Emilia Pérez
It’s a deliriously rhapsodic concoction, at times preposterous in what the lyrics of its Spanish-language songs aim to convey, and others quite affecting.
TV/Streaming
HBO’s “Like Water for Chocolate” is Downright Sumptuous
A review of the HBO series adaptation of “Like Water for Chocolate.”
10 Great Horror Films from 2024 (and Where to Watch Them)
10 of the best horror films of 2024 and where to watch them this Halloween week.
Netflix’s Sharp “The Diplomat” Offers Escapism for Political Junkies
A review of the second season of Netflix’s The Diplomat.
Don’t Move
The threadbare 93-minute two-hander contains very few cogent observations about its fractured characters or its supposed suspense.
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
What emerges is the picture of an artist who doesn’t see a perfect performance as defined by accuracy. Instead, it’s a vehicle for remembrance.
Billy Crystal Struggles to Clarify Apple TV+’s Haunting New Horror Series “Before”
It’s disjointed in its best moments and flat-out bad in its worst, and by the end of the series, it feels like a waste of time.
FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows” Loses Some Of Its Bite In Season Six
It feels as if “What We Do in the Shadows” has outstayed its welcome, with each episode feeling increasingly bloated as time goes on.
Hammy Acting and Stilted Pacing Dampen Peacock’s “Hysteria!”
“Hysteria!” isn’t frightening enough to be a horror series, nor wacky enough to be funny.
Woman of the Hour
Not only does Kendrick give a typically intelligent and spunky performance, but as a director, she shows a keen curiosity about the power of the gaze.
The Shadow Strays
Tjahjanto scores again with considerable help from Irawan, Irfan, and a generally strong ensemble cast.
Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara
Despite making the case that celebrities are complex human beings just like the rest of us, this documentary lacks a human touch.
Apple TV+’s “Shrinking” Really Starts Putting the Pieces Together in Second Season
This is the year in which the Jason Segel dramedy really finds its voice, confidently balancing its comedic and emotional currents in a way that’s entertaining and moving.
Disclaimer
Cuarón’s lyrical script and elegant direction toys with expectation and assumption, drawing you into one perspective before flashing to another’s.
Netflix’s “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” Gives Life to Iconic Character
“Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” is the finest the character has been realized in an adaptation.
Peacock’s Frustrating “Teacup” Feels Only Half-Full
You can feel the TV creator playing tug-of-war with the original author in a way that buries themes, makes characters shallow, and loses the potential of both projects.
Starz’s “Sweetpea” Is Fall TV’s Biggest and Best Surprise
“Sweetpea” feels fresh from beginning to end, offering us a gripping story right down to the final episode’s shocking cliffhanger.
