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 REVIEW ROUND-UP: 08/21/2015

american-ultraAMERICAN ULTRA

AMERICAN ULTRA is a bloody, aggressive, fast and funny rampage through the streets of an unassuming small town unaware of anything that’s going on around them.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“You could, in theory, call this a reinvention. But you could also call it recycling.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

“…all Nourizadeh has done here is present us with a gorily refreshing Popsicle that wants to have its joint and take a drag off it, too.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

ni8azuapvtnojwrbokpbHITMAN: AGENT 47

“HITMAN: AGENT 47 is a completely forgettable movie complete with completely forgettable actors portraying completely forgettable characters.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“The movie plods along with the usual inane gunplay and explosions, offering some pretty scenery but not much else to hold your interest.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

 

mistress-americaMISTRESS AMERICA

“Depending on your mood and sensibility you’ll find this either effervescent or annoying as hell.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“…what the film anchors itself to is the genuine sisterly affection that grows between the two stepsisters-to-be.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“I couldn’t stop watching, laughing, and lapping up the fizzy promise of life channeled by this crazy dreamer.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

CallMeLucky_03CALL ME LUCKY

“…at times a bit hectic and overstuffed, but despite the clutter it’s an awesome ride that’s as likely to draw tears as laughter.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“…a journey of healing and advocacy, about coming to terms with a horror almost impossible to imagine, and then trying to take all that pain and turn it into something positive.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

 

 

diary2DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL

“For an industry that can barely manage to put women in leading roles, THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL casts a sexually brash 15-year-old as antihero, and succeeds.” – Monica Castillo, Paste Magazine

 

MTE5NTU2MzI1MDEyMDQ3MzcxKAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET

“No matter how beautiful the film might be, it will be a tough sell for American audiences.” – Max Covill, Movie Mezzanine

“Gibran’s words are just as affecting to the ear as to the eye, but there’s very little substance present on the screen to properly weigh them.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 05/08/2015

UTC_6-6-14_04146.CR2HOT PURSUIT

“I walked out.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Though HOT PURSUIT is not the worst cinematic experience I have had this year, its lack of actual comedy is decidedly cringeworthy.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“…a throwback to those old ’80s comedies you always find yourself watching way too often on cable on hungover Sunday afternoons.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“Hilarity ensues – and by hilarity, I mean I laughed twice.” – Monica Castillo

 

dtrainTHE D-TRAIN

“I’m unable to completely slam THE D TRAIN, but I wouldn’t suggest that anyone rush out to theaters to see it since I simply don’t think it’s worth the money.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“The film is largely without charm, and it’s brim-full of ‘Oh No They Didn’t!'” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

 

meeeWELCOME TO ME

“It helps that Wiig uses her well-honed comedic chops and adds a layer of dramatic desperation.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

 

Maggie-1MAGGIE

“Arnold’s doing Eastwood again, and this is his MILLION DOLLAR ZOMBIE.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

 

 

5-flights-up5 FLIGHTS UP

“It really shouldn’t be such a novelty to see a movie about two senior citizens that doesn’t portray them as clumsy, sex-crazed curmudgeons for cheap laughs, but here we are.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

 

 

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 05/01/2015

avengersTHE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

“…a comic book movie, to be sure, but it’s got enough spectacle, wit, and talent on display to make it a most entertaining kickoff to the season.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“This film could have been, and indeed given it’s hype and latitude in production, should have been a grand exercise in Marvel excellence. But like Ultron himself, the film lacks heart, passion and comes across as cold and artificial.” – Tim Estiloz, Boston Examiner

“Those with high hopes may not be as blown away as they were by the first film, and may be disappointed. Those with measured expectations may leave the theater happily surprised that this latest Marvel film was able to maintain consistency of awesomeness.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“There’s the familiarization with the team again, the pulverization by a new foe, the rebuilding of the team, and the big showdown. AGE OF ULTRON is a comic book movie at its most unapologetic.” – Sam Cohen, Sumo Skinny

“ULTRON doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s fun all around.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

“The action is relentless. In fact, there is so much frantic fighting in THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON that it’s boring to watch after a while no matter how many different ways writer/director Joss Whedon tries to film it.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“The movie is stiff and enervated. It’s all punch-punch, banter-banter, like a sitcom in which cities get leveled.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“There’s plenty to love with this latest entry into the Marvel Universe, but hopefully we haven’t already experienced the peak of the franchise.” – Max Covill, Fresh From the Theatre

 

quad_DIOR-4x3DIOR AND I

“Thankfully, the House of Dior is filled with people who can humanize the story for the fashionably uneducated, and in a very fascinating way: The women and men who actually make the clothes.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Watching this film is like eating cake and ice cream for 90 minutes and still wanting more.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

 

lambert_and_stamp_dogwoof_documentary_2_800_514_85LAMBERT AND STAMP

“Fans of The Who will probably be familiar with much of what’s hashed over here, but even so there’s a crackle of residual energy that fifty years, and the deaths of Kit Lambert, Keith Moon and John Entwistle have not completely dispelled.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 03/13/2015

clip_20141118_cinderella_228667_1280x720

CINDERELLA

“While not a musical retelling (which might disappoint some Disneyphiles), it’s nevertheless a worthy tribute to the classic.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“…this version of CINDERELLA has no teeth.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

“…Branagh is smart enough to know that you don’t mess with a time-honored yarn without good reason.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“Disney films can be accused of all sorts of ills, but with CINDERELLA, they have proven that they are capable of producing a boring film that somehow has no magic in it.” – Deidre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“Little girls–of all ages–will have a great time…” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

maxresdefault (5)RUN ALL NIGHT

“There’s a constant push-pull here between the violence and the regretful tone.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

“RUN ALL NIGHT will be lucky if it runs all week. This one’s dead on arrival.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“RUN ALL NIGHT’s constant despondency never gets uplifted by anything worthy of an ooh or ahh.” – Sam Cohen, Sumo Skinny

“Because of it being what it is, RUN ALL NIGHT can definitely be viewed negatively in the eyes of many of us.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

 

’71’71

“Don’t consider this as a political film — consider it “The Warriors,” remade as historical fiction.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

“Although it it doesn’t turn out to be the kind of movie one may think it’s going to be, 71 is still a healthy slice of engaging cinema.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“(Director Yann) Demange is careful to keep the action in the movie as real and shocking as possible. The result is deeply disturbing.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

 

DeliMan-Gallery_05_{95b52bdf-2470-e411-bad0-d4ae527c3b65}_lgDELI MAN

“There are two things you will hear at the end of Deli Man: Audiences applauding and stomachs growling.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

 

wreckingcrew.spectorherodateTHE WRECKING CREW

“If nothing else, watching The Wrecking  Crew is a musical education that everybody with a stereo and memories of the songs these guys played on will appreciate.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“It may indeed be a “home movie,” but THE WRECKING CREW is awfully hard not to like.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine