Mary Queen of Scots Review: A Riveting, if Ahistorical, Royal Drama
While it won’t win any awards for historical accuracy, Josie Rourke’s royal drama shines thanks to some gorgeous cinematography and the performances of Saiorse Ronan and Margot Robbie. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Whenever someone watches a Hollywood movie that focuses on a historical figure, they must ask themselves, “how important is accuracy?” ... Mary Queen of Scots Review: A Riveting, if Ahistorical, Royal Drama
Dr Seuss’ The Grinch Review: Illumination’s Slick Remake is Two Sizes Too Bland
Diving deep into Minions territory, Illumination’s revamp of the holiday classic sands off the Grinch’s hard edges and turns him into a blandly grumpy uncle. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The billboards for Dr Seuss’ The Grinch feature the eponymous antihero dishing out insults to the viewer. From the ads, you would think that ... Dr Seuss’ The Grinch Review: Illumination’s Slick Remake is Two Sizes Too Bland
Bohemian Rhapsody Review: Malek’s Mercury Will Rock You, Its Queer Politics Less So
While Bryan Singer’s biopic takes some uncomfortable liberties with Freddie Mercury’s life, Malek’s eye-catching performance elevates the proceedings into a rocking ride. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood In a pivotal scene in Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) tells his manager and future lover, Paul (Allen Leech) that he doesn’t know who he ... Bohemian Rhapsody Review: Malek’s Mercury Will Rock You, Its Queer Politics Less So
Can You Ever Forgive Me? Review: Melissa McCarthy Compels in Awards-Hungry Journalism Drama
While it’s patently hungry for awards, Melissa McCarthy’s biopic of infamous letter forger Lee Israel is compelling and darkly accessible, with some great supporting turns from Richard E Grant and Jane Curtin. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Oscar baiting: we know it when we see it, and Can You Ever Forgive Me? is ... Can You Ever Forgive Me? Review: Melissa McCarthy Compels in Awards-Hungry Journalism Drama
Trouble Review: A Modest Small-Town Dramedy With an Overqualified Cast
While Theresa Rebeck’s low-budgeted rural hangout comedy sports a fine cast, they can’t quite elevate the proceedings beyond the occasional modest laugh. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Movies that are remembered are generally on a spectrum of cinematic triumph to shoddy exercise for an inexperienced rube’s hubris. Then there are the films that ... Trouble Review: A Modest Small-Town Dramedy With an Overqualified Cast
The House with a Clock in its Walls Review: Eli Roth Tries (and Succeeds) at Spooky Kid’s Fare
Fresh off a string of failed horror flicks, Eli Roth bounces back with an unexpectedly fun, faithful adaptation of John Bellairs’ classic kid’s adventure books. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The prospect of grindhouse provocateur Eli Roth directing a four-quadrant kid’s flick is a dicey, but fascinating one – yet here we are ... The House with a Clock in its Walls Review: Eli Roth Tries (and Succeeds) at Spooky Kid’s Fare
Film Review: The Nun Is Campy Fun, But Relies on Some Bad Habits
Expanding the ever-widening Conjuring universe, this origin story/prequel of one of the universe’s spookiest threats is downright silly – which may not be the worst thing. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Horror is arguably the genre that is the most dependent on its predecessors; every generation of horror filmmakers tries to recapture the ... Film Review: The Nun Is Campy Fun, But Relies on Some Bad Habits
Alpha Stands Out from the Pack with a Prehistoric Boy and His Dog Story
Despite some familiar story beats, Alpha puts a novel, prehistoric spin on the classic tale of canine friendship, along with some stunning visuals. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Alpha doesn’t seem like the typical Albert Hughes film -the idea that a man who’s made a name for himself by directing urban crime thrillers ... Alpha Stands Out from the Pack with a Prehistoric Boy and His Dog Story
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Review: Fun in the Spooky Sun
The third entry in Sony Pictures’ kids’ films about animated monsters is fun, flighty and surprisingly layered, with solid jokes and a heartwarming message. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood I was more than a little ambivalent about the third installment of the Hotel Transylvania series. While I enjoy the franchise, and thought the ... Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Review: Fun in the Spooky Sun
The Misandrists Review: Bawdy, Transgressive Satire from Bruce LaBruce
Bruce LaBruce’s reputation as a bad-taste provocateur gleefully continues with this campy exercise in sex, sleaze, and political satire. This piece was originally published on Alcohollywood A transgressive artist’s main job should be to make people uncomfortable, and director Bruce LaBruce does his job very well. For over thirty years, LaBruce has been mixing art ... The Misandrists Review: Bawdy, Transgressive Satire from Bruce LaBruce
SuperFly Review: A Gritty Remake That’s Far From Groovy
Director X’s slick, hip-hop fueled remake of the blaxploitation classic trades in 70s crime for music video slickness, and is none the better for it. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Beyond its artistic and entertainment value, a film is also a snapshot of the era in which it was made. In film, we ... SuperFly Review: A Gritty Remake That’s Far From Groovy
That Summer Review: Illuminating New Areas of Grey Gardens
Cobbled from footage of a pre-Grey Gardens attempt to tell the tale of Big Edie and Little Edie, this documentary offers scintillating new footage of the Beales, but offers little new insight. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood Few things fire the imagination of a cinephiles quite like hearing that a film you love ... That Summer Review: Illuminating New Areas of Grey Gardens
On Chesil Beach Review: A Picturesque Tale of a Broken Honeymoon
Dominic Cooke’s sumptuous adaptation of the Ian McEwan novel tells the tale of a marriage doomed from the start, using luscious photography and brilliant performances from Saiorse Ronan and Billy Howle. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood This film played at the 6th annual Chicago Critics Film Festival – read our capsule review here. ... On Chesil Beach Review: A Picturesque Tale of a Broken Honeymoon
Hitler’s Hollywood Review: Doc Explores Dark Periods of German Cinema History
Rudiger Suchsland’s second documentary on the cinema of Hitler’s Germany takes a fascinating, if surface-level, look at the ways entertainment gave rise to fascism. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood When people think of Nazi films, they probably think of the Third Reich’s propaganda films; Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will, or Fritz Hippler’s The ... Hitler’s Hollywood Review: Doc Explores Dark Periods of German Cinema History
I Feel Pretty Review: Well-Intentioned, But Feels Pretty Underwhelming
Amy Schumer’s comedy about the power of confidence mixes its messages about body image, but provides some laughs nonetheless. This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood How would your life change if you felt undeniably beautiful? What if you woke up one day and all the flaws that you see in yourself have disappeared? Would ... I Feel Pretty Review: Well-Intentioned, But Feels Pretty Underwhelming