Anna and the Apocalypse – Movie Review Rating: B (Good) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy VVS Films Among celebrated movie monsters, zombies seem to be among the most adaptable to other genres. Multiple filmmakers have taken the brain munchers and found ways to play around with their identifiable characteristics. It was inevitable someone would make zombies the focus of a musical, thus the creation of Anna and the Apocalypse. The movie plays on many of the familiar zombie movie tropes, so fans of the walking dead will definitely enjoy themselves. While one can definitely see the influence of Shaun o ..read more

The Favourite – Movie Review Rating: B+ (Very Good) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy Fox Searchlight Pictures Period pieces have often been accused of being cold and stodgy and some do run the risk of falling into that trap. The Favourite has some of the hallmarks of period pieces, while also having a sense of humour about itself as it details the absurdities of the royal court. With three excellent performances at its centre, The Favourite becomes a battle for the affection of Queen Anne and the ways these two women try to receive that love. Director Yorgos Lanthimos doesn’t necessarily want us to ..read more

Robin Hood – Movie Review Rating: D (Very Bad) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy eOne Films The story of Robin Hood, with its outlaw stealing from the rich to aide the poor, is one that has understandably been adapted to screen many times. This new take on the archer comes only eight years after the previous big-budget Hollywood portrayal, but it disappointingly falls rather short of leaving a memorable impression. Robin Hood attempts to continue the themes common in tellings of the legend, while also adding a more modern spin. With frenetically edited and filmed action scenes and a Robin lacking mu ..read more

Ralph Breaks the Internet – Movie Review Rating: A- (Great) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy Walt Disney Studios Six years ago, Disney Animation and director Rich Moore brought the world of arcade games to stunning computer animated life in Wreck-It Ralph. Recognizing the opportunity that can come from going inside the Internet, Moore (now sharing co-directing credit with Phil Johnston) and his team have crafted a visually inventive World Wide Web. However, the relationship between Ralph and Vanellope continues here with plenty of the heart that fueled the first film. The filmmakers have inserted m ..read more

Green Book – Movie Review Rating: B (Good) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy Universal Pictures Based on his prior filmography, largely directing gross-out comedies, Peter Farrelly seems like an odd choice to make a film about racism in America during the 1960s. Green Book requires a lot of tricky waters to navigate through and by focusing on the unusual relationship between an Italian-American driver and a black pianist, Farrelly finds the route by which to tell the story. A lot of credit for the film’s likeability goes to the central performances by Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. Their portra ..read more

The Front Runner – Movie Review Rating: A- (Great) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy Sony Pictures The relationship between the politicians and the press is a major topic of discussion these days. How much should journalists be privy to? How much privacy should these public figures have? Jason Reitman uses Gary Hart’s 1988 presidential campaign to explore these issues and while Hart is a major focus, The Front Runner also gives plenty of time to his staff, family and other people affected by the reveal of his scandal. Reitman’s Altman-esque direction guides us through the events and circumstances, c ..read more

Widows – Movie Review Rating: B+ (Very Good) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy 20th Century Fox The heist film is a tried-and-true genre with a specific formula to it, albeit one that has resulted in many an entertaining picture. Leave it to Steve McQueen to spice things up with Widows, which takes advantage of our knowledge of them. The decision to dispose of the robbers in the opening scene allows for a different direction to be taken when we see the effects of their deaths on their wives. There are multiple plot threads and characters to follow in Widows, yet McQueen never makes the plot too conf ..read more

The Grinch – Movie Review Rating: B+ (Very Good) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy Universal Pictures Dr. Seuss’s books have been adapted into a number of movies this century, with many facing the problem of trying to take short stories and stretching them to feature length. While this latest incarnation of The Grinch also extends the book, directors Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney manage to find clever ways of expanding on the titular green creature and the citizens of Whoville. Most importantly, they inject it with a fitting heartfelt message and the humour doesn’t insult Theodore Geisel’s classic ..read more

Boy Erased – Movie Review Rating: B+ (Very Good) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy Universal Pictures The horrible practice of gay conversion therapy is unfortunately an ongoing problem, with The Miseducation of Cameron Post tackling the subject a few months ago. Boy Erased works as a fitting companion piece with director Joel Edgerton unflinchingly showing the trauma inflicted on the people sent to these facilities. Adapting Garrard Conley’s memoir, Edgerton shows a real understanding of what Jared is going through and also seems intent on depicting his parents’ point-of-view. Edgerton is seeking t ..read more

The Girl in the Spider’s Web – Movie Review Rating: B- (Okay) Trailer/Thumbnail Courtesy Sony Pictures It’s easy to see why filmmakers are compelled to continue making films involving Swedish punk hacker Lisbeth Salander. There is a uniqueness to the character and the possibility of some twisty-turny plots. The Girl in the Spider’s Web is the second attempt to create an American adaptation of Salander, albeit taking inspiration from the fourth book in the series written by a new author and not original creator Stieg Larsson. It’s a curious decision, but one that makes sense as it gives direct ..read more