Reviews

Ginny and Georgia Series (MA-TV) Netflix ★★★★

While both “Ginny & Georgia” (2021) and “Gilmore Girls” (2000) focus on a mother-daughter relationship in a small-town setting, they differ significantly in their content. “Ginny & Georgia” is a more mature and complex drama … Read more

“A Minecraft Movie” (PG) ★★★ By Calvin Knight LeBlanc

In my opinion, the “A Minecraft” movie is great if you play the game. It has a lot of details, as does the game. But there are some details that you can tell are fake.… Read more

How to Train Your Dragon (PG) ★★★½

What a great movie for families with a strong message for all, ‘Kindness Wins!’ During the Viking Age, in the opening scene on the Island of Berk, we are introduced to a young teenage boy … Read more

Lilo & Stitch (PG) ★★★★

Have your kids ever struggled with finding a best friend? In the heartwarming live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch,” we learn how a young girl’s dreams come true when she sees an alien friend named … Read more

Karate Kid: Legends (PG-13) ★★★

The popular martial arts drama movie “Karate Kid: Legends” (PG-13) is now playing in theaters. It’s the sixth installment of the ‘Karate Kid’ franchise, continuing the story from the 2010 film “The Karate Kid” and … Read more

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning (PG-13)★★★½

We’ve waited two years for the second half of the latest Mission: Impossible adventure, starring the daredevil stuntman Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. I can confidently say that it has been worth the wait. Picking … Read more

Poker Face TV Series Peacock ★★★★

Are you looking for a TV series that is comical, creative, and fun to watch? “Poker Face,” the crime-solving comedy-drama streaming on Peacock, is fantastic as the lead, Natasha Lyonne, who plays Charlie Cale, has Read more

Ransom Canyon (PG-13) Netflix ★★★

The Netflix Western drama series “Ransom Canyon” is brought to life by a cast that includes the seasoned star Josh Duhamel (Staten Kirkland) and the promising newcomer Minka Kelly (Quinn O’Grady). Their performances are the … Read more

The Thunderbolts* (PG-13) ★★★

Mental Health is the main theme in a Marvel movie? Now I’ve seen everything. Although the good news is “Thunderbolts*” is well cast, Yelena Bulova is portrayed by Florence Pugh, effectively conveys her inner feeling … Read more

The Four Seasons Netflix Series (TV-MA) ★★★

“The Four Seasons” follows six longtime friends who embark on a peaceful weekend getaway, which quickly becomes chaotic when one couple reveals their impending breakup. This 8-part series, streaming on Netflix starting May 1, features … Read more

“The Residence” (TV-MA) Netflix Series ★★★★

I truly believe a star has been born in the Netflix TV-MA rated series “The Residence” starring Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp a consultant with the Metropolitan Police Department. Yes, she’s that remarkable … Read more

The Amateur (R) ★★★

I’m a huge fan of Rami Malek’s work, as his Academy Award-winning portrayal in “Bohieman Rapsady’s ( 2018) as Freddy Mercury was fantastic. Rami knows how to embody a character and make it his own. … Read more

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Interviews

Wide Variety of Winners at the 30th Critics Choice Awards posted to Roger Ebert

California’s sunshiny 70-degree weather set the tone for the 30th Critics Choice Awards held February 7 at Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hanger, as huge smiles prevailed. In covering the awards for the last ten years, Read more

Paddington in Peru (PG) ★★★½

It’s been seven years since the wildly popular “Paddington 2” (2017) was released with a stellar performance by Hugh Grant and cast set in London. Now, we are given Paddington’s delightful back story in the … Read more

Chaz Ebert Discussion “It’s Time to Give a FECK” Book Tour

Chaz Ebert asked me to interview her for the start of her book tour at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois. What a great evening it was to listen to Chaz further explain some of the … Read more

The Bikeriders (R) ★★★★

The Bikeriders” has an all-star cast, with Jodi Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Michael Shannon. The movie is inspired by a photo book of the same name by Danny Lyon, written in 1968. Jeff … Read more

Rob Lorenz Interview “In the Land of Saints and Sinners”

For the film “In the Land of Saints and Sinners,” I was invited to speak with the director, Rob Lorenz. We had a Zoom interview, and it was informative. We talked about his Irish heritage, … Read more

Dune: Part Two (R) ★★★★

Once in a while, a sweeping saga masterpiece comes along, such as 1977’s “Star Wars,” retroactively retitled “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” by George Lucas or Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the … Read more

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Film Festivals and Events

Wide Variety of Winners at the 30th Critics Choice Awards posted to Roger Ebert

California’s sunshiny 70-degree weather set the tone for the 30th Critics Choice Awards held February 7 at Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hanger, as huge smiles prevailed. In covering the awards for the last ten years, Read more

Chaz Ebert Discussion “It’s Time to Give a FECK” Book Tour

Chaz Ebert asked me to interview her for the start of her book tour at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois. What a great evening it was to listen to Chaz further explain some of the … Read more

The Bikeriders (R) ★★★★

The Bikeriders” has an all-star cast, with Jodi Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Michael Shannon. The movie is inspired by a photo book of the same name by Danny Lyon, written in 1968. Jeff … Read more

One Life (PG) ★★★★

“One Life” is a heartwarming film I screened during the Toronto Film Festival; it stars Anthony Hopkins as Nicholas Winton, an English stockbroker in a true story. In 1938 he helped save over 600 children … Read more

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (PG-13) ★★½

It’s been three years since we’ve last seen the Spengler family as they relocated from Oklahoma to New York. They’ve moved into the original Ghostbusters Firehouse, complete with a firepole, ghost-catching equipment, containers, and the … Read more

In the Land of Saints and Sinners (R) ★★★½

In the absorbing thriller starring Liam Neeson, director Rob Lorenz accomplished a remarkable feat in his movie “In the Land of Saints and Sinners.” He utilized Neeson’s cadre of noteworthy acting roles to guide his … Read more

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Radio Podcasts

Ginny and Georgia Series (MA-TV) Netflix ★★★★

While both “Ginny & Georgia” (2021) and “Gilmore Girls” (2000) focus on a mother-daughter relationship in a small-town setting, they differ significantly in their content. “Ginny & Georgia” is a more mature and complex drama … Read more

How to Train Your Dragon (PG) ★★★½

What a great movie for families with a strong message for all, ‘Kindness Wins!’ During the Viking Age, in the opening scene on the Island of Berk, we are introduced to a young teenage boy … Read more

Lilo & Stitch (PG) ★★★★

Have your kids ever struggled with finding a best friend? In the heartwarming live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch,” we learn how a young girl’s dreams come true when she sees an alien friend named … Read more

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