Fast, Furious, Fun – High-Spirited ‘Free Guy’ Is a Summer Surprise

Fast, Furious, Fun – High-Spirited ‘Free Guy’ Is a Summer Surprise

By Lynn VenhausClever, brimming with wit and good nature, “Free Guy” is one of the most pleasant surprises of the summer. An action video game, comic-book... Details
Piece of ‘Art’ Provokes Out-of-Tune Friends in Razor-Sharp Comedy

Piece of ‘Art’ Provokes Out-of-Tune Friends in Razor-Sharp Comedy

By Lynn VenhausAt times, friendship is not always the perfect ‘blendship.’ Case in point: “Art,” a razor-sharp comedy currently being staged outdoors by Stray Dog... Details
‘Nine Days’ Is Enthralling Sci-Fi Debut

‘Nine Days’ Is Enthralling Sci-Fi Debut

By Alex McPherson A thoughtful, meditative, unabashedly far-out sci-fi gem, Edson Oda’s directorial debut, “Nine Days,” asks intriguing questions about the rollercoaster of life. This... Details
Bright and Cheery ‘Vivo’ Pops with Personality, Catchy Latin Beats

Bright and Cheery ‘Vivo’ Pops with Personality, Catchy Latin Beats

By Lynn Venhaus A vibrant mix of bright colors and snappy Latin beats, the animated musical adventure “Vivo” pops with personality. Set in Havana, Miami... Details
Weird, hypnotic ‘Annette’ Peers Into a Dark Abyss About Love and Fame

Weird, hypnotic ‘Annette’ Peers Into a Dark Abyss About Love and Fame

By Lynn VenhausMy first thought was “What did I just see?” Then, “How am I going to put this into words?”In present-day Los Angeles, Henry... Details
Crowd-pleasing ‘The Sound of Music’ Delivers Comfort and Joy at Muny

Crowd-pleasing ‘The Sound of Music’ Delivers Comfort and Joy at Muny

By Lynn Venhaus This much I know is true: “The Sound of Music,” created during the golden age of musicals -- (and the reason it’s... Details
Max and Louie’s ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ Resonates In Mighty Waves

Max and Louie’s ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ Resonates In Mighty Waves

By Lynn VenhausHeart-tugging and hopeful, “Tiny Beautiful Things” strikes universal chords as it reverberates through a darkened theater. Now playing at The Grandel, the deeply... Details
David Lowery’s ‘The Green Knight’ is Hallucinatory Spectacle to Behold

David Lowery’s ‘The Green Knight’ is Hallucinatory Spectacle to Behold

By Alex McPhersonBased on the 14th-century Arthurian tale “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” director David Lowery’s film, aptly titled “The Green Knight,” is an... Details
Johnson and Blunt Elevate the Silly Escapist Disney ‘Jungle Cruise’

Johnson and Blunt Elevate the Silly Escapist Disney ‘Jungle Cruise’

By Lynn Venhaus“Jungle Cruise” is junk, as plastic as those animatronic animals and plants that are part of theme park rides. This big-budget movie, based on... Details
Despite Damon’s Efforts, Vague and Implausible ‘Stillwater’ Runs Dry

Despite Damon’s Efforts, Vague and Implausible ‘Stillwater’ Runs Dry

By Lynn VenhausA blatant rip-off of the sensational Amanda Knox student exchange murder case, the morally ambiguous “Stillwater” wants us to care about people not... Details