Film Reviews

It’s true.  “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is a beautifully crafted film about television icon Fred Rogers, played with magnetic charm by one of our greatest living film actors, Tom Hanks.

It’s true.  The film centers on the relationship between Mr. Rogers and Lloyd Vogel (mirroring the experience of journalist Tom Junod). Matthew Rhys portrays Vogel in a tortured, conflicted way […]

The predictable segue of production company credits have not concluded at the beginning of James Mangold’s beautifully crafted “Ford v Ferrari” when the rumbling sound of a racing engine being revved floods the theater.  In a moment mildly reminiscent of John Williams’ two note, muscle-clenching theme from the classic Peter Benchley/Steven Spielberg classic “Jaws,” the audience is put on notice […]

“Jojo Rabbit” is an emotional rollercoaster of a film.  It has light headed moments of silliness and deep dives into tragedy.  It has vaudevillian comedy and the most tender moments of love and loss.  It is entirely — from opening titles to closing credits — worth the ride.

Taika Waititi, writer, director and co-producer of “Jojo Rabbit” also appears […]

Let’s begin at the end. “Harriet” is an overwhelmingly impressive film and one that deserves attention, discussion and appreciation across a wide audience.  Kasi Lemmons’ directing is sure, imaginative and unyielding.  The life of Harriet Tubman, played by Cynthia Erivo with almost frightening force, compassion and depth, is a complex story of the obscenity of slavery and the staggering heights one […]

There was an awkward moment in the darkened theater as the last notes of “Hitch Hikin’” reverberated in Bruce Springsteen’s New Jersey barn as the opening salvo of his concert film/autobiographical exploration “Western Stars” started the journey through his newest album of the same name.

Several members of the attentive audience began to applaud … then caught themselves with a light […]