Category Archives: Review Roundups

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 06/05/2015

Posted on by
Reply

maxresdefault (15)ENTOURAGE

“If you think missing ENTOURAGE means you’ll miss out on chance of seeing an insightful inside look at the workings of a Hollywood studio, then watch the 1992 Robert Altman classic THE PLAYER. It’s a much better movie in every respect.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“As a satire of the movie industry, ENTOURAGE is Hollywood Lite.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…this pack of bratty wolves crying to moon about their rich white male problems is just annoying enough to call to animal control.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“…so celebratory of its wickedness that it feels like the cinematic equivalent of partying within the nine consecutive circles of Hell.” – Charlie Nash, Cinematic Essential

 

melissa-mccarthy-spy-movie-trailer-poster6SPY

“Thank goodness for SPY, which is funny, empowering, and avoids the slippery slope of mean comedy.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“With the release of SPY, it seems that McCarthy has finally found a role that fits her like a glove.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Melissa McCarthy is at the top of her game here, doling out one-liners at the same rate James Bond beds women.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

“As perfect a star-vehicle as has been conceived for a comedian since Adam Sandler pulled on his blue suit for THE WEDDING SINGER.” – Bob Chipman, MovieBob

“Excruciatingly funny.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 


insidious-chapter-3INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3

“INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 does deliver some quality scares for people who aren’t completely turned off by horror films that welcome people under the age of eighteen.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“Fits together well enough, but there’s a sameness setting in that’s more pronounced now that you can’t blame it on other returning actors of plot details.” – Bob Chipman, MovieBob

 

 

e917e70cLOVE & MERCY

“LOVE & MERCY doesn’t give us perfection, but it is a powerful, sensorially rich experience all the same.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“In the current context, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to read LOVE & MERCY as some gentle rebuke to blockbuster-season excess.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

 

results
RESULTS

“…what makes RESULTS so special is that it delivers all the conventional rom-com satisfactions while also stubbornly being it’s own unique thing. [Bujalski] has respect for the genre, yet brings an experimental filmmaker’s curiosity to the table.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“[Bujalski’s] replaced the hallmarks of the genre with the verbal awkwardness and spiritual messiness of real life.” – Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston

“Naivety is fun to poke fun at, sure. To grow up with these main players, at least make them interesting to watch being dynamic.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP 5/29/2015

Posted on by
Reply

SAN ANDREASSAN ANDREAS

“A turducken of timeworn tropes.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“I can’t say that San Andreas is a film that’s a complete waste of time for whoever decides to take the time to watch it.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“Pure escapist, Summer-blockbuster, roller-coaster ride fun.” – Tim Estiloz, El Mundo Boston

“You can practically see the studio notes being written for the actors in each scene. Talk more about how much you miss a cohesive family here. Do something heroic like jumping from a helicopter here. Kiss here.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

 

ALOHAALOHA

“Tries to craft its own myth about a man reopening old wounds and healing them through emotional re-enlightenment. Instead, the film closes with an act focused in on world domination through private satellite launches.” Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

“Crowe’s still doubling down on the artifice of his woebegotten ELIZABETHTOWN.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“I was exhilarated by the weird magic of this world and cared about these odd characters even if I didn’t always know what they were talking about.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

FELIX AND MEIRAFELIX MEIRA

“The distance prevents the audience from a more satisfying connection. The performances don’t help.” – Norm Schrager, Meet In The Lobby

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP 5/22/2015

Posted on by
Reply

TOMORROWLANDtomorowland

“Ugh.” – Killian Melloy, EDGE Boston

“To say that TOMORROWLAND is a disappointment isn’t really fair. If this reviewer was eight years old, it would seem like one of the best movies ever.” – Daniel Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies

“A deeply personal blockbuster – it’s a $190 million summer tentpole named after a Disney theme park attraction, but it comes from someplace real.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“Straddling many ideas and communicating so little.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“Brad Bird’s newest has so many worldviews and agendas battling each other in the narrative — some half-baked and some well fleshed out — that the intriguing inspiration behind the concept of TOMORROWLAND gets sunk under instances of preachy blathering.” – Sam Cohen, Under The Gun

“A half-baked lecture in search of a movie to occupy.” – Bob Chipman, MovieBob

 

POLTERGEIST (2015)poltergeist

“POLTERGEIST isn’t able to provide an honest source of entertainment for audiences in search of some summertime frights.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“…if the only reason you’re remaking a movie is simply because you own the rights, it’s probably not worth doing.” – Daniel Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 05/15/2015

Posted on by
Reply

maxresdefault (14)MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

“Miller has made a phenomenal action film with a righteous cause, a movie that layers smart commentary atop jaw-dropping set pieces.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“MAD MAX: FURY ROAD is a thrill ride for the ages.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“Miller dropped the mic and then stepped on it.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

“This is bold, go-for-broke, visionary filmmaking of such a high order that I’m not really sure where to begin.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“…exceeds all expectations as a super-charged, relentless action assault on the senses that will leave you truly breathless, awe-struck and satisfyingly exhausted…” – Tim Estiloz, El Mundo Boston

“…a carnivalesque thrill ride down the highways of Hell that’s more meticulously crafted than just about any mainstream motion picture in recent memory.” – Charlie Nash, Cinematic Essential

“It’s got the action and explosions of a TRANSFORMERS movie, but makes those films look like complex dramas in comparison.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Few movies live up to the hype, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD laughs in their faces and makes them eat its dust.” – Max Covill, Impassioned Cinema

 

Pitch Perfect 2PITCH PERFECT 2

“While there are plenty of significant similarities between the two films, Pitch Perfect 2 does not simply regurgitate the first film.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“What, one wonders, would Beca – or Anna Kendrick for that matter — have to say about the insulting misogynist jokes and offensive racial stereotypes that make-up most of the ‘humor’ of the first half of the movie?” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“…a movie that will make you laugh out loud without feeling stupid.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“The over-the-top racist caricature feels horribly out-of-sync with the movie’s positive message about girl power and friendship.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

 

Iris-movie_104335IRIS

“If you saw Iris Apfel  pawing through the racks at a Harlem thrift store, you would want to know her story. But does that mean you want to sit through a documentary about her?” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“IRIS is a vibrant, lively portrait of an icon in her field, but it’s also a celebration of inner (and outer) uniqueness.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

Bird-LegsI AM BIG BIRD: THE CAROLL SPINNEY STORY

“…Big Bird is such a huge part of our cultural Gestalt that I defy anyone who has not grown up with this immense character to be unmoved by this movie.” – Michael Cox, Edge Boston

“It is impossible to observe the film’s interviews with Spinney and not be taken aback by the man’s extraordinary sensitivity, and the deeply unhappy childhood that seems still very much with him today.” – Sean Burns, WBUR

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 05/08/2015

Posted on by
Reply

UTC_6-6-14_04146.CR2HOT PURSUIT

“I walked out.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Though HOT PURSUIT is not the worst cinematic experience I have had this year, its lack of actual comedy is decidedly cringeworthy.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“…a throwback to those old ’80s comedies you always find yourself watching way too often on cable on hungover Sunday afternoons.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“Hilarity ensues – and by hilarity, I mean I laughed twice.” – Monica Castillo

 

dtrainTHE D-TRAIN

“I’m unable to completely slam THE D TRAIN, but I wouldn’t suggest that anyone rush out to theaters to see it since I simply don’t think it’s worth the money.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“The film is largely without charm, and it’s brim-full of ‘Oh No They Didn’t!'” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

 

meeeWELCOME TO ME

“It helps that Wiig uses her well-honed comedic chops and adds a layer of dramatic desperation.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

 

Maggie-1MAGGIE

“Arnold’s doing Eastwood again, and this is his MILLION DOLLAR ZOMBIE.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

 

 

5-flights-up5 FLIGHTS UP

“It really shouldn’t be such a novelty to see a movie about two senior citizens that doesn’t portray them as clumsy, sex-crazed curmudgeons for cheap laughs, but here we are.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine