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: Dec. 3, 2021
Limited (United States)
Benedetta
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: …it is no surprise that while Verhoeven examines hypocrisy and corruption within the Church, the “Showgirls” director has also played up the more lurid aspects of this story. Call it “Stigmata-girls.”
Mike McGranaghan @ The Aisle Seat
- Excerpt: Benedetta is destined to be controversial. I just don’t know which part of it will be the most controversial.
Andrew Wyatt @ The Lens
Sebastian Zavala @ Cinencuentro.com [Spanish]
- Excerpt: It conveys interesting themes related to the cruelty of religious fervor, and how extreme devotion can limit people, making them feel guilty about their own bodies and their sexuality.
Silent Night
Laura Clifford @ Reeling Reviews
- Excerpt: …while Griffin’s premise is strong, unfortunately it is swamped in a black comedy which is rarely funny with a (fairly obvious) twist ending Stephen King devised forty years ago.
Wolf
Mike McGranaghan @ The Aisle Seat
- Excerpt: A challenging and compassionate movie.
2021 Films In Theaters Now In Select Areas
Antlers
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Eternals
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
The French Dispatch
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
House of Gucci
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
King Richard
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Last Night in Soho
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Passing
For member reviews of this film, follow this link
Adventures of a Mathematician
Bev Questad @ itsjustmovies.com
- Excerpt: Recommended for its thoughtful contribution to science and the conflicts surrounding the development of nuclear warheads, Thor Klein’s “Adventures of a Mathematician” is a must-see.
Bruised
Betty Jo Tucker @ ReelTalk Movie Reviews
- Excerpt: Halle Berry succeeds in transforming herself into a dishonored Mixed Martial Arts fighter who needs redemption and love.
Clerk
Derek Deskins @ Edge Media Network
- Excerpt: For the Kevin Smith ignorant, “Clerk.” will be merely something that they scroll past when trying to find something to watch. But for the Kevin Smith faithful, this is a love letter to their devotion.
C’mon C’mon
- Excerpt: I can’t remember a movie that captured as well as Mike Mills’ “C’mon C’mon” the intense, constant feelings of terror, inadequacy, panic, exhaustion, plus the tsunami of love and gratitude and hope and hilarity that is parenthood. He even captures the heartbreaking sorrow in understanding that childhood is fleeting and no matter what you do you cannot protect them from the injustices of the world. This is one of the best films of the year.
Encanto
Bavner Donaldo @ Cinejour [Indonesian]
Encanto
Mark Hobin @ Fast Film Reviews
- Excerpt: The title means “charm” in Spanish and this Disney animated musical is indeed charming.
Encanto
- Excerpt: It is colorful and exciting and funny and warm-hearted and, something harder to find, it is also wise.
Gaza Mon Amour
Bev Questad @ itsjustmovies.com
- Excerpt: Together, the explicit and implicit stories combine to tell what life and love is like in Gaza. Together with the West Bank, Gaza is claimed by the de jure sovereign State of Palestine, but subject to Israeli laws and apartheid. Both stories have confusion, roadblocks, and desire.
The Power of Dog
Marilyn Ferdinand @ Alliance of Women Film Journalists
- Excerpt: The beauty and harshness of the life Campion depicts are understated compared with the baroque drama and violence found in many Westerns. But she never lets us forget that violence underlies the false machismo of the mythic West.
The Real Charlie Chaplin
Bev Questad @ itsjustmovies.com
- Excerpt: “The Real Charlie Chaplin” provides remarkable revelations about a remarkable actor. The outstanding research and editing, beginning with his birth in 1889, that make this documentary flow will land this film as a major contender for best doc on the 2022 Academy Award short list.
Simple as Water
Bev Questad @ itsjustmovies.com
- Excerpt: Megan Mylan, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, took five years in five countries to create this cinéma-vérité documentary masterpiece on what it’s like to be a refugee.
The The Rossellinis
Bev Questad @ itsjustmovies.com
- Excerpt: Even Alessandro is using it as his movie’s title, to gain attention and interest. But upon lifting the curtain, Alessandro also reveals the truth behind the famous and revolutionary name.
