Batman: The Movie – a cult bad-movie masterpiece with a daring and subversive edge
Leslie H Martinson, “Batman: The Movie” (1966) In an age when comic book superheroes were treated with the respect and dignity they deserved, this film –…
North American Films
Reviews of films made in Canada and United States including all films made by Hollywood.
British Films, North American Films
Pride + Prejudice + Zombies: affectionate spoof historical comedy drama / horror film mash-up could have promised more
Burr Steers, “Pride + Prejudice + Zombies” (2016) At long last, instead of yet another BBC TV series adaptation or British / Hollywood movie version of…
Dog Day Afternoon: character study centred around a failed heist in a morally adrift America
Sidney Lumet, “Dog Day Afternoon” (1975) A character study featuring stunning acting from lead actor Al Pacino, this film captures the jaded atmosphere of a post-hippie…
British Films, North American Films
Goodbye Christopher Robin: a surprisingly substantial film with some disturbing themes
Simon Curtis, “Goodbye Christopher Robin” (2017) A film about English playwright / author A A Milne and the circumstances in which he was inspired to write…
Ghost in the Shell (dir. Rupert Sanders): generic origin story makes anime adaptation tired and formulaic
Rupert Sanders, “Ghost in the Shell” (2017) In adapting a major Japanese anime series into a potentially lucrative movie franchise, Hollywood opted for a standard origin…
Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 16: Adam Ruins the Future): this episode should have gone out on a high note
Tim Wilkime, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 16: Adam Ruins the Future)” (2017) As the last episode of its season, “Adam Ruins the Future” should…
Murder on the Orient Express (dir. Kenneth Branagh): a lavish and brisk remake turns out to be an ego trip
Kenneth Branagh, “Murder on the Orient Express ” (2017) At least superficially this film is quite enjoyable to see Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot…
Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 15: Adam Ruins Science): making a stand for public funding for science
Laura Murphy, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 15: Adam Ruins Science)” (2017) Television programs about science and scientific studies may abound in many forms (as…
Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 14: Adam Ruins Halloween): beneath the silly slapstick and cheap thrills, a sobering message about manipulating people’s emotions and weaknesses for profit
Tim Wilkime, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 14: Adam Ruins Halloween)” (2017) Beneath the silliness is a sobering message that the scariest thing about life…
Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 13: Adam Ruins Wellness): too much slapstick and not enough depth may ruin the show
Laura Murphy, “Adam Ruins Everything (Season 2, Episode 13: Adam Ruins Wellness)” (2017) Once again gatecrashing the most unlikely places – like right in the middle…