In 2008 I began reviewing new movies. The most recent 50 are below, then added to one of these links (click on genre), graded A+ to F--best to worst!
Oh the Drama
Oh the Horror
Keep Me in Suspense
Feels like Sci-Fi
Isn't it Romantic
So-called Comedies
Western Unions
Comic Book Heroes
Kid Stuff
Fact not Fiction
Cinema Fantastico (Subtitles)
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck aka the Joker. Now In Arkham Asylum and heavily medicated, he stumbles thru bleak days until he’s befriended by a female inmate—Lady Gaga aka Harley Quinn. They’ll sing old standards to the other, until the movie’s sad, dark ending. I can see why this movie failed at the box office, but I think people were missing something deeper here at the end. Myself included.
My grade: D
Conclave (2024) A beloved pope has died, and now the Church’s cardinals are gathered at the Vatican for a conclave; they will sequester themselves until a new pope is elected. Conspiracies and scandals will soon be uncovered, but a choice WILL be made. With Ralph Fiennes, John Landis & Isabella Rosellini, this was superb, exceptional. When the new pope accepted his title, I trembled. I felt his transformation.
My grade: A
Despicable Me 4 (2024) When Cockroach Man escapes from prison, reformed baddie Gru and his putrid sweet family (“Make smart choices!” “You got this!”) are put in the witness protection program—only to land in Suburbia, USA. It’s nonstop noisy nonsense (hate the minions) but I did get a chuckle from next door neighbor Poppy, a 14 year old girl genius—and villain wannabe. Enough of these characters!
My grade: B-
Juror #2 (2024) When a man is selected for jury duty for the possible murder of a woman along a backroad, he’ll fight in the jury room for the defendant’s innocence. Why? Because he’s a recovering alcoholic who was driving that road that same night, and may have hit something.. or someone. Wow. I love courtroom dramas, I love Toni Collette (she plays the DA)—but this tepid thing (directed by Clint Eastwood) was mediocre, dull at best. Why?
My grade: C-
Organ Trail (2023) Winter, 1870. A family is slaughtered along the Oregon Trail by a band of marauders, who take the daughter alive. She’ll escape, seek help from a black rancher, almost get the two of them killed in the process. The End. Set against a majestic Montana backdrop with good actors, this Western horror could’ve easily been something special. Instead, it was gory and rushed.
My grade: C
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024) The very brave and all too short life of Christopher Reeve, with snippets of his childhood, a broken home and rise to stardom. But this is more on his life
after his paralysis, his courage and activism, and the love from his kids and wonderful wife Dana (who was a hero in her own right). It’s a very honest look at this pair, and the amazing kids they left behind.
My grade: A Plus
Fly Me to The Moon (2024) It’s 1969, and as NASA races to build Apollo 11 for the moon, in comes advertising whiz Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johannson) to sell it to the American public—and does she ever, over Launch Director Channing Tatum’s protests. I wanted to love this, it’s fun at the start and has Scarlett. But what is this? Conspiracy story? Historical drama? Rom-com? I just wanted to see some chemistry.
My grade: B
Speak No Evil (2024) Shortly after meeting another couple at an Italian resort, Ben, Ciara & daughter Agnes are invited to visit the couple and their son Ant at their English estate. Things go alright at first, but this Englishman (James McAvoy) is erratic and his son strange. They are hiding frightful secrets, in this suspense yarn that turns to horror. Talk about edge of your seat--trust your gut, always!
My grade: B Plus
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) When Lydia Deetz (53 year old Winona Ryder) learns her daughter’s been tricked into giving her life to someone in the afterlife, she’ll contact ol’ Beetlejuice for help—who agrees, for Winona’s hand in marriage. It sounds normal on paper, but this is one big hodgepodge of visuals that were weirder in 1988. Been there done that, Tim Burton. Could’ve used a bit more Michael Keaton!
My grade: B-
Tetris (2023) It’s 1988, and videogamer Henk Rogers is attempting to sell his game GO at a convention when he notices people are hovering around a Russian-made game not even for sale. Seeing the possibilities, Henk races to the USSR to secure the rights before giants like Atari catch on—is he too late? It’s a verrry big & true story, and yes a long watch but a good one in the end. This is one underrated thriller.
My grade: A
Ghosted (2023) It’s love at first sight when Chris Evans meets Sadie, but when she stops responding to his texts, wouldn’t it be sweet to follow her to London and ask why? Nope, because she’s really a super-spy agent for the CIA. And the evil-doers now think
he’s someone he’s not. Critics roasted this rom-com/adventure, and it’s over the top climax nearly did me in; but Chris (and Adrien Brody as the baddie) made it worth a look.
My grade: C Plus
Ascension (2021) China is one gargantuan machine with a billion cogs, all workers. And from the lowest laborer to highest CEO, all follow the same protocol—work as hard as you can and then some more. You
want to get ahead, and getting ahead is the Chinese dream, but to what end? Visually stunning, but this Oscar winning documentary wore me out from the start. Someday the Chinese will rule the world.
My grade: A-
Raymond & Ray (2023) After the death of their estranged father, half-brothers Ewan McGregor & Ethan Hawke (same father, different mothers) attend the funeral and learn he left them $5200—with the stipulation they dig his grave. So who do they meet at the cemetery? More brothers from other mothers. Cue the yelling, tussles and perhaps another surprise or two in this very low-key dramedy.
My grade: C
The Last of the Sea Women (2024) Jeju Island is known for 3 things: rocks, wind & haenyeos, women who spend their lives sea-diving for conch & sea urchin. Most are in their 60s & 70s now, and younger women are being trained to take over. But climate warming is hurting their catch, so is Japan dumping radioactive water into the ocean. What will they do?
Fight, in this proud documentary.
My grade: A
Luck (2023) 18 years old and on her own, Sam is overjoyed to find a lucky penny; she’s sure it will help her friend Hazel at the orphanage find her forever family. After she loses it, she’ll find the talking cat who dropped it and wind up in an Oz-like land of luck, in this Pixar-ish film with happy endings for all. It's sweet without being too so, just a 1/2 hour too long for old-timers like me.
My grade: B Plus
Flora and Son (2023) Flora is a young mom from Dublin with a feisty disposition and equally feisty teen son. But after giving her boy a used guitar for his birthday (and him telling her what she can do with it) she’ll learn to play the damn thing herself. Well, with online lessons from Joseph Gordon-Levitt in America. What will her ex and son say? Equal parts funny and dear, I love these Irish.
My grade: B
Trap (2024) A dad (Josh Hartnett, remember him?) takes his teen daughter to a Lady Raven concert—only to learn cops are lying in wait to catch “The Butcher”, a serial killer rumored to be there. Turns out Josh
is that killer, so how will he escape with his kid in tow? With some outlandish stunts on his—and certain others behalf, in this M. Night Shymalan thriller. Oh dear, that ending…
My grade: B Plus
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) In this prequel to
A Quiet Place, alien monsters have landed in NYC; they have no sight, but super-hearing and will POUNCE on the slightest noise. As the city lies in ruins, a businessman, a cancer patient (Lupita Nyongo) and her cat will do what it takes to stay alive. While not as horror-filled as the original, it’s a first-rate production with suspense plenty—and one awesome cat.
My grade: B Plus
Janet Planet (2023) Lacy is 11 years old and lives with her mother in a quiet house in the woods. It’s 1991, so there’s no computers or internet—only piano lessons. And New Age friends of her mother Janet, who all seem to ponder life with little emotion. Lacy has no friends, and wonders why but doesn’t really care. She has her mother. So what is the point of this banal story? Life can be pretty boring.
My grade: C
Caddo Lake (2024) After a little girl goes missing, her stepsister Ellie will search desperately for her in their lakeside community; meanwhile a man named Paris obsesses over his mothers death, certain her seizures were connected to the lake. He will find the little girl, and both Paris & Ellie’s dramas are destined to tie together in a way you or I could never have imagined. A slow start but ultimately brilliant sci-fi story,
I loved this. My grade: A
Tuesday (2024) I don’t want to die… a tropical bird will wave it’s wing over the person. It is Death. And now, Julia Louis Dreyfus 20 year old daughter Tuesday is terminally ill. When Death arrives, Tuesday will befriend the bird, plead with it to wait until her mum comes home.. and so Death waits. Huge with wonder and imagination (and yes, some odd, sad humor as well). A mother’s love is endless. You will ache.
My grade: A
Maxxxine (2024) Maxine Minx is an adult film actress who just got the break of a lifetime; the leading role in a real Hollywood horror movie. But it’s 1985, and the infamous Night Stalker is murdering pretty girls, and Maxine is next. Third in the “X” horror film trilogy (see my reviews for
X and
Pearl) this was my least favorite. It felt more like an 80s episode of
Miami Vice.
My grade: C
Fingernails (2023) After a machine is invented that can read a couple’s fingernails and determine if they should be together, a “love training” institute will help couples who wish to remain together after negative results. Anna gets a job there, as she’s concerned with her feelings for her partner Ryan—even though they tested positive twice. And then she meets Amir, in this boring, artsy-fartsy Apple Original. It's a yawner, and with bad hair too.
My grade: C-
Apartment 7A (2024) It’s 1965, and Terry (Julia Garner) has come to New York City in hopes of becoming a dancer. A twisted ankle will end that dream, but when Roman & Minnie (Dianne West) offer to help her out, why the sky’s the limit!
She just has to do ONE thing… clearly a prequel to
Rosemary’s Baby, it has pricey production values but the lackluster story doesn’t compare to the original. Loved Dianne West tho, she does a great Ruth Gordon.
My grade: B-
Fancy Dance (2024) Jax is a Cherokee woman who isn’t above petty theft, or peddling drugs sometimes for a few bucks. But she’s also the aunt of Roki, her 13 year old niece who she loves fiercely—but where is Jax’s sister Tiwa, Rokis mom? She’ll do whatever it takes to find her before the big powwow—while keeping Roki by her side. It’s not a big story, but the characters are and makes this so worth watching.
My grade: B
Irena’s Vow (2023) Germany has invaded Poland and rounded up the Jews, and the Poles are given new jobs—and Irene Gut, a nurse is now cook & server to the Nazis. She will befriend a dozen Jew laborers, but when she learns of their slated execution will hide them away—in her Nazi commander’s basement. Based on a remarkable true story, be sure to watch the end credits where we learn what happened to everyone. You will be amazed.
My grade: ASalem’s Lot (2024) It’s 1975, and writer Ben Mears has returned to Jerusalem’s Lot where he grew up, looking for inspiration. It’s the sleepy little town he remembers, now even more so—it's citizens have become vampires and only emerge at dusk. Based on the Stephen King book, it lacked the slow buildup and finale of it's 1979 tv predecessor but is still a scary fun film.
READ THE BOOK I COMMAND YOU. My grade: B
The Watchers (2024) When Dakota Fanning gets lost in the Irish countryside, she’ll stumble across 3 people being held captive in a wooden shack with one glass wall; at night they’ll be watched—by who? Dig out those books on Irish folklore, or just keep watching M.Night Shymalan’s latest chiller. It’s a curious story (love what they discover beneath their feet), even if the ending is wrapped up a bit too hastily.
My grade: B Plus
Mafia Mamma (2023) When Toni Collette travels to Rome to take ownership of a vineyard her grandfather left her, she discovers he was the godfather of a Mafia family in Italy—but there’s another family who’s ready to take over. Listen, this is HUGE ASS FUNNY, Toni had me laughing over and over--but it’s gory too with chopped body parts and bloodshed, so git ready!
My grade: Bloody Plus
Parallel (2024) After the loss of their son, Vanessa and her hubby go to their lakehouse to grieve & be alone. But while on a walk in the woods, Vanessa sees a duplicate of herself, batshit crazy & waving a gun. What the--! She’ll discover each time she returns to the lake house, it’s an alternate reality. Can Vanessa find her own again? Does she want to? Not awful, not good, this sci-fi thriller is as low budget as they come. I wish I’d passed.
My grade: C-Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) Set in 1920s Oklahoma in the Osage Nation, its a tale of the wealthy tribe of Indians who live there from the oil on their land—and the whites who live there too, and the things they’ll do, from marriage to murder, for a piece of that pie. Written & directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo diCaprio & Robert DeNiro, it’s tragic and epic, huge and shameful and a compelling, excellent watch.
My grade: A Plus
The Family Plan (2023) Mark Wahlberg is a sweet hubby and dorky dad to his wife, 2 teenagers and baby boy in suburban USA; then one day at the market he’s attacked and his 20 year cover is blown. Cover? He’ll have to get himself and his family out of the country without spilling the beans in this fast, dark humored “action family comedy”. Um... you’re supposed to laugh every time someone gets murdered.
My grade: B-
Sidney (2023) Born in the Bahamas, Sidney Poitier would not know of electricity or indoor plumbing until he moved to the US when he was 15. He worked every job a black man could get, until he joined a negro theater and was discovered. Award winning actor, director, a civil rights activist, father of 6 daughters. He did it all with grace and integrity. This has to be one of the best biographies I’ve ever seen.
My grade: A Plus
Sharper (2023) A bookstore owner. A student from NYU. A con man. A billionaire and his fiance (John Lithgow, Julianne Moore). Their lives will intertwine as one cons another, then is conned in return. Everyone’s a little too clever for their own good, but it does make for some elaborate twists and turns in this on-the-edge-of-being-a-B movie suspense flick. It still beats anything with CGI at least!
My grade: BElizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (2024) In 1964 Liz Taylor sat down with Roddy McDowell (and again in 1985 with Dominick Dunne) to record some very candid interviews. As she answers questions, we’ll watch her life unfold, good & bad, all of it. She knows she was blessed (and cursed) and in the end, ached to do something constructive “with all that fame”. She did. Wonderfully done, and I watched utterly spellbound.
My grade: A Plus
Knox Goes Away (2024) When a professional hit-man (Michael Keaton) learns he has rapid onset dementia, he makes plans to cash out; but when his adult son asks for help covering up a murder (a biker he knifed who molested Keaton’s granddaughter) he’s going to try and fix that too—if he can remember who his son even is. It’s quiet and smart, and right or wrong, shows us blood is thicker than water. Geez I love Keaton.
My grade: AThe Iron Claw (2023) Zac Efron is REALLY something else as Kevin Von Erich of the “cursed” Von Erichs, 4 brothers who loved each other very much but loved their father even more—a former pro wrestler obsessed with one of his sons winning the World Champion Pro Wrestling belt, no matter the cost. Wait, even if it winds up killing or maiming them? Yep. And this sports biopic, set in the early 1980s is all true.
My grade: B PlusThe Zone of Interest (2023) SS Commandant Rudolf Hoss and his wife Hedwig are delighted with their new home. They have gardens and a lap pool for their children, gifts of clothes, furs and jewelry… but over their property's wall is Auschwitz, where faint screams can be heard and smoke curls in the sky. Life is good, ja? This film doesn’t judge, but it chills greatly. (Polish)
My grade: A
What Happens Later (2023) While waiting for his flight to Boston, David Duchovny will bump into Meg Ryan—the woman he once loved and left some 25 years ago. They’ll do some fun & biting catching up, but as a storm rages outside and their flights are delayed, sadder truths will be revealed. Boy this had a strong start, and Meg Ryan (who also directed) was
wonderful to see again--but this began feeling tiresome halfway thru.
My grade: D PlusTalk to Me (2023) When a group of teens discover they can summon and be possessed by spirits for 90 seconds by holding an embalmed hand and saying “Talk to me”, it’s scary, dangerous fun. But when Jade’s little brother Riley begs for a turn too, he’ll immediately go mad. Can anyone help? Mia's dead mother says yes but someone will have to die. This is thought provoking horror, but grotesque and bloody too. You've been warned.
My grade: B
Dream Scenario (2023) When a middle-aged college professor (Nicholas Cage) begins appearing in millions of peoples dreams, he becomes a celebrity of sorts. Annoyed at first, it will grow on him. But when he begins appearing as a violent figure.. I wish we knew how & why this was happening, but the news & marketing’s take on poor Nic makes for an interesting look at modern times in this oddball drama.
My grade: B-
Raging Grace (2023) Joy is an undocumented Filipino housekeeper who lands the job of a lifetime; the care of a mansion for $1000 a week. But it comes with a comatose old man and his weird adult niece—and Joy’s own 9 year old daughter Grace, who must stay hidden. And just when things couldn’t get chillier.. talk about a surprise finish in this thriller. Really, you’ll be glad you stuck it out.
My grade: A-
Little Wing (2024) It’s one thing when her parents divorce, but when her mom says they have to sell their home, 13 year old Kaitlyn will come up with a crazy plan to steal a valuable pigeon to sell to the Russian Bird Mafia. She does it—now what? A lot of growing up, in this above average, sweet-as-it-is-absurd afterschool type movie. This young lady (Brooklynn Prince) is one to watch.
My grade: B
Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom (2023) While David Kane aka Manta searches for the hidden city of Atlantis (to destroy Aquaman) he’ll find an ancient city instead—with a power source dangerous to Earth and one
very evil trident. Aquaman and his brother Orm (played by Patrick Wilson) to the rescue! I don’t care what any reviews say, this movie packs a real punch—with wild, giant leaps of the imagination. It was HUGE fun.
My grade: AWonka (2023) Timothee Chalamet does a fun, lively job as a young Willy Wonka setting out in the world with his wooden suitcase and miniature chocolate laboratory. He’ll meet the required buffoonish characters, a hopeful girl with a heart of gold, sing some hopeful songs—but my God, Hugh Grant as a sly Oompa-Lompa and sneaky chocolate thief steals the show. He'll give this silly thing just the kick in the pants it needed.
My grade: B Plus
The Starling Girl (2023) Jem is 14 and devoted to God as one can be. (When a member of her church points out she can see Gem’s bra strap, she cries with shame.) But with an alcoholic father who doesn’t practice what he preaches, and a youth pastor who looks at her with hungry eyes, where will Jem turn? To all the wrong things in this captivating, eye raising drama.
My grade: APriscilla (2023) It’s West Germany 1959; and a very demure, very young Priscilla Beaulieu has been invited to Army Elvis’ house by one of his scouts for a party. They’ll marry of course, and Priscilla will learn (again and again) that her husband is an overgrown man-child who expects to be treated like her King. Sofia Coppola both wrote and directed this quietly told but visually striking biopic, seen thru Priscilla’s eyes.
My grade: AMission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) When an AI program known as “The Entity” attains so much knowledge it becomes sentient, Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt to locate the 2 keys believed to have the power to stop this force. This is a first-rate adventure, with heart pounding chases in exotic locales that span the globe. It’s a big story though, so you’ll have to wait for Part 2. Now hurry it up!
My grade: AJune (2024) From her antics as a sweet hillbilly on the Grand Old Opry in the 1950s, to her third marriage to Johnny Cash to wanting to produce a solo album in the 1990s (she did, twice, both winning Grammys) this is June Carter Cash’s big life and love story. (I did not know she wrote Ring of Fire.) Her death in 2003 broke many hearts, none harder than Johnny Cash. He died 3 months later. What a special lady.
My grade: A
You Hurt My Feelings (2024) Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a writer in NYC who’s dealing with an annoying adult son, a mother showing signs of dementia and a therapist husband who she overheard say he couldn’t stand her latest work to her sisters husband. Everyone will plod along, plod along… eventually they’ll make things right, in this low-key little comedy drama. It’s a bore, but has Julia.
My grade: C
Past Lives (2023) At 12 years old, Na Young and Hae Sung are inseparable. But Na is immigrating to America, and she won’t see or talk to Hae again for 12 years, until one night on Facebook. She’s Nora now, living in New York and he’s in Korea. They’ll talk and laugh until Nora says no more. And then another 12 years pass... This is as honest & gentle as they come. It’s a real love story for what might’ve and should've been. (Korean-English)
My grade: AJules (2023) Ben Kingsley leads a quiet life as an old man & widower in a small Pa town. And then one night a flying saucer crashes into his backyard. He calls 911, but they hang up on him—he tells a bored town council, but is ignored. Hmm, says two old ladies with nothing better to do. They’re all about to get the experience of a lifetime in this senior-funny, gentle story. It’s dear & sweet.
My grade: B Plus
Blue Beetle (2023) Jaime Reyes is a young Mexican, fresh out of college and looking for a job when he is chosen by an ancient scarab to be outfitted with a blue ‘Iron Man’ suit of armor, loaded with fantastic CGI weapons. But Kord Industries (Susan Sarandon) wants to harness its power for her army of robot soldiers. Jaime’s Latino family to the rescue! A stamped out superhero movie with real ethnic flavor. Still…
My grade: B-
Strays (2023) After Doug (Will Forte) abandons his dog in a city 3 hours away, little Reggie (voiced by Will Farrell) will make friends with other strays, who promise to help him find his way home—so he can bite Doug’s d—k off. Done with real dogs antics, I enjoyed all the ad-libbing. It’s silly but funny, often gross, always crude—this is NOT for children, you’ve been warned!
My grade: B
aka Mr. Chow (2023) The son of a celebrated Beijing opera singer, his mother sent Michael Chow to London in the 1950s to make a name for himself. Did he ever. He was “the Chinese guy” in a long list of action & spy movies in the 1960s-70s, before creating “Mr. Chow”, 2 restaurants on the East & West coasts with A-list clientele. Now in his 80s, a reknown artist as well in this bigger than life documentary.
My grade: A
