★★★★ (4 Stars) is the Highest Rating
A Sensational Documentary That Will Have Hearts Racing
Although the film Free Solo is technically a documentary and has nothing to do with Star Wars’ Han Solo, it’s difficult to think of a Hollywood film… Read more about Free Solo (PG-13) ★★★★…
Heartwarming Tale of Finding a Family
If you’ve ever wondered how the foster care system works in America, the excellent film “Instant Family” provides an up close and personal snapshot from Sean Anders the co-writer… Read more about Instant Family (PG-13) ★★★½…
Sadly, the Four Realms Lack Heart
The Christmas ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ is a popular worldwide event that’s become a tradition for families. For myself, my daughter performed in a local dance recital as a piece… Read more about The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) ★★½…
Melissa McCarthy’s Career Best Performance
Based on the true story of New York’s best-selling author Lee Israel, Melissa McCarthy tackles a dramatic role giving one of the best performances of her career. Known for her… Read more about Can You Ever Forgive Me? (R) ★★★★…
Rami Malek’s Performance is Epic
Any attempt to recreate the pure magic of the British rock and roll 70s band Queen—all depends upon casting the lead role of the eccentric, ultra-talented Freddie Mercury—in this case,… Read more about Bohemian Rhapsody (PG-13) ★★★…
Glen Close Gives the Performance of a Lifetime
The dramatic film, “The Wife,” conjures’ up a range of emotions: sympathy, disgust, shock, and ultimately validation. Beginning with a late night call from Sweden, an elderly… Read more about The Wife (R) ★★★½…
Party Like it’s 1977
Infamous by name, New York’s Studio 54, served as a glitzy yet, dingy playground for the rich and famous nightclub crowd. Why was it such an enigma? Why did it catapult… Read more about Studio 54 The Documentary (NR) ★★★½…
Claire Foy’s Janet Armstrong Sparkles
There’s a saying from the past, “Behind every successful man there is a woman.” In “First Man” (PG-13) Director Damien Chazelle tells the true story of the United States space… Read more about First Man (PG-13) ★★★½…
Halloween Fun, Beware of Slappy
Here’s the sequel to “Goosebumps” (2015) both films are based on the children’s horror book series of the same name by R. L. Stine of which millions of young readers… Read more about Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (PG) ★★★…
Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are Magic
Undeniably, the new “A Star is Born” shines due to the realistic chemistry between Bradley Cooper (Jackson Maine) and Lady Gaga (Ally). Cooper’s directorial debut is a winner,… Read more about A Star is Born (R) ★★★★…
A Heartfelt Journey That Will Not Be Putting on the Brakes Anytime Soon
Regardless of your feelings towards Jane Fonda on her controversial mistakes in Viet Nam in the 70s, this outstanding documentary sheds light… Read more about Jane Fonda in Five Acts ★★★½…
Non Kid-Centered Movie, Billed for Kids
Here’s what’s truly infuriating—the fact that this beloved young-adult novel fell into the hands of the “Hostel” (torture porn) series horror-famed writer, director, producer Eli Roth. As a film,… Read more about The House with the Clock in its Walls ★½ (PG)…
Dry Martini’s in the Suburbs
Despite the ambiguous genre of this superb diabolical modern-suburbia film—that has themes of mystery, comedy, murder, romance, secrets, and betrayals—for sure it’s one of the best times I’ve had at… Read more about A Simple Favor (R) ★★★½…
A “Crazy Great” Movie
Director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s book stands on its own, by adding key scenes, tweaking character’s roles while at the same time astonishingly bringing the over-the-top opulence to… Read more about Crazy Rich Asians (PG-13)★★★½…
One of the Years Best
Ron Stallworth’s memoir is retold with passion and admiration—aptly Lee’s finale reminds us of our current gut-wrenching racial tensions. Be prepared for a history lesson of shock and awe—it’s about… Read more about BlacKkKlansman (R) ★★★★…
A Visit With Warm Fuzzy Friends
Oh bother, as Winnie the Pooh would say; this is not the live action over-the-top film kids and adults may expect; however, it is true to the laid-back nature… Read more about Christopher Robin (G) ★★★…
Intense Adrenaline Filled Ride
The “Mission Impossible” film series launched in 1996 produced by and starring Tom Cruise at age 33 brought Cruise’s action skills to the forefront. In “Fallout,” 2018, the sixth film in… Read more about Mission Impossible: Fallout (PG-13) ★★★★…
Mamma Mia, How Could We Ever Forget You?
Opening the musical Mamma Mia 2 in the middle of an unseasonably sweltering, summer, is brilliant marketing—especially if your vacation plans are late August as you’ll be… Read more about Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (PG-13) ★★★½…
A Few Tender Moments and Catchy Songs Can’t Save this Sinking Ship
As a relentless advocate for quality children’s films, the Hotel Transylvania animated series (2012, 2015) has never been high on my list—especially now… Read more about Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (PG) ★½…
New Female Superhero “The Wasp” has Equal Star Billing
Paul Rudd is back in all of his goofy glory as dad (Scott Lang) also known as Ant-Man in the follow-up to Ant-Man (2015). Here’s the… Read more about Ant-Man and The Wasp (PG-13) ★★★½…
Benicio Del Toro Soars, Giving an Outstanding Performance in this Bleak and Dark Role
Violent anti-heroes (CIA operative) Josh Brolin and (ex-lawyer, prosecutor, hit-man) Benicio Del Toro minus the much-needed government moral compass of (FBI… Read more about Sicario: Day of the Soldado (R) ★★½…
Sicario: Day of the Soldado – Too Soon
When Sicario came out in the fall of 2015, it was a critical and commercial success with outstanding performances and a visual flair from the filmmakers. The… Read more about Sicario: Day of the Soldado (R) ★★½ by J. DeLong…
The Dinosaurs Have Left the Island…They Could Now Be in Your Homes
If you’re expecting to hear the word “run” and view people with horrified (panic-stricken) expressions on their faces while desperately fleeing hungry meat-eating dinosaurs, then… Read more about Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (PG-13) ★★★…
Timely Messages of Marriage Equality and Female Empowerment
Pixar’s long awaited animated sequel to the Incredibles (2004) is a laugh-out-loud summer popcorn flick that guarantees to strike a chord with all family members. Not veering… Read more about Incredibles 2 (PG) ★★★★…