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
Sports Horror Film ‘Him’ Is a Half-Hearted Tackle

Sports Horror Film ‘Him’ Is a Half-Hearted Tackle

By Alex McPherson Alternately goofy and self-serious, director Justin Tipping’s “HIM” fumbles intriguing ideas and crash lands into a barren field of mediocrity. Executive produced... Details
Critics Choice Announces Honorees for Latino Cinema & Television Celebration on Oct. 24

Critics Choice Announces Honorees for Latino Cinema & Television Celebration on Oct. 24

The Critics Choice Association has announced the full slate of honorees for the 5th annual Celebration of Latino Cinema & Television, taking place on Oct, 24,  in Beverly... Details
Tea, Tears and Tiaras – ‘Downton Abbey’ Says Farewell With a Luxe Grand Final Bow

Tea, Tears and Tiaras – ‘Downton Abbey’ Says Farewell With a Luxe Grand Final Bow

By Lynn VenhausA bittersweet wrap-up of the classy historical drama, “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” is a fitting final bow for its legion of fans.... Details
PopLifeSTL Picks Weekly: Sept. 1 – 7

PopLifeSTL Picks Weekly: Sept. 1 – 7

Dateline: Sept. 1By Lynn Venhaus, Alex McPherson, C.B. Adams and Carl “The Intern” Middleman Are we ready to cross into the spooky season? And no,... Details
Darren Aronofsky Takes a Detour in Hyperviolent ‘Caught Stealing’

Darren Aronofsky Takes a Detour in Hyperviolent ‘Caught Stealing’

By Alex McPherson As it descends further into chaos, director Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller “Caught Stealing” becomes increasingly muddled; it’s a grimy, mean-spirited film that’s... Details