Category Archives: Review Roundups

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 01/08/2016

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maxresdefault (25)THE REVENANT

“This is the action-adventure film as arthouse epic, where a tighter script and more clearly defined characters might have made it more engaging.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“It’s a Malick film by way of Gibson and Herzog—but mostly The Revenant is a testament to Iñárritu’s machismo.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

anomalisaANOMALISA

“A brilliant, if disheartening look at ourselves, Anomalisa is wonderful.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

 

 

download (15)THE FOREST

“…one of those generic horror films you find at the video store or your online streaming service, unsure if you saw it but willing to take a chance. On your laptop this should do fine.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“‘Why aren’t there any good horror movies to be seen anymore?’ the people decry. Well, stop seeing the bad ones.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP 12/25/2015

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THE HATEFUL EIGHTHATEFUL

“The cast is stupendous, the dialogue dazzles, disgusts, and delights in equal measure, and the craftsmanship is peerless – but watching Tarantino unfold Minnie’s various mysteries is close to pure rapture.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

CONCUSSIONCONCUSSION

“Bennet is painted in a saintly glow that quickly wears thin. At times the movie comes across as a thriller as directed by Frank Capra” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/18/2015

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Star-Wars-Force-AwakensSTAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

“The battle scenes had me cheering, the story is layered and leaves enough dark corners to make us wonder what secrets various characters hold, but not so complicated that it takes itself too seriously or pulls us out of the simple pleasures that STAR WARS at its core has always held.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

“With STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, Abrams accomplishes the herculean feat of transitioning George Lucas’s original STAR WARS films into a new series, while still making his movie feel like a part of the same cinematic universe.” – Evan Crean, Star Pulse

“THE FORCE AWAKENS is a fine movie that fans of the original trilogy will almost certainly fall in love with, but it’s a typical sci-fi movie that should have been more than what it actually is.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“After a Marvel film, I’m usually groaning about their tedious setup for future films. After STAR WARS, however, these groans were replaced with glee. I can’t wait to see what comes next.” – Greg Vellante, Sound & Picture

“…sadly reeks far too often of deja vu and reboot infection by returning to the well of past glory in its narrative theme, storyline and perhaps a tad too many knowing references to memorable moments from the past films.” – Tim Estiloz, Boston Examiner

“This is the cinema of pre-built parts. If it’s filmmaking, then assembling a LEGO set is architecture.” – Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston

“…no need to fret about spoilers, because this is déjà vu all over again.” – Sean Burns, North Shore Movies

“Turns out, it is possible to go home again.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

untitled-article-1436980070SISTERS

” …it’s a movie that lets Gen Xers indulge in their wild youth while reminding them that time has marched on.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/11/2015

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IN THE HEART OF THE SEA

“There’s no sense of direction here—as though Howard couldn’t figure out which movie he wanted to make, so he decided to make them all.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“We get it, the pen is mightier than the harpoon.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

“It’s possible that IN THE HEART OF THE SEA will find lasting acclaim rather than fading pretty promptly into obscurity, but I’d wager neither hardtack nor a day’s rum on it.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“Not only does this film’s “demon” look like the digital creation it is, but almost everything on land and sea looks like it was shot against a blue screen nearly 60 years ago.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“IN THE HEART OF THE SEA is so full of unnecessary and unconvincing green-screen work I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the actors shot their scenes on a soundstage in Burbank.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

youth-filmYOUTH

“Much as THE GREAT BEAUTY positioned itself as a sorta-sequel to LA DOLCE VITA, for YOUTH Sorrentino borrows the setting from Fellini’s 8½ and shares The Maestro’s penchant for grotesques.” – Sean Burns, The Artery

“YOUTH is a free form, plotless effort, much like Sorrentino’s 2013 Best Foreign Language Film winner THE GREAT BEAUTY. But that film had fire where YOUTH has coals.” – Andy Crump, Birth.Movies.Death.

“…a complicated, messy affair at times, but there’s always beauty to be found.” – Greg Vellante, Sound & Picture

Francois Truffaut and Alfred HitchcockHITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT

“Directed and co-written by Kent Jones this documentary explores one of the most illuminating conversations in the history of film.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices