This oft remade gothic horror/mystery sprung originally from the mind of Oscar Wilde. It's funny and twisted and not a little damning of the class system in England. This particular iteration leans more to the humor and has more than a whiff of Disney in its storytelling and effects. Anthony Head (The Stranger) tackles the title character with great verve and even nuance, though the script might have fought him on that.

[3 stars] This oft remade gothic horror/mystery sprung originally from the mind of Oscar Wilde. It's funny and twisted and not a little damning of the class system in England. This particular iteration leans more to the humor and has more than a whiff of Disney in its storytelling and effects.

Imagine the Blair Witch Project meeting  Japan Sinks in one of the most frenetic Godzilla films ever made. It's also an exhausting two hours if you don't speak Japanese as the subtitles are rapid fire with many overlays. But it's worth it. However, be warned that the opening scenes will make you wonder as it's only a step above a man in a rubber suit at the top.

[3.5 stars] Imagine the Blair Witch Project meeting  Japan Sinks in one of the most frenetic Godzilla films ever made. It's also an exhausting two hours if you don't speak Japanese as the subtitles are rapid fire with many overlays. But it's worth it. However, be warned that the opening scenes

I've discussed the genius and malleability of Kiss of the Spider Woman in the past and I still stand by my statement with this latest adaptation of the material. ...the best example of adaptation I have encountered is still Kiss of the Spider Woman. The book, play, movie, and musical are all different and yet all the same story at heart.

[3 stars] I've discussed the genius and malleability of Kiss of the Spider Woman in the past and I still stand by my statement with this latest adaptation of the material. ...the best example of adaptation I have encountered is still Kiss of the Spider Woman. The book, play, movie, and musical a

First off, hats off again to Apple TV for taking on high-concept science fiction as a serious business. No one else out there has had as many concurrent, successful series as them in, well honestly, ever. If you can prove me wrong on that let me know. But keep in mind they delivered Foundation, Invasion, Silo, Dark Matter…

[4 stars] First off, hats off again to Apple TV for taking on high-concept science fiction as a serious business. No one else out there has had as many concurrent, successful series as them in, well honestly, ever. If you can prove me wrong on that let me know. But keep in mind they delivered Fou

One of the first things that jumps out about this dark and twisted prequel is that every previous story about Derry, Pennywise, and by extension It, flashes back to Derry in small vignettes or segments to provide information or spike fear. This Muschietti (The Flash) expansion of his version of It drops you in Derry of the past... and doesn't let you leave.

[3.5 stars] One of the first things that jumps out about this dark and twisted prequel is that every previous story about Derry, Pennywise, and by extension It, flashes back to Derry in small vignettes or segments to provide information or spike fear. This Muschietti (The Flash) expansion of his

Daniel Craig (Queer) returns to us again as Benoit Blanc in this darkest and most grounded of the Knives Out series. Rian Johnson (Poker Face) serves up this addition to his franchise with something more in the Gothic horror/mystery realm than broad satire. The humor here also bites more outwardly at society leaving it mostly inferred rather than depicted on screen.

[4 stars] Daniel Craig (Queer) returns to us again as Benoit Blanc in this darkest and most grounded of the Knives Out series. Rian Johnson (Poker Face) serves up this addition to his franchise with something more in the Gothic horror/mystery realm than broad satire. The humor here also bites mor

A solid mystery thriller with two bravura performances by Emma Thompson (What's Love Got to do With It?) and Ruth Wilson (See How They Run) make this worth your eyes. That these are two actors already well known for their abilities, that's saying something. The show itself has a bit of a Utopia (or its US remake…

[3.5 stars] A solid mystery thriller with two bravura performances by Emma Thompson (What's Love Got to do With It?) and Ruth Wilson (See How They Run) make this worth your eyes. That these are two actors already well known for their abilities, that's saying something. The show itself has a bi

There is a long tradition of stories about creatives late in their careers reflecting on how their choices have affected their lives. It isn't just narcissism, there is a real cost to stardom in time and connections. The really good stories allow you to connect with the main characters on a personal level such that you ask yourself the same questions they are asking themselves on screen. 

[3.5 stars] There is a long tradition of stories about creatives late in their careers reflecting on how their choices have affected their lives. It isn't just narcissism, there is a real cost to stardom in time and connections. The really good stories allow you to connect with the main character

What you want from a finale is a sense of completeness and satisfaction. That often means taking a bit more time on moments and small details that bloat a story, but which provide necessary spices to the complete stew. The completion to Dead Reckoning and the Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick) cycle of this franchise definitely embraced that need.

[3.5 stars] What you want from a finale is a sense of completeness and satisfaction. That often means taking a bit more time on moments and small details that bloat a story, but which provide necessary spices to the complete stew. The completion to Dead Reckoning and the Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Mave

Growing up, anywhere, is never easy. Crossing the boundary to young adult is particularly a challenge, especially if you don' t have family support. For his first feature George Sikharulidze examines coming-of-age in Georgia (as in the Caucasus, not with Southern Belles). It isn't a flattering look, but it attempts to stay genuine with Data Chachua at its center, ricocheting off the walls of life as he tries to find his way.

When you need a really twisty, and often twisted, mystery Harlan Coben is usually a good choice. You don't always get characters you care about, but you do get a complex plot and usually have to work for your answers. Coben himself guided this latest reinterpretation of his work, and co-wrote at least one episode, transporting his story to the UK with the help of…

[3 stars] When you need a really twisty, and often twisted, mystery Harlan Coben is usually a good choice. You don't always get characters you care about, but you do get a complex plot and usually have to work for your answers. Coben himself guided this latest reinterpretation of his work, and

A little bit Predator, a dash of Alien, and a scent of Resident Evil flavor this alien v human carnage flick. But even with a solid lead in Max Martini (Spectral), the lack of script and originality plague the story. However, the cast soldiers on despite those gaps. It doesn't hurt the cause that Brianna Hildebrand (

[2.5 stars] A little bit Predator, a dash of Alien, and a scent of Resident Evil flavor this alien v human carnage flick. But even with a solid lead in Max Martini (Spectral), the lack of script and originality plague the story. However, the cast soldiers on despite those gaps. It doesn't hurt th

Why write up the 13th series of an animated escape? Well, 'cause this was an unexpected pleasure. The one thing that comes out of this series is just how angry the writers' room is with the world outside. Just about every other episode is satirical ne plus ultra. These include long moments of repeated phrases and looks at the "camera".

[3 stars] Why write up the 13th series of an animated escape? Well, 'cause this was an unexpected pleasure. The one thing that comes out of this series is just how angry the writers' room is with the world outside. Just about every other episode is satirical ne plus ultra. These include long mome