Reviews (Page 112)

“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.

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.

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.

Westworld Season 3 Episode 6 Recap: “Decoherence” Clutches Its Pearls

Lines in the sand are drawn (or deepened) as the world crumbles around our heroes.

Features

Is “Captain America: Civil War” More Political Thriller or Comic Book?

Building off the political intrigue of their first MCU entry, the Russo brothers further blended reality and fantasy in their second smash hit.

Features

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” Blurs the Line Between “Good” and “Good Enough”

With production issues and a shift in the franchise's creative team, Joss Whedon's final MCU entry has just enough to work.

Features

Don’t Panic: The “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” Film at 15

In 2005, Douglas Adams' seminal sci-fi comedy got an admirably flawed adaptation, and it's high time we appreciated its virtues.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” Saw the MCU Grow Up

It's not perfect, but the Russo brothers' conspiracy-thriller take on the MCU turned its eye inward to the more explicitly political.

Filmmaker of the Month

“Thor: The Dark World” Feels Like MCU Filler

Thor's second standalone adventure buckles under the weight of too many characters and a confused directorial hand.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Holt Finally Melts in “Ransom”

Jake finally has to be the adult in the room in one of the best episodes of the season.

Features

“Guardians of the Galaxy” Gave the MCU Its Identity

A break from all those iron men and thunder gods, James Gunn's blast of '70s pastiche helped solidify the Marvel movies' blend of character and comedy.

“Sergio” Wants to Tell You About Its Hero, But What About Him?

Coming off his documentary work, Greg Barker presents his first scripted feature in a mishmash of undercooked storylines and characters.

In “Mrs. America”, Women of the World Aren’t United

FX on Hulu explores the early days of the feminist movement with a history lesson packed with stunning performances.

“What We Do in the Shadows” Still Slays in Season 2

The vampire mockumentary continues to be one of cable’s funniest, most lovable sitcoms.

“The Quarry” Is a Dusty, Dull Western

Scott Teems's low-key thriller tries to drill through the cultural clashes of the American West, but it hits an emotional bedrock instead.

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