BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 08/14/2015


THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.Jv7V5

“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-trailer1STRAIGHT 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

 

copcarCOP 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

 

1638832 001LISTEN 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

 

WILLIAM BUCKLEY;GORE VIDALBEST 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 MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 8/12/15

Jaskee Hickman looks at SAMBA

Joyce Kulhawik reviews THE RUNNER

John Black looks at ASSASSINATION

Bob Chipman looks at Forgotten Video-Game Heroines

Sean Burns reviews COP CAR and PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID

Sam Cohen reviews THE END OF THE TOUR

Jared Bowen looks at WAITRESS and David Lynch

Monica Castillo reports on AWKWARD Season 5

Spoilerpiece Theatre talks FANTASTIC FOUR and SHAUN THE SHEEP

Andy Crump looks at HOUSE and the Best of Criterion’s New Releases

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 08/07/2015

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FANTASTIC FOUR

“…a mutant born out of haphazard screenwriting, poor direction and rushed special effects.” – Monica Castillo, International Business Times

“FANTASTIC FOUR is unimaginative and indiscernible from every other blow-’em-up blockbuster and does nothing to make you think otherwise.” – Sam Cohen, Substream Magazine

“Such a tragic disaster that there ought to be stuffed animals and votive candles piled up in front the theatre.” – Bob Chipman, Moviebob

“What’s the worst thing you can say about a superhero movie? It’s dull. THE FANTASTIC FOUR is deadly dull.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“FANTASTIC FOUR is not unwatchable the first time around, but I do think it would be nearly impossible to sit through it again.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“…Trank tries to reinvent the wheel and comes up with a round ponderous unimpressive rock.” – Tim Estiloz, Boston Examiner

“Calling it “bad” does badness a disservice. The film exists to exist, with no ulterior motive beyond waging a property rights war.” – Andy Crump, A Constant Visual Feast

 

End-of-TourTHE END OF THE TOUR

“…Ponsoldt has a soft touch, so even when we’re in the actors’ faces, we’re always just out of reach.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine

“What we have here is two very smart guys talking around each other for a couple of hours, each trying to negotiate their roles in what’s essentially a transactional relationship. ” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

 

 

4f721c72_ricki-and-the-flash-DF-00539_rv2_ext_cp_rgb.xxxlarge_2xRICKI AND THE FLASH

“RICKI AND THE FLASH fails even though it had all of the elements to find success.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“[Jonathan] Demme doesn’t take sides here – there are no heroes and no villains in this film – just a bunch of flawed, decent people trying their best to muddle through a painful situation.” – Sean Burns, Spliced Personality

“[Jonathan Demme] cuts deeper into his characters with establishing shots than most filmmakers do with whole scenes.” – Jake Mulligan, Dig Boston

“Didn’t buy it, despite the cast and the efforts of director Jonathan Demme who must have left some of his mojo with PHILADELPHIA and THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

 

Shaun-The-Sheep-MovieSHAUN THE SHEEP

“…a movie with as much imagination, smarts, charm and tenderness as any gargantuan Disney affair (or worse, DreamWorks affair).” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

SHAUN THE SHEEP is a short animated flick that kids will be able to follow and get into even though there’s no one actually speaking in any understandable language.” – Jaskee Hickman, Cinematic Essential

“People looking for family entertainment that the whole family actually can enjoy will want to put this one on their list.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

The-Gift-TrailerTHE GIFT

“Exploring character motivation and the histories of complex relationships makes for an unexpected and absorbing film.” – Deidre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

“Plenty ambiguous with excellent performances, subtle direction, and an ending that’s utterly disturbing.” – Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce’s Choices

 

Charlize-Theron-Dark-Places (1)DARK PLACES

“The potential for excitement with no audience pay-off makes for an overall underwhelming film.” – Deirdre Crimmins, Cinematic Essential

 

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 8/5/2015

Sean Burns looks back at Robert Altman’s POPEYE and reviews LISTEN TO ME MARLON

Bob Chipman was profiled in The New Yorker

David Riedel looks at A PIGEON SAT ON A BRANCH REFLECTING ON EXISTENCE

Andy Crump reviews BEST OF ENEMIES and PAULO COELHO’S BEST STORY

Spoilerpiece Theatre talks MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION

Charlie Nash reports from Fantasia International Film Festival: I AM THOR, A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY, HARUKO’S PARANORMAL LABORATORY and THE BLUE HOUR

Deirdre Crimmins reports from Fantasia International Film Festival: JERUZALEM, OBSERVANCE, CASH ONLY and CHERRY TREE

BOFCA REPERTORY PODCAST – AUGUST 2015

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BOFCA’s Bob Chipman and Steve Head examine the wide variety of films playing on the Boston-area repertory scene for the month of August, 2015

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