Behind The Curtain

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

Recent Reviews

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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Photo of Chris Pratt and Denzel Washington in The Magnificent Seven (2013)

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt at their most engaging. And still you couldn't care less

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Photo of Helen Mirren in Eye in the Sky (2015)

Eye in the Sky (2015)

Helen Mirren keeps this restrained thriller moving along crisply

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Photo of Matt Damon in Jason Bourne (2016)

Jason Bourne (2016)

Like relentless action scenes? If that's all you want, that's all you get

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Photo of Chris Pine, Sofia Boutella, and Anton Yelchin in ‘Star Trek Beyond’ (2016)

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Sofia Boutella upstages the crew of the Enterprise

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Photo of William H. Macy and Meg Ryan in The Deal

The Deal (2008)

Sandwiched between some overworked cliches is a biting little satire

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Photo of Jung-min Hwang in ‘Ode to My Father’ (2014)

Ode to My Father (2014)

The tears are earned honestly in this tale of sacrifice, stubbornness and devotion

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Still of Goosebumps (2015)

Goosebumps (2015)

Jack Black can't work enough magic to give ‘Goosebumps’ some chills

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Photo of Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone in Aloha (2015)

Aloha (2015)

Fast-forward to the final scene with Danielle Rose Russell, then say goodbye to ‘Aloha’

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Photo of Brit Markling, Steven Yeun, and Michael Pitt in I Origins (2014)

I Origins (2014)

Writer/Director Mike Cahill gives ‘I Origins’ its own unique vision

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Photo of Ben Stiller in ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ (2013)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Walter Mitty goes in search of a photo and discovers himself

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Recent Quick Takes

Act of Valor (2012)

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The well staged action sequences can't make us overlook the stilted dialog and cardboard characterizations

Sand Storm (2016)

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It's not a war story – only it is, of sorts – about modern Arab women's struggle against millennia-old traditions

The Skeleton Twins (2014)

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Estranged, dysfunctional twins Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig somehow manage to make suicide mirthful

Alien Outpost (2014)

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Another tired "advanced beings from outer space invade with WWII-level tactics." OK battle scenes, zero plot

Black or White (2014)

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A hard-edged, thought-provoking drama of a widowed father fighting for custody of his biracial daughter

Young Ones (2014)

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In a water-parched future, a refreshingly original and complex story of greed, betrayal, and family loyalty

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

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A do-gooder lawyer who works from the back of his car begins to realize his case isn't exactly open-and-shut

Conan the Barbarian (2011)

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For a guy facing the fight of his life, Conan sure does spend a lot of time sword-twirling.

Albert Nobbs (2011)

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A refreshingly unique tale, splendidly acted, that still leaves you unaffected and a bit adrift at the end