Allyson Gronowitz
‘Baywatch’ Is Not Funny Enough to Subvert Its Own Sexism
Alexandra Daddario • Published on May 2017
There are two types of films these days: unnecessary reboots that offer fresh takes on hackneyed brands, and unnecessary reboots that do not. “Baywatch,” based on the hypersexualized…
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ Heightens the Fun and the Spectacle
brenton thwaites • Published on May 2017
Disney certainly has the formula down by this point, because “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”—the fifth film in the franchise—offers everything we’ve come to…
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ Offers Fans a Cosmically Good Time
Bradley Cooper • Published on May 2017
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is exactly what you would expect from a “Guardians of the Galaxy” sequel. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt),…
Tom Hanks and Emma Watson Team up for Dystopian Thriller ‘The Circle’
Emma Watson • Published on April 2017
“Knowing is good. Knowing everything is better.” This eerie slogan, uttered by Tom Hanks’s character in “The Circle,” sets the tone for one…
Anne Hathaway Is Not to Be Missed in Extraordinarily Weird Monster Mash-up ‘Colossal’
Anne Hathaway • Published on April 2017
“Colossal,” written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo (“Timecrimes”), is a film that defies all expectation and convention. Starring…
Geezers Strike Back in Zach Braff’s Rollicking Caper ‘Going in Style’
Alan Arkin • Published on April 2017
Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin have a couple things in common: they are all Academy Award winners, they…
‘Ghost in the Shell’ Remake Honors Original Anime Despite Scarlett Johansson Casting Controversy
Film • Published on March 2017
Scarlett Johansson of Black Widow fame dons another brand of skin-tight armor for “Ghost in the Shell,” the live-action remake of Mamoru…
Jessica Chastain Brings a Holocaust-Era Hero to Life in Niki Caro’s ‘The Zookeeper’s Wife’
Angela Workman • Published on March 2017
It isn’t difficult to imagine what compelled Jessica Chastain to take on the role of the titular character in “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” Antonina Zabinski is just the type…
Ewan McGregor and Jonny Lee Miller Return in Danny Boyle’s Shamelessly Nostalgic ‘T2 Trainspotting’
Anjela Nedyalkova • Published on March 2017
“It’s the beginning of the end, so you might as well set fire to your friends.” Thus croons the opening song in Danny Boyle’s “T2…
Emma Watson’s Belle Reinvents Disney Magic in Live-Action ‘Beauty and the Beast’
Alan Menken • Published on March 2017
It’s one of Disney’s most celebrated classics, and the newest incarnation is finally making its way to the big screen. One of the most anticipated movies of 2017, Disney’s live-action “…
Brie Larson and Tom Hiddleston Tackle a Mythical Monster in Electrifying ‘Kong: Skull Island’
Brie Larson • Published on March 2017
There are certain roller coasters that induce such an adrenaline spike, riders are left laughing in giddy relief, still jacked up – and perhaps slightly nauseous – from the intense rush even after…
Will Arnett Is Back as the Hilariously Moody Bruce Wayne in ‘The LEGO Batman Movie’
Billy Dee Williams • Published on February 2017
If there were a single breakout star of ‘14’s “The LEGO Movie,” it would have to be Will Arnett’s emo Batman, a performance that gleefully out-camps the campiness…
Raoul Peck Exposes a Racially Divided America In Defiant ‘I Am Not Your Negro’
Film • Published on February 2017
It feels trite to say that there is nothing new being made, but Raoul Peck’s searing documentary “I Am Not Your Negro” hammers home this truism with fierce…
Asa Butterfield and Britt Robertson Explore Interplanetary Romance In ‘The Space Between Us’
Allan Loeb • Published on February 2017
“Sometimes I feel like I’m from a different planet,” says Britt Robertson’s Tulsa in “The Space Between Us.” In the case of Gardner…
Studio Ghibli’s ‘The Red Turtle’ Traces Life on a Desert Island
Film • Published on January 2017
“The Red Turtle” may seem like a surprising production for Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation powerhouse better known for dazzling, kaleidoscopic fables such as “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor…
‘A Monster Calls’ Is a Staggering, Mythical Examination of Grief
A Monster Calls • Published on December 2016
“A Monster Calls” is a visually stunning meditation on life, death and the grief that haunts the space between them. Children’s author Patrick Ness…
Reese Witherspoon, Taron Egerton and Scarlett Johansson Belt Their Hearts out in ‘Sing’
Christophe Lourdelet • Published on December 2016
“Sing” traverses familiar territory but finishes off strong. The animated animal film tells the story of lifelong theater junkie koala (Matthew McConaughey) as…
Top 15 Films of 2016
20th Century Woman • Published on December 2016
Despite the abundance of superhero movies and stories set in a galaxy far, far away, 2016 has also presented audiences with a refreshingly diverse and original slate of films. After the #OscarsSoWhite controversy last year,…
Origin of the Death Star Goes Supernova in ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’
A Star Wars Story • Published on December 2016
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” is the latest installment of the Star Wars saga to hit the big screen, as fans gear up for one franchise film…
Paul Rudd and Patton Oswalt Satirize Hollywood in Animated ‘Nerdland’
Chris Prynoski • Published on December 2016
Welcome to “Nerdland,” the first feature film from director Chris Prynoski, head of Titmouse Inc. animation studio. The feature cartoon spotlights Hollywood hopes…