2015

Posted on August 28, 2015 by bofca

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

NO 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

DIGGING 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

LEARNING 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 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

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 08/14/2015

Posted on August 14, 2015 by bofca

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

“The audience needs no prior knowledge of the original television show to enjoy Ritchie’s snippy and engaging spy flick.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“[They] got it exactly right, introducing the characters to moviegoers who may have never heard of them while not insulting the memories of those who have.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“The film stars Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer as Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin, two slick superspies who have reduced the Cold War to a manhood measuring contest…” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Like the TV series, the tone is light but never entirely loses a sense of deadly seriousness.” – Tim Estiloz, El Mundo Boston

“Bickering about fashion in between slinky car chases and riotously funny spying maneuvers, Cavill and Hammer may actually have more chemistry with each other than anyone else.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

“The movie is a straightforward biopic, full of dramatic confrontations, off-the-rails scenarios and takes certain artistic license to follow [N.W.A.] through their different careers.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“It’s an epic, all right, but one that’s not nearly as cohesive as the album it’s named after.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

“…when STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON the movie revolves around the conception and birth of STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON the album, it benefits enormously from the reduction in scope.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“…STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON is a cinematic success.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“The film is enormous fun to watch – full of electrifying numbers and gigantic, bold-stroke storytelling, teetering on melodrama and providing all the soapy satisfactions one could possibly ask for from an unabashedly old-fashioned MGM picture.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

COP CAR

“…the kind of film that changes gears in the last act; perfectly capturing the adventurous nature of childhood in the beginning and then diverging into a generically consequential thriller in the end.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

“…the movie, like the car itself, kind of just idles on the side of the road for the remainder of the running time.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“It doesn’t matter if the shot misses its mark by a bit. You still didn’t see it coming.” – Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston

LISTEN TO ME MARLON

“…the film stands as a worthy tribute to a monumental talent, reminding us how much we had, how much was squandered, and how much was lost.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

BEST OF ENEMIES

“…the film endorses neither poor sportsmanship nor celebrity opprobrium. In its fashion, it’s actually tragic.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“Kind of a missed opportunity, really, but it’s hard to assign demerits because it’s so fun to watch.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 07/17/2015

Posted on July 17, 2015 by bofca

ANT-MAN

“ANT-MAN will likely play just as well on the small screen–so to speak–but for those needing their Marvel fix between THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON and the reboot of THE FANTASTIC FOUR, it will do.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“You know, for kids.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“ANT-MAN is ultimately underwhelming even if it’s not necessarily exactly unpleasant.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“Like many latter-day Marvel flicks, this one is steeped in plot, but screenwriters Adam McKay and Rudd keep the jokes flying whenever the franchise wheels start spinning.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

TRAINWRECK

“Schumer’s confidence in this movie and her stand-up is infectious.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“…if Amy Schumer making sex jokes could be inserted into every run-of-the-mill comedy today, that’d be great.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

“The results are standardized to the point of frustration, but don’t take this as a sign you shouldn’t see TRAINWRECK; it’s often hysterical, it’s wonderfully acted, and if you like Schumer there’s no reason not to support her work.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“A romantic comedy that is as sweet as it is sidesplitting should not be so difficult to find. TRAINWRECK fits the bill, and does so with little effort and a lot of maturity.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“As the leader of this talented circus, the blame for not getting enough actual laughs in the film falls squarely at Apatow’s feet.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

TANGERINE

“…Baker isn’t rejecting that Hollywood tradition—he’s reclaiming it.” – Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston

“…a lewd, madcap romp tempered with unexpected moments of sweetness and grace.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

“Baker treats L.A. like a living, breathing character as much as a backdrop for his study of the sex work industry, told from ground-level perspectives.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

MR. HOLMES

“MR. HOLMES only has one significant issue that prevents it from being an entertaining drama about the legendary investigator in his later years.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“The films works well enough as a drama, in large part because it downplays the mythology of Sherlock Holmes and approaches the character as a real person struggling to shed the outlandish image with which he’s been burdened by fictionalized accounts of the cases he’s solved.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 07/10/2015

Posted on July 10, 2015 by bofca

MINIONS

“This bubbly and colorful animation may end up convincing you that, when it comes to a sense of humor, the only difference between us and the neophytes is our ability to spot pop cultural references.” – Michael Cox, Edge Boston

“…MINIONS is enjoyable and funny and a perfect way to beat the heat. Sometimes that’s enough. Indeed, sometimes that’s more than enough.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…just cute and clever enough to keep the wee ones entertained and the parents nodding along to an “Abbey Road” or The Who reference.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“MINIONS turns out to be a fun, loose and highly active movie with a bunch of zany characters finding their way in and out of trouble throughout.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

AMY

“AMY will be considered one of the best documentaries that will be released this year at the very least.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“What’s clear is that Winehouse was the opposite of a snob—she was completely herself, a true innocent, sincerely unable to make a false move. It’s remarkable how fake everyone around her looks in comparison.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

“The end result is a film that feels more like castigation than celebration.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“As in his previous documentary, SENNA, Kapadia eschews the traditional talking heads format and layers audio interviews over a collage of archival footage. It’s a formal gambit that can feel more like a self-imposed constraint.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

THE GALLOWS

“THE GALLOWS is worthless, but that won’t stop Warner Bros. from making some kind of money off of it.” – Jaskee Hickman, CInematic Essential

“…so poorly executed you’d be well within your movie going rights to demand a full refund.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“This is what not trying looks like.” – Andy Crump, Movie Mezzanine

“It just hangs there, dead… and deadly dull.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

SELF/LESS

“…if you are alright with a messy film that finds its footing along the way, and is unconcerned with your preexisting expectations, then you will likely enjoy the mess.” Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“If you’re looking to turn your brain off, you’ve come to the right place.” – Michael Cox, Edge Boston

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 07/03/2015

Posted on July 3, 2015 by bofca

TERMINATOR GENISYS

“GENISYS winks and nudges so much it’ll bruise your ribs.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“A pointless but not unentertaining diversion, TERMINATOR GENISYS exists for the same reason a dog licks his balls: because it can.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“TERMINATOR GENISYS could have been your next favorite dumb action movie, but it is far too concerned with fitting into the greater Terminator timeline and ultimately the action suffers because of it.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“…despite Schwartzenegger’s presence, this film is a big-budget, confusing mess who’s ultimate insult is an ambiguous post-credits final scene trumpeting an unnecessary sequel to come.” – Tim Estiloz, El Mundo Boston

“TERMINATOR GENISYS may be yet another summer movie sequel, but this one turns out to have been worth the effort.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…much more interested in cheaply calling back to its predecessors, sporting a framework indicative of the superhero genre’s increasingly huge influence on blockbusters, and setting the stage for installments to come.” – Sam Cohen, Under the Gun Review

MAGIC MIKE XXL

“While MAGIC MIKE sold a darker, cautionary tale alongside the fantasy of a buddy band of strippers, MAGIC MIKE XXL makes it all about the fun.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“There’s nothing sadder than a stripper who is past their prime and in MAGIC MIKE XXL, you’re stuck with five of them.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“MAGIC MIKE XXL is eye candy for those who want to see barely dressed men simulating sex. If that’s not you, you needn’t bother.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“MAGIC MIKE XXL isn’t as good of a movie as it’s predecessor, but it’s a way better party.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

INFINITELY POLAR BEAR

“This may be based on a true story, but the film itself never once succeeds in evoking real experience.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

“…nothing’s ever quite so black-and-white in INFINITELY POLAR BEAR, which treats issues of race, mental illness and family dysfunction with nuance.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

MANGLEHORN

“Slyly constructed as a shrine to its star, MANGLEHORN is peppered with shoutouts to Pacino’s filmography.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

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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