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BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/26/2014

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into-the-woods-05

INTO THE WOODS

“How many different ways can one shoot trees?” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

“Outside of the criticisms that I have, nothing in INTO THE WOODS is below average. Then again, nothing in it is that far above average either.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“Director Rob Marshall… makes good use of Hollywood magic to make the fairy tale magic seem real in a way that is not possible on stage.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

unbroken-cover-2UNBROKEN

“If you’re hoping for more than the usual, you’re most likely going to be disappointed in some fashion, because there isn’t much to offer in UNBROKEN.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“In choosing to make the POW experience the crux of the film, the preliminary material goes on far too long as we await the story proper to finally begin.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

bgiBIG EYES

“…a feminist crowd-pleaser with the force of moral righteousness on its side.” – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap

“The Margaret Keane biopic never finds its own inspired streak, because it gives Burton nothing to paint.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

 

the-interview-is-the-interview-controversy-a-publicity-stunt-a11b8a7e-b7ec-4250-9f9a-b952e7a61695THE INTERVIEW

“This buddy comedy is no classic on the level of PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, and it’s not nearly as self-critical as THIS IS THE END.” – Monica Castillo, Movie Mezzanine

 

 

THE GAMBLERTHE GAMBLER

“Although I wish that THE GAMBLER actually gambled by take some risks to give us viewers an authentic sense of suspense and trouble, I can’t say that this remake resulted in failure.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“THE GAMBLER has been adjusted for inflation.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

“It’s not quite a holiday movie, but a powerful performance by Wahlberg makes it worth seeing.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/19/2014

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hobbit2THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

“[J]ust read THE HOBBIT instead of waiting for the movies, for Christ’s sake.” – Andy Crump, Movie Mezzanine

“…it comes across like a very impressive video game, one in which you’re watching Peter Jackson doing the playing. It’s hard to get worked up about any of it.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…the problem here, as before, is that pitched battles quickly become tiresome.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“Due to its length and the fact that we pretty much know what’s going to happen, these types of movies turn out to be nothing more than a chore to watch.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“…Eru help us all if Peter Jackson ever decides to adapt WAR AND PEACE.” – Kristofer Jenson, Dig Boston

“Not even Bilbo (Martin Freeman, a supporting player here) or Billy Connolly, who pops up all too briefly, or Benedict Cumberbatch, can save THE BATTLE FOR MY SANITY.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

 

annie-2014-movie-trailerANNIE

“…ANNIE is the second most embarrassing thing Sony did this week.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“There’s a special place in hell for the perpetrators of ANNIE, not so much for the unconventional casting as for the shamelessly misleading advertising campaign trying to convince people they’re going to be seeing a film version of the beloved Broadway musical.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“There’s a good amount of energy while they’re introducing you to the world of ANNIE, but unfortunately, it doesn’t hold up to that level as well as it should have.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“Olivia Pope herself couldn’t have devised a more cynical political campaign than the one at the center of the new ANNIE…” – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap

 

1406498856002-4NIGHT-MUSEUM-3-MOV-JY-1304--66046672NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 3: SECRET OF THE TOMB

“This final edition of NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM is not only a fitting end to the series. It is a sheer delight.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“The undeniable sense of déjà vu one gets sitting through the film wouldn’t be so painful if the cast at least looked like they were having fun (or trying to) with the material, but they all act as bored as you feel watching the movie.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB is simply a piece of entertainment that will stand up well for audiences of all ages.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/12/2014

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EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS

“If the faithful regard EXODUS with skepticism, it will be unsurprising given how the movie itself wavers and waffles.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“Scott is no hack but in attempting to turn the story into another version of his big hit GLADIATOR he’s only shown he has no real idea what the story is about or what point he’s trying to make.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, The Jewish Advocate

 

THE IMITATION GAMETHE IMITATION GAME

“Cumberbatch…presents a character whose many psychological and emotional folds and layers are more complex than origami, and yet Cumberbatch makes Turing seem organic in his tics, and authentic in his mix of mathematical genius and social disconnect.” – Kilian Melloy, Kal’s Movie Blog

“THE IMITATION GAME spends so much time setting up complex puzzles that it oversimplifies the life of its central enigma…” – Brett Michel, Improper Bostonian

 

Top-Five-Movie (2)TOP FIVE

“Among Chris Rock’s films, this is more than in the top five. It is number one.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Rock lets his humor play broadly, but he fills out the space between gags with smart writing and pointed social insights.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“TOP FIVE hits on everything that it takes a swing at.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“TOP FIVE is best when it lives in the world for which he’s most famous, stand-up comedy.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

“TOP FIVE has a weird rhythm, vacillating as it does between long, gorgeously written conversations and abruptly filthy, flutter-cut interludes with an emphasis on the scatological.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

 

wldWILD

“… there’s Oscar bait and then there’s Oscar bait, and for all of its awards-season intentions, WILD happens to be genuine, not to mention good.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

 

Zero_Motivation_web_1ZERO MOTIVATION

“…a comedy of bureaucratic drudgery with a bunch of gals stuck in the middle of nowhere trying not to drive each other crazy while running the clock down on their mandatory service.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

 

 

 

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP

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mister-babadook-53a4404decc07-the-babadook-a-horror-movie-so-scary-that-it-freaked-out-even-the-exorcist-directorTHE BABADOOK

“Although it’s not completely the kind of horror film that I would have expected it to be, THE BABADOOK turns out to be an outstanding piece of entertainment.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“As menacing as the unseen monster is, “The Babadook” bases its scares on the increasingly aggressive relationship between mother and son.” – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap

“Call it horror, call it melodrama, call it what you like—this is a great film.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

 

keeponkeepinon1KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON

“…the warmth and affection for its subject makes some of the film’s softer moments charming instead of irritating. – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 11/28/2014

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HORRIBLE BOSSES 2horrible_bosses_2

“How can three men combine into such a thrumming dynamo of idiocy? These dummies can’t even use walkie talkies without screwing up.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“Indeed, if any movie deserves to be damned with faint praise, HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 is it.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Not since TMC showed a triple feature of FRANCIS THE TALKING MULE movies has an audience been subjected to three braying asses like the ones found starring in HORRIBLE BOSSES 2.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“The improvisation, and there’s a ton of it, goes on and on and on and on and…repeating a lame joke doesn’t make it funny; it makes it miserable. – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

“HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 is an alleged comedy that needs to be skipped by anyone who wants to watch something that’s actually funny.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

 

FOXCATCHERFOXCATCHER

“Though based on a true story ripped from the tabloids, Miller’s vision is an effective mediation on power and exploitation.” – Kristofer Jenson, Dig Boston

“It’s a shame that the horror that unfolds deviates so far from reality, at least when it comes to chronology.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian

“FOXCATCHER is a film that viewers will appreciate for all that it is.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

 

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PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR

“This is sheer, unadulterated fun. You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“Malkovich’s performance is so over-the-top, and perfect in that way, you almost wish the movie was show in a split screen so you could watch him work.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Instead of appealing to both age groups, PENGUINS uses the presumed wants of each as an excuse to disappoint the other.” – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap