Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara are featured in an action-comedy film called "Hot Pursuit." This second-rate buddy picture provides lots of action sequences but delivers mediocre dialogue, few laughs, and a predictable storyline. Talent like Witherspoon and Vergara, playing a cop protecting a widow of a [..]
Jupiter Ascending (2015)
"Jupiter Ascending" is a weird science fiction film from the Wachowskis (Lana & Lilly) ("Cloud Atlas" 2012), who produced, directed, and co-wrote the screenplay. The story was quite incomprehensible, blending elements of scifi and soap opera, undermining the credibility of the picture. Something about the human [..]
Cinderella (2015)
Walt Disney Pictures went first class all the way with the new live action version of the old story "Cinderella." Director Kenneth Branagh ("Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" 2014) and screenwriter Chris Weitz employed the highest production values possible in the remake of this age old classic, based [..]
Insurgent (2015)
The mediocrity of the Divergent series continues with "Insurgent." Director Robert Schwentke ("The Time Traveler's Wife" 2009) and screenwriters Brian Duffield, Akiva Goldsman, and Mark Bomback have made a film with loads of action but featuring flat, one-dimensional characters we do not care about. Just like [..]
I’ll See You in My Dreams (2015)
Blythe Danner delivers an insightful performance as a retired widow enjoying her single status when she suddenly finds herself "getting involved" with two men. "I'll See You in My Dreams" is tastefully handled by director Brett Haley ("The New Year" 2010), who also co-wrote the screenplay with [..]
Woodlawn (2015)
"Woodlawn" is a sports drama about a bi-racial high school football team in the early 1970's Deep South which had many players converting to Christianity. This had the effect of easing racial tensions in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1973, in the midst of desegregation and the Civil Rights Movement. [..]
By the Sea (2015)
"By the Sea" is the story of an American couple who travel to a French seaside resort to work out their problems and marital woes. Director-screenwriter Angelina Jolie Pitt put together this long, drawn out story that drags on and on. Perhaps it was a therapy [..]
And Then There Were None (2015)
The BBC's 2015 mini-series "And Then There Were None" is the umpteenth remake of Agatha Christie's classic mystery novel, first published in 1939. This outstanding version was commissioned to commemorate the 125th anniversary of her birth. It is a high quality tribute that brings new life [..]
Brooklyn (2015)
"Brooklyn" is a cross-culturally love story set in the early 1950's in New York, between an Irish immigrant woman and an Italian-American man. Their engagement is threatened when she must return to Ireland due to her sister's death, and efforts by relatives to keep her there. [..]
Solace (2015)
"Solace" is a crime drama about a psychic who works with the FBI to capture a serial killer. The film is underwhelming and disappointing despite a promising premise, thanks to poor execution by Brazilian director Afonso Poyart (in his English language movie debut) and terrible writing by [..]