BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 09/25/2015

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THE INTERN

“THE INTERN is actually quite sweet, and if you are able somehow to get swept up in its sappiness you will like it.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“All of the heartwarming and humorous aspects that make THE INTERN so entertaining though, are the same ones that distract you from issues with its core story.” – Evan Crean, Star Pulse

“Although there is only one screenwriting credit listed … you get the feeling watching it that the film was actually written, maybe crafted is a better word, by committee.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

 

stonewall-4STONEWALL

“Describing STONEWALL as merely a crummy biopic would be like describing Pasolini’s SALO as a rom-com.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“The indictment of Emmerich’s approach is less that he’s opted to “print the legend” and more that he’s not printing the right legend.” – Bob Chipman, Movie Bob

 

977452_044THE GREEN INFERNO

“If you’re one of those people who thinks they can handle this type of stuff, THE GREEN INFERNO is a flick that you should surely check out.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

 

6053581_review-a-brilliant-young-mind-starring_af0e7701_mA BRILLIANT YOUNG MIND

“…a mélange of familiar tropes and character types that feel as carefully calibrated as a page of equations.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

 

 

Pawn01PAWN SACRIFICE

“PAWN SACRIFICE is a solid feature that doesn’t have the quality necessary to make it stand out and grab the attention of the public.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

 

goodnight_mommy_photoGOODNIGHT MOMMY

“This is a rare feature that has a unique style even though the premise has been done before in a couple of other movies over the years.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

 

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 09/18/2015


black.mass_.thm_BLACK MASS

“Watching the film is like reading Whitey’s Wikipedia entry: Here’s a list of some shit that happened.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“The cinematic equivalent of a pistol firing blanks aimlessly into the air.” – Greg Vellante, Sound & Picture

“…the narrative consists of barely-connected sequences that start anxiously and end in lethal violence. It’s a tale told in (often bloody) chunks.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“Call it Whitey Bulger: Greatest Hits.” – Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston

“Like it’s central character, Black Mass is vicious, brutal and dark. It is also marvelously unforgettable.” – Tim Estiloz, Boston Examiner

BLACK MASS turns out to be a decent picture that leaves you wanting more.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“Whitey Bulger had googly eyes. Who knew?” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“BLACK MASS is Hollywood fakery at its worst…” – Sam Cohen, Substream Magazine

“This is a violent film about a criminally evil person who killed or corrupted almost everyone around him. Depp’s portrayal of him makes this one not to miss.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…the film doesn’t need to put decades of wrongdoing on the screen: It needs to find a compelling reason for being in the first place.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“It’s good to see Depp back to form. Shame about the movie he’s in, though.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“So I say see it– but know that the mythic tale has yet to be captured onscreen in all its gruesome glory, unless THE DEPARTED counts.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

maze-runnerTHE MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS

“The question for THE MAZE RUNNER is whether it will it will be remembered as its own success or will it full under the shadow of the bigger titles in the genre.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“…a monotonously grim follow-up to last year’s equally lackluster first entry of this dystopian sci-fi franchise.” – Charlie Nash, Edge Boston

“…a generic time-waster that should be seen if you’re into fleeting moments of interest and a universe that could give a shit less about what you want out of it.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

 

the-second-motherTHE SECOND MOTHER

“…a smart yet subtle portrait of the incalculable riches of a good relationship between parents and children.” – Monica Castillo, Paste Magazine

 

 

cootiesCOOTIES

“It’s a fun premise for a horror comedy, but unfortunately, a fun premise is all it remains.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 09/11/2015


visit-trailerTHE VISIT

“THE VISIT is sheer guilty pleasure, and in the post summer blockbuster calm leading into the awards season storm, sometimes a little shameful indulgence is all we really need.” – Greg Vellante, Sound and Picture

THE VISIT is a poorly structured movie that doesn’t have any positive qualities.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“You will see opportunities for the story to progress into much more bizarre fare, but Shyamalan reins it in for a much easier conclusion. Shame, really.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

“It lacks the flashiness and giant twists Shyamalan is known for, and this is a big plus for the film.” – Deirdre Crimmins, All Things Horror

 

7-chinese-brothers-jason-schwartzman7 CHINESE BROTHERS

“Byington’s movie is mopey but frothy, and it weighs about as much as a bag of Popchips.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“I’m sure many who’ve tired of seeing lonesome semi-hip do-nothings onscreen may have thin patience with 7 CHINESE BROTHERS. But if the category still grabs your attention, Schwartzman and cast – plus dog – will really do a fine job holding it for 75 minutes.” – Norm Schrager, Film Racket

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP 9/4/2015

THE TRANSPORTER: REFUELEDtransporter

“It’s easy to see why Jason Statham has no interest in doing anymore of these.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“It’s the cotton candy of action films. It’s fun while you’re enjoying it, but not something that you’ll remember” – Daniel Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

 

grandmaGRANDMA

“Tomlin’s playing the Billy Bob Thornton role here, as a tough-talking, take-no-prisoners sort on a journey through her checkered past asking for money on her own terms.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“A gripping reminder that accessing abortion is a problem predominantly faced by people with low incomes or few means to travel to a clinic that might be hundreds of miles away.” – Monica Castillo, Bitch Media

 

A WALK IN THE WOODSwalk woods

“Broad, sitcommy and would by all rights probably be unwatchable if it didn’t happen to star Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 08/28/2015

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WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS

WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS could have benefited from focusing on the relationships at play as well as actually attempting to create some type of friction throughout the film.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“Like the keystrokes of an electronic musician filled with self-importance and naivety, WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS is a track sampled from so many other artists it ends up being a complete tonal misfire.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

 

downloadNO ESCAPE

“There’s something begrudgingly spectacular about the film’s commitment to nastiness. It’s mean, ugly button-pushing all-around – not even bothering to invent a fictional country nor to give any reason for the coup.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“In the end, NO ESCAPE fails because the people behind it don’t know how to make a film that can captivate an audience.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“American Nuclear Family Exceptionalism is the fantasy on offer here, and everything else — thin plotting and cardboard characters included — function only in support of that wishful thinking.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

 

diggingforfire-still2-kentosborne-samrockwell-jakejohnson-mikebirbiglia-stevebergDIGGING FOR FIRE

“…DIGGING FOR FIRE is so vapid I can only feel pity for the people who find it interesting.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

“…the beats here aren’t written, they’re riffed.” – Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston

“DIGGING FOR FIRE is the kind of film where nobody learns anything, and where that lack of learning is supposed to feel conclusive.” – Andy Crump, Movie Mezzanine

 

LTD_03.jpgLEARNING TO DRIVE

“The film focuses on the dramatic content of everyday situations…” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“LEARNING TO DRIVE fails to realize what the more meaningful story is within the film.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

 

z-for-zachariahZ FOR ZACHARIAH

“This is the sort of fiction that makes you look at real life through a slightly different filter: One that shows the beast lurking just under civility’s placid surface.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston