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've been a member of the North Carolina Film Critics Association since 2014 and 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.

Thelma (2024)

Richard Roundtree and June Squibb prove age is just a number in delightful “Thelma.”

The Return of the King (2003)

Spectacular ‘King’ shall rule them all The third in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Return of the King,” returns to theaters this weekend for a limited run. To mark the occassion, here is a reprint of my 2003 review of the film for The Patriot Ledger: In the end there was one movie to rule […]

The Two Towers (2002)

Thrilling ‘Two Towers’ is most definitely ‘precious’ The second in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Two Towers,” returns to theaters this weekend for a limited run. To mark the occassion, here is a reprint of my 2002 review of the film for The Patriot Ledger: Trees that walk and talk, obnoxious little beasts with […]

Summer Camp (2024)

Keaton, Bates and Woodard waste their talents on bummer “Summer Camp.”