Calvin Wilson

Working from his own screenplay, director Brian Helgeland clearly has a feel for the Krays’ criminal milieu, but it’s not long before repetition sets in. There’s only so much brutality that even the most bloodthirsty audience can tolerate.

Cold in July has all the qualifications of a midnight movie in the making.

Not many science-fiction films can accurately be described as poignant, especially those from the kitschy 1950s. But The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) definitely qualifies. [26 Jun 2008, p.4]

It's one of the funniest and most perceptive films of the year.

Written and directed by Matt Ross — who is perhaps best known for his role as Alby on the HBO series “Big Love” — the film raises questions not only about what it means to be a responsible parent but also about what constitutes a meaningful life.

An absorbing drama that represents director Ridley Scott (“The Martian”) at his best.

An art film in the classic sense — ambitious, provocative and hard to shake off.

Unfortunately, Hail, Caesar! comes across as far less than the sum of its parts.

Manages to waste the talents of its strong supporting cast, which includes Thomas Haden Church, Patricia Clarkson, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell and Stanley Tucci.

This is a smart, moving film that's also very, very funny.

The film is a raw, unsparing look at the downside of humanity.

Doctor Strange doesn’t always make sense — but so what? It’s a mind-blowing special-effects extravaganza, and the most exciting comic-book flick since “Deadpool.”

Wysocki is perfectly cast as a teen who's at odds with both his environment and himself. It's a terrific performance. And as the empathetic Fitzgerald, Reilly is at his quirky best.

Based on a book by Brian Selznick, Wonderstruck is a visually striking film that’s uncompromising in its approach — less about narrative momentum than about surrendering to the power of images.

This is the rare mainstream film that addresses the complexities of real life. Brad’s Status may motivate you to question your own.

The film isn't quite as edgy as Fincher's best work - "Seven," "Fight Club" and "Zodiac" are masterpieces of modern angst. But the director brings a fresh eye to what might easily have been an unnecessary rehash of the 2009 Swedish adaptation.

Macbeth takes liberties with the particulars of the Shakespeare play, but is fascinatingly true to its spirit.

Starts out so promisingly that it's a huge disappointment when it ultimately becomes way too predictable - and unbelievable. It's as if "Raging Bull" suddenly morphed into "Rocky."

This is a “Game” that couldn’t be more fun to watch.

It’s not necessary to be a classical-music buff to be charmed by this thoroughly entertaining film that never hits a false note.

Working from a script co-written with Christopher Browne, director Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump”) pulls off a fabulous trick of his own: delivering a mainstream entertainment that has, at its heart, a poetic sensibility.

Cenedella may never become a household name, but Art Bastard argues persuasively that fame is overrated.

This film might give you the urge to check out a comic-book movie.

Is this a family film? No way. Does it include scenes that some may find painful to watch? You bet. Will you be entertained? Thoroughly.

Ant-Man and the Wasp is a vast improvement on “Ant-Man” (2015) — and one of the most entertaining releases from Marvel Studios.

Alma is at once a charmer and a contrarian, and Bergsholm achieves that balance with seeming effortlessness. At times, she's more than a bit reminiscent of the young Jodie Foster.

Based on a true story, The Lady in the Van is a well-acted but somewhat wearying exercise in British whimsy.

Bonnaire, whose films include "Vagabond" and "Monsieur Hire," gets Helene just right, registering her joys and disappointments with finesse.