Drama

Review: “Chef”

There’s so much to like about Chef, Jon Favreau’s return to small-scale film making, that it’s hard to know where to start. But at its heart, Chef is a simple, intimate story of rebirth and reconnection.

Review: “Transcendence”

Transcendence is a quietly intense and cerebral film that relies heavily on its visuals and the gravitas of its stars to hold audiences’ interest as it methodically unfolds. But its ambitions and its talented cast are not enough to overcome the shortcomings of faulty pacing and a muddled conclusion that leaves you wondering just what exactly the filmmakers were trying to say and what they were out to accomplish.

REVIEW: “Draft Day” ★★★ and ½

Draft Day probably won’t be the best sports film you’ve ever seen, but it’s far from the worst. In fact, it’s a surprisingly entertaining and well-constructed film which, in addition to satisfying your average NFL fans’ desire for authenticity regarding the workings of the NFL Draft, should also appeal to a wide audience thanks to its cast and deft, comedic direction from Ivan Reitman.

Clueless Movie Reviews: “Noah”

Along with the epic scope and apocalyptic imagery you might expect from a cinematic telling of the biblical story of Noah, director Darren Aronofsky brings tremendous humanity and depth of emotion to his interpretation of the story. It’s that commitment to depicting human feeling in the film that proves to be the most compelling aspect of Aronofsky’s work here, as brought to life by a dream cast of performers led by Russell Crowe, who delivers his most engrossing performance in years.

Clueless Movie Reviews: “The Monuments Men”

The Monuments Men is precisely the sort of film the industry is coming to expect from George Clooney when he’s not in “blockbuster superstar” mode, and when he opts to tackle writing and directing duties. Intelligent, character-driven, and entertaining from start to finish thanks to a fascinating story pulled from obscure World War II history and a cast delivering understated yet appealing and memorable performances, it’s a treat to watch, even if you don’t care for history or war films.