The Whale (2022)
Bloated ‘Whale’ goes belly up There’s much ado about Brendan Fraser’s king-sized portrayal of a doomed 600-pound Idahoan college professor in “The Whale.” But the stagey, often ridiculous movie he’s wedged into, alas, is thin as a rail. Surprising, since it’s the usually competent Darren Aronofsky (“Black Swan”) at the helm. He does the best […]
Women Talking (2022)
‘Women Talking’ has much to say about abuse For centuries, men have used religion as a means of wielding control over women. In essence, “keeping them in their place” as servants to administer to their needs for sustenance, sexual fulfillment and progeny. Lodge a single protest and consider your ticket to heaven null and void. […]
Living (2022)
Bill Nighy breathes life into ‘Living’ Living and dying. The diametric terms are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In fact, they walk hand-in-hand for some as they navigate life, futilely attempting to make sense of their existence. Should our ideal objective during our short stay on Earth be a greater reward in the afterlife? Or, is […]
The Menu (2022)
‘The Menu’ offers its share of treats In the exceedingly pretentious sphere of gourmet connoisseurs, there are two kinds of foodies: eaters and tasters. Depending on your persuasion, you’ll either savor what’s on “The Menu,” or be compelled to send it back to the overheated kitchen of novice chef Mark Mylod. Me? I gobbled it […]
She Said (2022)
Tepid ‘She Said’ doesn’t always say enough “I swear on my children.” That was a favorite line of BS disgraced-and-convicted movie mogul Harvey Weinstein uttered with sociopathic insincerity before molesting dozens of women, be they Hollywood stars or terrified underlings at the indie giant, Miramax. This went unchallenged for three decades. Why? Because he was […]
Babylon (2022)
Decadent ‘Babylon’ takes Hollywood to the extreme In the Bible, Babylon is ground zero for sin, be it of the sexual, chemical or moral variety. It’s a place where pretty much anything goes, and the more debauched the better. In creating his own “Babylon,” Oscar-winner Damien Chazelle attempts to one-up the Old Testament by amping […]
The Fabelmans (2022)
‘Fabelmans’ is a weak spiel on Spielberg We’d all love to meet Steven Spielberg and spend time picking his ingenious brain. But would you want to accompany him to his shrink and be subjected to a 150-minute session wherein he discusses his various “mommy issues?” If your answer is, yes! By all means, purchase a […]
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Glossy ‘Glass Onion’ has plenty of ap-peel Taking its cue from Clue, the latest edition of the “Knives Out” franchise departs stodgy New England for a fabulous Greek island where the Southern-fried sleuth, Benoit Blanc, is tasked with solving the mystery of who slew … well, I won’t say who. Best you discover that for […]
My Policeman (2022)
Where’s a good ‘Policeman’ when you need one? Pop sensation Harry Styles takes pride in his sexual ambiguity. And he effectively demonstrates it in his convincing portrayal of a London bobby forced to hide his love away at a time when being gay could get you tossed in prison. So, partly out of guilt, and […]
The Good Nurse (2022)
Wonky ‘Good Nurse’ could use a little TLC If not for the resuscitative efforts of Oscar-winners Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne, Tobias Lindholm’s accounting of the capture of a homicidal New Jersey RN would be DOA. The A-listers repeatedly breathe life into “The Good Nurse,” a flatlining B movie taking its cue from the Lifetime […]