Venice 2025: 'The Sun Rises on Us All' Review

In The Sun Rises on Us All, Chinese filmmaker Cai Shangjun reunites two former lovers who haven't seen each other in years. The reason: He went to prison for a crime she committed. (He didn't want her to get punished, so he took the rap.) Now what do they mean to one another? My review is live at Screen International. 

Toronto 2025: 'Hamlet' Review

When Riz Ahmed's modern-day take on Hamlet premiered in Telluride, the reviews were mixed, even dismissive. I caught up with the film here in Toronto, and I actually quite dug it. I explain why over at Screen International. 

Toronto 2025: 'John Candy: I Like Me' Review

The 50th edition of the Toronto Film Festival opened with a documentary about a native son. For Screen International, I reviewed John Candy: I Like Me. 

Venice 2025: 'Notes of a True Criminal' Review

Ukrainian producer and filmmaker Alexander Rodnyansky has crafted a documentary about his country's long, hard road to independence. Combining footage he shot about 30 years ago with materials from others, as well as scenes of modern-day Ukraine in the midst of the Russian invasion, Notes of a True Criminal is a different sort of war movie. My review is here.

Venice 2025: 'Marc by Sofia' Review

Sofia Coppola has known fashion designer Marc Jacobs for more than 30 years. So, she decided to make a documentary about her friend. For Screen International, I reviewed Marc by Sofia. 

Venice 2025: 'The Smashing Machine' Review

For now anyway, the Safdie brothers aren't making movies together anymore. Both of them will have their own films out this year. First up is Benny, who just premiered the real-life sports drama The Smashing Machine at Venice. My review is here. 

Venice 2025: 'Frankenstein' Review

Guillermo del Toro was made to adapt Frankenstein, a story all about misunderstood monsters. My review is live at Screen International. 

Venice 2025: 'At Work' Review

In At Work, a successful photographer decides he wants to pursue his true passion: writing. But when he struggles as an author, he discovers the challenges of eking out a living. I reviewed this tale of poverty for Screen International.

Telluride 2025: 'Highway 99: A Double Album' Review

Ethan Hawke has directed several films about artists. His latest, Highway 99, is a three-hour-plus documentary on the life and legacy of Merle Haggard. It's partly a tribute album of sorts, with different musicians covering his songs. My review is here.

Venice 2025: 'Sangre del Toro' Review

Later today (Saturday), Guillermo del Toro will unveil his new film here in Venice, Frankenstein. But for now, let's talk about a documentary about the filmmaker that's already premiered. For Screen International, here's my review of Sangre del Toro.

Venice 2025: 'Jay Kelly' Review

With Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbach suggests that movie stars are people, too. That's a potentially banal observation, but when you have George Clooney playing the movie star, things get interesting. My review is live over at Screen International.  

Venice 2025: 'Megadoc' Review

My feelings about Megalopolis are out there for the world to see. So take it from me when I say that Megadoc, which is Mike Figgis' documentary about the making of Francis Ford Coppola's film, is pretty great. Sympathetic but not uncritical, it looks at the act of creation in all its messy, hopeful glory, without snark or judgment. Here's my review.

Venice 2025: 'Mother' Review

Mother looks at one crucial week in the life of Mother Teresa in 1948. In a sense, the film is something of an origin story for the future saint, as played by Noomi Rapace. As such, it's an intriguing attempt to humanize a mythic inspirational figure. So why doesn't it work? From Venice, here's my first review from this year's festival.  

'The Roses' Review

There's a new version of The War of the Roses out this weekend. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman and is not as good as the 1989 film. I explain why over at Screen International.  

Edinburgh 2025: 'Concessions' Review

Concessions is a mix of Clerks and Eephus, looking at an independent movie theater on its final day of operation. I dug its elegiac tone, but I wish the story had more to say. My review is here. 

'Nobody 2' Review

I liked Nobody fine. But, man, I think this new one really stretches the thin premise beyond its breaking point. My Nobody 2 review is right here. 

'Americana' Review

In 2023, Americana premiered at SXSW to rave reviews. At long last, the movie finally comes to theaters this Friday. I caught up with it last week. I was underwhelmed. My review is live at Screen International. 

'Freakier Friday' Review

I have a fond memory of seeing the 2003 Freaky Friday at a drive-in, which was kind of the perfect way to experience that film. I will always remember coming away from the movie convinced Lindsay Lohan was going to be a huge star. Things happened after that, of course, but it's nice to see her back for the sequel. And, hey, she's the best part of Freakier Friday. But I have issues elsewhere with the movie. My review is up at Screen International. 

'Weapons' Review

I really liked Barbarian. But I absolutely flipped for writer-director Zach Cregger's follow-up. Here's my review of Weapons. 

'The Naked Gun' Review

Liam Neeson is no Leslie Nielsen. But I found the new Naked Gun to be pretty darn enjoyable. My review is up at Screen International.