Drama, Horror
Undertone

Unquestionably effective, ‘Undertone’ may be the year’s scariest movie—but it’s a difficult, disturbing and demonic ride.

the testament of ann lee
Biography/History, Drama, Musical
The Testament of Ann Lee

‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ shines a spotlight on the quasi-Christian Shakers. But content concerns, including heresy, ruin the movie’s …

Biography/History, Drama, War
The Optimist: The Bravest Act Is Truth

While ‘The Optimist’ is never gratuitous, the fact that it walks us through the gates of Auschwitz makes this story …

Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller, War
War Machine

‘War Machine’ tortures its PTSD-ridden Army vet protagonist by throwing him in an alien survival situation—one with few redeeming qualities.

Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
The Bride!

‘The Bride!’ is a malformed creation featuring an effervescent, chaotic lead and whole lot of foul, foul mess.

protector
Action/Adventure, Drama, Mystery/Suspense, Thriller
Protector

‘Protector’ uses the horrors of human trafficking as a springboard for a voyeuristic killing spree—with lots of blood and language.

Horror
Dolly

‘Dolly’ is devoid of ethical merit and proud of it. It is a ridiculous exercise in gore production—and unapologetically so.

Horror, Mystery/Suspense
Scream 7

The meta vibe of the Scream franchise has degenerated into just plain meh. And while ‘Scream 7’ cranks up the …

Comedy, Documentary, Drama
The Moment

The Charli XCX mockumentary ‘The Moment’ self-describes itself as decidedly not family friendly, which makes our job a whole lot …

the secret agent
Action/Adventure, Biography/History, Crime, Drama, Mystery/Suspense, Thriller
The Secret Agent

Oscar nominee ‘The Secret Agent’ isn’t really about spy work. It’s just an odd, bloody, foul and painfully slow film.

Comedy, Drama, Music
K-Pops!

‘K-Pops!’ plays some sweet melodies before the film ends, but it also hits sour notes that distract from its familial …

Action/Adventure, Drama, Western
The Revenant

The Revenant, like the land it depicts, is beautiful, brutal and unforgiving.

Horror
Return to Silent Hill

Director Christophe Gans returns to put the ‘Silent Hill 2 ‘video game up on the big screen. It’s a bloody …

Action/Adventure, Thriller
Shelter

In ‘Shelter,’ Jason Statham once again plays a stoic loner who protects an innocent person using the deadly skills he …

dead man's wire
Drama, Thriller
Dead Man’s Wire

‘Dead Man’s Wire’ is indeed a well-made movie—as tightly wound as a wire itself. But this movie, too, is tethered …