Behind The Curtain

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

Recent Reviews

Still Of A Haunting In Venice 2023 Resized

A Haunting in Venice (2023)

Can a ghost, an impaled victim, and a locked-door mystery re-invigorate an aging Poirot? Let's see ...

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Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the ‘Dial of Destiny’ (2023)

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Through sheer bravado, Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge make "Dial" enjoyable enough

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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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Recent Quick Takes

Killer Elite (2011)

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Statham, Owen, and De Niro in an actioner with mindless entertainment and just enough stakes to care about

Casino Jack (2010)

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This romp based on the downfall of sleazy D.C. lobbyist Jack Abramoff almost has you rooting for the bad guys

The Angels’ Share (2012)

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A feel-good comedy that strains a little too much to be cute and cuddly

The Grand Seduction (2013)

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The struggling fishing village of Tickle Head needs to sign a new doc ... by any means necessary

Marrying the Mafia II (2005)

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A frenetic gangster spoof chock full of ridiculous characters, outlandish action, and plenty of silly laughs

Marrying the Mafia III (2006)

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Third time is not the charm for this gangster comedy that sinks too low into a quagmire of ridiculousness

Frequencies (2013)

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Alternative reality tale + overlapping timelines + repeated scenes + show-off antics = scrambled mess

Enemy (2013)

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Jake Gyllenhaal shines in this mind-bending thriller that has you constantly wondering what's really going on

The New Daughter (2009)

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Another uninspired tale of a father who sticks around the creepy house far longer than anyone would

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