BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 7/12/2017

Spoilerpiece Theatre talks SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING, A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, CADDYSHACK, OUTSOURCED and The Beach Boys

Nick Casaletto reviews TWIN PEAKS

Jared Bowen looks at THE BIG SICK and DOWNSTAIRS

Bob Chipman talks SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING, video game crossovers and looks back at UNDERCOVER BROTHER

Max Covill talks GAME OF THRONES and title sequences

Sean Burns looks at the midpoint of TWIN PEAKS and both versions of THE BEGUILED

Greg Vellante looks back on BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

Kristofer Jenson presents the Boston Reel Rep Roundup

Andy Crump reviews THEIR FINEST HOUR, GYPSY and visits a new Beer Garden

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTHOUSE (AND FILM CRITICS)

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While you can usually find us holed up in the trenches of the press row, we do like to come out and support the local film scene here in Boston. In a joint effort with the Boston Society of Film Critics, we will help introduce a number of the films in The Brattle Theatre’s (Some of) The Best of 2012 series. Check out what you might have missed last year or come again for a favorite. You’re also more than welcome to come and say hello.

These are the confirmed screenings with introductions by BOFCA members:

Fri, Feb 1              BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD at 7:30 pm by Greg Vellante

Fri, Feb 1              MOONRISE KINGDOM at 9:30 pm by Greg Vellante

Sat, Feb 2            THE AVENGERS at 6:30 pm by Bob Chipman

Sat, Feb 2            THE DARK KNIGHT RISES at 9:15 pm by Dan Kimmel

Sun, Feb 3           WAKE IN FRIGHT at 7:00 pm by Brett Michel

Sun, Feb 3           DAISIES at 9:30 pm by Brett Michel

Mon, Feb 4           THIS IS NOT A FILM at 7:30 pm by Norm Schrager

Mon, Feb 4           AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY at 9:15 pm by Monica Castillo

Wed, Feb 6          THE DAY HE ARRIVES at 7:15 pm by Brett Michel

Wed, Feb 6          OSLO, AUGUST 31st at  9:00 pm by Brett Michel

Thu, Feb 7            LOOPER  at 7:00 pm by Evan Crean

Fri, Feb 8              THE RAID: REDEMPTION at 9:30 pm by Steve Head & John Black

Sat, Feb 9            HOLY MOTORS at 7:30 pm by Monica Castillo

Sat, Feb 9            COSMOPOLIS at 9:45 pm by Sean Burns

The full schedule of the (Some of) The Best of 2012 series can be found on the Brattle’s site. You can purchase tickets in advance on their website or help support their Kickstarter to help buy digital equipment for the theater. Hope to see you out there supporting independent cinema!

-Monica Castillo

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 7/6

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

“A rancid, terrible, stiflingly inept, torturous-to-sit-through piece of shit.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist

“They had a chance to make something new, something hip, something exciting with this. Instead they made a film we’ve already seen.” – Jake Mulligan, The Suffolk Voice

“For those who actually like getting involved with the characters, it’s an improvement.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

“This might be the most curiously under-populated New York City we have ever seen at the movies. $200 million can’t buy you any extras?” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

“Cut from the same form-fitting cloth as any other superhero movie. This is no art house classic, though it’s certainly better than most movies of its genre.” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE Boston

“Taking for granted that the character’s popularity alone will pull in an audience, they turn in an uneven, often sub-par product with only glimmers of improvement here and there.” – Tim Estiloz, Boston Movie Examiner

“The reason this movie exists is because of Sony’s bottom line. Beyond that, what else does this add? Nothing.” – Steve Head, The Post-Movie Podcast

 

TO ROME WITH LOVE

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS was profound in a deceptively breezy way. TO ROME WITH LOVE is just plain breezy, but I didn’t mind.” – Sean Burns, The Improper Bostonian

“Woody Allen’s latest vacation may not be his worst film, but it’s his least inspired.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

“The stories are entertaining but feel unfinished, as if we are watching Allen’s cinematic sketchbook instead of a finished film.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“I loved the comedic surrealism. I would go see it again in a second.” – Steve Head, The Post-Movie Podcast 

 

BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD

“Some moments seem derivative, or unnecessarily enigmatic, but the sheer exuberance of Zeitlin’s most stunning visuals suggests an artistic voice far too strong to write off.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix

“Here’s a movie that looks, feels and sounds so profoundly different from the vast majority of films that you occasionally want to pinch yourself.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist

“A junkyard rhapsody that seems to be inventing its own cinematic language as it goes along.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

“One of the most striking, brilliant, poignant and beautifully crafted films I have witnessed within my lifetime. I imagine it will always hold a special place in my heart.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

 
 

SAVAGES

“So damn refreshing it makes you realize just what pale, pathetic junk we’ve been force fed so far this year.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Stone may occasionally make you wince at the plot twists and the purple prose, but the film won’t leave you bored.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

“Travolta the ham, Benicio the cheese, with a hilarious edit by Stone that even holds the tomatoes. Literally.” – Norm Schrager, Paste Magazine

“It may not be perfect, but it’s the perfect anti-summer movie: violent, obliquely political and aimed at adults.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

“I don’t know of too many surfer dudes who say: ‘We’re going to go all Sunni on their asses!’ But that’s the mark of a Stone film, I suppose.” – Monica Castillo, DigBoston

“Messy and electric, as deeply problematic as it is provocative. In other words, it’s an Oliver Stone movie.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly 
 
 
 

NATURAL SELECTION

“Yes, it’s a road movie, and an unfortunate drama begging to be a comedy.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix

 

TAKE THIS WALTZ

“It makes you think about just how far good lighting, some risky dialogue and an ambiguous ending can go in covering up a been-there-done-that narrative.” – Jake Mulligan, The Suffolk Voice