Reviews (Page 82) | The Spool

Reviews (Page 82)

“The Ultimate Playlist of Noise” is treacly YA that can’t find its voice

By: Charlotte Little

Bennett Lasseter's teen romance plays like Sound of Metal for the YA set, but sags under a heaping helping of misconceptions about deafness.

“Yes, but, uhh, what does “Winx” mean?” “Nothing! Just…Winx!”

By: B.L. Panther

A dark 'n' gritty spinoff of the popular Nickelodeon cartoon, Fate: the Winx Saga looks incredible, but relies on tired plot twists.

“He Was the Best—Undisciplined, But The Best.” A look at “Our Man Flint.”

By: Peter Sobczynski

Perhaps the best of the Bond rip-offs, this 60s classic offers style, self-aware humor, and an iconic performance by James Coburn.

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.

“Locked Down” is surprisingly better than you’d think

By: Ashley Lara

Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor have chemistry to spare in Doug Liman's unexpectedly charming quarantine-themed romance.

“WandaVision” starts slow, but bodes well for the MCU’s future on TV

By: Clint Worthington

Disney+'s first real time at bat for the MCU on television is a sprightly, experimental series that makes great, if deliberately-paced, use of its premise.

The Expanse Season 5 Episode 7 Recap: “Oyedeng”

By: Clint Worthington

Naomi has a rude homecoming, as the show narrows its focus to a family fighting for its very soul.

“Servant” spins its wheels in a messy season 2

By: Gena Radcliffe

The M. Night Shyamalan executive produced series continues to serve up spooky atmosphere, but quickly loses its way.

“Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer” charts a scary LA summer

By: Marshall Estes

Netflix’s latest true-crime docuseries expands its scope not just to the famed LA murderer, but the community he ravaged, to gripping effect.NOW STREAMING: Powered by JustWatch On March 17, 1985, Maria Hernandez was shot by an intruder. Fortunately, the bullet ricocheted off of her keys as she used them to shield her face. Her roommate, ... “Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer” charts a scary LA summer

“Outside the Wire” is a droning, ideologically confused sci-fi thriller

By: Clint Worthington

The Netflix Action Movie Industrial Complex continues abated with a deeply mediocre military thriller that can't get a handle on its lukewarm critique of drones.

“Climate of the Hunter” embraces schlock, but comes out shaggy

Mickey Reece's out-there vampire B film plays in a lot of genres, but doesn't quite hit the Anna Biller vibe it's going for.

Filmmaker of the Month

Revisiting Mira Nair’s vibrant, character-driven “Salaam Bombay!”

Mira Nair's 1988 breakout remains a scintillating tale of poverty in India's slums, even as it toes the line of exploitation.

“Search Party” takes time to find its groove in season 4

By: Reyzando Nawara

The dark comedy continues to be an excellent exploration of millennial ennui.

“Hunted” speaks out of both sides of its mouth

By: Michael Snydel

Vincent Paronnaud's over the top slasher film wants to say something about misogyny while treating its female lead as an object to be abused.

Tiger Woods doc “Tiger” gets caught in the sand trap of its own ambition

HBO's documentary of golf great Tiger Woods suffers from a lack of participation from its subject, even as it charts his complicated home life and many personal scandals.

Ilan Eshkeri on setting the Earth to music in “A Perfect Planet”

The composer of the latest David Attenborough nature documentary talks about building the sounds of planet Earth.

“Herself” finds gentle grace in a simple story about trauma

Phyllida Lloyd and writer-star Clare Dunne delicately handle tough subject matter in a responsible, deft character drama.

“The Reason I Jump” is a huge leap forward for autism representation

Empathetic, well-crafted filmmaking makes this profile on the specificities of autistic life both heartwarming and essential in its outreach.

“Coyote” is an ugly relic of the past wandering through a desert of boredom

By: Tim Stevens

CBS All Access has managed to create an anti-hero drama as unpleasant as it is dull.

“Mr. Mayor” delights in parts, but there’s plenty to impeach

By: Ashley Lara

Tina Fey's latest is a well-intentioned, but only occasionally diverting, COVID-set political sitcom with more good intentions than good jokes.

“The Dissident” is a gripping look at Jamal Khashoggi’s murder

Bryan Fogel follows up Icarus with a harrowing, if occasionally glitchy, profile of Saudi Arabia's snuffing of dissent, whether through social media or just plain murder.

“Star Trek Discovery” Season 3 Finale Recap: A good season ends badly

By: Andrew Bloom

A third season filled with dramatic narrative shakeups ends in the most abrupt, contrived way possible.

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