Movies

John’s top 10 movies of 2021

Although the pandemic didn’t end, 2021 rebounded nicely from 2020, with a lot more movies – both big and small – released. Heck, a case

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‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’ (2010) … but he’ll be familiar

It’s hard to describe “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger” (2010) and not make it sound derivative of other Woody Allen movies. The way

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Crichton’s directorial career begins in not-so-hot ‘Pursuit’ (1972)

Michael Crichton started modestly as an author with the John Lange books, and he likewise starts slow as a director with “Pursuit” (1972). Although it’s

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‘8-Bit Christmas’ joins pantheon of holiday classics

Television and streaming have produced so many Christmas movies in recent years – most of them mediocre at best — that one could be forgiven

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Matrix reboots for thrilling remix ‘Matrix Resurrections’

I was mildly annoyed that the must-see “Matrix Resurrections” (HBO Max) cut into my Christmas-movie viewing time. But actually, this fourth entry fits thematically with

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‘Night Before,’ (2015), ‘Office Christmas Party’ (2016) offer holiday chuckles

Movies made by friends who like to hang out together can be almost unwatchable (recent Adam Sandler comedies), but sometimes they can be great. “The

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‘Melinda and Melinda’ (2004) explores comedy-tragedy line

In “Melinda and Melinda” (2004), Woody Allen posits there’s a thin line between comedy and tragedy, then successfully proves it. A group of writer friends

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‘Till Death’ can’t escape the ole ball and chain

In “Till Death,” Emma (Megan Fox) can’t escape the old ball and chain, Mark (Eoin Macken) … and that’s before she wakes up handcuffed to

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‘Black Christmas’ (2019) gets woke for its latest update

“Black Christmas” (2019) is a pleasant holiday surprise. With a rating down in the 3s on IMDb, I wondered if I should even unwrap this

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‘Take the Money and Run’ (1969) puts Allen on laugh radar

“Take the Money and Run” (1969) is Woody Allen’s first traditional film as a director, since 1966’s “What’s Up, Tiger Lily?” was a “Mystery Science

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