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Angelyne Featured Emmy Rossum Martin Freeman
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Angelyne’s story of an LA icon raises the bar for docu-dramas 

Peacock’s new series plays with the messiness of memory and truth to stand out among biopics.

The Valet (Hulu)
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The Valet is a breezy rom-com with a few dings and scrapes on delivery

While it’s a neat showcase for Eugenio Derbez, Hulu’s latest is more amiable than truly amusing.

Control
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“Day in, day out”: Control at 15 and loss of the self

Anton Corbijn’s biopic of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis remains a tactful, fearfully accurate depiction of life while suicidal.

Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (Walt Disney Pictures)
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Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers breaks the live-action/animated curse

The Lonely Island boys offer up a fresh, Roger Rabbit-caliber tale on the classic Disney critters.

Armageddon
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Armageddon sees Michael Bay at his most Michael Bay, just before big changes

Bay’s style reaches an apex in his humanity v. asteroid flick, which changed his reception forever.

George Carln's American Dream
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George Carlin’s American Dream is a bittersweet look at the comic legend

HBO presents a detailed, unexpectedly moving documentary on the life & times of George Carlin, comedian, wordsmith, & cynical optimist

MOVIES

The Valet (Hulu)T
Main Category
Douglas Laman

The Valet is a breezy rom-com with a few dings and scrapes on delivery

While it's a neat showcase for Eugenio Derbez, Hulu's latest is more amiable than truly amusing.
Control&
Main Category
Matt Cipolla

“Day in, day out”: Control at 15 and loss of the self

Anton Corbijn's biopic of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis remains a tactful, fearfully accurate depiction of life while suicidal.
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (Walt Disney Pictures)C
Main Category
Douglas Laman

Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers breaks the live-action/animated curse

The Lonely Island boys offer up a fresh, Roger Rabbit-caliber tale on the classic Disney critters.
THE INNOCENTS (IFC Midnight)T
Main Category
Michael Frank

The Innocents asks whether the supernatural kids are alright

Eskil Vogt’s gripping second feature gazes at the limitations of childhood experience with clear, unblinking eyes. NOW STREAMING: Powered by JustWatch In the first scene..
Ishtar (Paramount Pictures)&
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Peter Sobczynski

“I think they’re wonderful”: Ishtar at 35 is funnier than ever

Elaine May's one-and-done comic flop is far funnier and more incisive than its reputation implies.
U
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Beau North

Universal’s Firestarter remake fails to ignite

Not even Zac Efron and a killer John Carpenter score can light up this damp Stephen King adaptation.

FILMMAKER OF THE MONTH

ArmageddonA
Main Category

Armageddon sees Michael Bay at his most Michael Bay, just before big changes

Bay's style reaches an apex in his humanity v. asteroid flick, which changed his reception forever.
The RockT
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The Rock remains a quality cornerstone of Michael Bay’s career

For one film, Michael Bay managed to wrangle all his fixations into popcorn nirvana. 
Top of the LakeT
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Top of the Lake sees Campion go deep but narrow

Jane Campion's first television work in decades boasts masterful character work and a frustratingly blinkered perspective.

RIGHT ON CUE

Karl Frid (Pleasure)K
Main Category
May 13, 2022

Karl Frid on the sacred and the profane of “Pleasure”

The Swedish composer breaks down his hypnotic score for Ninja Thyberg’s unblinking look at the adult film industry. Welcome to Right on Cue, the podcast..
LISTEN
Filmmaker of the Month: Michael Bay

FEATURES

Olive Trees of Justice / Concerning Violence / Black Jack (Kino Lorber)K
May 13, 2022
B.L. Panther

KinoKultur: The Olive Trees of Justice, Concerning Violence, Black Jack

The affect of revolution on childhood is reflected in three of Kino Lorber's recent restorations.
Alex Cox Interview AlexA
April 28, 2022
Peter Sobczynski

Alex Cox reflects on Walker’s making and legacy

The director talks the film's rediscovery and release in the Criterion Collection.
cat people&
April 8, 2022
Peter Sobczynski

“Welcome home”: Cat People at 40

Paul Schrader's kinky erotic thriller offered both style & substance, and still holds up
In the CutI
April 1, 2022
Douglas Laman

In the Cut sees Jane Campion turn her eye to the 21st century

The great director delves into New York's anxious days post-9/11 via a thriller about a woman usure who she can trust.
Robin Williams 20022
March 29, 2022
Gena Radcliffe

2002: the year Robin Williams scared the bejesus out of everyone

The beloved comedian already proved he could do serious, but in this trio of very different movies he also did creepy.

TV

Angelyne Featured Emmy Rossum Martin FreemanA
Main Category
Sarah Gorr

Angelyne’s story of an LA icon raises the bar for docu-dramas 

Peacock's new series plays with the messiness of memory and truth to stand out among biopics.
George Carln's American DreamG
Main Category
Gena Radcliffe

George Carlin’s American Dream is a bittersweet look at the comic legend

HBO presents a detailed, unexpectedly moving documentary on the life & times of George Carlin, comedian, wordsmith, & cynical optimist
Hacks Season 2H
Main Category
Ashley Lara

Hacks is back for a wild, funny ride 

Season 2 of HBO’s award-winning comedy takes us on tour with Deborah and Ava, plus a bevy of guest stars. 
Star Trek: Strange New WorldsS
Main Category
Andrew Bloom

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds does better by Uhura than the original 

A clash with a comet makes for a classic Star Trek tale and finally gives the cadet the spotlight. 
CandyC
Main Category
Gena Radcliffe

Candy is a well-crafted story of murder & desperate housewives

Jessica Biel & Melanie Lynskey are excellent in Hulu’s docudrama about a bizarre 1980 murder in smalltown Texas
The Staircase Featured Colin FirthT
Main Category
Beau North

The Staircase tells stories within stories 

HBO's new true-crime drama makes gripping television of yesterday's news.
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FILMMAKER OF THE MONTH

Bright StarB
March 27, 2022
Eric Langberg

Bright Star: The immaturity and immensity of looking 

Jane Campion's chronicle of Fannie Brawne and Romantic poet John Keats' courtship is a masterful study of longing and star power.
Holy SmokeH
March 26, 2022
B.L. Panther

Holy Smoke! burns poisoned masculinity but chokes on Orientalist smog

Kate Winslet and Harvey Keitel deliver powerhouse performances in Jane Campion's cult-deprogramming dramedy, but the script fails in its thoughtless colonialism.
The Portrait of a LadyT
March 21, 2022
Beau North

The Portrait of a Lady sees Jane Campion paint agency, control, and desire

Campion followed The Piano with a Henry James adaptation dedicated to the magnificently fraught question of desire or duty.
The PianoI
March 21, 2022
Jon Paul Roberts

In The Piano, Jane Campion and Holly Hunter navigate silence

Campion's multi-Oscar winner studies the thorns of speaking, silence, and desire through impeccable performances.
SweetieW
March 10, 2022
Doug Wykstra

With Sweetie, Jane Campion explores the rot inside a family tree

Master filmmaker Jane Campion's first theatrical picture ably demonstrates both her formal mastery and her precise character work.
Jackass Presents: Bad GrandpaT
March 3, 2022
Michael Guarnieri

The unexpected heart of Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

Johnny Knoxville spun off one of Jackass' most indelible recurring bits into a semi-scripted road comedy with a lot of charm under the prosthetics.