Behind The Curtain

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

Movies to Skip

Recent Reviews

Still of Amy Adams in ‘The Woman in the Window’ (2021)

The Woman in the Window (2021)

Let this be a lesson to filmmakers trying to emulate a masterwork like ‘Rear Window’: Less is more

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24 October 2024

Still of John Ashton, Eddie Murphy, and Judge Reinhold in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ (2023)

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)

Eddie Murphy does his ad-libbing best to animate ‘Axel F,’ but only the soundtrack reminds us of past magic

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31 July 2024

Still of Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby in ‘Napolean’ (2023)

Napoleon (2023)

Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby are adrift in a meandering narrative that leaves us as uninformed as we began

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7 July 2024

Still of Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth in ‘Pokerface’ (2022)

Poker Face (2022)

A mess of a movie that's almost worth watching to appreciate how bad it really is

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27 January 2024

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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7 November 2017

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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13 October 2017

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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8 April 2017

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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27 January 2017

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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22 December 2016

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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8 August 2016

Still of Goosebumps (2015)

Goosebumps (2015)

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

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29 May 2016

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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6 March 2016

Recent Quick Takes

The Accidental Husband (2008)

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This chaotic tale of revenge and romance is too convoluted to follow and too silly to tolerate

Transfusion (2023)

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Sam Worthington is mired in a plodding plot that wants to be actioner and think piece and winds up being neither

Act of Valor (2012)

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

Alien Outpost (2014)

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

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

The Angels’ Share (2012)

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

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