“Magic Mike XXL” Offers XXS Pleasures

Magic Mike XXL (Gregory Jacobs, 2015) The women loved it. That is, the largely female audience at the preview screening … More

“Ted 2” Is a Crass Act, but Not a Total Failure

Ted 2 (Seth MacFarlane, 2015) Did you see (and like) Ted, Seth MacFarlane’s 2012 box-office hit? If so, the sequel could … More

Herzog’s Happy Homily: The Death-Defying Cinematic Stunt of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, 2015) “Nature here is vile and base … there’s a lot … More

“Inside Out” Reminds Us of Why Pixar (and Being Human) Is Special

Inside Out (Pete Docter/Ronaldo Del Carmen, 2015) Inside Out may not quite rival the first 10 minutes of Up (co-director Pete … More

“Gemma Bovery” Is a Delightful, If Slight, Romp through Flaubert’s Tragedy

Gemma Bovery (Anne Fontaine, 2014) Are you familiar with a British graphic novel entitled Gemma Bovery? No? Neither was I. When I … More

In “Jurassic World,” 3D Dinosaurs Eat 2D Humans (and That’s a Good Thing)

Jurassic World (Colin Trevorrow, 2015) In Jurassic World, dinosaurs rule. Brought back from extinction by the machinations of mad scientists and businessmen, … More

In “Spy,” a Fine Supporting Team Propels Agent Melissa McCarthy to 00-Comedy

[NOTE: I reviewed this on the radio on June 5, along with “Entourage” and “San Andreas.” The reviews start at 38min. … More

For Better or for Worse, “Entourage” Is Loyal to Its Roots

[NOTE: I reviewed this on the radio on June 5, along with “Spy” and “San Andreas.” The reviews start at 38min. … More

The Repeat vs. The Repeater, or Notes vs. Guns: The Mild Pleasures of “Pitch Perfect 2” and “Slow West”

I am a little behind on some of my movie reviewing, but thought I would nevertheless post a short two-fer. … More

“San Andreas” Is Terrible to a Fault

[NOTE: I reviewed this on the radio on June 5, along with “Entourage” and “Spy.” The reviews start at 38min. on the … More