Mary Kassel

Dog Man is trying to tackle too many themes and morals at once, creating a mess instead of a cohesive and accessible lesson.

Birdeater didn't have to be a blood-soaked revenge movie to be more effective, but it took too few risks to be truly thought-provoking.

The Count of Monte Cristo is as much a swashbuckling adventure as it is a warning about the dangers of letting yourself get lost in the desire for things that don't matter. With a gorgeous score that uplifts every scene, making them more tense, romantic, and devastating, and sets and costumes on par with the best period pieces of the 21st century, everything about the movie is planned and carefully executed.

The chemistry between Booth and Pill is a large part of what makes Young Werther work.

Even if it's ultimately forgettable, the movie has an undeniable feel-good appeal, and during the cold winter months, there's no reason to take that away from anybody. Flaws and all, there's no question that this movie will find its audience and be celebrated for its nostalgia and pathos.

Though competently shot, the storytelling and performances leave much to be desired.

Memoir of a Snail never asks us or the narrative to compare the depth of sadness or experience. Every experience is treated with equal weight and importance. Even as we realize that Grace's life is becoming a string of misfortunes, it's impossible not to stick with her.

MadS shows what can be done with a little imagination and faith in the audience.

Structurally, Fitting In isn't perfect. It overuses the montage and features dialogue that leans more into preachy territory than Lindy's natural expression of their feelings. However, it's impossible to accuse the film of being anything less than emotionally truthful.

Rebel Ridge is consistently precise in tone, theme, and pacing throughout.

The surface-level script and refusal to commit to any character's development make the story and characters shadows of what they could have been.

Incoming has funny moments, and the young actors deliver their lines with the commitment of seasoned professionals every step of the way. However, as I was watching, I was endlessly reminded that watching Incoming's influences would have been more enjoyable.

The overarching problem is the film's tendency to be a touch too shallow, even if that's the point of the narrative. Finding out more about Hope's hidden past, the supporting characters, and the big lives everyone hints at would have made the story more compelling and helped the characters feel real.

Tyler Perry's movies fall into many genres, but Divorce in the Black treads no new ground compared to his other dramas. Even in the film's most shocking moments, its narrative is part of a common formula.

The Vourdalak is an indication of where modern horror movies should be headed. I was moved not by the gruesome violence of the story but by the devastating tragedy akin to a Greek drama. The Vourdalak doesn't need graphic cruelty to get its point across, as the movie and filmmaker understand that there is even more devastation to be found in the dark.

Grassland might not be revolutionary, but if it's a signal of where the next generation of filmmakers is heading, we're in safe hands.

The sparsely populated funny moments don't make up for the lack of craftsmanship in the story's journey.

It's commendable that the narrative never tries to explain the magic system of the world or bring up questions of potential paradoxes. However, it equally avoids questions about the nature of consequences. Without any real stakes or time crunch, the story builds and builds, but ends up going nowhere.

As an actor, Bartholomew has a lot riding on her performance, and for the most part, she nails it. Her physicality stands out above all else, as she expertly telegraphs internal changes and anguish to the audience through her body language.

Throughout the film, Arnow takes us on a quiet odyssey that captures the search for real intimacy, as Ann struggles to act on her desires in all parts of her life.

The Long Game doesn’t push itself far enough, but ultimately, it successfully and truthfully tells the story it set out to tell and has fun along the way.

Few stones are left unturned in the callbacks to different parts of his career, and those unfamiliar with Shatner's lower-profile roles will get a kick out of seeing him outside his most iconic roles.

Though the story treads familiar territory and doesn't present a remarkable discovery about human nature, that doesn't leave us any less affected by the journey.