
Masterminds (2016)
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 30th, 2016 - Movie ReviewsMasterminds is messy and unfocused, its satire never as pointed or as effective as it should be, while its more absurdist comedic beats are portrayed with such tongue-in-cheek certainty the laughs they generate aren’t exactly massive. But with a cast this strong there’s still plenty about this effort to applaud, and admittedly I spent much of the film’s 90 or so minutes grinning ear-to-ear, the crazed ridiculousness of it all winning me over more often than not.
Masterminds is messy and unfocused, its satire never as pointed or as effective as it should be, while its more absurdist comedic beats are portrayed with such tongue-in-cheek certainty the laughs they generate aren’t exactly massive. But with a cast this strong there’s still plenty about this effort to applaud, and admittedly I spent much of the film’s 90 or so minutes grinning ear-to-ear, the crazed ridiculousness of it all winning me over more often than not.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 30th, 2016 - Movie ReviewsI’m not sure how Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will be received by the masses, but for my part, even with a handful of strong reservations, Burton’s interpretation of Riggs’ source material kept me suitably intrigued for just about all of its rather enthralling two hours of narrative eccentricity.
I’m not sure how Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will be received by the masses, but for my part, even with a handful of strong reservations, Burton’s interpretation of Riggs’ source material kept me suitably intrigued for just about all of its rather enthralling two hours of narrative eccentricity.

Queen of Katwe (2016)
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 30th, 2016 - Movie ReviewsExpertly chronicled in 2012 by writer Tim Crothers in an ESPN Magazine article, the true story at the heart of Disney’s Queen of Katwe is an instantly powerful one. Phiona’s story grabs the viewer by the throat, our collective desire as an audience to see this child succeed palpable on an unimaginable scale.
Expertly chronicled in 2012 by writer Tim Crothers in an ESPN Magazine article, the true story at the heart of Disney’s Queen of Katwe is an instantly powerful one. Phiona’s story grabs the viewer by the throat, our collective desire as an audience to see this child succeed palpable on an unimaginable scale.

The Shallows (2016)
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 27th, 2016 - Blu-ray and DVDThe Shallows is really entertaining. I don’t have a lot more to add. It’s just a lot of fun to watch. That’s it.
The Shallows is really entertaining. I don’t have a lot more to add. It’s just a lot of fun to watch. That’s it.

Goat (2016)
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 23rd, 2016 - Film Festivals Movie ReviewsWhile far from perfect, Neel’s latest is a magnetically compelling ride into the depths of human depravity that feels like an absolute necessity, especially right now. Goat is a movie that needs to be seen, and as hard as it can be to watch here’s hoping audiences take the time do so all the same.
While far from perfect, Neel’s latest is a magnetically compelling ride into the depths of human depravity that feels like an absolute necessity, especially right now. Goat is a movie that needs to be seen, and as hard as it can be to watch here’s hoping audiences take the time do so all the same.

The Magnificent Seven (2016)
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 23rd, 2016 - Movie ReviewsFuqua, eschewing the overwrought visual theatrics that have handicapped the majority of the films he’s handled, has obviously done his homework, his staging of the various gunfights and action beats bordering on superb.
Fuqua, eschewing the overwrought visual theatrics that have handicapped the majority of the films he’s handled, has obviously done his homework, his staging of the various gunfights and action beats bordering on superb.

Storks (2016)
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 23rd, 2016 - Movie ReviewsStorks worked for me, and even when things looked like they were about to spiral out of control, there was just something about it that kept me interested to see what would happen next. It’s September’s first unforeseen surprise, and even if parents might end up having to answer a few unsettling questions about babies and their origins this is still an animated comedy the entire family should undoubtedly enjoy.
Storks worked for me, and even when things looked like they were about to spiral out of control, there was just something about it that kept me interested to see what would happen next. It’s September’s first unforeseen surprise, and even if parents might end up having to answer a few unsettling questions about babies and their origins this is still an animated comedy the entire family should undoubtedly enjoy.

Chopping Mall (1986) – Vestron Video Collector’s Series
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 20th, 2016 - Blu-ray and DVDWhile a definite product of its era, Wynorski and Mitchell’s labor of love has held up remarkably well over the past 30 years, filled with imaginative bits of whimsy and inspiration fans of this sort of thing can’t help but love. Lionsgate kicking of their Vestron Video series with Chopping Mall is a stroke of genius, and if I’m being honest this might actually be one of my absolute favorite Blu-ray releases of the entire year.
While a definite product of its era, Wynorski and Mitchell’s labor of love has held up remarkably well over the past 30 years, filled with imaginative bits of whimsy and inspiration fans of this sort of thing can’t help but love. Lionsgate kicking of their Vestron Video series with Chopping Mall is a stroke of genius, and if I’m being honest this might actually be one of my absolute favorite Blu-ray releases of the entire year.

Blair Witch (2016)
by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 15th, 2016 - Movie ReviewsEven if its feet are planted in overly familiar territory, Blair Witch is spectacularly unsettling, its final 30 minutes a crackerjack roller coaster ride of suspenseful thrills and chills that are well worth the price of admission all on their own.
Even if its feet are planted in overly familiar territory, Blair Witch is spectacularly unsettling, its final 30 minutes a crackerjack roller coaster ride of suspenseful thrills and chills that are well worth the price of admission all on their own.