It’s the end of summer which is not traditionally a great time for movies, But here’s a little gem you’ll enjoy: “Before You Know It,” which you’d never know is the directorial debut of co-writer and co-star Hannah Pearl Utt. The story of thirtysomething sisters shaken from their insular codependence...
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Reviews
RogerEbert.com — Good Boys
The good boys of “Good Boys” try very, very hard to be bad. But despite their adult aspirations over the course of a wild couple of days, it’s their sweet-natured innocence that ultimately sees them through every misadventure. The feature debut from director Gene Stupnitsky is a bit of a...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Dora and the Lost City of Gold
You may be dreading the prospect of having to see a feature-length “Dora the Explorer” movie with your kids. I hear ya on that. But fear not: “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is surprisingly a lot of fun. The movie manages to ride a fine line between being...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Brian Banks
It is a tricky time to be releasing a movie like “Brian Banks,” based on the true story of a Southern California high school football star who was falsely accused of rape and sentenced to six years in prison. Aldis Hodge gives a strong performance, and certainly this does happen...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Skin
Jamie Bell completely transforms himself to give a powerful performance in “Skin,” based on the true story of a white supremacist who dared to turn his life around. Vera Farmiga and Bill Camp are chilling as the hate group’s charismatic leaders, and writer-director Guy Nattiv’s film is sadly too timely....
Read moreRogerEbert.com — The Farewell
Believe the hype and bring tissues: “The Farewell” is one of the best movies of the year. Writer-director Lulu Wang tells an incredible, personal story with a perfect tonal balance of hilarity and heartbreak. It’s culturally specific yet universally relatable in its depiction of a family in crisis. And Awkwafina...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — The Art of Self-Defense
“The Art of Self-Defense” begins life as a twisted take on “The Karate Kid,” but eventually morphs into a cautionary tale in the vein of “Fight Club.” Writer-director Riley Stearns uses a precise and dryly deadpan tone to explore the notion of toxic masculinity in this pitch-black comedy, while Jesse...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Spider-Man: Far From Home
“Spider-Man: Far From Home” changes the scenery but can’t quite match the inspired heights of its predecessor, 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” It’s a lot of fun, and Tom Holland remains completely charming in his boyish incarnation of Peter Parker. But this sequel functions more effectively as a teen romantic comedy than...
Read moreRogerEbert.com: The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith
“The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith” is the sequel to 2001’s “The Other Side of Heaven.” It also wasn’t screened for critics before it opened. Both films are based on the memoirs of Mormon Elder John H. Groberg and his missionary work in Tonga. The latest film...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — The Secret Life of Pets 2
“The Secret Life of Pets” was a lot of fun back in 2016. Not groundbreaking, not too deep, but clever and an enjoyable watch for the whole family. Its sequel, “The Secret Life of Pets 2,” feels like the nugget of an idea for three separate shorts, awkwardly stitched together...
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