The Lion King (PG) ★★★
The Return of the King
For those who have never seen the 1994 Disney animated masterpiece The Lion King, they are most certainly living under, let’s say, Pride Rock. The film remains one of … Read more
Reviews
★★★★ (4 Stars) is the Highest Rating
“The Farewell” (PG) ★★★★ Radio Podcast
A Heartfelt Look at Culture and Family Traditions
“The Farewell is based on writer and director Lulu Wang’s profoundly personal experience. At the age of 6, she and her family left China & settled in … Read more
Spider-Man: Far From Home (PG-13) ★★★½
Spider-Man Does Europe in “Far from Home”
In April, Marvel Studios released Avengers: End Game, which was one of the biggest movie spectacles of all-time by any measure and the seeming end of an … Read more
Maiden ★★★★ (PG) Documentary (Radio Podcast)
First Female Crew to Sail Around the World–Courage at High Seas
“Maiden” is the true documentary story of Tracy Edwards, a skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World … Read more
“Toy Story 4” (PG) ★★★★
Bo Peep Turns Action Hero and A Spork Toy is a New Best Friend
Pixar takes its time to get the message right, and in this case, waiting nine years between “Toy Story 3” is … Read more
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I AM (PG-13) ★★★★
Toni Morrison is an inspiring person, she’s also uplifting and practical
She worked as a published writer, editor, teacher all while being a single mother. Morrison is presented as a model of strength and resolve; … Read more
“Framing John DeLorean” ★★★★ Special Screening Followed by Q&A
The Man, the Myth, the Legend
“Framing John DeLorean” is an exceptional across-the-board film that shows how a risk-taking addiction can lead to losing everything. The DeLorean historian authors, co-engineers and former employees all bring … Read more
“Being Frank” (R)★★★
Jim Gaffigan Plays a Dramatic Role, Although He’s Still Very Funny!
Jim Gaffigan stars as Frank who is living a lie, he has two separate families, that each don’t know about the other…until his … Read more
Wine Country (R) ★★½
Sideways + Bridesmaids = Wine Country?
Inspired by real vacations, Amy Poehler makes her directional debut with Netflix’s Wine Country. The comedy kicks off with a conference call featuring six women discussing a future reunion … Read more
Rocketman (R) ★★★½ Radio Podcast
“Rocketman” is a musical fantasy, of Elton John’s breakthrough years. Taron Egerton plays Elton with flamboyant style and exuberance. He also uses his own singing voice to take us down memory lane. The film gives … Read more
Booksmart (R) ★★★½
High School Female Honor Students Break Some Rules
Olivia Wilde’s directing debut is actually ‘smart,’ and savvy, and silly—just the right ingredients for a sure-fire comedic hit. The best friend duo, Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and … Read more
Aladdin (PG) ★★½
Sadly, Mistakes Ground “Aladdin” From Ever Taking Flight
Disney’s recycling of their animated classic films, is fine with me, especially if an updated script showcases noteworthy performances—sadly, for all the spot-on ethnic casting, and memorable … Read more
John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum (R) ★★★
Halle Berry’s Feisty Sofia Enhances Chapter 3
The opening scene of “Chapter 3” in New York City’s iconic Public library is pure fantasy and entertainment, as not only does super assassin John Wick kill a … Read more
The Hustle (PG-13) ★★★
Girls’ Night Rental Potential
The premise of The Hustle, which involves dueling con artists in the French Riviera may seem eerily familiar to some moviegoers. Indeed, the comedy is essentially a remake Dirty Rotten Scoundrels … Read more
Pokémon Detective Pikachu (PG) ★★½
Solid Storytelling is Greatly Needed
The excitement is over as the first Pokémon feature that pairs the animated Japanese characters with live actors is finally here—although unfortunately to fully comprehend the film, one needs to … Read more
Long Shot (R) ★★★★
Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron Make a Memorable Couple
Pairing Seth Rogen’s slouchy dresser, Fred Flarsky, an unapologetic, gonzo journalist with Charlize Theron’s glamorous, Charlotte Field, a driven successful Secretary of State who has her … Read more
Avengers: Endgame (PG-13) ★★★½
“Avengers Endgame” at its best—illustrates the qualities of being a true hero—all while Marvel’s greatest cinematic hits are warmly and entertainingly revisited! “Endgame” is a culmination of 22 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films debuting in … Read more
The Public (PG-13) ★★★½
Check Out “The Public” at a Theater Near You, Offering Over Due Enlightenment
My younger sister, Martha, a former librarian told me a few years ago that it’s common for homeless people to come into … Read more
Amazing Grace (G)★★★★
The Voice of an Angel Takes Us to Church
Be prepared to be lifted-up—quite possibly to the heavens—by merely viewing this euphoric musical performance by the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. Never before seen footage … Read more
Shazam! (PG-13) ★★★½
A Good-Natured Superhero with Loads of Heart
Shazman is the new ‘superhero kid on the block’ as Zachary Levi’s energetic, yet heartfelt performance nails his DC character for years to come! Finally, the DC Universe … Read more
Dumbo (PG) ★½
Non-kid Centered, Lacks Heart
Though the 1941 original “Dumbo” movie is very short, 64 minutes, and full of racist innuendos, that darling flying, big-eared baby elephant is hard to resist—so it makes perfect sense that … Read more
Captain Marvel (PG-13) ★★★
Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel Serves as a Role Model for Female Empowerment
“Captain Marvel” stars Brie Larson, Academy Award winner (“Room” 2015), as Carol Danvers, the first female superhero from Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films—yes; … Read more
Apollo 11 ★★★★
Brilliantly Realized, Stunningly Gorgeous “Apollo 11” Soars
“Apollo 11” is a visual delicacy to be savored long after the extensive credits roll—unlike most documentaries where talking head interviews and newspaper clippings are the main source—director/editor … Read more
Captain Marvel (PG-13) ★★★
90s Nostalgia & Feminism Pack into a Space-Comic Book Tale
Captain Marvel is the latest entry in the Marvel Comic Universe, which is arguably the most successful film franchise and has certainly generated the most … Read more