‘Mid90s’ marks another solid entry in the A24 Cinematic Universe
A skateboard is a fascinating object. On the one hand, it’s an expensive, finely crafted tool, and there’s a real sense of intimacy between a seasoned skater and their board. At the same time, a skateboard has to take a fair amount of punishment on a daily basis, as does its rider. Shred a board […]
‘A Star is Born’ – Shallow, for better or worse
“Directed by Bradley Cooper”—not a credit that inspires confidence. Whether he’s playing America’s Best Sniper, America’s Best Chef or a supporting character in a “Hangover” sequel, never have I said to myself “hey, when can we get this guy behind the camera?” Not to rip on Cooper too much, but never have I detected the […]
‘Venom’- two tongues down
“I’ve had one of those things… up my ass!” exclaims Tom Hardy, in his terrible “American” accent, somewhere in the middle of “Venom.” Just one of the awful, laughable moments, “Venom” is a mediocre superhero movie that neither offends nor impresses. Don’t let the advertising or the script’s half-hearted attempts convince you otherwise – “Venom” […]
Jonah at NYFF part 2: ‘Burning,’ ‘Ballad of Buster Scruggs’ and ‘High Life’
“It’s hard to describe it with words. You have to see it to believe it.” – Hae-mi, “Burning” I wasn’t supposed to see “Burning.” I didn’t get a ticket. In hindsight, I don’t know why this movie wasn’t a higher priority: I’d heard A.A. Dowd (one of my favorite critics, more on him later) sing […]
Jonah’s New York Film Festival Dispatch (Part 1)
Look, I like to think I know the current Hollywood landscape. I keep up with the industry and try to watch as many movies as I can, partially because I love it, and partially so that when I talk about a movie I can know what I’m talking about! But this will always be a […]
‘Sex Criminals’ is a different kind of comic book
Jonah: Well Lucy, let’s get into it. What is “Sex Criminals?” And why should people care? Lucy: Well Jonah, let me tell you. “Sex Criminals” is a graphic novel series. First published in 2013 by creators Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, the series follows Suzie, a librarian (and also a super badass lady) and […]
It’s been a big week for Chicago’s hip-hop scene
This past week has been crazy for Chicago’s hip-hop scene. After years of anticipation, three major projects have been released. This is the same scene that produced now-global superstar Chance the Rapper, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the Windy City! Noname Improves on “Lullaby Rap Music” on the Lean […]
Spike Lee returns with stunning ‘BlacKkKlansman’
There are a number of reasons Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” shouldn’t have won Best Picture or Best Director last year. But my main complaint—ironically, an aspect that likely helped the movie win—was with del Toro’s treatment of cinema. According to “Shape of Water,” cinema is, and always has been, the art form […]
Spike Lee returns with stunning ‘BlacKkKlansman’
There are a number of reasons Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” shouldn’t have won Best Picture or Best Director last year. But my main complaint—ironically, an aspect that likely helped the movie win—was with del Toro’s treatment of cinema. According to “Shape of Water,” cinema is, and always has been, the art form […]
Still “Insecure”
HBO’s “Insecure” is one of the many shows right now riding the line between “comedy” and “drama.” Traditionally, shows that have half-hour episodes are considered comedies, while anything longer has to be a “drama.” But lately, as television has been growing and evolving, we’ve seen a crop of shows push back within the thirty-minute space. […]
In a sinister, singular season, ‘Sharp Objects’ cuts deep
There will never be a second season of “Sharp Objects”—HBO president Casey Boyd confirmed as much a few weeks ago. But where other programs would see this as a judgment, this is a blessing for “Sharp Objects.” Adapted from a Gillian Flynn novel of the same name, “Objects” is a stunning and self-contained meditation on […]
‘Legion’ is just as crazy and just as compelling in it’s second season
Interpretive dance battling against the forces of evil. Waffles delivered to a hungry protagonist on tiny boats. Time travel. Random narration by Emmy award winner Jon Hamm. Seriously, if you’re not watching “Legion” on FX by now, I’m not sure what else I can do to sell this show. There’s no other series that balances […]
Cardi B proves she’s here to stay on her powerful debut record, ‘Invasion of Privacy’
“Bodak Yellow” was a bolt of lightning. Though the beat wasn’t particularly special, the voice rapping over it certainly was. Savage and energetic, it felt like Cardi B’s flow was on top of that mediocre trap beat, elevating the track and launching it to the peak of the Billboard charts. There’s no one who sounds […]
Thank God, ‘Atlanta’ is back
Normally, reviewing TV shows is frustrating. With any season of a show that’s 13 episodes or fewer, each installment is only going to be a piece of a single, larger narrative. I wouldn’t review just the first half of a movie or the first three chapters of a novel, so how can I judge a […]
‘A Quiet Place’ is a startling tension machine
No matter how much you hate horror movies, you cannot deny that the genre is in the midst of a real renaissance. From the plodding scares of “It Follows” to the terror of “The Babadook,” horror has seen a genuine re-emergence in terms of both originality and quality (a similar re-emergence also occured last year […]
Poor pacing and bad dialogue knock ‘Jessica Jones’ into a sophomore slump
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Once the jewel of the comic book-TV show realm, the quality of the Marvel Netflix shows has dropped like a brick. Envisioned as a grittier and more mature take on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the 13-episode seasons of “Daredevil” and “Luke Cage” were great. They weren’t even the peak: […]
It may be free, but that doesn’t make the “Cloverfield Paradox” worth your time
After half a decade dominating the television sphere, the streaming giant is clearly looking to make the jump onto the big screen—ironic, considering watching something on Netflix is the antithesis of actually going to a movie theater. Netflix already has an Oscar-nominated film in its collection with “Mudbound,” some terrible Adam Sandler movies and now […]
Dark and stylish, ‘Thoroughbreds’ is an ambitious and successful thriller
I love it when a good movie comes out of nowhere. Remember a few years ago when “John Wick” looked like it was going to be a generic Keanu Reeves flop and ended up being the best action movie in years? And sure, I loved “Key and Peele,” but it’s not like I was expecting […]
‘Game Night’ is a ‘W’
What was the last good R-rated comedy? Excluding Netflix indies or recent pastiches like last year’s “Baby Driver,” or “Get Out” (which certainly isn’t a comedy but does have quite a few funny moments), when was the last time a major Hollywood studio concocted a comedy… that was good? Sure, I love “The Hangover” or […]
Annihilation: A flawed and unsettling work of surreal science fiction
There is a part of me that loves Alex Garland’s “Annihilation.” The problem is, that is not the part of me that is a very good critic. “Annihilation” skirts the line between pretentious and obnoxious, and ends up falling firmly on the side of the former. A film that is completely committed to its themes, […]
