Samuel D. Pollard (2023)
For Pollard, Russell documentary was a natural fit No one would ever accuse Bill Russell of being warm and fuzzy. Not his coach, Red Auerbach, nor the teammates he led to an astounding 11 NBA championships during 13 glorious years with the Boston Celtics. Most certainly not the fickle fans who loved him on the […]
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Wild ‘Banshees’ will get your Irish up We’re all familiar with the old saw, “cut off your nose to spite your face.” But leave it to the deliciously warped mind of playwright Martin McDonagh to twist that adage into, “cut off your fingers to spite your ex-bestie.” And as only he can, McDonagh interprets it […]
Young Plato (2022)
Inspiring ‘Plato’ has the right philosophy I’m no doctor, but please allow me to prescribe “Young Plato” as a potential cure for what ails our increasingly fractured society. This charming and profound documentary blossoming from Northern Ireland, of all places, is an elixir for the mind, body and soul. Peace through philosophy, that’s the fascinating […]
Decision to Leave (2022)
Superb ‘Decision’ has a Hitch in its get-along Comparing Park Chan-wook to Alfred Hitchcock is much the same as contrasting Oasis with The Beatles. It’s imitation, but if the results are pleasurable, if not rewarding, who’s to complain? So it is with Park’s sumptuously adorned “Decision to Leave,” a neo-noir love story so dizzying you’d […]
Sidney (2022)
‘Sidney’ chronicles a life well-lived Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Reginald Hudlin’s comprehensive biography of the late Sidney Poitier is a rousing experience that’s an endless source of inspiration. Accentuated by insightful commentary from Poitier himself – along with the likes of Oscar-winners Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Spike Lee and Morgan Freeman – Hudlin highlights the […]
The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)
‘Beer’ goes flat quickly Director Peter Farrelly follows up his Oscar-winning “Green Book” with another variation on the road-trip scenario long favored by the native Rhode Islander. But this is no “Dumb and Dumber” or “Kingpin,” although it features the latter’s Bill Murray as a grizzled bartender. No, this is serious. Or, is it? Farrelly […]
The Good House (2022)
A ‘House’ in disrepair A nuanced performance by Sigourney Weaver goes only so far in carrying a tonally challenged character study in which alcohol abuse is liquored up for laughs. As a successful Realtor in the tony Rockport-like town of Wendover, Mass. (actually Nova Scotia), Weaver’s Hildy Good takes pride in selling oceanside McMansions at […]
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Confess, Fletch (2022)
Old dog Hamm good at playing ‘Fletch’ By Al Alexander After many failed starts, Gregory Mcdonald’s iconic creation, Fletch, ends a 33-year absence from the big screen in a big way, with Jon Hamm marvelously usurping Chevy Chase as the titular wisecracking investigative reporter in “Confess, Fletch.” Not only does Hamm obscure the memory of […]
The Good Boss (2022)
Bardem in charge in ‘Good Boss’ By Al Alexander If given the opportunity, would you enjoy serving a boss boldly contorting ethics in order to make you and all of your co-workers content? That’s the intriguing question at the heart of “The Good Boss,” a pitch-black, workplace comedy fueled by Javier Bardem’s seductively slimy portrayal […]