James McAvoy Is Gleefully Over the Top in Crowd-Pleasing Thriller ‘Speak No Evil’ From Blumhouse

James McAvoy Is Gleefully Over the Top in Crowd-Pleasing Thriller ‘Speak No Evil’ From Blumhouse

By Lynn VenhausAh, polite society vs. listening to your natural instincts is at the heart of this intriguing psychological thriller-horror film “Speak No Evil,” which... Details
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Is a Wild Nostalgic Trip Back to the Afterlife

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Is a Wild Nostalgic Trip Back to the Afterlife

By Alex McPherson Messy and overstuffed, but bursting with personality, director Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a worthy follow-up to the 1988 original that provides... Details
Madcap Michael Keaton Provides the Zest in a Goofier and Gorier Sequel ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’

Madcap Michael Keaton Provides the Zest in a Goofier and Gorier Sequel ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’

By Lynn VenhausIt’s silly fun but hampered by uneven storytelling, nevertheless “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” dips heavily into nostalgia and director Tim Burton’s irrepressible comic-horror sensibilities. Thirty-six... Details
Aaron Pierre Excels in Socially Conscious Action Thriller “Rebel Ridge”

Aaron Pierre Excels in Socially Conscious Action Thriller “Rebel Ridge”

Featuring a captivating performance from Aaron Pierre, director Jeremy Saulnier’s suspenseful-but-restrained “Rebel Ridge” mixes throwback thrills with earnest social commentary in its story of injustice,... Details
Uninspired ‘Blink Twice’ Tackles Abuse of Power By Wealthy Men

Uninspired ‘Blink Twice’ Tackles Abuse of Power By Wealthy Men

By Lynn VenhausNeither original nor groundbreaking, “Blink Twice” is a logic-free revenge tale that fails to convince in its twist-filled horror-suspense scenario. Populated by pretty... Details
‘Sing Sing’ Is A Powerful, Empathetic Drama

‘Sing Sing’ Is A Powerful, Empathetic Drama

By Alex McPherson With an impressive ensemble cast and an emotionally satisfying narrative, director Greg Kwedar’s “Sing Sing” is an earnest, occasionally programmatic tribute to... Details
‘Alien: Romulus’ Goes Bigger with the Gore, Nostalgia and Practical Effects

‘Alien: Romulus’ Goes Bigger with the Gore, Nostalgia and Practical Effects

By Lynn Venhaus This is an “Alien” built on fan service, from its loop of greatest hits to recycling the original’s most famous lines to... Details
‘Handling the Undead’ Is A Haunting, Emotionally Resonant Zombie Film

‘Handling the Undead’ Is A Haunting, Emotionally Resonant Zombie Film

Playing as part of the Webster Film Series By Alex McPherson A meditative reflection on death and grief, director Thea Hvistendahl’s “Handling the Undead” is... Details
Contrived ‘It Ends With Us’ Fails to Connect In Any Meaningful Way

Contrived ‘It Ends With Us’ Fails to Connect In Any Meaningful Way

By Lynn VenhausAn important message about domestic violence in “It Ends with Us” is diluted by the film adaptation’s shallow, superficial trappings that favor a... Details
Raunchy, Bloody, Funny – Two Stars’ Bromance in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Saves the World and MCU

Raunchy, Bloody, Funny – Two Stars’ Bromance in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Saves the World and MCU

By Lynn VenhausPropelled by personality and pizzazz, the very funny, very bloody and very meta “Deadpool & Wolverine” is an epic throwdown teaming two very... Details