Behind The Curtain

Concise Reviews for Movie Addicts Who Don't Have Time to Waste

Take a Peek Behind the Curtain

Occasional reviews, reflections, and rants about movies good, bad, and ugly

Recent Reviews

Still of Jade Quon and Ben Kingsley in ‘Jules’ (2023)

Jules (2023)

This quirky tale of three elders helping an endearing alien has something to say about life’s regrets and growing older

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Still of Brittany Murphy and Holly Hunter in ‘Little Black Book’ (2004)

Little Black Book (2004)

Brittany Murphy and Holly Hunter may be the stars, but it’s Julianne Nicholson who breaks your heart

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Featured Posts

Still of Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Judy Garland, and Jack Haley in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Off to See the Wizard – Again, and Again and …

Why did a childhood enchantment became an adult obsession?

A Reflection
Still of George Peppard in ‘How the West Was Won’

The Moment I Fell in Love with Movies

‘How the West Was Won’ sparked a life-long obsession

A Reflection

More Reviews

Photo of Frances Pugh, Morgan Freeman, and Celeste O'Connor in ‘A Good Person’ (2023)

A Good Person (2023)

Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman will break your heart in this tale of tragedy and (hoped for) redemption

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Photo of Jennifer Jason Leigh, Natalie Portman, Tuva Novotny, Tessa Thompson, and Gina Rodriguez in Annihilation (2018)

Annihilation (2018)

Natalie Portman’s trek into The Shimmer feels like a Conradian journey into the heart of darkness

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Photo of Simon Pegg, David Schwimmer, and Alice Eve in Big Nothing (2006)

Big Nothing (2006)

David Schwimmer and Simon Pegg in a not-too-squeamish dark comedy. What could go wrong?

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Photo of Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves in Destination Wedding

Destination Wedding (2018)

Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder: A perfect pairing of oddball characters (and actors)

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Photo of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt in ‘Sunshine Cleaning’ (2008)

Sunshine Cleaning (2008)

Amy Adams and Emily Blunt clean up their lives in this mirthful tale of redemption

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Photo of Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence in ‘Passengers’ (2016)

Passengers (2016)

Sadly, the distasteful cliche they chose is worse than the cliches they avoided

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Photo of Judi Dench and Ali Fazal in ‘Victoria and Abdul’ (2017)

Victoria and Abdul (2017)

Judi Dench is the only beacon of light in this dark and joyless tale

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Photo of Fionn Whitehead in Dunkirk (2017)

Dunkirk (2017)

Follow the action at ‘Dunkirk’ for the experience, not the message

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Photo of Amanda Seyfried, Shirley MacLaine, and AnnJewel Lee Dixon in The Last Word (2017)

The Last Word (2017)

Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by this superbly acted, if slightly cliched, comedy

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Photo of Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz in "The Lobster" (2015)

The Lobster (2015)

Fine performances by Farrell and Weisz can’t make you overlook the relentless dreariness

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Photo of Jesse Eisenberg and Kisten Stewart in Cafe Society (2016)

Cafe Society (2016)

Despite a few surprises, ‘Cafe Society’ is more of a bland snack than a satisfying meal

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Photo of Yeon-Seok Yoo and Hyo-ju Han in The Beauty Inside (2015)

The Beauty Inside (2015)

Read this review? Or watch the movie? Time to close your browser …

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