‘Amsterdam’ review: Despite a stellar Christian Bale, Russell’s latest is a massive misfire

Amsterdam is a new period comedy thriller written, directed, and produced by David O. Russell. Released through 20th Century Studios. At their best, David O. Russell’s movies will revel in their mayhem. They’re infused with the tenaciousness and/or thunderousness of…

‘Tár’ review: A thunderous breakdown of how power can’t conduct itself

Tár is one of those rare films about a specific art that just about anyone watching it can embrace, even if they have no connection or previous knowledge of the art itself beyond a vague familiarity. In this case, the…

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ review: Cliché, but without the crocodile tears

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s story by Bernard Waber. Directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon (Office Christmas Party) and written by William Davies (Puss in Boots). It would be an insanely difficult task…

‘The Territory’ review: A fascinating exploration of the people at the frontlines in the fight for the future of the Amazon rainforest

By the end of 2021, the Brazilian Amazon rainforest experienced its highest rate of deforestation in 15 years. Recent data suggests that there are signs of a loss of resilience in more than 75% of the forest. If nothing is…

‘The Legend of Molly Johnson’ review: Leah Purcell delivers a captivating performance in revisionist Western

Leah Purcell is the writer, director, and star of The Legend of Molly Johnson, playing a woman who must protect herself and her children from the harsh hazards of life in the 1890s Australian bush. While this is Purcell’s first narrative…

‘Summering’ review: A half-baked and muddled misfire for James Ponsoldt

Promising on paper, Summering is a frustrating film on almost every level. I went in with high hopes, as would anyone who loved James Ponsoldt’s previous modern classic of the coming-of-age genre, The Spectacular Now. In that and a handful of other independent…

‘Inu-Oh’ review: Masaaki Yuasa delivers a dizzying, animated, rock-opera

With infectious animation and visual vibrancy, Masaaki Yuasa once again proves himself a master of his craft in Inu-Oh. Based on the novel Tales of the Heike: INU-OH by Hideo Furukawa, Yuasa casts his kinetic, relentless vision on 14th century…