype generated by its predecessor, but then again, it is rare to have an action hero as slick and unbeatable as John Wick.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Film Thrills

“It works for the simple reason that the characters take the rules of their world seriously, even if we find them preposterous.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 is one of the rare situations where simply raising the stakes works.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“…given the sorry, shakycam state of action cinema it’s amazing how director Chad Stahelski frames the characters from head to toe like dancers in an old Hollywood musical, reminding us that light, movement and kinetic energy are what cinema was originally supposed to be about.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

FIFTY SHADES DARKER

“…the film’s idea of “kinky sex” is laughably tame.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Dakota Johnson remains way too good for this material, occasionally unable to suppress giggles at the storyline’s silliness yet gamely going along with it in a way that’s awfully fun to watch.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/27/2017

Posted on January 27, 2017 by bofca

RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER

“The brisk editing in some sequences make the violence almost avant-garde, like you’re the one controlling the scenarios. A shot never holds for more than three seconds as if the player is skipping all the cutscenes to get to more killing. Bless.” – Sam Cohen, Substream Magazine

GOLD

“Mercurial this film may be, and shiny in spots, but all that glitters is not GOLD.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

A DOG’S PURPOSE

“It’s a perfectly mediocre film with sweet intentions and silly execution — a piece of commerce solely designed to appeal to the large demographic of people who use Facebook primarily to share cute videos of animals.” – Greg Vellante, Edge Boston

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/20/2017

Posted on January 20, 2017 by bofca

XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE

“Taking a page from the FAST AND FURIOUS series, which started out lackluster and then took off in the later entries, this jumpstarts the franchise and gives it new life.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE does such a good job installing indulgence as its backbone that it’s hard not to admire the film’s commitment, its gusto and, therefore, its ability to get away with pretty much anything.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“Decent in terms of action and anything else you may expect from something like this.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

SPLIT

“SPLIT is a deeply flawed but fascinating film, perhaps Shyamalan’s most interesting work to date.” – Greg Vellante, Forces of Geek

“Perhaps the most charitable way to look at SPLIT is that is a cry for help by its director. “Stop me before I film again,” he seems to be saying.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

THE FOUNDER

“Reports indicate we already have an early frontrunner for our new president’s favorite film of 2017.” – Greg Vellante, Edge Boston

“It tells us the story behind a business we all know, or think we know, and gives Michael Keaton one of his best roles ever. Don’t miss it.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/13/2017

Posted on January 13, 2017 by bofca

LIVE BY NIGHT

“…doesn’t so much break new ground in the gangster film as deepen explorations into areas opened by others.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“LIVE BY NIGHT is not an amazing movie, but as a testosterone-driven piece of genre narrative this film has many moments of humor, style and character acting bravado that make it a pleasure to watch, and satisfactorily drive the viewer to the next plot point.” – Michael Cox, Edge Boston

THE BYE BYE MAN

“The plot is pretty dumb, the monster disconnected, and the victims forgettable. All of these missteps in the same film add up to either two experiences: you either dig how bad it is and decide to laugh at the film, or you are frustrated that you wasted time and money on such an uninspired, disposable flick.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Film Thrills

MONSTER TRUCKS

“…more about commerce than art, but for parents wanting to find something to do with their kids on a wintry afternoon, it will do the trick.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

JULIETA

“The deeply moving conclusion that Almodóvar builds to might strike some as a bit too open-ended, but he finishes as he began, with two lovers in an enclosed compartment, traveling forward on yet another journey toward destiny.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“It’s always a rapturous pleasure to watch a master filmmaker work their magic and exercise their craft, and JULIETA, the latest film from the great Pedro Almodóvar, is no exception.” – Andy Crump, The Playlist

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/06/2017

Posted on January 6, 2017 by bofca

SILENCE

“Sometimes even the best of artists get lost inside of long-gestating passion projections.” – Bob Chipman, Geek.com

“It’s a harsh experience made with a gentle hand and shot through the eyes of a master director.” – Andrew Crump, Paste

“In classic Scorsese style, the movie wrestles with questions instead of answering them and these images follow you home into your dreams.” – Sean Burns, WBUR

“You need patience in order to endure SILENCE.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“SILENCE will probably feel like a reaffirmation of Christian faith to some and an impugnation of Christian arrogance to others.” – David Riedel, Salt Lake City Weekly

A MONSTER CALLS

“Deeply emotive and heart-achingly sad, A MONSTER CALLS is a tremendous triumph.” – Allyson Johnson, The Young Folks

“A MONSTER CALLS to be sure, but will anyone care to answer?” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

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: 02/10/2017

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/27/2017

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/20/2017

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/13/2017

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/06/2017