Movies

Blending intrigue, provocation, and revenge in telling the story of medical school dropout turned coffee barista, Cassie Thomas, Emerald Fennell (Killing Eve) writes and directs Promising Young Woman, a film whose dramatic cinematography and distinguishable musical score add intensity to a somewhat lacking script. Yet a mostly credible cast coupled with a heart-pounding climax give...

News of the World is a solid if not slightly slow addition to the western/drama genre. When a performer who goes from town to town reading world news comes across a young, white, orphan girl who speaks no English, he endeavors on a long journey to bring her back to her remaining family, despite her...

Gal Gadot reprises her role as the leading female superhero from the DC universe in Wonder Woman 1984. This time, returning director Patty Jenkins also takes on screenwriting duties with Geoff Johns and Dave Callaham, in a story she conceived with Johns. Through it, their love of the genre, and the 1980s, clearly comes through....

Ric Roman Waugh’s latest is a surprising disaster flick that builds the tension and stays entertaining throughout. On its surface, Greenland bears a resemblance to the tried-and-true cookie cutter version of disaster films; all the familiar tropes are prevalent here. Fortunately for moviegoers, Waugh’s minimalistic approach to the genre allows for an entertaining ride. Are...

Orson Welles is commonly credited as the mastermind behind the success and longevity of Citizen Kane. But without his co-writer, Herman J. Mankiewicz, the film very likely would never have been made. That story is revealed in Mank, directed by David Fincher (Fight Club) from his father Jack’s insightful script. Welles hires Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman)...

Nomadland is the story of a woman who has lost it all, and where she goes from there. When her small-town community disappears after the Great Recession swallows up the only business supporting it, an older woman must hit the road and live in her van to make ends meet. Fern (Frances McDormand) is a...

Wild Mountain Thyme is internally polarizing. Writer and director John Patrick Shanley adapts his own play, “Outside Mullingar,” and weaves together the bizarre love story for the big screen. The film has a lot going for it, solid performances across the board, a beautiful backdrop, and enough intrigue to see the story through. Shanley is...

The Croods: A New Age is an animated family adventure comedy about a family of cave people that discover another family who is much more advanced than they are. Despite their differences, both families need to come together to overcome a much larger threat to their mutual existence. The Croods are led by the strong...

Christmas movies tend to be a dime a dozen, with a constant refresh year after year, it is very hard to gauge which ones will stick. Whether or not Happiest Season has the staying power, it packs an emotional punch that is not to be expected from a holiday family comedy. At its highest level,...