“Cinderella” Is Kind (of Lovely) but with Little Courage

Cinderella (Kenneth Branagh, 2015) “Have courage and be kind,” says the dying mother of young Ella (pre-cinders) to her daughter. One … More

In Terrific “Red Army,” Hockey as Metaphor for Empire’s Rise and Fall (and Rise Again?)

[NOTE: I reviewed this film on air, and you can listen to that review on the show’s podcast, starting at … More

Battling Goliath in Powerful “Leviathan”

Leviathan (Andrey Zvyagintsev, 2014) The landscape is beautiful, but cold. Sky, earth and water converge in a steel-like mix of … More

If I Were King of the Oscars …

Let’s leave aside, for the moment, who or what will actually win an Oscar on Sunday night when the ceremony … More

Not Just Another Inspirational Sports Movie: Kevin Costner Rises Again in “McFarland, USA”

McFarland, USA (Niki Caro, 2015) While the inspirational coach film is hardly the most recurrent of genres, it has nevertheless … More

“Kingsman: The Secret Service” Offers Violence, Comedy and Bad Taste. And Colin Firth.

Kingsman: The Secret Service (Matthew Vaughn, 2014) On Friday, at the start of my Fifty Shades of Grey review, I expressed my reservations about … More

Midday Goes to the Oscars

[Missed our show? You can still listen to the podcast!] Join host Dan Rodricks and Midday film critics Linda DeLibero – Director, Film … More

“50 Shades” of Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I’m bummed. I had a dual review of two terrific recent films – both dealing with Russia past and present … More

February Fantasia, or I Never Thought “SpongeBob” Could Look So Good (Compared to “Seventh Son,” Anyway)

Something’s in the air this weekend, and it’s unreal. Truly. We’ve got three films opening that all take place in … More

In “Still Alice,” Moore Puts a Brave Face on a Pedestrian Script

Still Alice (Richard Glatzer/Wash Westmoreland, 2014) If you want to see a truly poignant and cinematically innovative film about a woman succumbing … More