Reviews (Page 112)

Unraveling pop-culture one thread at a time

The Spool is an irreverent, informative source for film and television coverage, focused on diverse, thoughtful opinions that seek out a greater understanding of the media we love.

Westworld season 3 episode 7 recap: Poetic Sensibilities

Caleb learns the nature of his reality and graduates to the top of the food chain as the season draws to a close.

“We’re Here” brings gay fantasia to the heartland. But is it enough?

HBO brings three drag queens to small-town America for a heartwarming, albeit surface-level, primer on queer culture.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Avengers: Endgame” is nothing short of a miracle

The culmination of Marvel's 11-year gameplan is a cinematic juggling act whose success is an unlikely achievement.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Black Panther,” M’Baku, and reclaiming the savage

Ryan Coogler's superhero film not only salvages the colonialist origins of the comic's imagery, it reclaims them for a Black audience.

Interviews

Michael Abels Returns to his Symphonic Roots for “Bad Education”

The composer of Get Out and Us discusses a return to his classical roots with Cory Finley's Bad Education.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season Finale Recap: Joy in “Blackout”

The Nine-Nine gets a new member of the precinct as season 7 comes to a heartwarming close. Does a real crisis make an imaginary one feel that much more real, or does it heighten the slap-happy ingenuity? Either way, “Blackout” is a great season finale of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, coming off the heels of two excellent ... Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season Finale Recap: Joy in “Blackout”

Chris Evans Studies a Bad Seed in “Defending Jacob”

Apple TV+ brings some serious star power to an evocative miniseries about parents suspecting their son of murder.

Interviews

Mark Isham and Isabella Summers on “Little Fires Everywhere”‘s Music

The veteran composer and Florence and the Machine producer collaborate on the intrigue and pop covers of Hulu's Little Fires Everywhere.

Chris Hemsworth Gets Grim and Gritty in “Extraction”

Chris Hemsworth goes full John Wick in a tense action thriller that elevates its stripped-down formula with grit and style.

“Bad Education” Is a Slight Sophomore Slump for Cory Finley

The Thoroughbreds director struggles to mix his sardonicism into a script about the biggest financial scandal in public school history.NOW STREAMING: Powered by JustWatch In a dark administrative office lit with cathode monitors and fluorescence, Superintendent Frank Tassone (Hugh Jackman) prepares to chum it up with a bunch of colleagues. The administrator, Pam Gluckin (Allison ... “Bad Education” Is a Slight Sophomore Slump for Cory Finley

“True History of the Kelly Gang” Looks at Australian Folklore with Mixed Results

Justin Kurzel puts manhood, infamous 1800s criminals, and the first feature film ever made into a bushranging blender.

“The Willoughbys” Is Messy, Madcap Fun

Netflix leans more into unconventional family fare with a stylized, Roald Dahl-ian adventure more focused on gags than story.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” Found Poignancy In Its Cosmic Weirdos

James Gunn's interstellar hangout movie is weird and messy, but deeply, admiringly focused on its characters and an earnest emotional core.

Features

How “Spider-Man: Homecoming” Updated the Teen Film for the MCU Era

Alien robots and evil Norse gods may prove a thrill to the multiplex, but here, they're not much more intimidating than adolescence.

A Dream Goes On Forever: “The Virgin Suicides” At 20

Sofia Coppola's dreamy, empathetic adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides' novel about troubled teens has only improved with time.

“0.00 MHz” is a Boo-ring, Derivative Slog

Unless you’re a K-Pop fan, Shudder’s latest paranormal horror film offers not a single thing new or interesting.

“Middleditch & Schwartz” Bring Long-Form Improv to Netflix

Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz bluff their way through a trio of uproarious specials that teeter on the edge of chaos, like long-form improv should.

“Beastie Boys Story” Tells a Joyful, Inspiring Tale

Ad-Rock and Mike D collaborate once more with Spike Jonze in a colorful & touching documentary.

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“Thor: Ragnarok” was a joyous punch in the face of colonialism

“Never Have I Ever” is beautifully bittersweet

“To the Stars” finds forbidden love in a stifling small town

Westworld season 3 episode 7 recap: Poetic Sensibilities

“We’re Here” brings gay fantasia to the heartland. But is it enough?

“Avengers: Endgame” is nothing short of a miracle

“Black Panther,” M’Baku, and reclaiming the savage

Michael Abels Returns to his Symphonic Roots for “Bad Education”

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season Finale Recap: Joy in “Blackout”

Chris Evans Studies a Bad Seed in “Defending Jacob”

Mark Isham and Isabella Summers on “Little Fires Everywhere”‘s Music

Chris Hemsworth Gets Grim and Gritty in “Extraction”

“Bad Education” Is a Slight Sophomore Slump for Cory Finley

“True History of the Kelly Gang” Looks at Australian Folklore with Mixed Results

“The Willoughbys” Is Messy, Madcap Fun

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” Found Poignancy In Its Cosmic Weirdos

How “Spider-Man: Homecoming” Updated the Teen Film for the MCU Era

A Dream Goes On Forever: “The Virgin Suicides” At 20

“0.00 MHz” is a Boo-ring, Derivative Slog

“Middleditch & Schwartz” Bring Long-Form Improv to Netflix

“Beastie Boys Story” Tells a Joyful, Inspiring Tale