2019

[7] Mindy Kaling wrote and co-stars with Emma Thompson in this fluffy but satisfying comedy about a factory worker (Kaling) who aspires to work as a writer for late night television. When she finally gets her chance to work for a TV icon whose career is in decline (Thompson), Kaling’s character has to fight the all-male, all-white malaise of the show’s writing room, as well …

[5] I would call myself a pretty big fan of the X-Men movie franchise. I’ve enjoyed all but a few of them, and regard X2: X-Men United, Days of Future Past, and Logan as exceptional entries. I even enjoyed the more maligned The Last Stand and Apocalypse. But the latest installment in the series, and reportedly the last, is the most disappointing chapter since X-Men …

[7] Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer reunites with The Help director Tate Taylor on this horror-thriller about a lonely woman who befriends a group of high school teenagers. The teens enjoy hanging out and drinking beer in her basement until the woman, affectionately nick-named ‘Ma,’ becomes too needy and demanding of them. As they try to distance themselves from her, Ma takes drastic measures to bring them …

[7] Two academically high-achieving young ladies decide to party hard the night before high school graduation to make up for all the nights they spent studying and doing their homework. Booksmart is about the friendship between these two women and their determination to step out of their shells and connect with their classmates, including romantically. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein are very well cast in …

[8] Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige and writer/directors Joe and Anthony Russo hit a home run that should satisfy all Marvel fans with Avengers: Endgame, the climactic finale to what is essentially an 11-year story arc. It begins with the Avengers — Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) — all …

[6] Disney Nature presents this kid-oriented documentary about the lifestyle of Adélie penguins in Antarctica. Ed Helms (The Office) narrates and provides what is essentially voiceover for our hero penguin, affectionately named Steve. Steve begins the movie on his way to the penguins’ mating grounds, where he’ll build a nest of stones and try to attract a mate. He hits it off with a lady …

[8] A young teen Billy (Asher Angel) is called upon by mystical forces and given the ability to turn into an adult superhero (Zachary Levi) at will. Together with help from his new foster brothers and sisters, he learns how to handle super-speed, lightning from his fingertips, flight, and other powers. He’s also forced into a confrontation with a man (Mark Strong) possessed by the …

[6] Ready for another Stephen King remake? I’m guessing we’re going to see a lot more of them soon, thanks to the success of It. And It was ripe for a remake because, while it’s loved in certain ways, a lot of horror fans agree that it falters in others. Pet Sematary, on the other hand — not so much. King’s story centers around a …

[5] Julianne Moore stars as the title character in this remake of a Chilean film, both directed by Sebastián Lelio. Moore plays a middle-aged divorcee whose children have grown up and no longer need her. She’s stuck in a boring insurance job and goes to clubs a few times a week — maybe to date, or maybe just to dance. She meets Arthur (John Turturro) …

[7] Director Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland) turns Disney’s animated classic into a live-action film that is both a remake and a sequel. Dumbo follows the original story in broad strokes, with Danny DeVito running a down-on-its-luck traveling circus where a baby elephant with enormous ears is born. At first, the baby is considered a freak. But two children of a returning war …

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