Feminist Twist on Arabian Nights in ‘100 Nights of Hero’ Is Noble But Flimsy

Feminist Twist on Arabian Nights in ‘100 Nights of Hero’ Is Noble But Flimsy

By Lynn VenhausA fantasy feminist fable that relies more on style than substance, “100 Nights of Hero” is pretty – in people and surroundings –... Details
Nazi Mind Games in ‘Nuremberg’ Reminds About Need to Vanquish Evil

Nazi Mind Games in ‘Nuremberg’ Reminds About Need to Vanquish Evil

By Lynn Venhaus English philosopher R.G. Collingwood said, “The only clue to what man can do is what man has done.” That is the direction... Details
Jennifer Lawrence is Outstanding in Harsh Character Study ‘Die My Love’

Jennifer Lawrence is Outstanding in Harsh Character Study ‘Die My Love’

By Alex McPherson An intensely gripping acting showcase for Jennifer Lawrence, director Lynne Ramsay’s “Die My Love” paints an existentially nightmarish picture of motherhood, conformity,... Details
‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ Is An Exhausting But Darkly Transfixing View of Motherhood

‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ Is An Exhausting But Darkly Transfixing View of Motherhood

By Alex McPherson An aggressively unpleasant experience that traps viewers within its protagonist’s tortured psyche, director Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”... Details
Ensemble Astounds in Lanthimos’ Grim Doomscroll ‘Bugonia’

Ensemble Astounds in Lanthimos’ Grim Doomscroll ‘Bugonia’

By Alex McPherson A nail-biting exploration of the selfishness and deep-seated class enmity afflicting our doomed species, director Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” grips from its opening... Details
Stylish and Surreal ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ is Not a Good Gamble  

Stylish and Surreal ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ is Not a Good Gamble  

By Lynn VenhausStylish but slow and shallow, “Ballad of a Small Player” is an underdeveloped and overproduced drama that drowns in its own pretentions. Despite... Details
Pretentious, Murky ‘After the Hunt’ Is Disturbing Take on Identity Politics

Pretentious, Murky ‘After the Hunt’ Is Disturbing Take on Identity Politics

By Lynn Venhaus “After the Hunt” is a horrible movie about despicable people that attempts to tackle cancel culture, identity politics and a so-called female... Details
Kathryn Bigelow’s Chilling ‘A House of Dynamite’ Is a Frightening Warning

Kathryn Bigelow’s Chilling ‘A House of Dynamite’ Is a Frightening Warning

By Alex McPherson A bleak and palm-sweating look at just how profoundly screwed we all are, director Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” refuses to... Details
Benny Safdie Swings and Misses in ‘The Smashing Machine’

Benny Safdie Swings and Misses in ‘The Smashing Machine’

By Alex McPherson Plenty of punches are thrown but few connect in Benny Safdie’s solo directorial debut “The Smashing Machine,” an awards-hungry drama that sacrifices... Details
June Squibb And Erin Kellyman Excel In Scarlett Johansson’s Shaky Feature Debut ‘Eleanor the Great’

June Squibb And Erin Kellyman Excel In Scarlett Johansson’s Shaky Feature Debut ‘Eleanor the Great’

By Alex McPherson Even a top form June Squibb can’t quite save director Scarlett Johansson’s “Eleanor the Great,” a dramedy that can’t reconcile its disparate... Details