Rachel LaBonte

Ultimately, it is a gorgeous film that's empty inside despite all of its interesting ideas and good intentions.

Driver's Ed hardly reinvents the wheel when it comes to the YA world, and it's far from perfect. Still, with its string of solid laughs and a very game cast, it makes for an entertaining adventure that goes down easy.

The biggest selling point is Squibb. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she shoots off wisecracks and plenty of grandmotherly affection, and you almost wish you could be friends with Eleanor too.

Rather than being a well-rounded look at Martin's life, Christy offers a shallow, unbalanced perspective. It's light on its feet in some parts and heavy-handed in others, and though Sweeney gives a strong performance, I can't help but feel like she deserved a better showcase for her talents.

Her first outing is largely a rush of violent, thrilling action, entertainingly served up for the big screen, but it isn't without its problems. I just hope that if this killer gets to dance again, she's better served by a more streamlined narrative.

The Life List doesn't offer too many surprises or dwell in any unpleasantness for too long, making for a simple and relaxing viewing experience that hits right in the heart.

Disney's Snow White is hardly a misfire, with Rachel Zegler shining as the titular princess, but it can't avoid familiar live-action remake problems.

Seven Veils still falls prey to its own expansive focus, making it a compelling yet unsatisfying drama.

It doesn't reinvent the rom-com wheel, but it makes for easy, pleasurable viewing.

Witherspoon and Ferrell play off each other fairly well, but I'm not convinced they have the chemistry necessary to pull off some later developments that I won't spoil here (but honestly, it's easy to guess what it is fairly early on). Throw in some big cameos that really don't go anywhere — the trailer already revealed Peyton Manning, who does nothing — and you get a fit-to-bursting comedy that's only intermittently successful.

With Stiller at the center, Nutcrackers is a solid, if not incredibly memorable, holiday effort.

The Critic was far less fun than I had hoped it would be.

The movie's brisk pace keeps the cracks between the various plot threads from showing initially, but upon further inspection, it's clear Despicable Me 4 has so much on its mind, it's forgotten some of what makes the franchise so delightful.

It proves to be a fulfilling and heartwarming journey.

At times, it feels as though The Garfield Movie is going through the motions, and it fails to offer anything particularly noteworthy about its main character.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 ends with a cliffhanger that paves the way for Chapter 2 , and that, I feel, is where this new trilogy will really get the chance to take off.

Underneath its weaker spots, Turtles All the Way Down is bolstered by genuine heart and an excellent central performance from Isabela Merced (Madame Web, Instant Family).

The issues from the first installment are still there — and, in some ways, they only get worse.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has a lot of potential and a chilling new villain, but too many characters and a slower plot leads to dimmed thrills.

Lohan's latest Netflix movie is an inoffensive rom-com with ample amounts of cheesiness and heart.

With Rebel Moon, Snyder is positively bursting with exciting ideas, but they lack compelling characters and a solid plot to hold them up.

It may not be breaking ground in any major way, but Family Switch knows how to play within the absurd rules of a body swap situation, and it does so in an entertaining way.

In some ways, The Exorcist: Believer feels tame when it comes to the full potential of its premise.

Reptile gets an extra edge thanks to its rock-solid cast and sufficiently gripping mystery, but it never coalesces into anything incredible.

Overall, The Hill is lacking many of the hallmarks one would expect from a sports movie, pushing aside major events in favor of returning to its religious messaging. This leads to some baffling choices in its character development and storytelling, and those in turn erase much of the tension and emotion from the movie.

It's an entertaining movie that also serves as a great showcase for Gadot's action chops, but it might not linger long in the memories of viewers.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken's story could've used a more well-rounded approach, but the strength of its cast and character dynamics make for a solidly entertaining watch.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny doesn't quite match the highs that came before it, but with Ford's assured performance at its center, it's still an entertaining and nostalgic ride.

Though the sparks could be brighter for its central couple, What's Love Got to Do with It? still has plenty of charm.

Director David Lowery (Pete's Dragon) brings a more mature sensibility to the tale of a boy who never wants to grow up, and it ultimately yields some mixed results. While Peter Pan & Wendy is strangely lacking some magic, it is saved by a scene-stealing Jude Law and a narrative that forces one to reckon with Peter's more negative traits.

While it might've been nice for Mafia Mamma to reveal more details about Kristin's ascension as a mob boss, its humor and Collette's performance make it a solid ride anyway.

One True Loves may not be Reid's most popular novel, but its adaptation is nevertheless handled with genuine care. The soapy premise won't be for everyone, and its heavy-handed approach can alienate. Still, those willing to join Emma on this (mostly) complicated journey may very well find themselves charmed by the end.

Those willing to go along with Billy's patchy journey just might find themselves entertained by what this DC sequel has to offer.

This movie won't be for everyone, but Dafoe enthusiasts will have to check out his go-for-broke depiction of a man at his wits' end. It keeps the movie exciting even when the pacing falters.

At Midnight has a certain Old Hollywood flair that gives it a unique edge, but its surface-level approach makes the romance more frothy than impactful.

When You Finish Saving the World is filled with interesting ideas and scenes, yet is hindered by character development that feels incomplete.

Christmas with the Campbells tries to take some big swings toward shaking up the conventional holiday movie mold, but it ultimately ends up being more of the same, just with some sticky moments. The earnestness of its cast, especially Snow, makes up for some of the other elements that are lacking.

Those looking for a heartfelt tale of family and love might find this one misses the mark, but other viewers willing to go along for the ride could find themselves grinning by the credits. The People We Hate at the Wedding will likely be somewhat divisive, and that makes it a rather intriguing movie in the end.

This is a sequel that doesn’t quite surpass its original, but is still a worthy follow-up all on its own. Anyone who enjoyed the original Enchanted should find plenty to love here.

Though suffering from repetitive plot beats and thin characters, Black Adam is powered by Johnson's performance and its promise of an exciting future.

Anchored by two great lead performances, Raymond & Ray is at its best when exploring the odd relationships between its complicated characters.

Those who prefer their period pieces to be more traditional will find this blasphemous, but those willing to imagine a 16th century Verona with updated characters will get a kick out of Rosaline's antics.

At times fun and well-made, Amsterdam's meandering plot and thinly-drawn characters bog down what could've been a zippy story of crime and friendship.

For all its more serious moments, The Good House actually feels a lot like comfort food. It could be due to the vivid community the filmmakers have built, or because of Weaver's multifaceted performance. It also could be because, at its core, The Good House is about inner growth and the value in appreciating loved ones.

Ultimately, Railway Children struggles a bit in balancing its tone and grand ambitions. However, for those looking for a sweet story about the power of friendship and childlike willfulness, this movie just might win them over.

Though The Alternate could've been better served by a deeper exploration of its themes and characters, it offers a unique take on a familiar idea.

There are some things that Into the Deep does well, but it is ultimately too slight to really commit to any of its interesting ideas. By the time the violence between the three characters ends, one just wishes their conflict had included a bit more flair.

Though leading lady Lili Reinhart does her best, Look Both Ways struggles to make a lasting impact with either of its dueling timelines.

Aided by an excellent young cast, Secret Headquarters is a fun adventure for all ages, even if certain elements feel superficial in the end.

All told, Thirteen Lives is a solid and compelling watch that stands as a testament to people's resilient spirits.

Where the Crawdads Sing stumbles a bit in its transition from page to screen, though it is aided by a great lead performance.

There are bound to be viewers less familiar with the source material who are enchanted by Persuasion. However, the modern touches are just too persistent to ignore, and they take away something that the movie urgently needed — genuine depth.

While Minions: The Rise of Gru still can't entirely justify itself, it does provide a far more heartfelt and fun outing than its predecessor.

The Good Neighbor struggles with convenient plot points and inconsistent characterization, yet is still a thrilling ride thanks to its menacing lead.

While some aspects might feel slight, Tahara is an engrossing coming-of-age tale bolstered by its distinctive visual style and well-matched leads.

The Valet is a charming twist on a classic trope led by two delightful leads, even if it sometimes struggles under the weight of all it has taken on.

Too often, though, the creativity gets bogged down beneath the references and standard mystery. Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers still makes for an entertaining viewing experience, just as long as one doesn't mind the extra baggage.

Tankhouse might not be for everyone with its outlandish humor, but if viewers are willing to invest in the absurdity, then it's worth watching. Tomaschoff has clearly created this movie out of respect for anyone who has loved spending time in the theater, and with a game cast ready to shoulder the material, it becomes something very sweet underneath all the quirk.

Though it lacks the same zippy energy as the first film, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is bolstered by fun new characters and a perfectly wacky Jim Carrey.

All the Old Knives lacks innovation, but it still serves up an entertaining ride thanks to Pine and Newton's twisty dynamic.

The Secrets of Dumbledore holds positives and negatives alike, and that makes for an entertaining, but slightly unsatisfying viewing experience. There is magic to be found, though, and perhaps that is all that matters.

All told, Rescued by Ruby is perhaps not the most revolutionary dog movie audiences are likely to find, but it will certainly do the trick if one is looking for something sweet and inspiring. With little real drama and plenty of adorable puppy shots, Shea's film goes down easy.

Though Meester puts on a solid performance atop an intriguing plot, The Weekend Away doesn't supply enough thrills to make it an entertaining watch.

Marry Me could've gone deeper with some aspects and laid off the musical numbers a little bit, but it will still be the perfect movie for anyone looking for some romance this Valentine's Day.

Ultimately, The Laureate pushes past the tone and format of a typical biopic to make something fresh, though it holds weak spots in an otherwise compelling story.

Sing 2 doesn’t offer enough originality to truly make it stand out, though those who got a kick out of the first movie will find plenty to love.

Aided by solid performances, National Champions has a great story, but ultimately its individual parts aren't enough to score the winning touchdown.

Mixtape feels familiar and new all at once thanks to its earnest story and central messages of family and grief that will touch viewers of all ages.

It has plenty of logic gaps, over-the-top action, and is generally a lot of fun. Red Notice doesn't quite coalesce into something that could become a timeless classic of its own, but it provides plenty of entertainment.

Copshop won't be for everyone, but those looking for some old-fashioned gun-slinging hijinks will get some enjoyment out of it.

Unfortunately, Dating & New York can't find anything new to say about the world of casual dating, so its love story never fully gets off the ground.

Together finds moments of real emotion between its main prickly pair, but it still makes one wish there weren't movies about COVID already.

The Last Letter From Your Lover is a charming look at two love stories, and while it's hardly anything new, the film holds plenty of warmth.

Here Today finds warmth in leads Crystal and Tiffany Haddish, which then allows it to push past some tricky tonal and pacing problems.

Its leading ladies are in fine form, as always, and they're backed by some lively performers. It's the story that struggles to come through, along with a reluctance to just let loose in every way possible.

As a celebration of love and music, Sylvie's Love is a comforting and sweet movie that, while not breaking ground, is noteworthy in its earnestness.

The Prom is a bright yet flawed musical extravaganza that, while holding a vital message about acceptance, sometimes gets lost in its own celebrity.

Bolstered by the sweet chemistry of its attractive leads, All My Life doesn't listen to its central message: Make the most of the time you have.