2020

Posted on February 15, 2020 by bofca

FANTASY ISLAND

“While it may hit more than a few bumps along the way to its conclusion, there is a real sense of mystery and tension that underscores just about every scene in FANTASY ISLAND.” – John Black, Gruesome Magazine

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE

“The term “masterpiece” gets thrown around hyperbolically these days, but PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE is, quite honestly, the most perfectly calibrated and emotionally cathartic film I saw last year.” – Charlie Nash, Edge Boston

“PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE’s central feature is its love story, which is as much a story of gender politics, life as a woman under patriarchal rule, queer identity, and what it’s like to truly see, and be seen by, another person as it is a visual lesson on the artist’s process.” – Andy Crump, The Week

DOWNHILL

“The movie is being billed as a comedy but is – in fact – a cringeworthy story of a married couple whose relationship is in a humiliating downward spiral.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 06/21/2019

Posted on June 21, 2019 by bofca

TOY STORY 4

“So, after the brilliant and emotional conclusion to TOY STORY 3, was there possibly anything left to be said? As it turns out, there was.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…in a summer when studios have released almost nothing but underwhelming and underperforming sequels, sandwiched between Disney’s mega-budget remakes of ALADDIN and THE LION KING, the mildly amusing, profoundly unnecessary TOY STORY 4 leaves one starving for something more than just reheated comfort food.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

“The amount of love put into this film by its creative team is only trumped by the love that it filled the audience with.” – Byron McNeal, Nerd Caliber

“Was TOY STORY 4 really necessary? No, but we’d be lying a bit if we were resistant towards Disney’s specific brand of nostalgia.” – Sam Cohen, Edge Boston

“If this is the end of the TOY STORY run, it leaves on a positive note.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 10/26/2018

Posted on October 26, 2018 by bofca

MID90S

“…this film does a lot of things right, yet leaves much to be desired at the same time.” – Greg Vellante, Edge Boston

“…the roughness of Hill’s boxy, 16mm compositions cast their own spell.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“There’s a lackadaisical, conflict-averse quality to this picture that leaves a galling aftertaste.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

HUNTER KILLER

“HUNTER KILLER insults the intelligence of its audience, plays into decades-old politics, and wastes the talents of some solid actors. It’s wholly without value.” – Deidre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“Like the recent HALLOWEEN, it is an unapologetic genre film that treats its material – and the audience – with respect.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN

“Fans of the two previous JOHNNY ENGLISH films will find this on par with the previous efforts, as will those who have enjoyed Atkinson’s turn as the equally inane Mr. Bean.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN is perfectly fine in its own right, but its naiveté feels dated and unnecessary. For a spy film with car chases and explosions, it falls flat and fails to fully engage.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“Sure, it’s silly fun that you might forget the moment you leave the theater, but given these tense times, that might be enough.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“If you found any sort of value in the first two movies in the trilogy and know what to expect ahead of time, you should give JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN a chance.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

WHAT THEY HAD

“WHAT THEY HAD feels like a timely film, given the aging population in America, and will likely strike a nerve with people who are struggling with elder care issues in their own families.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING

“THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING is not hard-hitting investigative journalism. It’s a soft, though sporadically prying, look at the high prices and high living of art dealers and collectors today.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 07/27/2018

Posted on July 27, 2018 by bofca

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT

“GHOST PROTOCOL has been the definitive feature film that’s been able to deliver at that level more than any other, but that’s changed with FALLOUT forcing its way into the discussion.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“You likely already know how the plot will end, but that’s not the point of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT. You watch it for the action and for Tom Cruise, and the movie delivers on both fronts.” – Deirdre Crimmins, High-Def Digest

“All kidding aside, I would say this franchise has definitely found its bearings alongside the likes of the FAST AND FURIOUS series when it comes to action.” – Byron McNeal, Nerd Caliber

“[It] may not be a masterpiece of cinema, but it is smashing entertainment because all the money is up there on the screen.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

EN EL SÉPTIMO DÍA

“In EN EL SÉPTIMO DÍA we meet the unsung backbone of New York City’s service industry. But of course this gentle, unassuming film would never come out and say it that way.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 05/25/2018

Posted on May 25, 2018 by bofca

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY

“SOLO doesn’t succeed as much as it wants to.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY shows that ROGUE ONE was not a fluke. There are stories to be told in the “Star Wars” universe that don’t have to advance the main saga.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“This one’s more like comfort food for fans, but there are worse ways to kill a couple of hours.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

“…Solo is a rather soulless cover version of a character that isn’t even enlivened by the wall-to-wall music that backs his every move.” – Brett Michel, Improper Bostonian

FIRST REFORMED

“Don’t look for the angels, or anyone else, to collect much of a share from this misfire.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“FIRST REFORMED is a major work by a cinema giant, urgently reckoning with issues both current and eternal. It is also a form of prayer.” – Sean Burns, The ARTery

ON CHESIL BEACH

“…the star of the show is also its steady and compelling center: Saoirse Ronan outshines her cast mates here and remains the radiant focus of any project she’s part of.” – 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-Ups

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 02/14/2020

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 06/21/2019

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 10/26/2018

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 07/27/2018

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 05/25/2018