Reviews

RogerEbert.com — The Nun

“The Nun” is a prequel to “The Conjuring” universe (the “Conjurverse?”), taking us all the way back to rural Romania in 1952 and the war-ravaged abbey where the series’ creepy nun first roamed the halls. Director Corin Hardy’s film is good for a few jump scares here and there, and...

Read more

RogerEbert.com — Reprisal

“Reprisal” is a blandly gritty piece of late-August mayhem that’s as forgettable as its generic title. I’m actually sort of amazed that it got a theatrical release at all. Perhaps this empty crime thriller is only seeing the light of day because of the presence of Bruce Willis, who basically...

Read more

RogerEbert.com — Searching

“Searching” is predicated on a central gimmick — it takes place entirely within the screens of electronic devices — but it pulls it off in exciting and inventive ways. John Cho gets to show great range — and is often shot in close-up, so there’s nowhere to hide — as...

Read more

RogerEbert.com — The Wife

Glenn Close is subtly devastating in “The Wife,” indicating a lifetime of repression and resentment in just the slightest wry smile or withering glance. Close and Jonathan Pryce have crackling chemistry with each other, the two veteran actors enjoying snappy banter and enduring lacerating battles. But while Pryce’s character remains steady in...

Read more

RogerEbert.com — The Swan

“The Swan” is a coming-of-age drama that’s equal parts beautiful and brutal, similar to the rugged terrain of northern Iceland where it takes place. I mean, look at that photo — doesn’t it make you want to hop on a plane to Reykjavik right now? The debut feature from writer-director...

Read more

RogerEbert.com — Puzzle

Kelly Macdonald gets a rare chance to shine in a leading role as a wife and mother who reaches her 40s and finally figures out what she wants from life. Watching her blossom is sheer joy. And while solving jigsaw puzzles may not sound like the most cinematic pursuit, “Puzzle”...

Read more

RogerEbert.com — Skyscraper

Dwayne Johnson battles a Hong Kong high-rise in “Skyscraper.” It’s “Die Hard” meets “The Towering Inferno”: just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out...

Read more

RogerEbert.com — Fireworks

“Fireworks” is a strange little anime movie with an uncomfortable sexist streak. It’s essentially an animated incarnation of “Sliding Doors,” with a couple of teens experiencing the same series of events in slightly different ways over the course of a day, leading up to their town’s annual fireworks extravaganza. But...

Read more
Top