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. 20, 2023
Limited (United States)
After Love
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: Khan takes that familiar piece of his own history and expands it, using it to explore our sense of identity in relation to those around us with unexpected narrative twists and a profoundly moving conclusion. Joanna Scanlan…is exquisite
Alice, Darling
Allen Almachar @ The MacGuffin
- Excerpt: an effective drama due to the strength of its performances, especially from Anna Kendrick in the lead role.
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: addresses an important subject from a unique angle. There are some bumps along the way and that ending doesn’t quite work, but the cast pulls it over the finish line.
The Son
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: where “The Father” was a masterpiece of empathy, “The Son” substitutes self superiority wrestling with self reflection compounded by such obvious foreshadowing one is tempted to scream at the film’s adult characters as if they were about to split up to search for the killer in a horror movie.
When You Finish Saving the World
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: There are a few chuckles to be had along the way, Eisenberg proving particularly adept with the visual gag, but “When You Finish Saving the World” eventually becomes as myopic as its lead characters.
2023 Films In Theaters Now In Select Areas
Aftersun
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
All Quiet on the Western Front
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Blonde
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Bros
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Bullet Train
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Crimes of the Future
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Decision to Leave
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Emily the Criminal
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
EO
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Holy Spider
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Hustle
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
A Man Called Otto
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Marry Me
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
No Bears
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Pinocchio
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
She Said
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Thirteen Lives
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Thor: Love and Thunder
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Women Talking
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
You Won’t Be Alone
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Beautiful Beings
Gregory J. Smalley @ 366 Weird Movies
- Excerpt: …the movie’s ample strengths outweigh a certain lack of originality… The bottom line is I found myself engaged with these characters and empathizing with them through their travails, which is all you ask of a film of this sort.
Chess Story
- Excerpt: The latest screen adaptation, Chess Story — one of the alternate titles of Zweig’s book — tells a compelling tale of the things people do to survive and the damage that they carry with them afterward. Yet despite boasting great performances and lavish production values, the film also feels unnecessarily messy, as though its makers were somewhat overwhelmed by the prospect of adapting such a lauded piece of literature.
How to Rob
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: It is to Horgan and his actor/producer partners Uche and Koopman’s credit that both characters appear ten years older by the time their adventure ends days later…This gritty little indie deserves a look and word of mouth could lead to a cult following.
The Price We Pay
Jared Mobarak @ Hey, have you seen …?
- Excerpt: We care enough to see where things go, but them ending up dead or alive is inconsequential since the gore is the star. I would have liked a story.
The Seven Faces of Jane
Jared Mobarak @ Hey, have you seen …?
- Excerpt: The pieces probably work better than the whole, but I’m not sure that’s necessarily a bad thing considering how purposefully segregated their productions were.
Sick
Allen Almachar @ The MacGuffin
- Excerpt: Clocking in at less than ninety minutes, it comes in, does what it needs to do, and checks out before overstaying its welcome. Frankly, more movies should adopt that approach.
2022 Films
Argentina, 1985
- Excerpt: In our present-day era of dictatorial rule in Russia causing horrendous, senseless grief in Ukraine, it is instructive to see a re-enactment of the 1985 Trial of the Juntas in Argentina.
Bad Axe
Bev Questad @ itsjustmovies.com
- Excerpt: How Siev guides his family through this time of trouble and influences his son’s video story is so deep, meaningful and good that few will be left dry-eyed.
Blanquita
- Excerpt: Most truth will never come out
Double XL
Kathy Gibson @ Access Bollywood
The Kings of the World
- Excerpt: Everything in the world has an owner
Last Film Show
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: writer/director Pan Nalin’s semi-autobiographical film delves more deeply into the essential elements of cinema itself, reveling in light and shadow, silver nitrate film and the mechanics of projecting it.
Navalny
Jared Mobarak @ Hey, have you seen …?
- Excerpt: It’s the sort of explosive overview that can change minds in a perfect world and the perfect litmus test for exposing sycophants who readily agree with Putin that it’s all just an embarrassing cry for attention.
Project Wolf Hunting
Jared Mobarak @ Hey, have you seen …?
- Excerpt: The whole works on a level of pure [bloody] entertainment alone, but the gradual introduction of backstory and motivations definitely does add another gear.
Retrograde
Bev Questad @ itsjustmovies.com
- Excerpt: In the top 15 nominations for an Academy Award for Best Documentary, this is dramatic film-making at its very best.
Speak No Evil
Jared Mobarak @ Hey, have you seen …?
- Excerpt: The filmmakers have us wondering if our protagonists are actually making matters worse themselves. We’re so quick to forgive and forget that a monster blaming us for their actions isn’t wholly wrong.
Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: When their stories converge, it is with a mixture of affection and aggravation..Lizzie finally films the duo together, the employees of Knopf amazed to see two legends wandering their work hallways in search of a number 2 pencil.
