2019

Posted on April 26, 2019 by bofca

AVENGERS: ENDGAME

“AVENGERS: ENDGAME takes a step past pure escapism and into greener, fresher pastures.” – Allyson Johnson, The Young Folks

“In spite of my legitimate complaints, I ended up having fun with some of what we get from ENDGAME.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“AVENGERS: ENDGAME wonderfully wraps up this decade long chapter in the Avengers saga paying poignant tribute to those who, in varying ways, pass the torch to the next generation of superheroes preparing to assemble in the future.” – Tim Estiloz, Kaleidoscope Reviews

“After a payoff like this, it’s fair to ask where the genre goes from here. This will be a very tough act – if not an impossible one – to follow.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

HAIL SATAN?

“For a movie about subjects as infuriating as right-wing religious ‘liberty,’ HAIL SATAN? is shockingly funny.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“What does the freedom of religion actually mean, if we’re not free to worship as we believe — or even see fit, at the end of a highly intellectual, if not traditionally spiritual, process?” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

FAMILY

“Asking audiences to give their understanding to ICP and legions of Juggalos is admittedly a big ask, but Steinel is only interested in Juggalos as far as they provide an extreme foil to offset the film’s roots in the mundane.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“FAMILY offers nothing new to push forward character development or storytelling, but it does offer up some relatably imperfect characters.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

RAMEN SHOP

“Food lets people discover who they really are; that’s nothing new. But food also lets us reconnect with the dead in profound ways. In RAMEN SHOP, a sip of broth and a slurp of noodles means more than a trip down memory lane. It means a second chance to say goodbye to loved ones.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

CHASING PORTRAITS

“Seeing this movie reminds one of the many reasons why it’s important not to allow history and cultural memory simply to fade away into the past.” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE Media Network

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 04/19/2019

Posted on April 19, 2019 by bofca

THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA

“…a competently made horror film that probably wouldn’t have attracted much notice if it wasn’t billed as part of THE CONJURING universe.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“The movie doesn’t try to be the next great horror film of the year. Still, it’s hollow at its core, void of mythology and social intention.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

PENGUINS

“For the Disneynature films, it’s not about survival of the fittest, but the survival of the cutest.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

LITTLE WOODS

“…writer/director Nia DaCosta has written a script that neither exalts nor vilifies its heroines; they just have to do what they have to do to survive.” – David Riedel, City Weekly

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 03/29/2019

Posted on March 29, 2019 by bofca

DUMBO

“Over the years this reviewer has noted certain ‘family films’ as ones where the parents ought to flip a coin with the loser having to take their offspring to the movies. Not this time –– DUMBO is a movie that everyone can enjoy.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

HOTEL MUMBAI

“…successfully tugs at the heartstrings. Best of all, it brings awareness of a horrible tragedy to audiences who might not know about this particular atrocity.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 03/22/2019

Posted on March 23, 2019 by bofca

“US is a formidable horror giant in an already crowded pantheon of modern horror. The genre has always been political, grand, and aggressively honest, and it’s a boon to see that new directors like Peele are ready to carve out their own place in that world.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“Jordan Peele has become one of the most talked about men in Hollywood in the past three years, evolving from being a sketch comedy virtuoso to one of the most ambitious horror directors of all time. And in his sophomore film US he does not miss a beat.” – Byron McNeal, Nerd Caliber

“US may be flawed, but it’s well worth seeing. Indeed, if this had been Peele’s first film, we’d be proclaiming him a talent to watch.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Hopefully, a second — or third — viewing of US will reveal all the answers that just didn’t come across strongly enough the first time. If that’s what it takes, then fine. Even if it never leads you to the big “A-HA!” moment you are looking for, watching US is worth it.” – John Black, Gruesome Magazine

“And in a subtly humorous nod to the ritual of watching horror movies, Peele even provides us opportunities to scream at the stupid things characters in such films do, and we find ourselves yelling at the screen: Don’t go out there! Keep running! Don’t let that kid out of your sight!” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

ASH IS PUREST WHITE

“In ASH IS PUREST WHITE, the relief from the bootheel of Chinese patriarchy is shown with subtlety and not bombast.” – Sam Cohen, Edge Boston

“This massively entertaining melodrama is deceptively direct in presentation, but a closer look reveals that even the simplest scenes contain multitudes.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

THE AFTERMATH

“THE AFTERMATH aims for your heart, but it ends up hitting the funny bone. It’s not a bad thing, however, as this incidental effect is what helps an otherwise pedestrian story survive.” – Greg Vellante, Spectrum Culture

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 03/15/2019

Posted on March 15, 2019 by bofca

FIVE FEET APART

“in execution, the teen romance never packs the emotional wallop it so obviously, self-satisfyingly, believes it does.” – Allyson Johnson, The Playlist

GLORIA BELL

“This isn’t a movie of large ambitions or self-important themes. It’s just about life, and how it goes on.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

WONDER PARK

“There’s not much wonder in the film, but when it’s there, it’s there.” – Greg Vellante, Spectrum Culture

WOMAN AT WAR

“The film directs a bitter, humorous eye at the complications between embracing activism and functioning in society, especially in an era of increased global commerce and tech surveillance.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

STARFISH

“STARFISH is a film with a very limited audience, but it’s worth noting that Gardner – who spends most of the film utterly alone – manages to keep her character engaging even if the material is less so.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

TRIPLE THREAT

“TRIPLE THREAT is a movie that’s easy to recommend for fans simply looking for an action movie with some quality fights, shootouts and chase scenes.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

CHIMERA STRAIN

“As a feature film, though, this project just hasn’t got the writing behind it that would allow its drama or its creepy-science vibe to be sustained.” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE Boston

Boston Online Film Critics Association

The Boston Online Film Critics Association was established in May of 2012 to foster a community of web-based film critics.

Tag Archives: Review Round-Up

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BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 03/22/2019

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 03/15/2019