The sequel “How to Train Your Dragon 2” is wondrous, colorful and vibrant. But it also dares to present some very serious themes and see them through to their completion. I took Nicolas to see it and he was only slightly frightened of the character Djimon Hounsou voices: a villain...
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What the Flick?! — The Rover
“The Rover” is a slow burn — a bleak vision of a parched, post-apocalyptic wasteland, but one with surprises and startling bursts of violence in store. Australian director David Michod’s follow-up to the great “Animal Kingdom” features a stoic Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson doing the most daring (and un-“Twilight”-like)...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — The Fault in Our Stars
I will happily admit to having tears streaming down my face as I read John Green’s juggernaut best seller “The Fault in Our Stars.” But the awkward film version felt emotionally inert, despite the lovely, accessible presence of Shailene Woodley. The tween and teen girls are angry about my RogerEbert.com...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — The Fault in Our Stars
The boys and I compare how much we cried (or didn’t) while watching the film version of novelist John Green’s pop-culture phenomenon about teen cancer patients in love....
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — Edge of Tomorrow
Tom Cruise is at his best in this thrilling (and super-violent) sci-fi take on “Groundhog Day.” Doug Liman’s film looks great, moves beautifully and is crammed with clever details. But the ending is a bit of a puzzle, we also did a super spoiler edition to break it all...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — Obvious Child
Jenny Slate is an adorable, self-deprecating mess in a star-making performance as a stand-up comedian who gets pregnant after a one-night stand.”Obvious Child” dares to make tough choices and stick with them, and it does so with humor and humanity....
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — We Are the Best!
We all went a little nuts over this charming little Swedish film about a trio of teenage girls who form a punk band in 1982 Stockholm. In its depictions of female friendship and restless youth, it’s funny and sad and true, with winning performances from its young cast....
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Lucky Them
Toni Collette is completely radiant as a smart and sexy but flawed Seattle music journalist in “Lucky Them.” She and Thomas Haden Church enjoy a great, kooky chemistry as a pair of mismatched friends on the hunt for a missing rock star. My RogerEbert.com review. Read the review here...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Elena
The documentary “Elena” is intimate and impressionistic but ultimately a little self-indulgent as it explores the transcendent nature of the sisterly bond. But what begins in beautiful, intriguing fashion ends up feeling surprisingly dull. My RogerEbert.com review. Read the review here...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — Maleficent
The evil fairy who cursed Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty” gets an origin story, as so many iconic characters have in recent years. It’s a role that would seem to be tailor-made for the formidable talents of Angelina Jolie, and while she does look striking, she seems strangely hemmed in. I...
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