Category: 3/4
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Listen (Ismaii) [2017] ★★★
After a series of disappointing Lebanese movies (even “Nuts” was a crushing disappointment), it’s refreshing to encounter a local movie that I can genuinely recommend. Filmmaker Philippe Aractingi (“Bosta”, “Under The Bombs”, “Heritages”), who has been making feature films for over a decade, said that he wanted to tackle something completely different this time, and…
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John Wick: Chapter 2 [2017] ★★★
Rule number one: Check your brain at the door. Rule number two: Don’t ask questions. That’s the best way to enjoy this tense, ass-kicking sequel to the 2014 surprise hit “John Wick”. Like its predecessor, this one relies on non-stop gun fights to satisfy fans of B-action movies. You know who you are. I admit:…
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The Lego Batman Movie [2017] ★★★
To say that Lego Batman was the funniest character in 2014’s “The Lego Movie” would be an understatement (at least for me). Naturally, they had to give him his own “Lego” movie, and it’s everything I hoped it would be: fast-paced, action-packed and a lot fun to watch. But all this wouldn’t mean a damn…
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The Autopsy Of Jane Doe [2016] ★★★
Up until the crazy climax, this horror movie starring Emile Hirsch and Brian Cox allows Norvegian director Andre Ovredal to earn his stripes as a master of terror. He does a fine job at creeping the hell out of us, telling the story of a father and son who work as a team of coroners…
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Split [2017] ★★★
Maybe you’ve read articles about “Split” being director M. Night Shyamalan’s return in form. Maybe you’ll think so too if you’ve seen “The Happening”, “The Last Airbender” or the preposterous “After-Earth” starring Will Smith and his son Jaden. Here’s the deal: “Split” is Shyamalan’s best film since 2002’s “Signs”, and we owe it all to…
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![Live By Night [2016] ★★★](https://tlkabtmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/lbnben-2.jpg?w=1000)
Live By Night [2016] ★★★
It’s no surprise that a movie set during the roaring 20’s would win me over almost instantly. I’m a sucker for old gangster films of the 30’s and 40’s in which Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson and the great James Cagney headlined most of them. In paying tribute to this era, Ben Affleck has managed…
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Moonlight [2016] ★★★
When a movie is so hyped and still falls short, one can talk about its good qualities or nitpick its failings. In the case of “Moonlight”, it’s a bit of both, but at least I can begin on a positive note because of the movie’s raw feelings and exceptional performances. In adapting Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play…
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A Monster Calls [2016] ★★★
Who would have thought that a story about a little boy and a giant tree could be so emotional? Like a mesmerizing bedtime story, “A Monster Calls” is superior storytelling that sneaks up and quietly breaks your heart. After two winning performances in “The Theory of Everything” and “Rogue One”, Felicity Jones delivers yet again…
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Patriot’s Day [2016] ★★★
Powerful docudrama recounts the events leading up to the 2013 Boston marathon bombing and the pulse-pounding manhunt that ensued in its aftermath. I personally couldn’t care less about director Peter Berg’s previous disaster film “Deepwater Horizon”, but what I liked about “Patriot’s Day” is that the story he tells is a scary reminder of the…
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The Edge Of Seventeen [2016] ★★★
Teen movies have been around since forever, hitting their peak in the 80’s when the late, great John Hughes cooked up some of the most memorable and quotable films of all time. “Sixteen Candles”, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, “Pretty in Pink” and The Breakfast Club” have acquired a cult following ever since they were released.…
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The Founder [2016] ★★★
Ever wondered how it all started? How McDonald’s became McDonald’s? Then you’ve come to the right place. Just like its main character, “The Founder” has a fascinating story to tell about the people whose rocky collaboration resulted in one of the most famous restaurant chains in the world. But first, we meet Ray Kroc (Michael…
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Demain Tout Commence [2016] ★★★
Omar Sy has developed an irresistible persona as a comedian, which has served him well in such films as “Les Intouchables” and last year’s underrated “Chocolat”. In that context, his latest film, “Demain Tout Commence”, is a charming, funny and touching family melodrama with another winning performance by Sy. In short: it’s a crowd-pleaser. Sy…
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Moana [2016] ★★★
I’ve been a sucker for Disney animated features ever since my mom took me to see Aladdin back in 1992, and I still approach every new film with a combination of excitement and cautiousness. Will it be as good as the previous one? Disney hit a bullseye earlier this year with the amazing “Zootopia”, and…
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Lion [2016] ★★★
It may be less than perfect, but “Lion”, starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman, has enough emotional moments to satisfy moviegoers seeking a heartwarming true story. When the film opens, we meet Saroo, a 5 year old boy who lives in poverty with his mother, sister, and big brother in a small indian village. One night,…
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Allied [2016] ★★★
World War II movies have been around since…well World War II, that you start to wonder if there’s still room for more. But I have faith in director Robert Zemeckis (“Cast Away”, “Forrest Gump”) and I have nothing but admiration for Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard. They play intelligence officer Max Vatan and French Resistance fighter…
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Trolls [2016] ★★★
They were everywhere when I was growing up: in movies, on TV, in toy stores. I’m talking about Trolls, the miniature creatures with colorful hair who spend most of their time singing and dancing. While mainly aimed at kids, this 2016 version of “Trolls” has enough classic songs to satisfy older audiences as well. Needless…
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Doctor Strange [2016] ★★★
It’s always refreshing to encounter a new kind of hero in this already overstuffed superhero cinematic universe. DC unleashed “Batman V Superman” and “Suicide Squad” earlier this year, while Marvel delivered one of their best movies yet: “Civil War”. Is there room for more? The answer is yes and he goes by the name of…
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The Accountant [2016] ★★★
It could have been a straightforward action movie with nothing new to offer, but “The Accountant” has a lot to offer, including a memorable performance from its leading man: Ben Affleck. He plays an accountant, but not your average accountant. Away from his boring job at a CPA office, he freelances as an accountant for some…
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The Magnificent Seven [2016] ★★★
Early reviews from the Toronto film festival dismissed this movie as a mere attempt to remake yet another Hollywood classic. I confess: I cringed at the idea at first. The 1960 film starring Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner and Charles Bronson (which in turn was based on Akira Kurosawa’s Japanese masterpiece “Seven Samurai”) stood the test of…
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Storks [2016] ★★★
As someone who had no idea what to expect from this animated feature, I actually left the theater with a smile on my face. This movie is a treat for kids (the screening I attended was packed with kids and they all cheered and applauded at the end) and, I daresay, for adults as well.…
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