Behind The Curtain

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

4-Star Movies

Recent Reviews

Still of Maria Falconetti in ‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ (1928)

The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

This silent-era masterpiece is a must-see for film students, but exhausting for modern audiences to watch

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Still of Jin Goo and Jung Seo-yeon in ‘My Lovely Angel’ (2021)

My Lovely Angel (2021)

Jin Goo and Jung Seo-yeon make an unlikely family in this unexpectedly touching tale of redemption

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Still of Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci in ‘Conclave’ (2024)

Conclave (2024)

Superb performances by Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini are the inspired aspects of this religious semi-thriller

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Still of Winston Duke in ‘Nine Days’ (2021)

Nine Days (2020)

What will you learn about yourself as you witness these souls being evaluated for mortality?

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Still of Aiden Quinn and Tom Berenger in ‘At Play in the Fields of the Lord’ (1991)

At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991)

Tom Berenger and Aidan Quinn in a heart-wrenching tale that again shows good intentions are not enough

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Still of Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson in ‘Persona’ (1960)

Persona (1966)

Despite enthralling performances by Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson, this classic is only for cinema aficionados

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Still of Navid Mohammadzadeh and Taraneh Alidoosti in Leila’s Brothers (2022)

Leila’s Brothers (2022)

In this searing portrait of a modern-day Iranian family in crisis, victims are many and answers are few

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Still of Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator’ (2000)

Gladiator (2000)

Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix make this tale of betrayal and revenge a memorable spectacle

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Still of George Clooney and Brad Pitt in ‘Wolfs’ (2024)

Wolfs (2024)

Lone wolves George Clooney and Brad Pitt in a comedic romp smart enough not to become a mushy buddy movie

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Still of Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook in ‘Predestination’ (2014)

Predestination (2014)

Have a look at this Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook brain-bender. If you can figure it out, let me know

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Still of Robert Redford and Brad Pitt in ‘Spy Game’ (2001)

Spy Game (2001)

Robert Redford keeps you – and his colleagues – guessing as he races to save protégé Brad Pitt

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Still of Stephanie Hsu, Michele Yeoh, and Ke Huy Quan in ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ (2022)

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Buckle up. Michele Yeoh is perfectly cast as the reluctant hero at the chaotic center of countless parallel lives

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Recent Quick Takes

Bridesmaids (2011)

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A touching, gross, and relentlessly hilarious tale of friends enduring the best and worst of times together

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

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

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

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