Movie Reviews

Arts

'CODA' Is An Unabashedly Formulaic And Lovely Coming-Of-Age Story

1:27pm August 23, 2021

by Justin Chang

The hit of the 2021 virtual Sundance Film Festival centers on a teenager who's the only hearing member of her close-knit family. CODA strikes some false notes, but it also delivers heartfelt emotion.

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Jennifer Hudson doesn't try to mimic Aretha Franklin so much as channel her spirit. Franklin was heavily involved in the development of Respect up until her death in 2018, and she reportedly handpicked Hudson to star in it.

Arts

Aretha Franklin Biopic Pays Proper 'Respect' To The Queen Of Soul

11:46am August 13, 2021

by Justin Chang

Even well-worn notes can sound freshly resonant in the right hands. A new film about Franklin's early years doesn't entirely avoid biopic conventions, but there's real intelligence and feeling in it.

Emilia Jones and Marlee Matlin play daughter and mother in the new film CODA.

Arts

'CODA' Will Yank Shamelessly On Your Heartstrings ... But It's Very Good At It

7:01am August 13, 2021

by Linda Holmes

The family comedy-drama CODA nabbed big prizes at Sundance in January. Now, it arrives on Apple TV+. It doesn't hold back in going for the tears, but it mostly earns them.

Movie Musical 'Annette' Is A Straightforward Story Yet A Directorial Fever Dream

4:56pm August 05, 2021

by Bob Mondello

A new musical with a score by Sparks and starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard opened the Cannes Film Festival. The distinctive rock-opera with a mind and a sound of its own is opening in the U.S.

Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard play an anguished celebrity couple in Annette.

Arts

Strange, Singular, Audacious 'Annette' Works As An Odd, Original Rock Opera

1:32pm August 05, 2021

by Justin Chang

Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard play a celebrity couple in this extravagant movie musical. Critic Justin Chang warns you'll have to get on the film's bizarre wavelength, but he's grateful it exists.

Souls Audition For Their Bodies In Sundance Hit 'Nine Days'

5:46am July 31, 2021

by Bob Mondello

Filmmaker Edson Oda was a breakout director at last year's Sundance Film Festival with his philosophical movie, Nine Days, which stars Zazie Beetz and Benedict Wong.

Winston Duke (left) and Zazie Beetz in a realm where souls are auditioned for life on Earth in Nine Days.

Arts

Celebrate Life On Earth With 4 Films That Look Into The Great Beyond

7:12pm July 30, 2021

by Bob Mondello

The new film Nine Days — at its essence, a reminder to celebrate every moment you're given — is both deep and fun. Here are three other movies that ponder the meaning of life.

Dev Patel stars as Sir Gawain, King Arthur's nephew, in The Green Knight.

Arts

'The Green Knight' Fulfills A Quest To Find New Magic In An Old Legend

9:00am July 29, 2021

by Justin Chang

Dev Patel stars as a young adventurer from King Arthur's court in David Lowery's inventive adaptation of an enduring 14th-century poem.

'Ailey' Doc Shows How Alvin Ailey Changed The Landscape Of Dance For Dancers Of Color

4:58pm July 22, 2021

by Bob Mondello

Alvin Ailey, the most influential and celebrated Black choreographer of the 20th Century is the subject of the documentary Ailey.

Gamhee (Kim Min-hee) shared a meal with a friend (Song Seon-mi) in The Woman Who Ran.

Arts

'The Woman Who Ran' Puzzles Out The Mysteries Of Everyday Life

12:49pm July 22, 2021

by Justin Chang

Hong Sang-soo's new film follows a mild-mannered woman as she makes three different visits. Each chapter is absorbing on its own, but it's even more intriguing to contemplate how it all fits together.