Sunday, November 15, 2015

Film Reviews: November 15, 2015

Here is a recap of the films reviewed on today's show:

Spectre is an average James Bond adventure. It certainly isn’t the worst of the series or even the worst of the Daniel Craig era but what should be a major payoff comes across as a run through of the 007 checklist.

Meadowland is a gritty drama with some extraordinary performances by Olivia Wilde and Luke Wilson. The movie gets away from its central premise but on the whole this film is a powerful look at the impact of loss and grief.

Burnt is an average movie. It suffers from a story that is unfocused and cliché. The movie has the potential to be daring but it is compromised by capitulating itself to populist feel-good entertainment.

Young viewers are going to enjoy The Peanuts Movie and it’s tolerable for adults. However, unlike the classic television specials, it is unlikely that this film will become a title that today’s kids share with their own children in years to come.

Boulevard is a fine drama and one of the notable final performances of Robin Williams’ career. The movie may not be entirely original but it tells this story very well.

You can find full text of every review in the Sounds of Cinema Review Archive.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Film Reviews: November 8, 2015

Here is a recap of the films reviewed on today's show:

The Last Witch Hunter is clearly an attempt to set up a new fantasy franchise but for that to work it must have a compelling central character and a rich story world. This film has neither.

Jem and the Holograms is intended to be a feel-good bubblegum story. For tweens who think Twilight is great literature and the music of Taylor Swift is life changing, this may have some appeal. But even adolescent audiences ought to recognize how facile and poorly written this movie is.

There is a case to be made for the disintegrating status of investigative journalism but Truth is not it. Very much like the people whose story it tells, the filmmakers attempt to contort a historical event into something it wasn’t.

Clouds of Sils Maria is a quiet but thoughtful film about the impermanence of life and the way art can capture a fleeting moment. It’s a pensive movie but those enjoy pictures like or Birdman ought to check it out.

You can find full text of every review in the Sounds of Cinema Review Archive

Monday, November 2, 2015

'Dark Side of the Full Moon' Screening Nov. 5th at Winona State University

Winona State University's Nursing Department will host a film screening of Dark Side of the Full Moon on Thursday, November 5th at 6:30 p.m. in the Science Laboratory Center Auditorium, room 120.

Dark Side of the Full Moon is about the 1.3 million women in the United States who struggle to find support and treatment for postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders. The 75 minute documentary will be followed by a panel discussion with those who have first-hand experience with the mental health of motherhood. Additional information about Dark Side of the Full Moon can be found at the official website.

The event is free and open to the public.