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based on a book

“Cherry” is sour, artificial, and goes down like cough syrup

Cherry
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The Russo brothers’ Avengers: Endgame follow-up wastes the potential of a grown-up Tom Holland, and tries way too hard.

Justin Harrison Posted on February 25, 2021February 25, 2021

“The United States vs. Billie Holiday” can’t build a strong case for itself

United States vs. Billie Holiday
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Andra Day shines in Lee Daniels’ otherwise-messy biopic about the Black cultural icon, squandering some fine potential.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021

“The Map of Tiny Perfect Things” can’t find its way around

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
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Amazon’s “Groundhog Day” for teens tries its best, but goes too heavy on metaphors instead of plot.

Sean Price Posted on February 15, 2021February 15, 2021

“Behind Her Eyes” promises but doesn’t deliver

Behind Her Eyes
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Netflix’s adaptation of the bestselling psychological thriller starts out on steady footing, but quickly loses its way.

Beau North Posted on February 15, 2021February 15, 2021

“The Luminaries” is shiny but isn’t gold

The Luminaries
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Starz’s sweeping historical drama is a treat for the eyes, but doesn’t have much going on beyond that.

Megan Sunday Posted on February 13, 2021February 13, 2021

“To All the Boys 3: Always and Forever” flirts with maturity, but can’t commit

To All the Boys 3: Always and Forever
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Netflix’s sickly-sweet teen rom-com series finally reaches the limits of its charm offensive with an overlong, stakes-less conclusion.

Clint Worthington Posted on February 11, 2021February 11, 2021

Sundance 2021: “Passing” lingers in the gulf between black & white

Sundance Passing
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Rebecca Hall adapts Nella Lawson’s novella about Black social mobility (and its corresponding resentments) to haunting effect.

Clint Worthington Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021

“Little Fish” is a pandemic-set love story you don’t have to throw back

Little Fish (IFC Films)
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Olivia Cooke and Jack O’Connell shine in a melodramatic, but immersive romantic tragedy that mimics the isolation and loss of our current moment.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on February 7, 2021February 7, 2021

“Firefly Lane” is too soapy and messy to nail its tale of lifelong friendship

Firefly Lane (Netflix)
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Maggie Friedman’s adaptation of the Kristin Hannah novel wastes two charming performances by Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke.

Ashley Lara Posted on February 3, 2021February 2, 2021

“The Reluctant Fundamentalist”’s subterfuge of the American Dream

The Reluctant Fundamentalist
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Mira Nair’s adaptation of the Mohsin Hamid novel is a probing exploration of the forces that make us who we are.

Roxana Hadadi Posted on January 28, 2021January 31, 2021

Cookie-cutter disability drama “Penguin Bloom” fails to flower

Penguin Bloom
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Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln struggle predictably in the wake of a debilitating accident, and don’t dig too deep below the surface of what it means to be disabled.

Rob Kojder Posted on January 25, 2021January 25, 2021

“Vanity Fair” puts a modern flair on a dusty classic

Vanity Fair
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Mira Nair turns a dreary novel into something bright and beautiful, and changed how we looked at it.

B.L. Panther Posted on January 21, 2021January 21, 2021

“The Good Lord Bird” is an absurd abolitionist Western

The Good Lord Bird
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Ethan Hawke chews the scenery in a historical drama that gleefully plays around with the truth.

C.M. Crockford Posted on January 16, 2021January 15, 2021

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

The Reason I Jump (Kino Lorber)
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Empathetic, well-crafted filmmaking makes this profile on the specificities of autistic life both heartwarming and essential in its outreach.

Douglas Laman Posted on January 8, 2021January 7, 2021

“Gone Girl” is the David Fincher rom-com we never knew we had

Gone Girl
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David Fincher’s meticulous anti-murder-mystery is a curious marriage of thriller and romantic comedy.

Ashley Lara Posted on December 27, 2020December 24, 2020

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is little without its two leads

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
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The 2011 adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s hit novel does right by its investigators but drags out the story around them.

Justin Harrison Posted on December 25, 2020December 24, 2020

“Zodiac” and the very slow walk to justice

Zodiac
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Arguably one of David Fincher’s best films, Zodiac focuses on the tedium of a murder investigation, rather than the crimes themselves.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on December 19, 2020December 19, 2020

“Hillbilly Elegy” is a loud, tear-stained tribute to the enduring human spirit

Hillbilly Elegy
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Ron Howard’s adaptation of J.D. Vance’s bootstrapping rags to riches memoir is exactly what you’d expect.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on November 24, 2020November 24, 2020

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