Here are some reviews of films coming out at the theater this week as well as others that may be in theaters or newly on home video.
Opening: Jan. 6, 2023
Limited (United States)
Mars One
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: Writer/director Gabriel Martins…gives us something old and something new with Brazil’s submission for the 2023 International Oscar, a straightforward family drama full of heart with a suggestive sprinkling of magical realism.
The Old Way
Mike McGranaghan @ The Aisle Seat
- Excerpt: This Walmart ‘Unforgiven’ is thoroughly color-by-numbers in its plotting.
A Man Called Otto
Mike McGranaghan @ The Aisle Seat
- Excerpt: Pretty formulaic for the most part, yet the Oscar-winning actor’s performance salvages the many predictable elements.
2022 Films In Theaters Now In Select Areas
The Banshees of Inisherin
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Catherine Called Birdy
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Empire of Light
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
The Good House
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Pearl
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
See How They Run
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Tár
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
The Wonder
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
X
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Aftersun
Bavner Donaldo @ Cinejour [Indonesian]
All Quiet on the Western Front
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: Gripping and graphic portrait of the war that changed the nature of combat.
All That Breathes
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: A stunning documentary about compassionate caregivers to the kites in New Delhi.
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
Jared Mobarak @ Hey, have you seen …?
- Excerpt: Landing on the moon was a communal experience and APOLLO 10 1/2 succeeds when dealing with that phenomenon. The mileage of the rest’s time capsule categorization varies.
Argentina, 1985
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: Shocking and highly ethical presentation of genocide, justice, and empathy.
Broker
- Excerpt: Broker, Kore-eda’s latest, is meant to be a companion piece to Shoplifters. And while it doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of its predecessor, it is still a lovely depiction of a found family brought together in the strangest of ways—this time, by one young woman’s decision to abandon her baby at a church in the South Korean city of Busan.
Catherine Called Birdy
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: A raucous and ribald medieval comedy that will cheer independent adolescent girls.
Causeway
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: Story of two wounded people who harvest a friendship out of pain and trauma.
Corsage
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: All hail Paul Thomas Anderson for bringing this actress to the global stage back in 2017 with “Phantom Thread.” Five years later she stands as a world class actress, her “Corsage” performance a thrilling high wire act.
Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: The origin story of the spiritual song that has swept the world as a modern prayer.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: Adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s controversial novel placing the emphasis on love leading to a new life.
Living
- Excerpt: Oliver Hermanus’ Living, a faithful remake of Akira Kurosawa’s Ikiru, stars Bill Nighy as a terminally ill repressed bureaucrat who realizes it’s time to rage against the dying of the light.
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: Nighy never overplays, his character’s reserved behavior and quiet speech patterns barely changing. Instead, the actor ups his physical energy level just as Williams’ health begins to drain it.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
Mark Hobin @ Fast Film Reviews
- Excerpt: In this production, the superior musical numbers overshadow a disjointed and cluttered story
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: A supernatural drama based on a Stephen King story that raises questions about cell phones.
The Pale Blue Eye
Allen Almachar @ The MacGuffin
- Excerpt: Thankfully, strong performances and a striking ending lift it beyond its shortcomings. There’s a gem here if viewers are willing to find it.
The Quiet Girl
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: A very special coming-of-age drama that focuses on the characters’ kindness, compassion, and nurturing.
The Same Storm
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: A look at what is revealed about New York City residents during the pandemic lockdown.
A Short Story
- Excerpt: Commissioned by a cat supply company, A Short Story takes viewers along on the strange, surreal journey of a large black cat seeking something precious in this world, only to discover that the answers may lay startlingly close to home.
Spoiler Alert
Rick Aragon @ Rick’s Texan Reviews
Sr.
Jared Mobarak @ Hey, have you seen …?
- Excerpt: There’s some real emotion and catharsis at play, regardless of whether either is ever truly mined beyond the moment before humor gets used as deflection.
The Swimmers
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: True story of two sisters who flee war-torn Syria and as refugees use their swimming skills to help and inspire others.
Tantura
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: Documentary about the conflicting accounts of the genocide in a Palestinian village by Israeli troops, revealing the power of denial.
Terrifier 2
Jared Mobarak @ Hey, have you seen …?
- Excerpt: Where the other chapters were pure homicidal rage, TERRIFIER 2 better balances the tonal juxtaposition of blood, guts, and vaudeville humor.
Thirteen Lives
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: Drama based on the true story of the courage, persistence, and ingenuity of an international community rescuing 12 soccer players and their coach from a flooded cave in Thailand.
Women Talking
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: …the film sets up its main characters as specific types…and uses them to feed those emotional viewpoints into a debate which eventually becomes repetitive.
Mike McGranaghan @ The Aisle Seat
- Excerpt: An intelligent, provocative work that transcends the stagey nature of the material.
Wonder
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat @ SpiritualityandPractice.com
- Excerpt: A mystery set in 1862 Ireland in which reason is pitted against faith as a nurse tries to figure out a so-called miracle.
