Al Pacino dials it down and does some of his best work in a long time as a veteran actor struggling to regain his former glory. If that premise sounds a lot like “Birdman,” well, yes — that is an unfortunate coincidence. But Pacino’s performance is the strongest element in...
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Reviews
RogerEbert.com — Still Alice
Julianne Moore gives a graceful yet powerful performance as a brilliant linguistics professor suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in “Still Alice.” The movie itself, however, isn’t all that great. My mixed RogerEbert.com review. Read the review here...
Read moreThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1
Lionsgate Films Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material. Running time: 123 minutes. Two stars out of four. Despite its action and revelations, its substantial political allegory and its strong performances from a tremendous cast, “The Hunger Games: Mockingkay — Part 1”...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1
The first half of the film adaptation of the third book in “The Hunger Games” trilogy feels like a stretched-out placeholder for the real finale. Jennifer Lawrence is strong as always, though, as Katniss, who’s now the reluctant symbol of hope for the revolution....
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — Beyond the Lights
Gugu Mbatha-Raw gives a powerhouse performance as a Rihanna-esque R&B singer on the brink of superstardom, and she has insane chemistry with Nate Parker as the member of her security detail with whom she falls in love. Writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film has its melodramatic moments, but Parker and Mbatha-Raw bring...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — Remembering Mike Nichols
Matt, Alonso and I look back at the staggeringly diverse and consistently sharp career of Mike Nichols, who died this week at age 83. It’s hard to think of another director working today who matches his depth and range, and who draws such inspired work from established actors....
Read moreInterstellar
Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures Rated PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language. Running time: 169 minutes. Two stars out of four. Yes, I recognize the egregious tardiness of this review. “Interstellar” has been out for over a week now. I’ve started and stopped writing about...
Read moreRogerEbert.com — The Theory of Everything
“The Theory of Everything” is biopic about one of the most brilliant people in the history of the planet, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking. He’s a man famous for thinking in boldly innovative ways, yet his story is told in the safest and most conventional method imaginable. Director James Marsh...
Read moreWhat the Flick?! — The Theory of Everything
So good to be back with my friends talking movies after a couple of weeks away. One of the biggies during this busy week is the Stephen Hawking biopic “The Theory of Everything,” which features strong performances but overall is frustratingly conventional....
Read moreRogerEbert.com — Birdman
“Birdman” is technically astounding yet emotionally rich, intimate yet enormous, biting yet warm, satirical yet sweet. It’s one of the best times you’ll have at the movies all year and might just be the best movie of the year. A rare four-star review, at RogerEbert.com. Read the review here...
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