Behind The Curtain

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

Movies to See

Recent 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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13 December 2023

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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17 February 2020

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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22 February 2019

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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23 October 2018

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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22 June 2018

Photo of Fionn Whitehead in Dunkirk (2017)

Dunkirk (2017)

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

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4 August 2017

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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21 July 2017

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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13 January 2017

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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11 November 2016

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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7 August 2016

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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5 August 2016

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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22 July 2016

Recent Quick Takes

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

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 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

Enemy (2013)

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