Alonso and I were both completely wowed by “All Is Lost,” which features a tour-de-force performance from Robert Redford in what is essentially a wordless role. This one is a must-see....
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What the Flick?! — Kill Your Darlings
Alonso liked this film about the early days of the Beat Poets — specifically, Allen Ginsberg — way better than I did. I was cringing early and often at its self-seriousness, but really enjoyed Dane DeHaan’s performance....
Read moreCaptain Phillips
Sony Pictures Rated PG-13 for sustained intense sequences of menace, some violence with bloody images, and for substance abuse. Running time: 134 minutes. Three stars out of four. There’s a scene at the end of “Captain Phillips” in which Richard Phillips, the all-business captain of an American cargo ship that’s...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — CBGB
“CBGB,” about the birth of the legendary New York City music venue and the punk scene it launched in the 1970s, doesn’t even begin to capture the energy or the brashness of the pop-culture phenomenon it depicts. Too often, it feels like a distracting and inauthentic game of dress-up. My...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — All the Boys Love Mandy Lane
The long-awaited teen horror flick finally hits theaters after a seven-year delay, achieving a bit of a cult fascination in the process. Was Mandy Lane worth the wait? My RogerEbert.com review. Read the review here...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — CBGB
A little quickie review of the painfully inauthentic “CBGB,” which merely scratches the surface of the 1970s NYC punk scene....
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — Escape From Tomorrow
A little quickie review of “Escape From Tomorrow,” s nightmarish fantasy which is notable mostly for director Randy Moore’s daring method of shooting underground at Disney theme parks. The film’s back story is more interesting than the film itself....
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks gives a powerful performance in the tense and bloody “Captain Phillips,” based on the true story of Somali pirates who invaded an American cargo ship in 2009. Ben and Alonso liked this movie better than I did on What the Flick?!...
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Studio 11 LA — Gravity
As if I needed more opportunities to rave about how great “Gravity” is, the lovely folks at Studio 11 LA had me on to discuss its huge opening weekend box office. Watch the video here...
Read moreGravity
Warner Bros. Pictures Rated PG-13 for intense perilous sequences, some disturbing images and brief strong language. Running time: 91 minutes. Four stars out of four. Believe the hype: “Gravity” is as jaw-droppingly spectacular as you’ve heard — magnificent from a technical perspective but also a marvel of controlled acting and...
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