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Author: Marshall Estes

Happy Death Day 2U Review: This Time, With Feeling

Happy Death Day 2U
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Switching from slasher to sci-fi comedy, the sequel to the first Happy Death Day is a light, breezy delight.

Marshall Estes Posted on February 12, 2019August 4, 2020

Escape Room Review: Come for the Fun, Stay Because You’re Trapped

Escape Room
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January kicks off in earnest with an inventive, if stock, puzzle-box horror flick.

Marshall Estes Posted on January 3, 2019August 3, 2020

Dumplin’ Review: Netflix’s Pageant Comedy Wins Points for Charm

Dumplin
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Danielle MacDonald charms in Netflix’s pageant dramedy.

Marshall Estes Posted on December 8, 2018August 2, 2020

Mary Queen of Scots Review: A Riveting, if Ahistorical, Royal Drama

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS
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While it won’t win any awards for historical accuracy, Josie Rourke’s royal drama shines thanks to some gorgeous […]

Marshall Estes Posted on December 7, 2018August 2, 2020

Dr Seuss’ The Grinch Review: Illumination’s Slick Remake is Two Sizes Too Bland

Dr Seuss' the Grinch
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Diving deep into Minions territory, Illumination’s revamp of the holiday classic sands off the Grinch’s hard edges and […]

Marshall Estes Posted on November 7, 2018August 2, 2020

Bohemian Rhapsody Review: Malek’s Mercury Will Rock You, Its Queer Politics Less So

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
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While Bryan Singer’s biopic takes some uncomfortable liberties with Freddie Mercury’s life, Malek’s eye-catching performance elevates the proceedings […]

Marshall Estes Posted on October 27, 2018August 2, 2020

Can You Ever Forgive Me? Review: Melissa McCarthy Compels in Awards-Hungry Journalism Drama

Can You Ever Forgive Me?
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While it’s patently hungry for awards, Melissa McCarthy’s biopic of infamous letter forger Lee Israel is compelling and […]

Marshall Estes Posted on October 24, 2018August 2, 2020

Trouble Review: A Modest Small-Town Dramedy With an Overqualified Cast

Trouble
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While Theresa Rebeck’s low-budgeted rural hangout comedy sports a fine cast, they can’t quite elevate the proceedings beyond […]

Marshall Estes Posted on October 13, 2018August 1, 2020

The House with a Clock in its Walls Review: Eli Roth Tries (and Succeeds) at Spooky Kid’s Fare

The House With A Clock In Its Walls
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Fresh off a string of failed horror flicks, Eli Roth bounces back with an unexpectedly fun, faithful adaptation […]

Marshall Estes Posted on September 20, 2018August 1, 2020

Film Review: The Nun Is Campy Fun, But Relies on Some Bad Habits

The Nun Conjuring Horror
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Expanding the ever-widening Conjuring universe, this origin story/prequel of one of the universe’s spookiest threats is downright silly […]

Marshall Estes Posted on September 6, 2018August 1, 2020

Alpha Stands Out from the Pack with a Prehistoric Boy and His Dog Story

Alpha
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Despite some familiar story beats, Alpha puts a novel, prehistoric spin on the classic tale of canine friendship, […]

Marshall Estes Posted on August 16, 2018August 1, 2020

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Review: Fun in the Spooky Sun

Hotel Transylvania 3
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The third entry in Sony Pictures’ kids’ films about animated monsters is fun, flighty and surprisingly layered, with […]

Marshall Estes Posted on July 10, 2018July 30, 2020

The Misandrists Review: Bawdy, Transgressive Satire from Bruce LaBruce

the misandrists
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Bruce LaBruce’s reputation as a bad-taste provocateur gleefully continues with this campy exercise in sex, sleaze, and political […]

Marshall Estes Posted on July 3, 2018July 30, 2020

SuperFly Review: A Gritty Remake That’s Far From Groovy

superfly 2018
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Director X’s slick, hip-hop fueled remake of the blaxploitation classic trades in 70s crime for music video slickness, […]

Marshall Estes Posted on June 12, 2018July 30, 2020

That Summer Review: Illuminating New Areas of Grey Gardens

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Cobbled from footage of a pre-Grey Gardens attempt to tell the tale of Big Edie and Little Edie, […]

Marshall Estes Posted on May 26, 2018July 30, 2020

On Chesil Beach Review: A Picturesque Tale of a Broken Honeymoon

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Dominic Cooke’s sumptuous adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel tells the tale of a marriage doomed from the […]

Marshall Estes Posted on May 23, 2018July 30, 2020

Hitler’s Hollywood Review: Doc Explores Dark Periods of German Cinema History

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Rudiger Suchsland’s second documentary on the cinema of Hitler’s Germany takes a fascinating, if surface-level, look at the […]

Marshall Estes Posted on May 16, 2018July 30, 2020

I Feel Pretty Review: Well-Intentioned, But Feels Pretty Underwhelming

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Amy Schumer’s comedy about the power of confidence mixes its messages about body image, but provides some laughs […]

Marshall Estes Posted on April 19, 2018July 28, 2020

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