- Brand New Day: Why Spider-Man Fans Will Love Tom Holland’s Darker Return
Almost five years after the multiversal crossover hit Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has returned to the big screen. In sharp departure from the teen-comedy tone of Jon Watts’ Spider-Man Home trilogy, Destin Daniel Cretton’s Brand New Day offers a more mature, grittier version of the beloved superhero character giving MCU fans what…
- REVIEW: Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ is an Epic Adaptation of Homer’s Epic Poem
Known for his nonlinear narratives and use of practical effects, Christopher Nolan returns with his latest large-scale blockbuster, The Odyssey—the first feature film to be shot entirely on IMAX cameras. Adapted from Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey follows Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his homecoming journey after the ten-year-long Trojan War. Anxiously awaiting the…
- REVIEW: Even a Heroic Performance from Milly Alcock Can’t Save DC’s ‘Supergirl’
The second film in James Gunn’s new DC Universe, Supergirl, has soared into theaters. While the film features great performances, it struggles to break through overall. The film follows Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock), as she teams up with a young woman named Ruthye seeking justice for the murder of her family. Originally titled…
- ‘Toy Story 5’ Faces Its Biggest Villain Yet: Technology
The toys have come a long way since 1995. In the latest installment of the beloved Toy Story franchise, Jessie (Joan Cusack), Woody (Tom Hanks), and Buzz (Tim Allen) face off against their biggest threat yet: technology. Toy Story 5 opens with a cargo of high-tech Buzz Lightyear toys washed ashore on a sandy beach.…
- Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ Trades Invasion for Introspection, and It Mostly Works
Steven Spielberg has made alien movies before. He’s the king of Hollywood blockbusters, especially when it concerns the extraterrestrial. Disclosure Day isn’t exactly the movie you’d expect from him. But that’s exactly what makes it work. This isn’t an invasion film, and it isn’t really a thriller about running from the truth either, despite a…
- REVIEW: Comedian Nate Bargatze Plays It Safe in Debut Feature Film ‘The Breadwinner’
An updated version of the 1983 comedy film Mr. Mom, The Breadwinner is a clean family movie that manages to hold your attention despite being based on a tired cliché. Co-written by Nate Bargatze and Dan Lagana, The Breadwinner follows Nate Wilcox (Bargatze), a top car salesman who becomes a stay-at-home dad after his wife…
- REVIEW: Star Wars’ ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is Hotel Lobby Coffee Served Lukewarm
There once was a time that Lucasfilm intended to release a new Star Wars movie every year for the foreseeable future. That was the playbook they used from 2015-2019, on the heels of Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012. However, after a polarized audience and critical reception to the Sequel Trilogy (The Force Awakens, The…
- INTERVIEW: Ella Bright, Alana Da Fonesca, and Amanda Thomas Talk ‘Off Campus’ Soundtrack
On May 13, Amazon Prime Video debuted its highly anticipated new series, Off Campus. The eight-episode sports romance stars Ella Bright as Hannah Wells, an aspiring musician, alongside Belmont Cameli as hockey star Garrett Graham. Like its source material, The Deal by Elle Kennedy,” a “BookTok” favorite, the series connects its characters not only through…
- Stealing Style, Challenging Systems: Boots Riley’s ‘I Love Boosters’ Turns Fashion Into Protest
Boots Riley was hard to miss when he took the stage on opening night at IFFBoston. Thick-rimmed square glasses, a towering turquoise felt hat, and dramatic mutton chops gave him the kind of larger-than-life presence that felt perfectly in step with his latest film, I Love Boosters, released via Neon. The film and the conversation…
- Inde Navarrette Delivers One of the Best Horror Performances in Years in ‘Obsession’
Obsession is icky. It’s gross. It’s deeply uncomfortable in ways that stick with you long after the credits roll. But it’s also one of the best films of the year so far. Directed by Curry Barker on a shoestring budget of less than a million dollars, Obsession takes a premise that sounds almost too familiar.…
- ‘Power Ballad’ is John Carney’s Latest Love Letter to Music, Starring Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd
John Carney, the acclaimed Irish filmmaker behind “Once” and “Sing Street,” returns with “Power Ballad,” released via Lionsgate and recently screened at the Boston International Film Festival in partnership with the Irish Film Festival, Boston. Following the birth of his daughter, Rick Power (Paul Rudd) gives up his dream of rock stardom, trading packed arenas…
- REVIEW: ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2 Leans into Nostalgia and Harsh Realities
20 years later, some of Hollywood’s most beloved characters have found their way back on the silver screen. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” follows Andrea “Andy” Sachs (Anne Hathaway), now an award-winning investigative journalist, as she returns to Runway magazine to mend a PR crisis and revitalize it amid the decline of print media. All…
- REVIEW: Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” is a Comedic and Honest Reflection of Modern Love
After earning a standing ovation at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, A24’s “The Invite” closed out Independent Film Festival Boston on a high Wednesday night, with director Olivia Wilde in attendance. The screenplay is adapted from the Spanish film “The People Upstairs” by Cesc Gay and reimagined by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. “The Invite”…
- Gregg Araki Returns with Kinky Comedy ‘I Want Your Sex’ Starring Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman
After nearly a decade, Gregg Araki makes his long-awaited return to feature filmmaking with the comedy “I Want Your Sex,” released via Magnolia Pictures and previewed at Boston Independent Film Festival. The film stars Cooper Hoffman as Elliot, a twenty-something struggling to navigate life with an emotionally absent partner (Charli XCX) and an increasing desperation…
- Unraveling A24’s ‘Mother Mary’: A Visually Stunning Film That Struggles to Tailor Its Story
First she was Ella in “Ella Enchanted” (2004), then she was Fantine in “Les Misérables” (2012), now Anne Hathaway is flexing her vocals once again for A24’s “Mother Mary,” the latest film from writer and director David Lowery. Following a gruesome viral video, pop star Mother Mary (played by Hathaway) returns to England to enlist…
- REVIEW: ‘Pizza Movie’ is Topped with Surreal Humor and Memorable Performances
Packed with lavender clouds, nightmare chainsaws, and exploding heads, Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney’s feature directorial debut, “Pizza Movie,” is anything but half-baked. A Hulu original, “Pizza Movie” follows two college students, Jack (Gaten Matarazzo) and Montgomery (Sean Giambrone), on a mission to retrieve their pizza delivery down two flights of stairs. The only problem…
- REVIEW: “Forbidden Fruits” is Ripe with Both Sisterhood and Betrayal
In her feature directorial debut, Meredith Alloway captures an aesthetic comparable to Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls.” But instead of being headed by The Plastics, who run a high school in suburban Illinois, Alloway’s film stars The Fruits, who run a shopping mall in Texas. “Forbidden Fruits” follows four young women who work at a mall…
- This Is The Life: The ‘Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special’ Brings Back Millennial Nostalgia
Sweet niblets! This year, the Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana” turned 20. To celebrate the milestone that left an entire generation of millennials both nostalgic and suddenly feeling their age, Miley Cyrus, yes, Hannah herself, returned to her roots for a special packed with familiar sets, surprise guests, and a rush of memories. The Disney+…
- “The Invite” and “I Love Boosters” to Headline the 23rd Independent Film Festival Boston
This April 22–29, the Independent Film Festival Boston (IFFBoston) returns for its 23rd year. With the first wave of films now announced, the lineup is already generating buzz for one of the city’s most prominent cinematic events. Audiences can expect filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and parties; all part of a week-long celebration showcasing the best…
- A Novel Idea: Luc Besson Reimagines Dracula as “A Love Tale”
Where does a director find the confidence to give new form and light to a film that reckons with a legend as well-known and enduring as Dracula? Luc Besson, director and screenwriter of “Dracula: A Love Tale,” reimagines cultural conceptions of Dracula, attributing his madness, cruelty, and alleged soullessness to a single cause (or curse)—love.…
Almost five years after the multiversal crossover hit Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has returned to the big screen. In sharp departure from the teen-comedy tone of Jon Watts’ Spider-Man Home trilogy, Destin Daniel Cretton’s Brand New Day offers a more mature, grittier version of the beloved superhero character giving MCU fans what…
Known for his nonlinear narratives and use of practical effects, Christopher Nolan returns with his latest large-scale blockbuster, The Odyssey—the first feature film to be shot entirely on IMAX cameras. Adapted from Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey follows Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his homecoming journey after the ten-year-long Trojan War. Anxiously awaiting the…
The second film in James Gunn’s new DC Universe, Supergirl, has soared into theaters. While the film features great performances, it struggles to break through overall. The film follows Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock), as she teams up with a young woman named Ruthye seeking justice for the murder of her family. Originally titled…
The toys have come a long way since 1995. In the latest installment of the beloved Toy Story franchise, Jessie (Joan Cusack), Woody (Tom Hanks), and Buzz (Tim Allen) face off against their biggest threat yet: technology. Toy Story 5 opens with a cargo of high-tech Buzz Lightyear toys washed ashore on a sandy beach.…
Steven Spielberg has made alien movies before. He’s the king of Hollywood blockbusters, especially when it concerns the extraterrestrial. Disclosure Day isn’t exactly the movie you’d expect from him. But that’s exactly what makes it work. This isn’t an invasion film, and it isn’t really a thriller about running from the truth either, despite a…
An updated version of the 1983 comedy film Mr. Mom, The Breadwinner is a clean family movie that manages to hold your attention despite being based on a tired cliché. Co-written by Nate Bargatze and Dan Lagana, The Breadwinner follows Nate Wilcox (Bargatze), a top car salesman who becomes a stay-at-home dad after his wife…
There once was a time that Lucasfilm intended to release a new Star Wars movie every year for the foreseeable future. That was the playbook they used from 2015-2019, on the heels of Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012. However, after a polarized audience and critical reception to the Sequel Trilogy (The Force Awakens, The…
On May 13, Amazon Prime Video debuted its highly anticipated new series, Off Campus. The eight-episode sports romance stars Ella Bright as Hannah Wells, an aspiring musician, alongside Belmont Cameli as hockey star Garrett Graham. Like its source material, The Deal by Elle Kennedy,” a “BookTok” favorite, the series connects its characters not only through…
Boots Riley was hard to miss when he took the stage on opening night at IFFBoston. Thick-rimmed square glasses, a towering turquoise felt hat, and dramatic mutton chops gave him the kind of larger-than-life presence that felt perfectly in step with his latest film, I Love Boosters, released via Neon. The film and the conversation…
Obsession is icky. It’s gross. It’s deeply uncomfortable in ways that stick with you long after the credits roll. But it’s also one of the best films of the year so far. Directed by Curry Barker on a shoestring budget of less than a million dollars, Obsession takes a premise that sounds almost too familiar.…
John Carney, the acclaimed Irish filmmaker behind “Once” and “Sing Street,” returns with “Power Ballad,” released via Lionsgate and recently screened at the Boston International Film Festival in partnership with the Irish Film Festival, Boston. Following the birth of his daughter, Rick Power (Paul Rudd) gives up his dream of rock stardom, trading packed arenas…
20 years later, some of Hollywood’s most beloved characters have found their way back on the silver screen. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” follows Andrea “Andy” Sachs (Anne Hathaway), now an award-winning investigative journalist, as she returns to Runway magazine to mend a PR crisis and revitalize it amid the decline of print media. All…
After earning a standing ovation at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, A24’s “The Invite” closed out Independent Film Festival Boston on a high Wednesday night, with director Olivia Wilde in attendance. The screenplay is adapted from the Spanish film “The People Upstairs” by Cesc Gay and reimagined by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. “The Invite”…
After nearly a decade, Gregg Araki makes his long-awaited return to feature filmmaking with the comedy “I Want Your Sex,” released via Magnolia Pictures and previewed at Boston Independent Film Festival. The film stars Cooper Hoffman as Elliot, a twenty-something struggling to navigate life with an emotionally absent partner (Charli XCX) and an increasing desperation…
First she was Ella in “Ella Enchanted” (2004), then she was Fantine in “Les Misérables” (2012), now Anne Hathaway is flexing her vocals once again for A24’s “Mother Mary,” the latest film from writer and director David Lowery. Following a gruesome viral video, pop star Mother Mary (played by Hathaway) returns to England to enlist…
Packed with lavender clouds, nightmare chainsaws, and exploding heads, Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney’s feature directorial debut, “Pizza Movie,” is anything but half-baked. A Hulu original, “Pizza Movie” follows two college students, Jack (Gaten Matarazzo) and Montgomery (Sean Giambrone), on a mission to retrieve their pizza delivery down two flights of stairs. The only problem…
In her feature directorial debut, Meredith Alloway captures an aesthetic comparable to Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls.” But instead of being headed by The Plastics, who run a high school in suburban Illinois, Alloway’s film stars The Fruits, who run a shopping mall in Texas. “Forbidden Fruits” follows four young women who work at a mall…
Sweet niblets! This year, the Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana” turned 20. To celebrate the milestone that left an entire generation of millennials both nostalgic and suddenly feeling their age, Miley Cyrus, yes, Hannah herself, returned to her roots for a special packed with familiar sets, surprise guests, and a rush of memories. The Disney+…
Where does a director find the confidence to give new form and light to a film that reckons with a legend as well-known and enduring as Dracula? Luc Besson, director and screenwriter of “Dracula: A Love Tale,” reimagines cultural conceptions of Dracula, attributing his madness, cruelty, and alleged soullessness to a single cause (or curse)—love.…