new films

'Power of the Dog' Is an Intriguing Drama, But Not the Year's Best Film

Forrest Hartman

In a new video for Highbrow Magazine, Chief Film Critic Forrest Hartman reviews Jane Campion's Power of the Dog. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst, the film is a great dramatic Western, replete with a poignant plot and intriguing characters. But even though Campion is a masterful storyteller, Hartman doesn't believe Power of the Dog is the best film of the year. Hartman explains why.

Steven Spielberg Revitalizes 'West Side Story' and Delivers Another Hit

Forrest Hartman

In a new video for Highbrow Magazine, Chief Film Critic Forrest Hartman discusses Steven Spielberg's new film, West Side Story -- a remake of a beloved classic. The original was a popular musical that enthralled movie audiences, and Hartman explains that Spielberg has stayed true to the film's roots, and delivered us another hit.

‘Spirit Quest’ Attempts to Combine Stoner Comedy and Strong Characters, and Ends Up With Neither

Ulises Duenas

The basic premise of the movie is that two friends are on a trip to the desert where they decide to eat a bunch of mushrooms that will hopefully take them on a spirit journey. Tip is there to get over a recent breakup, and his friend Brent is his self-appointed spiritual guide. While their friendship and interactions are the core of the film, they don’t have great chemistry together for comedy.

'No Time to Die' Is James Bond at His Best

Forrest Hartman

In a new video, Highbrow Magazine writer and film critic Forrest Hartman discusses Daniel Craig's last turn as James Bond in 'No Time to Die." Hartman praises Craig for his performance as 007 throughout the Bon franchise, and gives his latest film 3 1/2 stars.

Thriller 'COPSHOP' Delivers Gore and Violence, but Not Much Else

Forrest Hartman

In an new video, Highbrow Magazine writer and film critic Forrest Hartman reviews director Joe Carnahan's latest thriller, COPSHOP, which stars Gerard Butler. Typical of Carnahan's films, COPSHOP delivers the usual gore and violence, but the storyline is nothing new and is reminiscent of his previous films. Hartman gives the film 2 1/2 stars.

‘Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman’ Misses the Mark

Ulises Duenas

Tone is important in a movie like this and the first few scenes make it hard to determine what kind of tone the director was shooting for. At first, it seems like a serious look at Bundy’s crimes, but the music and writing feel like they’re from an old VHS slasher flick. The whole soundtrack feels very ‘80s, which is odd considering the movie takes place in the 1970s.

Ambition and Over-the-Top Wealth in 17th-Century Royal France

Barbara Noe Kennedy

First released in France in 2009 for F2, TV5, and Jimmy, Ciné Cinéma, the two-part series—95 minutes each part—premiered on July 20, 2021, with English subtitles, on MHZ, a streaming service for foreign and international content. Lorànt Deutsch plays a shrewd but vulnerable Fouquet, Thierry Frémont depicts a power-lunging Colbert, and Sara Giraudeau is the smart and playful, turning heartbroken Marie-Madeline Fouquet.

‘In the Heights’ Is the First Great Film of 2021

Forrest Hartman

It also helps that the picture is a musical. When Chu isn’t moving his cast from one beautifully dressed location to another, he is guiding it through some of the most eyepopping musical numbers to hit the screen in years. The splashy (literally) presentation of the tune “96,000” uses Highbridge Pool to great creative effect, with water becoming part of the choreography. This number is so intense that one might draw comparisons to the beautiful traffic jam dance sequence in La La Land

‘Dark Divide’ Tells the Compelling Story of a Researcher in Search of Inner Peace

Ulises Duenas

Overall, the pacing of the movie is pretty slow. However, there are scenes in the last part of the movie that make whole experience worth it. It’s those scenes that show Cross’s range as an actor and drive home the meaning of the film. The story is even more interesting when you consider that it all actually happened to the real-life Robert Pyle. Even though it’s a slow burn, I would still recommend The Dark Divide.

African Diaspora Filmmakers Break the Cinematic Glass Ceiling

Sandra Bertrand

It’s worth mentioning some of the historical accounts given, which comprise the heartbeat of the film.  There was no doubt that early oppression from 1501 to 1865 was by design, with slaves reduced to generational property and 4-year-old children working alongside their elders in the fields. The figures are staggering with slave labor worth 3.5 billion, more than railroad and manufacturing profits combined.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - new films