Arts

‘The LEGO Batman Movie,’ clever humor but sappy morals

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | February 21, 2017

The first few minutes of “The LEGO Batman Movie” are some of its funniest. As the audience stares at an empty screen waiting for the film to start, Batman (Will Arnett) informs us in a voice-over that all great movies start with a black screen and edgy music that makes parents and studio executives feel uncomfortable.

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Arts

Review: Despite critical acclaim, ‘Manchester by the Sea’ sinks

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | February 14, 2017

If “Manchester by the Sea” was a fairy tale, it would be the most downbeat one you’ve ever heard.

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Arts

‘Moonlight:’ a quiet but powerfully immersive portrayal of life

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | January 31, 2017

British film critic Mark Kermode once said of “Pan’s Labyrinth” that if a film that good were to be released every 10 years, then he would happily carry on being a critic forever.

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News

‘The Handmaiden’ barely misses the mark due to jarring subplot

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | January 17, 2017

After watching “Oldboy” and “The Handmaiden,” I think it’s fair to say that director Chan-wook Park, who directed both films, has a fascination with extremes.

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News

‘Rogue One’ is above average but unexceptional

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | January 10, 2017

I love “Star Wars.” I always have, and I always will. And, like most fans, I was deeply impressed by how well Disney and J.J.

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News

Review: the seventy-fourth annual Golden Globe Awards

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | January 10, 2017

Within the world of film, the Academy Awards (Oscars) represent the pinnacle of an actor or actress’s career.

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Arts

‘Arrival’ delivers fresh, emotional take on classic sci-fi topic

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | January 5, 2017

Who would have thought that the most impressive science fiction film of 2016 would not be “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” but instead Denis Villeneuve’s thought-provoking, psychological and deeply moving “Arrival.” Villeneuve has already proven himself to be an extremely talented director with films like “Incendies” and “Sicario.” Despite this, I was skeptical when early reviews called “Arrival” a new sci-fi masterpiece.

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Arts

‘The Girl on the Train:’ Wake me up when things get interesting

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | November 8, 2016

Because its story simply isn’t conducive to that approach, “The Girl on the Train” pales in comparison to other great films, leaving it to slink into cinema’s corner of obscurity.

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Arts

'Southside with You' handles love, politics gracefully

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | November 1, 2016

Making a film about Barack Obama during his presidency is a bold move. Premiering that film only a few short months before the 2016 election ­— well, that’s just downright audacious.

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Arts

Hartigan’s ‘Morris from America’ is unapologetic, emotional

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | October 25, 2016

 As Jeru the Damaja’s profanity-laced rap song “Come Clean” began to play over the opening credits of “Morris from America,” I could practically feel every person over 60 in the theater clench up inside.

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Arts

'Hell or High Water' delivers, but not the expected action film

By Sebastian Wurzrainer | October 18, 2016

 “Hell or High Water” may not be for everyone, but I think that’s honestly for the best.

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