Movies Pardon My French: Why The Upside Is a Real Downer By Todd Jorgenson | 1 year ago This remake takes some crowd-pleasing source material and waters it down into a shallow redemption saga that feels more manipulative than life-affirming.
Movies Spin Doctor: The Front Runner Awkwardly Revisits Gary Hart’s Legacy By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago Given the current political climate, it’s fun to revisit the 1988 presidential candidate's campaign scandal, even if this muddled drama misses the point.
Movies Despite the Eye Candy, the Future Isn’t Very Bright in Mortal Engines By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago A feast for the eyes if not necessarily the brain, this adaptation of a dystopian novel finds its narrative substance overwhelmed by visual spectacle.
Movies The New Animated Retelling of The Grinch Isn’t In the Giving Mood By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago The latest big-screen adaptation of the beloved Dr. Seuss short story has the whiff of a Christmas cash grab even if it inevitably provides some warm fuzzies.
Movies David Gordon Green’s Halloween Is Mostly Scary for the Wrong Reasons By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago Just ignore those last nine sequels and reboots. Forty years later, this new follow-up to John Carpenter's 1978 horror classic can't conjure the same scares.
Movies Different Attitude, Same Result for Hapless Humans Facing The Predator By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago This attempt to introduce a more tongue-in-cheek approach to the material fails in part because it indulges in the same action clichés it seeks to satirize.
Movies Escape Room: The Papillon Remake Plays It Too Safe By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago This stylish retelling of the 1973 Steve McQueen-Dustin Hoffman vehicle seems mostly unnecessary, a well-crafted epic that's more exhausting than exciting.
Movies The Dystopian Fantasy Darkest Minds Isn’t Worth Thinking About By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago All setup and no payoff, this adaptation of the popular novel features familiar thematic ideas and marks a transparent attempt to launch another YA franchise.
Movies Tepid Journalism Drama Shock and Awe Is Neither Shocking Nor Awesome By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago This earnest but heavy-handed period piece chronicles a worthwhile true-life account of investigative reporting in the face of post-Sept. 11 public outcry.
Movies Despite a Great Cast, the Latest Adaptation of The Seagull Doesn’t Take Flight By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago It’s so difficult to sympathize with this self-absorbed collection of stuffy artistic types regardless of the language or the setting.
Movies Turn the Page: Book Club Is Not Worthy of Discussion By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago Four legendary leading ladies can only do so much to elevate a flat comedy with a generic message about sassy seniors making the most of their golden years.
Movies Amy Schumer Sermonizes About Body Shaming in the Wrinkly I Feel Pretty By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago Despite some worthwhile sentiment, when you dig beneath the surface of this gimmicky female-empowerment comedy, the screenplay needs a makeover.
Movies Hamm Can’t Solve Decades of Political Strife in Beirut By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago Although it provides modest insight, this muddled and formulaic thriller tends to oversimplify the sociopolitical conflicts in its titular setting.
Movies The Crowd-Pleasing Comedy Love, Simon Fails to Dig Deeper By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago By adhering to coming-of-age formula and relying on plot contrivances, it downplays the internal struggles of its closeted protagonist.
Movies Why A Wrinkle in Time Might Leave You Looking at Your Watch By Todd Jorgenson | 2 years ago The visual resplendence outpaces the emotional pull in Ava DuVernay's ambitious but overwrought adaptation of the classic Madeleine L'Engle fantasy novel.
