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LATEST STORIES |
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Movie review | The Wall: Minimalist war film proves satisfying
“The Wall” is the rare war film that could be staged in the most cash-strapped of community theaters.The two-man show — plus one very important vocal performance — defies cinematic labeling. It’s a war sniper thriller, wrapped in a survival horror film, wrapped in a political message.The result is a mostly satisfying genre souffle, guided by a skilled director who seems to be all-in on the minimalist filmmaking opportunity.Doug […] |
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Movie review | 3 Generations: Gender-transition film overdoes the challenges
Good intentions abound in “3 Generations,” a movie about a New York teenager transitioning from female to male, but they lead to a certain overzealousness.The makers of the film really want viewers to know that a young person in this situation has to deal with a lot.Elle Fanning is the character whose birth name was Ramona but who is well on the way to becoming Ray, a decision fraught with obstacles.Bullies, for no particular reason, send Ray home with a […] |
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Movie review | Snatched: Promising matchup of Schumer, Hawn feels misguided from start
Promising young writer Katie Dippold, who wrote “The Heat” and “Ghostbusters,” strikes out with “Snatched,” her third feature.The mother-daughter kidnapping comedy starring Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn is a huge disappointment — and, for Schumer, is a low moment in a career that has been peaking.As Emily, Schumer plays her characteristic problematic white girl character, a selfish, selfie-taking narcissist. But the film has no sharp satire to puncture that […] |
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Movie Review | King Arthur: Legend of the Sword: Story given director’s brand of ‘cool’
It’s bold. It’s daring. It’s a black-metal acid trip.And Guy Ritchie’s take on the King Arthur story might give you motion sickness.This King Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) is really into bare-knuckle boxing (see Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” and “Snatch”).”King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” is unlike any other medieval warfare and sorcery movie ever filmed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. This superhero origin story is […] |
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Story of songwriter, label owner a labor of love for co-director son
His songs are famous: “Cry to Me,” “Twist and Shout,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Cry Baby.”He also had a hand in writing “Hang On Sloopy.”The name Bert Berns might mean little to music fans, but for six years the prolific songwriter, record producer and label owner created a flood of hits until his death from heart failure in 1967 at age 38.“Bert deserves to be elevated to his rightful place in the […] |
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