Movie reviews of Don Shanahan

Director Abi Damaris Corbin resists the temptations to pound messages and shout showy monologues. He and his screenwriting partner Kwame Kwei-Armah uphold the simple and poignant principles that were at hand with this true story and on the central figure’s mind during a fateful July day in 2017. Review

In this way, Beast moves very well in its 93 minutes to pounce at the prescribed times the audience finds itself eager for a spill or thrill. Review

There is incomplete depth all over the place in Summering. Review

Even with some shortcomings in a mighty tall place, the draw of conquering great heights still wins and brings out more than enough nervous perspiration to memorably soak seats. Review

Amber Midthunder and Dakota Beavers seized this chance and succeeded with determined rigor and spellbinding courage matching that of their characters. Review

Koy boastfully perpetuates some bad behaviors while chastising others. That comedic selectivity creates a bit of double-talk. Review

DC League Super-Pets is the style of presentation we and these great characters deserve on the regular. Review

The entirety of Nope adds up to a sometimes wobbly balance of consequential and inconsequential outcomes because of those suspiciously selective and disproportionate points of focus. Review

Dramatic difficulties fleshed out Holmes and her cast prove otherwise. The direction and storytelling grace of Holmes’ results are very praiseworthy, especially during this continuing pandemic. Review

Combining Cumming’s lifting presence, snippets of archival TV coverage, and the animated sequences, My Old School has beguiling charm mirroring the fascinating central figure and the wry smiles on the faces of the Bearsden alumni telling their yarns. Review

Live in this family for a bit. Soak in their aura. With a dynamite line in Relative, a suitor says to their prospective squeeze, “I could drink a case of you.” Let Smith’s words and his ensemble fill and stir the drink of your spirit. You’ll be intoxicated by the results. Review

By endearing the good graces of the proven Russos and A-list Gosling, leveraging Greaney’s more-modern series as a Clancy protege has created a very brash, glossy, and able replacement candidate for when Ethan Hunt hangs up his running shoes and Dominic Torretto parks his car. Review

Even with enormous efforts from Binoche and Lindon and Denis’s intimate direction, the curiosity and carnality remains brittle for the marital breakage on display while not quite reaching a powerful enough melting point for the real explosion. Review

For better or worse, this is Thor now, even for those who remember his old and better history. Maybe at least, even in sideshow comedy mode, this character will finally have consistency. Review

Blame the script for too many clunker scenes like these. Review

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On is emphatically wholesome to no end. Revealing so much wonderment in plain domesticity, this movie decorates the micro-ordinary in wildly unique ways worth celebrating. Review

The desired shift towards what the film’s title calls for and the pound of flesh required to fill it is inadequate and unmoving, especially from the filmmaker that crushed us with similar goals in Calvary. Review

Without the peppy energy and alluring vibe of these songs, the draw of the movie’s romance goes nowhere. Take a chance on this one. You will find something for your eyes and ears to love. Review

Go ahead, Baz. Keep on singing your loud and ostentatious filmmaking songs with all their pizazz. From mediocre to great, Elvis’s songs live on. So will Luhrmann’s. Review

Playing like an intimate single-set stage production, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is built on the comfort and discomfort that come from conversation. The romantic circumstances that bring the two main characters of this film together color its tone and move the sliding scale of easement. Review

When you read the thumbnail summary of Saunders’ short story and get hints at the stakes and bleakness of this creative puzzle, the feelings of missed opportunities grow. Review

Lightyear is better off burning its own engines to be taut and unique. The movie stands tall as a valuable universe expansion that certainly beats another Disney “reimagining” or unnecessary legacy sequel (yeah, I’m talking to you, Toy Story 4). For old and new Toy Story and family adventure fans alike, this is worthwhile dream fulfillment and highly exciting entertainment. Review

When they flirt close to trying, or at least consider the notion of better paper towels, these scripts devolve back to the same spills and thrills we’ve seen over and over. Ian Malcolm said it best. It’s all unchecked avarice. Review

As softly as it does, The Time Capsule successfully conveys that level of contemplation in a wholly endearing way. Review