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Author: Michael Snydel

Richard Jewell Review: Jewell of Denial

Richard Jewell
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Clint Eastwood’s latest tests the limits of perception, even as it loses the script with its portrayal of the media.

Michael Snydel Posted on December 11, 2019December 11, 2019

Queen & Slim Review: Black Love Matters

Queen & Slim
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Melina Matsoukas’ vivid debut makes a Bonnie & Clyde story out of the dangers of being black in America.

Michael Snydel Posted on November 27, 2019November 27, 2019

Charlie’s Angels Review: Stylish Reboot is More of a McB, McB+

Charlie's Angels
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Elizabeth Banks revives the girl-power action franchise with new blood and a solid if formulaic actioner.

Michael Snydel Posted on November 12, 2019November 12, 2019

See Review: Avert Your Eyes From Apple TV+’s Latest

See
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If you can’t use your eyes to see, you might as well roll them at Apple TV+’s hokey dystopian drama.

Michael Snydel Posted on November 3, 2019November 3, 2019

First Love Review: Miike Maintains His Madcap Mania

First Love
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Takashi Miike’s gazillionth film is a riotous yakuza caper that traffics in the filmmaker’s impeccable balance of extremes.

Michael Snydel Posted on October 4, 2019October 4, 2019

Monos Review: Flawed Guerilla Filmmaking

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Alejandro Landes’ tense, probing portrait of child soldiers keeps its messages as muddy as its setting.

Michael Snydel Posted on September 7, 2019September 6, 2019

Review: “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” Offers Silly Shark Fun

47 Meters DownL Uncaged
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Johannes Roberts’ sequel to 2017’s stripped-down aquatic thriller is packed to the gills with sharktastic mayhem.

Michael Snydel Posted on August 16, 2019August 16, 2019

The Peanut Butter Falcon Review: Navigating Disability With Grace

The Peanut Butter Falcon
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It’s a little Sundance-y, but Tyler Wilson and Michael Schwarz craft a smart, balanced indie that avoids the usual pitfalls of the way movies tend to treat disability.

Michael Snydel Posted on August 12, 2019August 12, 2019

Piranhas Review: Italian Crime Drama Swims Into Deadly Waters

Piranhas
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The latest adaptation of a Roberto Saviano novel is a familiar, but inventive crime drama.

Michael Snydel Posted on August 2, 2019August 2, 2019

Stuber Review: Uber Cop Comedy Won’t Earn Five Stars

Stuber
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Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista are their typical superlative selves, which just barely saves an otherwise tedious high-concept cop comedy

Michael Snydel Posted on July 9, 2019July 9, 2019

Being Frank Review: A Shaggy Story About Dual Lives

Being Frank
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Jim Gaffigan’s hangdog performance and an unexpectedly nuanced script elevate a stock comedy scenario into something genuinely thoughtful.

Michael Snydel Posted on June 21, 2019August 11, 2020

Funan Review: An Animated Death March Through Pol Pot’s Cambodia

Funan
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Dennis Do’s lushly animated recounting of the Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia is striking but lacks much-needed specificity.

Michael Snydel Posted on June 20, 2019August 11, 2020

What’s My Name – Muhammad Ali Review: Sports Doc Gets In Good Hits But Pulls Some Punches

what's my name: muhammad ali
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Antoine Fuqua’s HBO doc about the greatest fighter of all time is an intriguing, if uneven, dive into the man behind the myth.

Michael Snydel Posted on May 21, 2019August 10, 2020

Ash is Purest White Review: Jia Zhangke Embraces Long-Form Storytelling Once Again

Ash is Purest White
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Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke returns to long-form storytelling with this feature-length tale of the twisted romance between a gangster and his moll.

Michael Snydel Posted on April 4, 2019August 6, 2020

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