Action/Adventure, Comedy, Kids, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze’ is a rather clean 1991 action film—even if the original …

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 …

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.

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 …

Animation, Kids
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Oscar-nominated ‘Little Amélie’ is beautifully animated and shares messages about loss and growing up. But it’s best navigated with mom …

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.

Drama
H Is for Hawk

‘H is for Hawk’ is at times beautiful and moving, at times hard and cutting. This film is not to …

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 …

arco
Action/Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Arco

‘Arco’ is a beautifully animated, sweet fantasy story—although the film contains a few moments that might give parents pause.

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 …

Action/Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery/Suspense, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller
Mercy

Amazon’s ‘Mercy’ offers audiences a dystopian tale with moments of intense violence and some crude language, too.

Action/Adventure, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair

Tarantino’s skills are considerable. But excess might as well be his middle name. ‘Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair’ is …

Drama
The Choral

‘The Choral’ is a period war drama with a great cast and some serious potential. But it doesn’t lift up …

Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Skipping ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,’ even if it means leaving the franchise behind, just might be the best …