Family Drama

‘Vanya on 42nd Street’ (1994) is a clever, money-saving film

“Vanya on 42nd Street” (1994) is structured unlike anything I’ve seen before. It starts with the actors walking along the packed sidewalks of the Big

READ MORE

First episode impressions: ‘Big Little Lies’ Season 2 (TV review)

If the first episode is any indication, “Big Little Lies’ ” second season (9 p.m. Eastern Sundays on HBO) lacks the zest of the first

READ MORE

‘Karate Kid Part III’ (1989) a great comedy … but not on purpose

For the first 90 minutes or so, “The Karate Kid Part III” (1989) is shaping up to be the worst of the trilogy chronicling the

READ MORE

‘Karate Kid’ (1984) a flawed classic for young viewers

The same thing that excites a viewer about “The Karate Kid” (1984) – the fact that it’s directed by John G. Avildsen and filled with

READ MORE

‘Fighting with My Family’ is a fairly lightweight biopic, but Florence Pugh is a champion in the main role (Movie review)

“Fighting with My Family” doesn’t redefine the sports biopic genre, which in a way is too bad because professional wrestling is such an unusual thing,

READ MORE

‘Winslow Boy’ (1999) grippingly chronicles small, crucial legal case

With “The Winslow Boy” (1999), writer-director David Mamet is as much using his name recognition as he is using his skill to bring an important

READ MORE

‘Unbreakable’ (2000) a rare ‘real-world’ superhero story

Ten years ago today, I started this blog with a (shamefully positive) review of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” so I’m marking the anniversary with the launch

READ MORE

Jonah Hill creates beautifully ugly, sometimes harrowing time capsule of the ‘mid90s’ (Movie review)

The brilliance of “mid90s” (2018), now available on Amazon Prime, is in the details. Writer-director Jonah Hill, known for his comedic acting roles, grew up

READ MORE

The top 100 ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ songs, ranked

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” recently wrapped an amazing four-season run with Rebecca Bunch (co-creator Rachel Bloom) deciding to pursue love – as in her love of writing

READ MORE

DCEU lightens up with funny ‘Shazam!’

There’s something to be said about B-list superheroes. The average moviegoer (who doesn’t have a doctorate in comic-book lore) has lower expectations, and we also

READ MORE