https://www.cbr.com CBR movie reviews offer well-informed, in-depth analysis on superhero smash hits and hidden film house gems. CBR is your inside track to the silver screen. Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:31:12 GMT en-US hourly 60 At first glance, Joy Ride seems to be ticking a lot of the same boxes as other contemporary comedies. An unexpected trip brings together a group of unlikely "friends" to take a journey of self-discovery. To succeed, these types of movies need to be able to follow the standard set-up with strong unique execution or risk being forgotten in a sea of similar releases. Luckily, Joy Ride absolutely nails it with a fully committed cast bringing the hilarious and heartfelt script to life. Taking a standard formula and making it their own, Joy Ride is an absolute blast.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:31:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/joy-ride-review/ It's become cliché to say that horror movies are all focused on exploring trauma, but that doesn't mean there aren't valid ways to incorporate trauma into the genre. The Australian psychological thriller Run Rabbit Run explores trauma, but it unfortunately lacks any rewarding new approach to familiar themes. Although the performances are strong, the plot is slow and repetitive, leading up to an underwhelming revelation and a vague climax. The trauma that the main characters experience should be tense and affecting, but instead it ends up mostly tedious.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 20:16:10 GMT https://www.cbr.com/netflix-run-rabbit-run-move-review/ On the surface, Lionsgate's Confidential Informant looks like it has all the potential to be the sleeper hit of the summer. Sold as a gritty crime thriller starring Mel Gibson, Dominic Purcell, Nick Stahl, and Kate Bosworth, it has the necessary stars and genre intrigue to be something special. Unfortunately, the film handcuffs itself to its worst habits and never fulfills its promise.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 04:28:28 GMT https://www.cbr.com/review-confidential-informants-all-star-cast-cant-save-this-uneven-crime-thriller/ The intention of Sheroes seems incredibly clear: To make a fun, female-centric action comedy. While Sheroes has potential, it feels like an interesting idea that never came to fruition but was greenlit as a film anyway. While there is fun to be had, the story goes nowhere, and the characters don't feel believable. Sheroes jumps from point A to point B without anything to say or much direction, creating a mediocre action experience.

]]> Fri, 23 Jun 2023 18:48:33 GMT https://www.cbr.com/sheroes-review/ Nimona has had a long road to screens, with the animated film at one point even being more or less declared dead in the water following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Luckily -- for the filmmakers and audiences -- the film has survived and made its way to Netflix. A beautifully constructed medley of dark humor, clever action, and sincere heartbreak, Nimona is a triumph -- and is definitely going to be a lot of kids' new favorite film.

]]> Thu, 22 Jun 2023 19:59:51 GMT https://www.cbr.com/nimona-review/ There are two stories running through Asteroid City, Wes Anderson's latest film. When the film is focused on the in-universe play of the same name, it's an effortlessly charming and easily entertaining film, but the hoops the movie jumps through to set up the framing device end up more distracting than anything else. Asteroid City is a good movie -- and a great example of what makes Wes Anderson unique as a filmmaker -- that can't stop tripping itself up. The majority of the film is set at science fair being held in the small desert town known as Asteroid City in the mid-1950s. Attending the event are a group of brilliant young inventors, along with members of the military, a school bus full of children, a western-country band, and the sparse town's seven-person population.

]]> Mon, 19 Jun 2023 21:05:01 GMT https://www.cbr.com/asteroid-city-wes-anderson-review/ After ushering in a new dawn as the latest Black Panther in Wakanda Forever, actor Letitia Wright tackles her most ambitious project yet, which she also co-produces. Directed by Anthony Mandler from a script by Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas, Surrounded is a Western by design, but it subverts the traditional tropes to become a deeper analysis of the different effects of trauma and how it shapes people. Actors Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) and the late Michael K. Williams (The Wire) also star.

]]> Fri, 16 Jun 2023 17:39:20 GMT https://www.cbr.com/surrounded-review/ First thing's first -- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is better than Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. That may seem like a low bar to cross considering the film's inglorious reputation, but it's worth highlighting how James Mangold's film -- which tackles many of the same themes as the prior entry in the Indiana Jones series -- sticks the landing far better than its predecessor. Mangold does well across the board with a film that seems firmly aware of the legacy it is playing with. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny embraces its history while having cheeky fun subverting it. While it may stumble in the third act, it is a solid entry in one of cinema's most memorable adventure series.

]]> Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:40:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/indiana-jones-dial-of-destiny-review/ As an actor, John Slattery has never appeared in a movie directed by the Coen brothers, but judging from his new film, he clearly aims to emulate their work. Maggie Moore(s), Slattery's second directorial feature, works so hard to be the next Fargo that the strain shows early, and oftentimes, to the movie's detriment. Screenwriter Paul Bernbaum doesn't have the Coens's wit or their way with unique characters, and Slattery doesn't quite have a handle on the movie's tone. Still, Maggie Moore(s) is a mostly pleasant, laid-back viewing experience, despite a plot that involves a pair of gruesome murders.

]]> Thu, 15 Jun 2023 20:57:43 GMT https://www.cbr.com/maggie-moores-movie-review/ Three years after Extraction found success on Netflix, the sequel is bringing audiences yet another Chris Hemsworth slugfest. Blunter -- and better -- than the previous film, Extraction 2 is the very definition of an action film. A basic story that works best when it embraces the full potential of its cast and filmmakers, Extraction 2 is like watching a live-action first-person shooter, for good and for ill.

]]> Thu, 15 Jun 2023 20:50:50 GMT https://www.cbr.com/netflix-extraction-2-movie-review/ It takes a long time for Jagged Mind protagonist Billy (Legends of Tomorrow's Maisie Richardson-Sellers) to discover the ill intentions her new girlfriend Alex (Westworld's Shannon Woodward) is hiding from her, but the audience gets there much quicker. In a way, Jagged Mind's opening disclaimer about depictions of intimate partner violence functions as a spoiler, making Alex's first appearance even more menacing than the movie's generally ominous tone indicates. That kind of blunt, obvious storytelling holds Jagged Mind back from being truly scary or affecting, but the film does have some strong, sporadic moments.

]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 21:42:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/hulu-jagged-mind-movie-review/ Horror and comedy have always been a beautiful blend in cinema. While there are plenty of horror satires or spoofs that miss the mark, The Blackening, directed by Tim Story, is nearly pitch-perfect in its execution, delivering the funniest movie of the year so far and the best horror movie of this summer. This is in large part due to an endearing yet hilarious ensemble cast and a tight, clever script by Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins.

]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:24:21 GMT https://www.cbr.com/the-blackening-movie-review/ Sometimes, the best horror comes from the quietest of places. Big budgets and gory effects might get eyes onto certain projects, but the right closed-room set can be more horrifying than any amount of jumpscares. This was the secret sauce to many classic horror stories, and it's something that You'll Never Find Me -- the directorial debut of filmmakers Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen, which premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival -- does very right. Even as its third act takes a few minor stumbles, the overall direction, acting, and cinematography turns the tight setting into a very engaging location.

]]> Tue, 13 Jun 2023 21:15:10 GMT https://www.cbr.com/youll-never-find-me-movie-review/ Brooklyn 45 is a spy thriller mixed with a ghost story that boasts many reasons to watch but could have developed its story and characters in an even stronger way. The film is an effective period piece and a meditation on the horrors of war, but its ghostly elements sometimes feel too few and far between. However, solid performances and a fast pace earn Brooklyn 45 extra points.

]]> Sat, 10 Jun 2023 14:00:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/brooklyn-45-review/ Mary Shelley's classic 1818 novel Frankenstein has been adapted so many times in so many different formats that it's tough to imagine anyone finding a satisfying new angle on it. Writer-director Bomani J. Story doesn't entirely succeed with his directorial debut The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster, but he puts enough of his own stamp on the story to make it feel fresh and contemporary. The familiar beats take on new meaning when transposed from Shelley's upper-class 18th-century Europe to the present-day urban United States.

]]> Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:51:07 GMT https://www.cbr.com/angry-black-girl-and-her-monster-review/ 2018's Bumblebee marked the first time since Michael Bay's original blockbuster that a live-action Transformers film performed well with critics and audiences alike. Compared to prior sequels, Autobots and Decepticons actually resembled their G1 models, human leads weren't obnoxious or hyper-sexualized, and most impressively, the film told a compelling story in under two hours. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts continues this winning streak, delivering an entertaining, action-packed adventure that, occasional pacing issues aside, earns its popcorn flick stripes with solid choreography, heart, and a sense of fun.

]]> Wed, 07 Jun 2023 23:08:33 GMT https://www.cbr.com/transformers-rise-of-beasts-review/ Directed by Pixar veteran Peter Sohn with a script by John Hoberg, Kat Likkel, and Brenda Hsueh, Elemental is as gorgeous as audiences have come to expect from the animation studio. But the craft behind Pixar's films has only ever been part of the formula to their greatest successes. A deft melding of creative world-building and a compelling human story are the other keys to the best stories from the studio, even when the main characters are far from human.

]]> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 13:00:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/pixar-elemental-review/ A coming-of-age romance with some ghostly undertones and an eerie ending, Falcon Lake is a dynamic movie filled with quiet moments that linger on the viewer's subconscious. The feature debut of Charlotte Le Bon, Falcon Lake feels like if Call Me By Your Name was directed by Catherine Breillat. It's a captivating tale of first love, with hidden secrets that aren't revealed until the very end. The scenery at the lake house where most of the film takes place is exquisite, creating an unmistakable atmosphere that helps add to the provocative nature of this film.

]]> Thu, 01 Jun 2023 21:11:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/falcon-lake/ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse took the world by storm and became one of the best -- if not the best -- superhero films to date, so Sony's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had some incredible shoes to fill. Luckily, Across the Spider-Verse does more than just meet expectations. The sequel promises that this series will be the best superhero trilogy to grace the big screen and beautifully expands the multiverse.

]]> Wed, 31 May 2023 15:40:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-review/ For horror fans, Robert Englund's name has been etched into the almanacs of the genre with razor-sharp talons. Gary Smart and Christopher Griffiths's Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story tells the real-life story of the classically trained actor who became an icon of terror thanks to his performance as the infamous monster Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The documentary looks at the man behind the character, and interviews his peers to find out more about his importance in the world of horro, and the film industry as a whole.

]]> Tue, 30 May 2023 19:08:31 GMT https://www.cbr.com/hollywood-dreams-nightmares-robert-englund-freddy-krueger-review/ Every genre has its standard tropes and conventions. The best stories find ways to use these classic elements to create something different and meaningful. The Boogeyman doesn't quite reach those heights, but not for lack of trying. The Stephen King adaptation uses its fairly basic set-up to tell a story about the impact of grief and the lingering trauma it can result in. Fairly basic in terms of scares, The Boogeyman is largely defined by the tropes of its own choosing -- but it occasionally finds flashes of greatness in some of its more creative scares and grounded elements.

]]> Tue, 30 May 2023 13:00:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/the-boogeyman-review/ Shudder's newest title Influencer references the social-media presence of the central characters who document their entire lives online for likes and sponsorships. It also refers to a more insidious type of influence, though, wielded by the deceptively unassuming CW (Cassandra Naud), who preys on the narcissism and insecurities of those social-media personalities for her own devious, violent ends. Director and co-writer Kurtis David Harder relies on that influence to toy with the audience, too, in a thrilling and clever way that makes Influencer fascinating to watch.

]]> Fri, 26 May 2023 01:00:47 GMT https://www.cbr.com/movie-review-influencer-shudder/ Live-action Disney remakes have been at best an interesting experiment. The lesser of these films feel like adoring recreations that lack the spirit and soul of their animated predecessors, while the best add new dimensions to the original material (like 2015's Cinderella) or at least make themselves different enough to go for something different (like the Maleficent films and Mulan). This brings us to The Little Mermaid, a brightly colored and loving remake of the 1989 film of the same name. An earnest adaptation that goes full musical in terms of scale and presentation, the film actually finds interesting ways to flesh out the love story at the heart of the story. While it may not be perfect, The Little Mermaid is a good example of what the live-action Disney remakes should be trying to be -- even as it falls afoul of flaws that often plague these films.

]]> Mon, 22 May 2023 17:21:23 GMT https://www.cbr.com/disney-the-little-mermaid-live-action-review/ White Men Can't Jump has the unenviable task of living up to one of the best basketball films of all time. Starting from the same central premise -- two unlikely basketball players in Los Angeles hustle their way through games while forging an unlikely bond -- the new film approaches it with a softer and more optimistic tone than the original. While this prevents the remake from finding the same unique vibes that elevated the original, it doesn't keep the new film from being enjoyable on its merits. 20th Century Studios' White Men Can't Jump is a solid film, whose strong cast and production elevate beyond its more standard sports film tropes.

]]> Thu, 18 May 2023 19:47:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/white-men-cant-jump-movie-review/ Any viewer coming into director Zachary Wigon's psychosexual drama Sanctuary might expect a very different kind of movie for the first 5-10 minutes. Main characters Hal (Christopher Abbott) and Rebecca (Margaret Qualley) meet in a hotel room as what appear to be business associates, with lawyer Rebecca vetting Hal for his new position as CEO of a major company. She asks boilerplate questions about his background, then shifts into more personal, sexual queries while he becomes increasingly agitated. Director Zachary Wigon plays with audience assumptions as he reveals the true dynamic between Hal and Rebecca, and Sanctuary continues to brilliantly defy expectations for its entire runtime.

]]> Thu, 18 May 2023 17:00:09 GMT https://www.cbr.com/sanctuary-movie-review/ The Fast & The Furious has never been restrained. Even from its onset, the traditional "cop and robber become unlikely friends" story beats were coated with a shiny turn-of-the-millennium flavor that made it instantly gaudy, ridiculous, and memorable. Since those comparatively grounded days of hijacking shipping containers full of DVD players, the characters of The Fast & the Furious franchise have faced all sorts of threats and dangers, pushing themselves and their cars to truly absurd limits to save the day. That's definitely the vibe of Fast X, which at times, feels like a culmination of the series. Weighed down when it tries to reflect on the blunt emotional beats, Fast X becomes a blast when it remembers the joys of going full throttle -- and no one understands that better than the series' latest villain, Jason Momoa.

]]> Wed, 17 May 2023 16:42:40 GMT https://www.cbr.com/review-fast-x-universal/ The action genre and the typical assassin trope go together like marshmallows and hot chocolate. However, Camille Delamarre's Assassin Club pushes this fated pairing by having a group of the top assassins from around the world hunt each other. What follows is a nonstop, chaotic battle royale that's all fists and guns -- but bookmarked by a flimsy story.

]]> Mon, 15 May 2023 21:37:53 GMT https://www.cbr.com/assassin-club-movie-review/ The classic manga story Saint Seiya, created by Masami Kurumada, is getting a lush, live-action adaptation on the big screen with the new movie Knights of the Zodiac. Led by an ensemble cast and blending everything from high fantasy to super sentai storytelling sensibilities, the film is sure to thrill fans of the manga/anime franchise and Power Rangers alike. While the uninitiated to the story and genre may be a harder sell on the movie overall, Knights of the Zodiac is packed with enough self-assuredly over-the-top fight sequences and earnest performances to make for an entertaining ride as long as one doesn’t think too hard about it.

]]> Thu, 11 May 2023 16:02:42 GMT https://www.cbr.com/knights-of-the-zodiac-review/ BlackBerry opens with a disclaimer that describes the movie as a fictionalization inspired by real people and events, and it's probably best to take director and co-writer Matt Johnson's movie as satire rather than history. The broad strokes may be close to the true story of the rise and fall of the groundbreaking BlackBerry smartphone, but everything else is fabricated and exaggerated for comedic effect. Although it's loosely based on Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff's nonfiction book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry, Johnson's BlackBerry comes closer to Mike Judge's Silicon Valley than a serious tech-industry biopic like The Social Network or Steve Jobs.

]]> Thu, 11 May 2023 15:07:59 GMT https://www.cbr.com/blackberry-movie-review/ There's a long history of the horror and western genres co-existing. Both explore the humanity of characters set against an isolated and often violent experience -- and fusions of the genre can be especially impressive, like The Revenant and Bone Tomahawk. That's very much the intention of Organ Trail, which takes a typical western narrative and tries to infuse it with additional scary elements and the qualities of a thriller. While Director Michael Patrick Jann and Writer Meg Turner deliver a solid (if predictable) western, the film never quite figures out how to properly blend in the horror elements.

]]> Mon, 08 May 2023 16:45:52 GMT https://www.cbr.com/organ-trail-review/ In 2014, the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduced a game-changing film directed by James Gunn. Almost a decade later, this story is coming to a close with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The latest installment in the MCU is a beautiful send-off to many of the creatives who have been with this team since the beginning and a welcomed reminder of what makes the Guardians so beloved in the first place.

]]> Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:01:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-3-review/ When a horror-movie protagonist is offered the chance to bring a loved one back from the dead, the answer should always be "no." Of course, in that case, plenty of horror movies wouldn't exist, so characters like Anna Camp's Cora in Shudder's original movie From Black have to agree to arcane demon-summoning rituals that will theoretically bring their departed relatives back to life. As soon as a strange man approaches Cora, claiming that he can reunite her with her dead son, it's easy to guess how From Black will play out. Director and co-writer Thomas Marchese doesn't add anything unique or interesting to the familiar horror formula and treats the material with a hushed solemnity that drains it of any potential pulpy fun.

]]> Thu, 27 Apr 2023 18:22:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/from-black-review/ While the Justice League is no stranger to otherworldly crossovers, they find their latest off-world adventure to be a literally transformative experience in the new feature length film, Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen, Part One. Directed by longtime RWBY filmmaker Kerry Shawcross and written by Meghan Fitzmartin, the movie brings together an ensemble of fan-favorite characters for an action-packed adventure. Accessible to newcomers of RWBY while being rewarding for dedicated fans of the popular anime-influenced web series, Justice League x RWBY is full of ambitious set pieces and earnest character moments to thrill audiences.

]]> Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:57:07 GMT https://www.cbr.com/justice-league-x-rwby-animated-movie-review/ There've been plenty of films centered around World War II in the near century since the global conflict occurred -- with Nazis becoming some of pop culture's most common villains. Few are as straightforward and visually stunning as Lionsgate's Sisu. It's an admirably blunt film from Director/Writer Jalmari Helander that finds a perfect melding of gory action-spectacle and artistic composition, Helander's WWII spectacle is more of a mood piece than a traditional war film.

]]> Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:11:25 GMT https://www.cbr.com/sisu-review/ While Ari Aster's filmography includes only 3 feature films at the time of writing, there is no question that Aster is one of the most compelling, visionary directors working today. Hereditary is widely considered a contemporary masterpiece of horror filmmaking, and Midsommar delivers a visually stunning yet haunting movie about empathy.Aster's latest project is his most ambitious to date, and Beau Is Afraid exceeds expectations as Aster departs the world of horror with this absurdist dramadey.

]]> Thu, 20 Apr 2023 22:52:11 GMT https://www.cbr.com/a24-ari-aster-beau-is-afraid-review/ Evil Dead Rise has been one of the most anticipated scary movies of 2023, and it carries the massive burden of following in the footsteps of the 1981 cult classic and the 2013 remake. While Evil Dead Rise does not break the mold like the original, it is a crowd-pleasing horror film that isn't afraid to lean into the gore associated with the Evil Dead name.

]]> Thu, 20 Apr 2023 18:56:53 GMT https://www.cbr.com/evil-dead-rise-review/ Setting an action-thriller film in an enclosed space is often a recipe for success. In The Best Man, filmmaker Shane Dax Taylor takes this tried-and-tested formula and creates what's essentially Die Hard at a wedding. So, instead of exchanging vows, the characters are trading blows. Surprisingly, this escalates into an action film where the story is a lot stronger than the physicality on display.

]]> Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:47:57 GMT https://www.cbr.com/the-best-man-movie-review/ Sick of Myself is an absurd and disturbing foray into a desperate mind. The Norwegian film is extremely cringe-inducing for most of its runtime but still manages to feel human. Sick of Myself deals with the modern obsession with online relevance and taps into something deeper about the human psyche. At times, Sick of Myself can feel redundant, but overall, it is a strange film that gets under the skin and lingers there for a long while.

]]> Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:10:59 GMT https://www.cbr.com/sick-of-myself-review/ Comedy is a tricky genre to get right nowadays, and first-time writer and director Brit McAdams meets the audience halfway with Paint. Paint, which features Owen Wilson as a Bob Ross-inspired character, is dryly funny but has a lot of heart. The film could have added a bit more absurdity to each joke to make it more memorable, but Paint is still a harmless movie that will cause plenty of chuckles and pull on emotional viewers' heartstrings.

]]> Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:28:26 GMT https://www.cbr.com/paint-movie-review/ The Super Mario Bros. Movie has the near-impossible job of living up to sky-high expectations. Even beyond the typical pressure of adapting a popular source, it's trying to translate videogames to the big-screen -- still considered a tricky proposition, which had even sunk the previous cinematic approach to the characters. Luckily, the filmmakers, cast, and crew of The Super Mario Bros. Movie don't let that pressure impact the film. Purposefully focusing on a simple and beautiful adventure, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a solid success. While it doesn't find the heights of the medium's most thought-provoking or emotionally-engrossing entries, it's not trying to be. Sometimes, style can be more valuable than substance -- and when it comes to the truly impressive animation and charm of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, that's the case.

]]> Tue, 04 Apr 2023 19:00:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/review-the-super-mario-bros-movie/ It takes a while for director Kyra Elise Gardner to reveal the significance of the title to her documentary Living With Chucky, which makes for a somewhat awkwardly structured film. Living With Chucky starts as a fairly straightforward but engaging behind-the-scenes documentary about the Child's Play franchise, scoring interviews with most of the major players in the long-running horror series. Non-fans may not find much to draw them in, but even casual followers of the adventures of killer doll Chucky should enjoy this look into the franchise's history.

]]> Mon, 03 Apr 2023 19:43:40 GMT https://www.cbr.com/movie-review-living-with-chucky/ A reimagining of his own film, Last Shift, Malum is a unique take on horror from director Anthony DiBlassi. The film is genuinely scary, featuring plenty of grotesque nightmare fuel. Malum expertly expands on 2014's Last Shift, turning a campy B-movie into a genuinely frightening trip into the mouth of madness. The film's single location can sometimes feel tedious, but for the most part, it's utilized in a way that instills a sense of isolating fear into the viewer. Malum is gruesome, terrifying, and trippy, and results in a perfect blend of horror subgenres.

]]> Fri, 31 Mar 2023 19:08:41 GMT https://www.cbr.com/malum-movie-review/ There's something about vampires that makes them the perfect sub-genre for horror comedies, evidenced by classics like Fright Night, The Lost Boys, and What We Do in the Shadows. The new vampire comedy Renfield is the latest to sink its fangs into this genre, leaning into self-aware humor and gory slapstick that will leave people chuckling as they wince at the cinematic carnage on display. Certainly not for the faint of heart, Renfield is elevated by the performances of its main cast, surprisingly long and tightly constructed action set pieces, and well-written humor.

]]> Fri, 31 Mar 2023 01:31:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/renfield-review/ The Unheard is a horror thriller with an intriguing premise and thought-provoking ideas, but the execution buries any potential for the film to be an entertaining thrill ride. A ghost story about sound, The Unheard attempts to tackle a lot all at once and misses the mark entirely. Suffering from an identity crisis, The Unheard is unsure of whether it wants to be a serial killer film, a supernatural tale, or a familial drama. Whatever the case, the movie is extremely slow and never focuses on one theme for long enough to make it feel worthwhile.

]]> Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:04:57 GMT https://www.cbr.com/unheard-review/ The Dark Knight has been featured in countless Elseworlds stories. However, none are quite as horrifying as the three-issue series Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham by Mike Mignola, Richard Pace, and Troy Nixey. This Lovecraftian tale pushes the hero to the edge of sanity as he stares into the abyss, and it looks right back at him. Now, the animated movie based on the hit comic book is set to terrify a new generation of audiences with a thrilling adaptation.

]]> Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:26:47 GMT https://www.cbr.com/batman-the-doom-that-came-to-gotham-review/ As far as meet-cutes go, the opening scene of Rye Lane offers one of the most memorable. Right away, it's easy to see why the charming British romantic comedy from first-time feature director Raine Allen-Miller and screenwriters Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia was a sensation at this year's Sundance Film Festival. It's a vibrant, colorful, feel-good take on a familiar type of story, and it grabs the audience immediately from that opening scene.

]]> Mon, 27 Mar 2023 18:02:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/rye-lane-review/ Replicating movies about obsession, which were very popular in the 90s, The Tutor is a new take on a familiar subgenre that takes itself way too seriously to ever feel fun. Starring Noah Schnapp and Garrett Hedlund, The Tutor features committed performances and is fairly watchable, but it also feels like a glorified Lifetime movie. The central idea of a student becoming obsessed with a tutor sounds enjoyable on paper, but this film throws in several twists that are meant to be shocking, but they tend to convolute everything. The Tutor has potential, but the final product is a forgettable thriller with a few interesting elements.

]]> Fri, 24 Mar 2023 20:07:35 GMT https://www.cbr.com/tutor-movie-review/ Dungeons & Dragons has been a staple for fantasy fans for decades, giving players around the world the chance to reimagine themselves as heroes of colorful and dangerous realms. There have been numerous attempts to translate the game into other mediums, including cult-classic animated shows and an often-maligned live-action movie from 2000 (that spawned a handful of other direct-to-video films). The latest stab at the property, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, takes the Marvel route and delivers a fun, cheeky, and straightforward adaptation of the material. It's not groundbreaking, but the sheer charm of the central cast makes Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves a great watch.

]]> Fri, 24 Mar 2023 18:33:07 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dungeons-and-dragons-movie-review/ Based on real-life events, Tetris charts the days before the release of the titular videogame. In the thirty-plus years since Tetris first appeared on the original version of the Game Boy, it's become one of the most successful games of all time. But before it ended up in the hands of almost any players, the rights were shifted back and forth in a story that feels indebted both to legal dramedies and tense spy thrillers. Tetris reflects both elements well, juggling the film's potential tonal problems deftly. Elevated by a solid cast, Tetris -- which comes to Apple TV+ on Mar. 31 -- proves to be a fun, thoroughly entertaining genre-hopping tale.

]]> Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:34:47 GMT https://www.cbr.com/tetris-movie-review/ The Boston Strangler -- debuting on Hulu on Mar. 17 -- follows a standard true-crime drama formula, exploring the investigation into a string of murders carried out over a decade in New England. While it may not break the mold, The Boston Strangler does a solid job of creating something compelling. Anchored by a solid Keira Knightley and bolstered by a strong supporting cast and sense of direction, The Boston Strangler is an effective take on an established genre.

]]> Thu, 16 Mar 2023 13:00:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/boston-strangler-review/ Early in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the film thoroughly embraces the obvious needle-drop of "I Need a Hero" and openly comments on it. What starts as a meta-wink to the audience quickly shifts into an embrace of the beat, playing a potentially life-or-death situation for character establishment and laughs. It's a fun sequence of pretty heroes saving the day in a goofy way, which might be the core strength of Shazam! Fury of the Gods. While it likely won't convert non-superhero fans, the film is confident in its embrace of a broad, goofy, and sometimes dangerous adventure that feels perfect for younger audiences.

]]> Wed, 15 Mar 2023 22:06:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/shazam-2-review/ John Wick: Chapter 4 comes with a lot of pressure. Directed by Chad Stahelski, the film not only has to live up to the escalation promised at the end of the previous entry in the series, but also the expectations of audiences who've spent almost a decade following Wick's battles against a world's worth of killers, criminals, and assassins. Luckily, John Wick: Chapter 4 recognizes this and doesn't try to change the formula or throw audiences for a loop. Instead, it does exactly what it knows it can (and needs to) do and does it well. John Wick: Chapter 4 is a great new entry into the series that finds the proper balance between escalating the action of previous films while still imbuing it with enough unique energy to make it stand out. Bolstered by a solid supporting cast, John Wick: Chapter 4 is as epic and entertaining as you'd want it to be.

]]> Tue, 14 Mar 2023 03:00:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/review-john-wick-chapter-4/ Alberto Vázquez's new animated masterpiece, Unicorn Wars, is a film that will shake its audience to the core. The film's beautiful animation eases the emotional impact of the layered story, which has more depth than many of the highly celebrated war films of our time. While the movie is ultimately about teddy bears and unicorns, under the surface, it's an exploration of the evil of humanity and our impact on nature that will be remembered for a long time to come.

]]> Fri, 10 Mar 2023 21:42:50 GMT https://www.cbr.com/unicorn-wars-movie-review/ Scream V marked a major transition for the franchise, introducing a cast of new characters while legacy protagonists like Gale Weathers, Deputy Dewey, and Sidney Prescott were relegated to supporting roles or killed off. This set up Scream VI to mostly stand on its own while building off of the franchise's legacy, emphasizing how much directors Matt Betinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett love Scream and the horror genre.

]]> Thu, 09 Mar 2023 16:24:08 GMT https://www.cbr.com/scream-6-review/ Modern-day cyber thrillers are tricky to get right, with it being difficult not to rely on their gimmick fully. Unseen, which tells a story entirely from a FaceTime between two strangers, does rely heavily on its gimmick but still manages to develop its characters and situations enough to deliver an enticing tale of suspense, even if things feel repetitive. Unseen takes a while to get started, but once it does, the film is a nail-biting ride that knows when to hit the audience in the heart.

]]> Wed, 08 Mar 2023 22:50:54 GMT https://www.cbr.com/unseen-review/ Delayed almost a full year from its initial release date, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre doesn't feel like most films kept on the shelf for an extended period. There's nothing befuddling about the story or bad about the filmmaking, and the cast all handle themselves decently enough. Ultimately, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre's worst sin is that it's forgettable. It compares unfavorably to better work by everyone involved, only occasionally showing flashes of the fun spy romp it could have been. While there's nothing necessarily wrong with Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, there's nothing there to recommend about it either. Fans of Director Guy Ritchie's other genre riffs might find something to enjoy, but it's by no means a necessary watch.

]]> Fri, 03 Mar 2023 16:16:44 GMT https://www.cbr.com/operation-fortune-review/ The chase is a major part of the thrill in most slashers, but in Hunt Her, Kill Her, the chase is all there is. Hunt Her, Kill Her is a survival horror film set in a single location, and while it is impressive how much it achieves with so little, this low-budget thriller doesn't have enough meat. The film picks up by the end and delivers several brutal death scenes, fun fight sequences, and some surprising emotional weight, but the overall concept is just a tad too minimalist to make much of an impact.

]]> Thu, 02 Mar 2023 22:54:35 GMT https://www.cbr.com/hunt-her-kill-her-review/ Of all the possible Stephen King adaptations, a reboot of Children of the Corn may seem like the most baffling. After an original film from 1984 that isn't remembered well, eight sequels, and a made-for-Syfy remake, a new retelling of King's short story feels unnecessary. Regardless, Children of the Corn is actually an entertaining and gruesome horror flick, despite being extremely cheesy and unintentionally funny. If quality cinema is what you seek, look elsewhere, but if a silly horror film with some genuinely frightening sequences doesn't sound so bad, Children of the Corn may be the perfect popcorn flick.

]]> Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:56:08 GMT https://www.cbr.com/children-of-the-corn-review/ Apocalyptic tales have never been more prevalent than now, but riding the wave is not enough to make for a memorable feature film. The Park stars adolescent actors, relying on a Lord of the Flies-esque set-up, but for the most part, it feels like more of the same. The Park feels like a blueprint for a TV show rather than a movie, setting up narratives that don't end up going anywhere by the time the credits roll. The central idea of The Park is captivating, but the execution feels half-baked.

]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:55:40 GMT https://www.cbr.com/park-movie-review/ Imagine The Hand that Rocks the Cradle and The Bad Seed as one big psychedelic trip of a movie, and you'd get Spoonful of Sugar. Simultaneously frightening and uncomfortably humorous, Spoonful of Sugar is a breath of fresh air that will disturb and delight. Combining the killer kid and evil babysitter trope into one, Spoonful of Sugar is unpredictable and shocking, presenting the ultimate dark side of suburbia. No character in this film is trustworthy, making the experience feel dangerous. Spoonful of Sugar is like a twisted, subversive fairy tale that will defy most audience expectations.

]]> Wed, 01 Mar 2023 17:22:32 GMT https://www.cbr.com/spoonful-of-sugar-review/ On paper, Creed III is a fairly straightforward film, focusing on the bad blood between two former best friends who circle each other for the movie's entire run-time. There's little in the way of subplots, and most other connections to the franchise are largely absent, including Rocky. Like its central character Donnie, aka Adonis Creed (played by Michael B. Jordan, who also steps into the director's chair for the third entry in the Creed series), it's a blunt but powerful film that doesn't ever hold back. This tight focus works wonders, letting the central cast dive into the characters while letting Jordan experiment as a filmmaker -- with talent both in front of and behind the camera finding flashes of ambitious inventiveness that makes the film a genuine knockout.

]]> Fri, 24 Feb 2023 15:30:50 GMT https://www.cbr.com/creed-3-review/ A drug heist goes wrong, and a bear does cocaine. Based loosely on a true story, this simple premise could lead to tons of campy humor and brutal action. Unfortunately, Cocaine Bear fails to deliver on what could have been the next Anaconda or Lake Placid. Written by Jimmy Warden and directed by Elizabeth Banks, Cocaine Bear is about a bear getting high with deadly consequences. Two kids -- portrayed by Brooklyn Prince and Christian Convery -- encounter the bear and must be saved by single-mom Sari (Keri Russell), a park ranger (Margot Martindale), and an animal expert (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Meanwhile, the man behind this failed drug heist (Ray Liotta) sends his grieving son (Alden Ehrenreich) and his best friend (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) to retrieve all the drugs they can.

]]> Thu, 23 Feb 2023 21:01:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/cocaine-bear-review/ There are a lot of quirky elements crammed into writer-director Colin West's dramedy Linoleum. The overload of strange occurrences and oddball coincidences gets unwieldy pretty quickly, and it seems increasingly unlikely as the movie goes on that West will be able to tie it all together. The most disappointing thing about Linoleum is that West seems to give up on making these strange details into something coherent, instead throwing in confusing twists that invalidate rather than enhance everything that came earlier.

]]> Thu, 23 Feb 2023 18:13:35 GMT https://www.cbr.com/movie-review-linoleum/ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is the inaugural film in the Marvel Cinematic Univere's fifth phase, serving as an important stepping stone into the broader universe following the more personal storylines in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It's got plenty of action and adventure, with stunning effects and solid performances from the central cast. But the film lacks a strong emotional throughline, a problem that ends up making the entire experience far less enjoyable than it appears on paper. While Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is a fun ride at times and by no means the worst MCU film, it also lacks the key element that elevates the best entries in the franchise.

]]> Tue, 14 Feb 2023 17:00:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/ant-man-wasp-quantumania-mcu-movie-review/ Love is complicated in Shudder's new original film, Attachment. Following a charming LGBT romance, Attachment devolves into a frightening exploration of the demons our partners try to keep buried in the past. Brilliantly acted by its two leads, Attachment is able to lure the viewer in with sweetness, before revealing its teeth. A wild ride from start to finish, Attachment is a smart film that explores Jewish folklore in a horror tale that provides as much heart as it does thrills.

]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2023 20:27:49 GMT https://www.cbr.com/attachment-horror-movie-review/ Lovecraftian horror has never felt as beautifully DIY as it does in The Outwaters. Written, directed by, and starring Robbie Banfitch, The Outwaters is a found-footage, psychedelic trip to hell that shows the audience an entirely new twist on a familiar format. The Outwaters takes its time setting the mood and building up the characters, but most viewers won't be prepared for the horrors they are about to witness. A potent low-budget horror film that permeates the mind, The Outwaters is as profound as it is grotesque.

]]> Fri, 10 Feb 2023 19:20:25 GMT https://www.cbr.com/outwaters-movie-review/ Huesera: The Bone Woman is a modern take on a haunting Mexican myth, successfully incorporating heavy themes about the fears of motherhood into a horror film. However, the film fails to cohesively tie its disturbing imagery and intricate ideologies together. Regardless, Huesera is engaging enough to warrant a first-time watch.

]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:33:28 GMT https://www.cbr.com/huesera-the-bone-woman-review/ Director and co-writer Christopher Smith grabs the audience's attention immediately in the opening scene of Consecration, as a nun crosses a busy London street and points a pistol directly at Grace (Jena Malone). Why is this seemingly holy woman determined to commit murder in broad daylight? The answers to that enticing question aren't entirely satisfying, but Consecration maintains its creepy atmosphere even through its muddled plot.

]]> Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:05:10 GMT https://www.cbr.com/consecration-movie-review/ As the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line continues to build a new shared continuity, beginning with Superman: Man of Tomorrow, this iteration of the DCU provides a glimpse at its possible future with its latest feature film, Legion of Super-Heroes. Boasting the Tomorrowverse's biggest cast yet, the movie not only gives the DCU's 31st century a well-deserved spotlight, but it also provides the clearest look at where this rebooted canon is going next. While the overarching conflict may not be the most engaging, its balanced cast, imaginative setting and accessible entry into the Legion mythos make the film worthwhile.

]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2023 22:24:23 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dc-legion-of-super-heroes-animated-movie-review/ The Civil Dead is a bizarre new buddy comedy showing death's humorous side. Feeling like Up in Smoke with ghosts, The Civil Dead is a fresh and funny film featuring memorable characters and peculiar set pieces that will make audiences giggle just as often as they scratch their heads. The humor in this film is very particular, mixing sarcasm with surrealism. The result is a strange, supernatural mumblecore film with a lot more on its mind than most.

]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2023 21:53:49 GMT https://www.cbr.com/civil-dead-movie-review/ The horrors of being a new parent have been mined in scary movies for decades, and playwright Bess Wohl draws from that history for her debut film, Baby Ruby. But while Baby Ruby may look like a horror movie, it gradually reveals itself as a glum, PSA-style drama about mental health. Wohl has noble intentions in raising awareness about postpartum depression and psychosis, but the result is closer to a feature-length pharmaceutical ad than a psychological thriller.

]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2023 15:01:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/baby-ruby-movie-review/ Acclaimed filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan returns with a new horror movie of apocalyptic proportions in Knock at the Cabin, adapting the Paul Tremblay novel, The Cabin at the End of the World. Blending psychological terror with religious overtones, the film is Shyamalan at his most restrained and deliberate. Buoyed by an impressive cast, Knock at the Cabin leaves viewers thinking over its deeper themes and questions.

]]> Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:00:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/knock-at-the-cabin-review/ The sophomore feature film from Hobo with a Shotgun director Jason Eisener, Kids vs. Aliens is a strange mash-up of The Goonies, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and the director's first film that is usually as off-the-wall as it sounds. Featuring flesh-consuming slime, an underwater alien hive, and some unafraid kids equipped with homemade weapons, Kids vs. Aliens is a deliciously fun romp that bends genre at the drop of a hat. While the film's runtime is brief, and it could have used a bit more story development, this silly horror-comedy is wild enough to grab the attention of many genre fans.

]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2023 20:11:28 GMT https://www.cbr.com/kids-vs-aliens-movie-review/ Donning an '80s aesthetic with a modern horror approach, There's Something Wrong with the Children is a unique twist on a familiar genre that sadly fizzles out by its third act. Based on the film's title and trailers, the movie seemed like it would deliver a familiar killer kid tale. Instead, There's Something Wrong with the Children focuses on psychological horror, creating a fairly surprising and shocking viewing experience. There's Something Wrong with the Children had a chance to be a modern horror classic with its unexpected twists and turns, but the narrative almost erases all the intrigue set up throughout the film when it jumps into old clichés during the climax.

]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2023 19:41:44 GMT https://www.cbr.com/theres-something-wrong-with-the-children/ A strange fantasy tale of friendship, obsession, and letting go, Jethica is filled with intriguing themes but is too slow-paced for a 71-minute film. Jethica effectively explores how far love and obsession can linger even after death, but it easily could have worked as a 20-minute short film instead of a feature. The two lead performances are engaging, and the story is captivating at times, but the movie is not developed enough for its runtime. Overall, Jethica has a lot of promise, but its low points sometimes overshadow the good.

]]> Mon, 16 Jan 2023 20:26:20 GMT https://www.cbr.com/jethica-movie-review/ To develop the concept for his debut feature film Skinamarink, writer-director Kyle Edward Ball drew on the descriptions of nightmares that people submitted for his YouTube channel, picking out the most common themes. In making a movie meant to recreate actual childhood dreams, Ball has succeeded in producing something that is likely to put many viewers to sleep, lulling them into slumber rather than filling them with fear.

]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2023 15:30:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/movie-review-skinamarink/ The supposed longtime friends who get together for a weekend destination wedding in director Sarah Adina Smith's comedy The Drop don't seem particularly friendly, even before the inciting incident referenced in the title. Smith and co-writer Joshua Leonard present 90 minutes of passive-aggressive jerks being terrible to each other, with improvised comedy that often gives up before finding a punchline. The cast of The Drop is full of comedy pros who are adept at improv, but they're left hanging by a movie that doesn't quite know what to do with their riffing.

]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:00:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/movie-review-the-drop-hulu/ Thanks to acclaimed, ambitious movies like Pig, Mandy, Color Out of Space, and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Nicolas Cage has experienced a career resurgence in recent years after a long period stuck in disposable low-budget direct-to-video productions. Even as he finds new opportunities in higher-profile movies, though, Cage remains one of Hollywood's most prolific actors, ready to take on pretty much any role he's offered, so he's not likely to leave those B-movies behind entirely. Cage starts 2023 with a movie that looks a lot like his 2010s work, the generic Western revenge thriller The Old Way.

]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:45:52 GMT https://www.cbr.com/movie-review-nicolas-cage-the-old-way/ Candy Land, the latest film from writer and director John Swab, is an unapologetic look at the life of truck stop sex workers that slowly takes a surreal descent into hell. The film would even have worked if it was just a straight drama following these sex workers, but the horrific twist that comes halfway through turns an intriguing tale of debauchery into a hellish trip that will satisfy horror fans of all kinds. Equipped with strong performances and an effective grainy aesthetic, Candy Land is a dynamic slow-burn that is not afraid to be as vicious as possible.

]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:10:18 GMT https://www.cbr.com/candy-land-movie-review/ While it is still early in the year, 2023 is off to a strong start in films thanks to M3GAN. Directed by Gerard Johnstone and screenplay by Akela Cooper, M3GAN finds Gemma (Allison Williams) making a doll unlike any other for her recently orphaned niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), and in turn, the toy company she works for. However, this doll, voiced by Jenna Davis with physicality by Amie Donald, takes her responsibility of protecting Cady too far, setting up a thrilling dark comedy that will please fans of movies like Malignant.

]]> Wed, 04 Jan 2023 18:00:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/m3gan-blumhouse-review/ Debuting on Netflix on Jan. 6, The Pale Blue Eye is the latest entry to the modern mystery genre, placing the action centuries ago in a particularly bitter piece of American history. Those looking for a different kind of whodunit after the bombastic and colorful Glass Onion could do far worse than Scott Cooper's latest handsomely shot film. It's a good modern entry to the genre, bolstered by a strong cast, although hampered by a third act that can't quite live up to the rest of the film.

]]> Mon, 02 Jan 2023 15:59:05 GMT https://www.cbr.com/review-netflix-the-pale-blue-eye-christian-bale/ Writer and director Ben Parker teases a WWII horror story with Burial but instead delivers a half-baked B-movie disguised as a historical tale. The film's storyline has some interesting details, like the mission at the forefront of the film, but they are oftentimes bogged down by a mishmash of ideas that never really flow together. The mild horror elements never serve the film and further prevent it from being an enjoyable flick for history buffs. The drama is never truly effective, and the characters are also underwritten, making it even harder to stay engaged throughout the movie's runtime. Burial does manage to contain some suspenseful sequences but is too jumbled to ever consistently maintain momentum.

]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:47:24 GMT https://www.cbr.com/shudder-burial-movie-review/ As an adaptation of a popular musical that is itself an adaptation of a beloved children's novel, Netflix's Matilda the Musical has a lot of different audiences to please, and it succeeds on all counts. For viewers unfamiliar with Roald Dahl's 1988 book or the 2010 stage production, Matilda the Musical is still a delightful story, with catchy tunes by Tim Minchin and colorful, vibrant direction from Matthew Warchus, who also directed the original stage version.

]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2022 15:27:04 GMT https://www.cbr.com/netflix-matilda-musical-movie-review/ As great an actor as Olivia Colman is, she's mostly powerless against the sentimentality of Irish dramedy Joyride, in which she plays a cranky middle-aged woman who bonds with an eager young boy. The road-trip movie takes a predictable journey toward a destination that rings false, no matter how hard Colman and newcomer Charlie Reid try to create a convincing connection between their characters. Whatever quaint small-town Irish charm that Joyride has, it runs out fairly quickly.

]]> Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:00:30 GMT https://www.cbr.com/joyride-movie-review/ Anthology horror films seem to be on the rise, with franchises like V/H/S proving to be highly successful. Shudder's Scare Package is attempting to be just as successful with the upcoming release of the bloody sequel to Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns' 2019 horror-comedy. Scare Package II: Rad Chad's Revenge is a send-up of countless horror movies, but it has trouble establishing itself as a standalone film rather than just a lengthy homage. The wraparound story is oddly one of the strongest segments, with many of the shorts containing enjoyable moments but never feeling truly memorable. Scare Package II is a funny horror parody when it wants to be, but the joke can only carry the story so far.

]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2022 17:34:01 GMT https://www.cbr.com/scare-package-ii-rad-chads-revenge-review/ The Apology delivers an intense tale of suspense that may make viewers question how well they really know their family. Cleverly set during Christmastime, The Apology will keep audiences on the edge of their seat throughout a feature-length cat-and-mouse game that is superbly acted by its two leads. The film may feel repetitive at times, but the story is heart-wrenching and captivating, as well as effectively claustrophobic. While The Apology may have some pacing issues, The Apology is a solid mystery thriller that will leave true crime lovers floored.

]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2022 18:40:29 GMT https://www.cbr.com/the-apology-movie-review/ Since the first trailer dropped for Babylon, audiences could see writer/director Damien Chazelle exploring the world of filmmaking once again on the big screen. Unlike La La Land, this film was set in the late '20s and early '30s, meaning it was going to tackle a major transition period for the industry. On the tail end of the silent film era and the heels of the Production Code era, Babylon follows several film professionals -- Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie), Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), Manny Torres (Diego Calva), Sidney Palmer (Jovan Adepo), and Fay Zhu (Li Jun Li) -- as they deal with the major changes in their industry, as well as the debauchery and excess associated with Hollywood. The trailer teased Chazelle's most bombastic, high-energy film yet, and Babylon's finished product fully lives up to that, although audiences will likely feel exhausted by the end of this movie.

]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2022 08:05:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/babylon-movie-review/ If High Heat is an indication that Don Johnson is joining the ranks of the so-called "geezer teasers," then at least he's in good company. He's also doing a better job of choosing projects than actors like Al Pacino, John Travolta, and Morgan Freeman, who are among the aging stars cast in small roles in B-movie thrillers so they can be extensively promoted in marketing materials. Johnson has a fairly substantial supporting role in High Heat, although he disappears for certain stretches of the movie, and he's not just phoning in a performance that has little bearing on the plot. He's an integral part of this lively and fun action comedy, which recalls the work of Joe Carnahan, just on a significantly smaller budget.

]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:24:58 GMT https://www.cbr.com/don-johnson-high-heat-movie-review/ Avatar: The Way of Water comes to theaters amidst an absurd amount of pressure -- the sequel to the single most successful box office hit of all time, coming over a decade after the prior film landed, and all in the aftermath of a global shutdown that has pushed many industries to the brink. Compounding all those issues was a generally tepid cultural response to Avatar that didn't inspire as much confidence in James Cameron's next big blockbuster as the legendary filmmaker likely hoped for. While Avatar: The Way of Water may not be a cinematic game-changer, it does follow up well on the original Avatar's legacy, improving on that film while still suffering from many of the same flaws. A visual triumph full of impressive filmmaking, Avatar: The Way of Water is hindered by an interesting plot that it can't ever truly elevate.

]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2022 18:35:45 GMT https://www.cbr.com/review-avatar-the-way-of-water/ Christmas slashers can sometimes be hard to come by, but this year, filmmakers seem to be pumping them out. From writer and director Joe Begos, Christmas Bloody Christmas provides the holiday season with bloody horror. The film feels like Silent Night, Deadly Night meets The Terminator, which for some people will be movie heaven. While usually entertaining with an intriguing villain, the movie never develops its story as much as it needs to truly succeed. In many ways, the film is mindless horror, but it is effective despite being light on story.

]]> Fri, 09 Dec 2022 15:08:03 GMT https://www.cbr.com/christmas-bloody-christmas-movie-review/ Pinocchio, the latest from Director/Writer Guillermo Del Toro, is a passion project for the filmmaker. His reinvention of the classic novel approaches the story with a somber yet fantastical edge, planting it in an era he's intrigued by. The film takes cues from his past work while carving out its own place within the well-explored history of one of the world's most famous tales.

]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2022 21:38:44 GMT https://www.cbr.com/netflix-pinocchio-movie-review/ Now that several classic children's tales are out in the public domain, horror filmmakers are making genre flicks based on these said stories, creating a peculiar new trend. The Mean One, starring Terrifer's iconic villain David Howard Thornton, aka Art the Clown, is one of the first of a slew of upcoming films in this strange sub-genre. This film tackles Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which technically is not even in the public domain yet. While The Mean One is certainly no classic in the making, it is campy and gory enough to please slasher fans but may bore many others. Thornton manages to further sell his star power here as a brilliant silent actor, using his body like no other. It can be easy to find entertainment value in the film when it turns Dr. Seuss' tale on its head, and some of the slasher elements are memorable, but it will not delight fans looking for highbrow entertainment.

]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2022 19:04:02 GMT https://www.cbr.com/the-mean-one-movie-review/ Frequently melodramatic and at times even exploitive, Darren Aronofsky's The Whale is a character drama that lacks dramatic weight. What ultimately elevates the film is the work of a committed cast finding the flashes of humanity that pervade the script. Led by a stand-out Brendan Fraser, The Whale largely works despite itself, an emotional story that luckily has a cast able to wring feeling out of a drab tale.

]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2022 15:57:07 GMT https://www.cbr.com/the-whale-movie-review-brendan-fraser/ The DreamWorks incarnation of the fairy tale character Puss in Boots has been an enduring piece of the studio since the concept debuted in 2004's Shrek 2. Playing the character across multiple films, the legendary Antonio Banderas has always given the character a silky smooth side that only added to his comically over-the-top confidence and ego. Now, almost two decades since his first appearance, his latest film reckons with age in some surprisingly powerful and consistently entertaining ways. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a fantastic-looking animated film with a compelling emotional core that handles its story with grace and humor.

]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2022 15:27:05 GMT https://www.cbr.com/puss-in-boots-last-wish-movie-review-dreamworks/ The modern version of the horror genre has proven extremely flexible, capable of discussing heavy topics and exploring deep character drama in the familiar form of a scary story. Something like Nanny is a prime example of that. Tangentially, the latest horror film from Blumhouse Productions -- which debuts Dec. 16 on Prime Video -- is far more focused on telling the complex and emotionally rich story of a young immigrant woman rather than going for standard scares. While it means horror buffs might not get what they're expecting, what they'll find instead is a strong character drama with a great central performance.

]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2022 14:15:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/nanny-blumhouse-movie-review-prime-video/ The holidays have come, bringing a host of new films and shows to go along with the festive season. This year that includes the equal parts goofy and brutal Violent Night, imagining a Die Hard-esque action-thriller that also happens to focus on Santa. Blending the two genres well with a solid script and a strong cast, Violent Night works incredibly well as a goofy love letter to the holiday season that still finds a way to not lose sight of the traditional holiday lessons at the heart of the genre.

]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2022 00:00:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/review-violent-night-david-harbour/ It would make sense to assume that the title of A Wounded Fawn refers to one of the victims of serial killer Bruce Ernst (Josh Ruben), who uses his unassuming charm and position in the art world to lure women to their deaths. That's how the movie opens, as Bruce follows his colleague Kate Horna (Malin Barr) home from an auction, claiming that his client wants to make a lucrative offer on the ancient Greek sculpture she's just purchased for her own client. He easily gets her to let her guard down so he can slash her throat and leave her bleeding out on the floor of her apartment. It's a chilling moment that immediately establishes the striking visual style from director and co-writer Travis Stevens.

]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2022 18:47:22 GMT https://www.cbr.com/a-wounded-fawn-shudder-review/ For decades, much of Disney's animated catalog has been associated with adaptations of classic fairytales while leaning more into the fantasy genre. However, a few films have defied this expectation by delving into the world of science-fiction with brand-new stories, as seen with Big Hero 6. Now, Strange World joins this niche corner of Disney animation, and it is a welcomed addition.

]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:00:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/disney-strange-world-review/ For a vampire movie, Shudder's Blood Relatives goes pretty light on the bloodsucking. Although the main characters sometimes kill people and drink their blood, they aren't scary, and Blood Relatives isn't really a horror movie. It's more of a gentle family dramedy with a bit of vampirism thrown in. It's less comedic than something like What We Do in the Shadows, but it's filled with genial humor, making for a low-key, likable movie that occasionally plays like an extended TV pilot.

]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:11:41 GMT https://www.cbr.com/movie-review-blood-relatives-shudder/ Back in 2015, Camille DeAngelis’ book Bones and All hit shelves. Seven years later, this book about the romance between two cannibals traveling the United States hits theaters, from Director Luca Guadagnino, teaming up again with Suspiria’s writer, David Kajganich, and Call Me By Your Name’s Timothée Chalamet and Michael Stuhlbarg. Starring Taylor Russell as Maren, a young woman born with cannibalistic desires, Bones and All is about how she travels the country in search of answers about herself, meeting Lee (Chalamet) along the way.

]]> Fri, 18 Nov 2022 14:30:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/bones-and-all-movie-review/