Author: Al Alexander

I began as a film critic for The Patriot Ledger in suburban Boston in 1988, and became the senior film critic there in 2001. My reviews also appeared in newspapers associated with the nationwide Gannett chain. I' was recently granted membership to the prestigious Southeastern Film Critics Association and I've been a member of the North Carolina Film Critics Association since 2014. I have twice been honored by The New England Associated Press News Executives Association for outstanding feature writing. I transplanted from Boston to Raleigh in 2013 but remained on staff at the Ledger until 2023. I'm now starting out on my own in hopes of drawing attention to autism and putting it in a positive light. I was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum in 2020, and it has given me a whole new perspective on life, as well in how I analyze movies.

Red Rooms (2024)

Thrilling “Red Rooms” provides killer entertainment.

The Wasp (2024)

Naomie Harris and Natalie Dormer play estranged friends unexpectedly reunite in the thriller “The Nest.”

Merchant Ivory (2024)

Documentary takes one-sided look at the prolific Merchant-Ivory partnership.

Strange Darling (2024)

“Strange Darling” is the must-see movie of the summer.

Between the Temples (2024)

Carol Kane gives a career-best performance in the charming dramedy “Between the Temples.”

Skincare (2024)

Elizabeth Banks is lethal in the true-crime dramedy Skincare.

Coraline (2009)

Mesmerizing ‘Coraline’ is a technical wonder The following is a reprint of my 2009 review of “Coraline” for The Patriot Ledger: Prepare to be dazzled by ”Coraline,” an eye-popping 3D experience that takes the art of stop-motion animation to a heightened level of creativity and ingenuity. Sure, they’re puppets molded of silicone and latex, but […]