Category Archives: Review Roundups

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/18/2015

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
Reply

maxresdefault (23)

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

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP 11/27/2015

Posted on by
Reply

CREEDCREED

“Human-scaled, rambling and idiosyncratic, with emotional payoffs larger than life. I spent most of the running time crying my fucking eyes out.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“CREED defies our expectations of its genre even as it fulfills them. You may not see a better crowd-pleaser this season.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“It’s hokey, it’s predictable and, if you’re a fan, it’s surprisingly engaging. A big reason is that Stallone–often an underrated actor whose good performances are sometimes overlooked–underplays the role. ” – Daniel Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Give Ryan Coogler a moving body and he’ll give you a moment worthy of the ROCKY series.” – Jake Mulligan, DIGBoston

“Reestablishes Michael B. Jordan after the FANTASTIC FOUR debacle.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

GOOD DINOTHE GOOD DINOSAUR

“Stories and characters have always been the backbone of the best Pixar films, and here it’s obvious that this was a script done by committee. Literally.” – Daniel Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“If it were not for the utterly beautiful background animation this film would be a complete miss.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“While the film’s willful genre hopping isn’t especially disruptive, it is distracting.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

NIGHT BEFORETHE NIGHT BEFORE

“This may not have been the most I’ve guffawed at a film this year, but it’s certainly the hardest.” – Greg Vellante, Sound & Picture

“These are extremely familiar riffs for Rogen, but he happens to still be really good at them.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“This familiar Rogen-style journey did cause me to laugh more than I anticipated.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/20/2015

Posted on by
Reply

mockingjay
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2

“…a rather disappointing crash and burn for a series that brought attention to positive action role models for young girls.”  – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“…the war against the Capitol gallops to a finish, the battle for Katniss’ heart concludes long at last, and we can all go home with a sigh of relief that the saga is over.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 is at once just another franchise finale, but at the same time something far more in depth in its thematic focus.” – Greg Vellante, Sound and Picture

“If it is the job of fiction to turn a mirror back onto ourselves, then THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 is successful in that vein.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“In spite of the unnecessary padding that led to “Mockingjay” being split in half, the series ends on a strong note.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

secret-in-their-eyesSECRET IN THEIR EYES

“… it’s the movie you go out to during Thanksgiving week when you’ve just got to get out of the house.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

 

The-Night-Before-starring-Seth-Rogen-Joseph-Gordon-Levitt-and-Anthony-MackieTHE NIGHT BEFORE

“Prudes and PCs need not apply.” – Greg Vellante, Sound and Picture

 

 

trumboTRUMBO

“The film tribute to Trumbo is entertaining, swiftly moving, and just as witty as the man himself.” – Deidre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential