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 MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 9/16/2015

Andrew Crump looks at new Criterion releases and reviews BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS

Evan Crean reviews BAD TASTE, TRIP TO ITALY and THE TRIP

Bob Chipman talks the death (or not) of superhero movies

Spoilerpiece Theatre talks THE VISIT, GRANDMA and 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN

Joyce Kulhawik reviews BROKEN GLASS

Jared Bowen checks out a “Strandbeest” at the Peabody Essex museum

Sean Burns looks at 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN

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 MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 9/9/2015

Joyce Kulhawik reviews STEVE JOBS: THE MAN IN THE MACHINE

Deirdre Crimmins looks at Sion Sono’s SHINJUKU SWAN, LOVE & PEACE and TAG

Monica Castillo reports on Junot Diaz at USC

Sean Burns on BEFORE WE GO and TIME OUT OF MIND

Spoilerpiece Theatre talks STEVE JOBS: THE MAN IN THE MACHINE, TRANSPORTER: REFUELED and more

Andy Crump on BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS and TV’s BEST MUSICAL MOMENTS

Bob Chipman talks the future of video-game consoles

Jared Bowen talks BLACK CHRONICLES II and more

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