Wonka (PG) ★★★½
“Wonka” is the musical origin story of the classic movie based on the book “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” It stars Timothée Chalamet as Willie Wonka. He’s a magician, inventor, and chocolatier who dreams … Read more
Reviews
★★★★ (4 Stars) is the Highest Rating
Critics Choice Celebration of Cinema and Television Honoring Black, Latino, AAPI Awards-2023-Posted to Roger-Ebert
Century Plaza this past Monday evening, Dec. 4, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. The celebration is typically a lively and joyous occasion, and this year was especially so due to combining several celebrations. There were … Read more
The Holdovers (R) ★★★★
“The Holdovers” is the story of an eccentric boarding school teacher, played by Paul Giamatti, who works at an elite school where each year, a teacher stays at the school during the holiday break to … Read more
The Marvels (PG-13) ★★★
“The Marvels” is the sequel to “Captain Marvel” that opened in (2019). Nia DaCosta serves as director and co-writer. Screenplay credit also goes to Megan McDonnell and Elissa Karasik. The three main female characters are … Read more
Priscilla (R) ★★★
Writer and director Sofia Coppola’s new biographical drama “Priscilla” explores Priscilla Presley’s relationship with her husband, Elvis Presley. “Priscilla” is based on the 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me” written by Priscilla Presley–she also serves as … Read more
Lessons in Chemistry Apple TV+ ★★★★
“Lesson in Chemistry,” the Apple + TV series, is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Bonnie Garmus. The series has eight episodes and is truly delightful. Brie Larson stars as chemist … Read more
Beckham Netflix Series ★★★★
I’m sure most of you have heard the name David Beckham, and know that he was a football aka soccer player in England for Manchester United in the 90s. You may not know the level … Read more
Killers of the Flower Moon (R) ★★★★
‘Masterpiece’ is the word that came to mind within the first seconds of viewing cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto’s airborne wide shot of the massive Pawhuska, Oklahoma, territory that extends miles into the horizon. Martin Scorsese’s epic … Read more
Martin Scorsese Zoom Press Conference Killers of the Flower Moon
I was thrilled to attend a Zoom Press Conference with Martin Scorsese, on Monday, October 16, 2023 as I’ve been following the film since July of 2017 when Scorsese optioned the book rights. I’ve written … Read more
“The Morning Show” Season 3
“The Morning Show” Season 3 stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup and John Hamm. The Apple TV + series premiered on November 1, 2019, it’s hard to believe it’s been three years since the … Read more
Dinosaurs Take Over Downtown Wheaton by Mark Kanter
Wheaton, Illinois – The Downtown Wheaton Association has announced an exciting event for residents and visitors alike. From September 25 to October 8, 2023, the ‘Dinos Downtown Wheaton’ exhibit, presented by Innovator ETFs, will showcase … Read more
Expend4bles (R) ★ by Mark Kanter
In Expendables 4, we’ve got a brand-new crew of stars jumping into the mix for another epic action-packed adventure. They’re inviting back the old guard, featuring the likes of Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, … Read more
Toronto International Film Festival TIFF 2023
Hollywood 360 Radio Network podcast segment of the Toronto 2023 International Film Festival:
Attending the Toronto International Film Festival in-person is always a treat, and this year is no different—in fact, this may have been … Read more
Poolman (R) TIFF
“Poolman” is an American comedy mystery film directed, produced, co-written by and starring Chris Pine in his directorial debut. It takes place in sunny LA, California, and despite the rambling script, and uneven dialogue I … Read more
Origin TIFF
If Ava Duvernay is directing, one can rest assured the film will probably surpass your expectations, which holds true for “Origin.” Here, she adapts Isabel Wilkerson’s novel “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” into a … Read more
Knox Goes Away TIFF
Michael Keaton serves as director and stars as Knox, a hitman diagnosed with a form of memory loss that accelerates very quickly, in this case weeks. The film’s title cards read Week One, Week Two, … Read more
Dumb Money TIFF
Stars Paul Dano as Keith Gill, a YouTuber whose hobby focused on Wall Street’s stock market, giving tips to followers on stocks he liked. In 2021, during the pandemic, he noticed that the brick-and-mortar store … Read more
One Life TIFF
On Saturday, I viewed the tremendous film “One Life” with Anthony Hopkins starring as Nicholas Winton as an English stockbroker in a true story. He helped save hundreds of children during the holocaust. The movie … Read more
Woman of the Hour (R) TIFF
An intriguing aspect of the festival were the films that were directed my actors who are usually in front of the camera such as Kristin Scott Thomas, Anna Kendrick, Michael Keaton, and Chris Pine, all … Read more
North Star TIFF
“My festival began with “North Star,” in Kristin Scott Thomas’s directorial debut. Scarlett Johansson co-stars in a mother-daughter story, with Sienna Miller and Emily Beecham as the other two daughters, with billing as a comic-drama. … Read more
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem by Mark Kanter (PG)
In the latest installment of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series, the legendary reptilian protagonists undergo a compelling exploration of their origin story. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael have been sheltered from life outside … Read more
Telluride Film Festival 2023 Highlights posted to Roger Ebert. com
The journey of attending film festivals encompasses screening new films, meeting film talent, and networking with fellow critics and moviegoers. It never disappoints, and on-site experience has always heightened my film perspective. Each film festival… Read more
Oppenhiemer (R) ★★★★
Christopher Nolan is one of my favorite filmmakers; his attention to detail, tone, acting, production sets, and sound is always a delight. “Inception” (2010), “The Dark Knight”(2008), “Dunkirk” (2017), and “The Dark Knight Rises”(2012) come … Read more
David Grann Interview Author “Killers of the Flower Moon” Posted to RogerEbert.com
As the film world ardently awaits the opening of Martin Scorsese‘s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, my anticipation is sky-high, as I’ve been following the film’s … Read more