The Mary Sue

It feels as though there's been a tonal misstep; someone didn't read the room properly. We don't need apolitical platitudes.

Posted Oct 9, 2018

Venom (2018)

Is it a comedy? Is it an action film? [Venom] makes no pretense of being anything more than a superhero film,... trading the thematic material present in most major superhero ventures for biting off people's heads.

Posted Oct 5, 2018

5/5

A Star Is Born (2018)

Rachel Leishman

When you go into seeing A Star Is Born, one thing is always clear: You're in for great music and a broken heart.

Posted Oct 4, 2018

Summer '03 (2018)

Audiences will be divided on some parts of the story, especially the romantic plot between Jamie and Luke, but for Gleason's talents alone as a storyteller and director, it's worth giving the film a shot.

Posted Oct 1, 2018

4/5

Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors (2018)

The animated film,... delivers on its promise as an entertaining, warm-hearted celebration of diversity and inclusion.

Posted Sep 28, 2018

A Simple Favor (2018)

Rachel Leishman

It keeps you on the edge of your seat and, even at the end, you still can't believe the twists and turns that play out.

Posted Sep 25, 2018

5/5

Colette (2018)

Keira Knightley is phenomenal, and it can not be understated how well she carries the movie. She masterfully transitions from metaphorical childhood into adulthood, not to mention capturing the charm and intelligence of someone like Colette.

Posted Sep 19, 2018

70th Emmy Awards (2018)

Last night's Emmys-which was hosted by Michael Che... [was] most definitely not funny.

Posted Sep 18, 2018

2/5

The Predator (2018)

The film is entertaining in fits and starts, but it just never quite comes together as a whole.

Posted Sep 17, 2018

2/5

The Nun (2018)

The Nun feels like it's always coasting on the success of former films... This film really didn't do much except make me want to see the same cast in a much better film.

Posted Sep 6, 2018

4/5

Searching (2018)

If you're looking for a fresh take on the thriller genre, I highly suggest you check this one out.

Posted Aug 24, 2018

2/5

The Happytime Murders (2018)

The film is an exercise in wasted potential, squandering a fun premise and a talented cast in what could have been a legitimately entertaining movie. All the pieces are there, but The Happytime Murders doesn't have a clue what to do with them.

Posted Aug 23, 2018

Pokemon the First Movie - Mewtwo vs. Mew (1999)

Not only is this movie really good... , but it actually raised some interesting philosophical questions about the nature of Pokémon.

Posted Aug 22, 2018

4/5

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

BlacKkKlansman benefits from a solid cast and a script... that has a good mixture of comedic and dramatic moments that keep the movie from dragging despite its 2-hour-plus run time.

Posted Aug 17, 2018

5/5

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)

Cameron Post's greatest strength is in its authenticity and intimacy.

Posted Aug 16, 2018

Slender Man (2018)

The problem with Slender Man is that it's simply not a good movie... There was a chance here to make a truly frightening film about a popular urban legend, but it comes too late and marked by too much tragedy for it to work.

Posted Aug 13, 2018

1/5

Along Came the Devil (2018)

Vrai Kaiser

Ultimately, the talented cast can't save a script that's working against them and a film that doesn't so much end as abruptly stop.

Posted Aug 9, 2018

5/5

Eighth Grade (2018)

There's no doubt that watching Eighth Grade will remind you deeply of all the pains of adolescence, but the movie's relatability isn't just limited to that age, which might be what makes it such a transcendently heartbreaking experience.

Posted Aug 7, 2018

Sorry to Bother You (2018)

[It] taps into a glorious cinematic history, joining the ranks of films like Dr. Strangelove, Network, Fight Club, and Being John Malkovich as satirical touchstones that define an era of American history.

Posted Jul 16, 2018

4/5

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

This is a very funny movie that I laughed out loud to more times than I can count.

Posted Jun 27, 2018

5/5

Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)

But he was good and kind he loved you, even if he'd never met you. This movie's ultimate message, like Rogers' himself, seems to be simply that that shouldn't be so hard to believe.

Posted Jun 20, 2018

1.5/5

Superfly (2018)

Jenna Dorsi

There are times the new Superfly is so awful that it seems like a parody of a bad movie.

Posted Jun 19, 2018

Set It Up (2018)

Charline Jao

It's ridiculously enjoyable. Set It Up is funny, charming, and lovable in the way that any decent romantic comedy should be.

Posted Jun 18, 2018

4.5/5

Incredibles 2 (2018)

But the core of the movie is the family dynamic, so the somewhat lackluster antagonist does little to detract from that.

Posted Jun 12, 2018

2/5

Hotel Artemis (2018)

Hotel Artemis manages to make an hour and thirty minutes seem like an eternity.

Posted Jun 11, 2018

3/5

Ocean's 8 (2018)

For all it's failings, Ocean's 8 is still a nice piece of summer fluff. The disappointment is that was merely good, and not great.

Posted Jun 7, 2018

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

You can go ahead and put me firmly in the "loved it" camp. It wasn't a perfect movie, but it was enjoyable from beginning to end, and I had a lot of fun.

Posted May 30, 2018

4/5

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

I take a good portion of my naysaying back, and gladly: Solo was the first Star Wars movie in a long time that gave me anything like the light-hearted thrill I first felt seeing A New Hope as a kid.

Posted May 15, 2018

4/5

Disobedience (2018)

Sebastián Lelio's direction is literally breathtaking as you are made to feel the constant pressure these two women are under all the time.

Posted Apr 26, 2018

4/5

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

I've been writing about Infinity War for the better part of a year, but I was not prepared for what it had in store. I stared at it slack-jawed for the last ten minutes, astonished at the places where Marvel took this film.

Posted Apr 24, 2018

4/5

Blockers (2018)

What makes it special is how few comedies, especially teen sex comedies, allow their female characters to be so fully developed, and to have relationships with their own sexuality, free of shame and stigma.

Posted Apr 6, 2018

2.5/5

Ready Player One (2018)

The movie is wall-to-wall pop culture references, and while that's exhausting and tedious, it's also inevitable that you it will manage to push your own specific nostalgia buttons.

Posted Mar 28, 2018

3.5/5

Pacific Rim Uprising (2018)

Pacific Rim Uprising is a loud, ridiculous film about giant fighting robots and massive monsters from an interdimensional portal under the ocean. It's totally over-the-top, and it's also the most fun I've had at the movies in ages.

Posted Mar 21, 2018

3/5

Allure (2018)

I suppose there are worse things for a film to be than an educational conversation starter. However, Allure is a difficult, and ultimately, an unsatisfying watch as a film.

Posted Mar 19, 2018

3.5/5

Love, Simon (2018)

Jenna Dorsi

Love, Simon is an adorable addition to the teen movie canon.

Posted Mar 16, 2018

4/5

Keep the Change (2018)

[Rachel Israel] made the very wise decision to cast amateur actors on the spectrum in all the roles of characters with autism as well. The result is a journey that feels lived-in, nuanced, and real.

Posted Mar 15, 2018

3/5

Tomb Raider (2018)

In terms of acting, everyone is pretty good, but especially Alicia Vikander as Lara and Daniel Wu as Lu Ren.

Posted Mar 14, 2018

3/5

A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

[Storm] Reid is excellent, playing across a range of emotions and physical activity while carrying the movie on her shoulders.

Posted Mar 7, 2018

4/5

The Light of the Moon (2017)

The Light of the Moon succeeds with heart and sensitivity.

Posted Mar 7, 2018

Red Sparrow (2018)

This is a male idea of female empowerment.

Posted Mar 6, 2018

3.5/5

Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no renkinjutsushi) (2017)

Where this version really won me over is with its compelling effects and worldbuilding. It's hard to translate the madcap randomness and outrageousness of anime action into, well, real life, but Sori gives it a spirited go.

Posted Feb 21, 2018

3/5

Annihilation (2018)

The film as a whole didn't seem to have much of a point of view. It told me a story, but it didn't tell me why.

Posted Feb 21, 2018

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (Rupan sansei: Kariosutoro no shiro) (1979)

Rachael Verret

The director's distinct, energetic vision...holds very well today.

Posted Feb 15, 2018

1.5/5

Fifty Shades Freed (2018)

The biggest offender of this movie, beyond the toxic as hell masculinity, is that when it comes down to it, it's just not sexy-and I wanted it to be.

Posted Feb 8, 2018

5/5

Black Panther (2018)

The women of Black Panther do so much throughout the film, all while being funny, sensuous, smart and strong.

Posted Feb 6, 2018

5/5

The Girl Without Hands (La Jeune fille sans mains) (2017)

Charline Jao

As we continue to see animation progress and become more and more realistic, the French animated film The Girl Without Hands or La Jeune Fille sans mains is a reminder that the medium can be just as compelling with simple and evocative strokes

Posted Dec 27, 2017

2/5

Pitch Perfect 3 (2017)

The second, and now third installments have turned into meandering messes with few jokes that land and a cast that, while talented, doesn't really get to do much.

Posted Dec 22, 2017

4.5/5

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

[Carrie Fisher] is luminous here. Every time she's on screen, it's impossible to look away, and she is as tough, loving, and wily as we would ever want our Leia to be.

Posted Dec 12, 2017

2/5

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)