DIVERGENT
“Our setting: A post-apocalyptic, mostly-ruined future Earth where the only documents to survive The Fall were apparently an Archie Double-Digest and a DVD of SHE’S ALL THAT.” – Bob Chipman, Escapist
“As for the cast…well, let’s just say that the post-apocalyptic future will be filled with healthy, beautiful young people with toned bodies, fantastic hair and, for the most part, blank expressions. Just like those other popular book/movie franchises.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide
“All of the tension that could be mined out of her conundrum—no one can know that she was born different from nearly everybody else—gets shunted aside for boring filler and terrible world-building.” – Andy Crump, In Review Online
“My negative view of DIVERGENT is primarily based on the generic repetition that’s on display from beginning to end.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show
“The film works because it engages in some creative world-building… That said, its roots in other YA successes are painfully obvious. ” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies
MUPPETS MOST WANTED
“…the film ends up being just as much of an ode to the Muppets’ brand of unbridled delight without having to wax sentimental; in the end, Bobin and Stoller cleverly get to have their cake and eat it, too. And so do we.” – Andy Crump, Paste Magazine
“The plot to steal England’s crown jewels makes no sense, but it’s a delightful kind of no sense, and if the point is gleeful silliness, who cares?” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter
“I did start to wonder whether making fun of how far The Muppets have been left behind by popular culture is going to keep being enough to make it not true.” – Bob Chipman, Escapist
BAD WORDS
“Clearly, and admirably, BAD WORDS strives to keep the hugging and learning to a minimum.” – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap
“Bateman almost has enough dry-tongued charm to pull off this deeply dislikable character — almost.” – Killian Melloy, EDGE Boston
“This bloodthirsty bunch fears broken dreams and innocence lost, and Trilby’s just taken the apple from paradise.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian
NYMPH()MANIAC
“NYMPH()MANIAC is a multi-pronged film; a cineaste could read it as a celebration of sexual positivism, or as a male-driven condemnation of female sexuality.” – Andy Crump, Movie Mezzanine
“Well, at least we now know why Shia LaBeouf wears a bag over his head when appearing in public.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide
“Make no mistake, Von Trier does not make movies about topics he likes or understands. If he’s filming something, odds are he has the utmost contempt for it, which is why most of his films center around female characters.” – Kristofer Jenson, DIG
“In the spirit of getting to the point: NYMPH()MANIAC: VOLUME ONE is a piece of shit.” – David Riedel, Raw Denim
“Despite the throngs calling von Trier a provocateur, it’s von Trier’s work doing the real provoking.” – Norm Schrager, Meet in the Lobby
THE LUNCHBOX
“What is delivered in THE LUNCHBOX is something beautiful that anyone can appreciate.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show
THE FACE OF LOVE
“What’s problematic here is that THE FACE OF LOVE treats these close calls as though they’re disposable, rather than essential beats for sustaining the film’s central conflict.” – Andy Crump, Movie Mezzanine
“The Face of Love also wants to be a romance, a story about grieving (but not really), and a comedy, and all in 90 minutes. Mostly it’s just a mess.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter