Batman Returns (1992)::rating::3::rating::3::rating::3

In Batman Returns, Tim Burton delivers the most audaciously eccentric blockbuster ever made. After the mammoth success of the first Batman, the pressure mounted for a sequel that matched its combination of arty neo-noir and lucrative pop-culture spectacle. Burton was initially reluctant to return, and the studio granted him enormous leeway to craft the film as he…

ByTodd WoffordJuly 14, 20211Comment

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Black Widow (2021)::rating::3.5

If the MCU's cultural phenomenon were a swimming pool, then Black Widow requires a doggy paddle out to the deep end. Along the way, you'll pass twenty-three movies, multiple TV shows, social media tie-ins, video games, and Youtube shorts. You don't have to master that entire juggernaut to stay afloat, but miss just enough of Marvel's sprawling…

ByTodd WoffordJuly 9, 20212Comments

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The Tomorrow War (2021)::rating::2

The Tomorrow War is a film of frustrating contrasts: Its intriguing sci-fi premise gets squandered in an overlong, meandering story that feels like a frantic dash to go nowhere special. To make matters worse, the filmmakers cast Chris Pratt, a fine comedic actor possessed with his own unique, freewheeling charm, only to hamstring him with a…

ByTodd WoffordJuly 8, 20210Comments

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Cinemavino — The Conjuring III, What’s Next::rating::0

For this week's Cinemavino, we take a look at The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. In a broader discussion, we cover films that claim to be based on real events, and what obligation they have to the actual truth. Also, we draw movies to screen for our summer season, where we're diving into forgotten/overlooked sequels to…

ByTodd WoffordJuly 7, 20210Comments

The Podcast

Cinemavino — Loki, Episodes 3 & 4::rating::0

Spoilers abound! Welcome to another fine episode of Cinemavino! This week, we take a look at episodes 3 & 4 of Loki, Marvel's new streaming show on Disney+. There's a lot to unpack, and we have lots of opinions. As always, we use a few spicy words. Listener discretion is advised.

ByTodd WoffordJuly 5, 20210Comments

Exclusive The Archive

A Quiet Place (2018)::rating::4

A Quiet Place is one of those rare high-concept films that not only succeeds, but also uses its clever plot device to wicked effect. Where most horror movies deploy some combination of gore, boobies, and an unsubtle smirk of self-awareness to lure viewers, this film relies on intelligence and restraint to create an atmosphere of…

ByTodd WoffordJuly 2, 20210Comments

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A Quiet Place Part II (2021)::rating::4.5

Writer-director John Krasinski builds on and up, expanding his story without dampening the magic that made it good in the first place.

ByTodd WoffordJuly 2, 20210Comments

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Cinemavino — Ladykillers::rating::0

Welcome to another fine episode of Cinemavino! This week concludes our series taking a fresh look at movies that might be over or underrated. For this installment, we screen the Coen Brothers' dark comedy, The Ladykillers, starring Tom Hanks, J.K. Simmons, Erma P. Hall, and Marlon Wayans. Fair warning, this episode…

ByTodd WoffordJune 30, 20210Comments

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F9: The Fast Saga (2021)::rating::2.5

These recent Fast and Furious movies don’t so much jump the shark as rocket over it and into the stratosphere, all while bedecked in a spangly outfit and a jetpack.

ByTodd WoffordJune 29, 20210Comments

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The Misfits (2021)::rating::1.5

It only took 125 years of moviemaking, but The Misfits has finally given us the cinematic equivalent of a wet willie. That might sound a smidge dramatic, but after 94 miserable minutes of this sweaty, obnoxious action bonanza, I wanted to scrub out both my ears with soap.

ByTodd WoffordJune 23, 20210Comments