Movie Reviews

Arts

'Miles Ahead' Shows A Dissipated Davis Who Still Burns Hot

1:49pm April 01, 2016

by David Edelstein

The new Miles Davis biopic begins in the 1970s, at the end of Davis' five-year hiatus from the music scene. Critic David Edelstein calls Don Cheadle's portrayal of the musician "electrifying."

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Johanna Korthals Altes and Vincent Nemeth in Francofonia.

Arts

In 'Francofonia,' The Ugly Collision Of Art And War

11:40am April 01, 2016

by Mark Jenkins

Director Alexander Sukurov blends the real history of the Louvre with a fictional tale of a ship under threat while considering the fate of art and the costs of war.

In No Home Movie, the director, Chantal Akerman, films her elderly Polish mother in her Brussels apartment.

Arts

A Great Director's Last Look At Her Mother And Herself

11:28am April 01, 2016

by Scott Tobias

Chantal Akerman's No Home Movie captures conversations the filmmaker had with her mother, which take on additional weight given that both women have died since the film was made.

Michael Ware takes notes while reporting with the U.S. military in Iraq.

World News

In 'Only The Dead,' A Raw Look At War In Iraq

6:05pm March 28, 2016

by Hannah Bloch

A harrowing documentary by Australian journalist Michael Ware documents the years he covered the war in Iraq as a Time and CNN reporter navigating between insurgents and the U.S. military.

Arts

'My Golden Days,' An Heir To French New Wave

4:10pm March 28, 2016

by John Powers

Arnaud Desplechin's new film centers on the memories of a middle-aged Frenchman who returns to Paris after years of living abroad. Critic John Powers says My Golden Days is "achingly romantic."

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Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman is the secret weapon for late in the film. She'll doubtless get to do more next time.

Arts

Fun And Entertainment Are Collateral Damage In 'Batman V Superman'

7:20pm March 24, 2016

by Bob Mondello

Batman V Superman positions DC Comics' best-known heroes as tragic Greek figures. NPR film critic Bob Mondello says it tries to go big on the psychological nuances but skimps on fun.

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Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams in I Saw the Light.

Arts

A Hank Williams Biopic That Doesn't Quite Sing

5:00pm March 24, 2016

by Mark Jenkins

Tom Hiddleston does his own singing in the story of a country music legend, but the film strains to get its figurative arms around the man's complicated legacy.

Dany Boon, Julie Delpy and Vincent Lacoste in Lolo.

Arts

'Lolo' Is A Comedy Of Female Bad Manners

5:00pm March 24, 2016

by Ella Taylor

Julie Delpy directed and co-wrote the film in which she stars as a woman whose son is determined to break up her relationship with her new boyfriend.

Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin) gives romantic advice to Toula (Nia Vardalos) in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.

Arts

A 'Big Fat Greek' Family Reunion Short On Ambition But Long On Charm

5:00pm March 24, 2016

by Scott Tobias

There's not much to My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, but for those who've missed the raucous Portokalos clan since 2002, it's fun to visit with them again.

Ethan Hawke as Chet Baker in Born to Be Blue.

Arts

'Born To Be Blue' Finds Truth In Inventive Riffs

5:00pm March 24, 2016

by Andrew Lapin

An intriguing and partly fictionalized portrait of jazz legend Chet Baker runs on an inventive structure and a strong central performance from Ethan Hawke.