The action is dumb, the plot is weak, and the story is pitiful. Venom is a bad movie, yet surprisingly I still loved the hell out of it.

In the wake of unimaginable devastation, Asog gently yet boldly celebrates resilience—not just through the intimate journey of Jaya and Arnel but also through the countless survivors bravely rebuilding their lives from ruin.

Maya Erskine is hilarious, which is no surprise, given how funny she is on Hulu’s Pen15.

Yes, stories like this have been told before, but there’s an earnest, sweet charm to it all that really works.

Affleck is dead on as the hapless Jim but the film is nearly stolen from him by Mark Boone Jr. who plays Jim's drug induced Uncle Evil. Kevin Corrigan is also great as Jim's brother Tim.

It may not be perfectly executed, or original in its approach, or particularly memorable, but McGuire’s poignant film possesses an arguably more important trait: it’s totally honest, wearing its heart on its thick parka sleeve.

Spare and laconic almost to a fault, the film nevertheless haunts with its indelible imagery and enigmatic vibes.

"To elevate, to celebrate, to inspire,” another character states about the function of art. Rana and Warin’s film may not be perfect, but it does all three of those things rather effectively.

A poignant reminder of why people used to actually listen to their radios.

The acting is unquestionably strong, the songs are integrated appropriately (functioning as both audio bridges and dramatic enhancements), and yet something is missing in how the individual pieces of the film--the story, the themes, and the violence--fit together.

With Simone, Niccol makes what seems like a preposterous idea not only fresh and entertaining, but most of all reveals said idea to be not at all far removed from reality--as any good satire should.

Sissy ultimately doesn’t break any new genre ground, but Barlow and Senes embrace these tropes rather than try to avoid them.

It’s an exhilarating experience, and raises the bar for the use of digital technology in film.

Does it lose focus from time to time? Sure, and its cumulative effect suffers because of it, but Drljača nails the little moments that matter.

Overall, The Notebook is a surprisingly good film that manages to succeed where many other "chick flick" like romances fail.

Director Mike Bencivenga takes what could so easily have been a trite, cliche-riddled melodrama and instead, somehow turns it into...well, a wry and moving melodrama.

The most intriguing aspect of Chef Flynn is its honesty.

First Snow is an interesting and entertaining film. It's suspenseful and kind of scary.

Sicko Is flawed and occasionally stretches to make its point, but the movie's message speaks for itself.

Well-executed and thoughtful, it is a solid film that is culturally relevant and enjoyable to watch.

There’s nothing spectacular about any of this, but it’s heartfelt and well done.

The Europeans expects you to meet it halfway. When you do, you’re rewarded with a story that’s rich with complicated emotions, despite its self-confident exterior. It’s like its characters in that way, and also in the way, it thinks highly of itself and presents itself accordingly. Modesty never did a movie good.

It works as a powerful mediation on the optimism lost for a peacefully cosmopolitan Lebanon.

Although there are a few other flaws in the film (flaws that will not be mentioned since it would give away major plot points) and the lack of character development is a major oversight by the filmmakers, Return to Paradise still manages to grip you until the fateful ending, an ending that is very powerful and must be witnessed to be believed.

Despite pacing issues, the film is a good look at imperialism and the mind of “the white Rajah.” The beautiful locations give the film an ambiance of mystery and adventure.

Clearly a deeply personal project for the director, it radiates utmost sincerity, rendering the more baroque parts palatable, if not as affecting as they were clearly intended to be. Within 90 despondent minutes, Dante encapsulates a plethora of themes and ideas, and that by itself merits plaudits.

Yogi brings us close to Masao’s personal tragedy while at the same time pulling back to see life and death at a cosmic level. The movie delves into the cycle of life and death enough so that that audience members can understand and accept the beauty of the process.

Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul is a wicked read of religion and a showcase of comic talent.