Author: catemarquis
BLACK MASS
Johnny Depp gives flawless performance as Whitey Bulger in “Black Mass” but film has its flaws – FILM REVIEW- By Cate Marquis – Johnny Depp delivers a chilling, powerful performance as James “Whitey” Bulger, in the true-story crime thriller “Black Mass.” While Depp is flawless, the film is not. The story of Bulger’s rise to…
PAWN SACRIFICE
True story “Pawn Sacrifice” is Cold War thriller as chess game – FILM REVIEW – By Cate Marquis – Tobey Maguire turns in a riveting, Oscar-worthy performance as eccentric chess genius Bobby Fischer in the Cold War thriller “Pawn Sacrifice.” The film traces Fischer’s emergence as chess prodigy from his troubled childhood, his game-changing innovations…
THE VISIT
“The Visit” may be contender for weirdest, worst film of year – FILM REVIEW – By Cate Marquis – Writer/director M. Night Shyamalan’s latest, “The Visit” may top the list for the weirdest film this year, and possibly the worst as well. While it seems to be going for scary, the audience laughed through most…
A WALK IN THE WOODS
Redford and Nolte shine in comic, thoughtful ‘A Walk In The Woods’ – FILM REVIEW – By Cate Marquis – Robert Redford and Nick Nolte star as a couple of “old guys” who get the crazy idea to walk the Appalachian Trail in the adventure comedy “A Walk In The Woods.” St. Louis-area native Ken…
MISTRESS AMERICA
Gerwig, Kirke delight in Baumbach’s “Mistress America” – FILM REVIEW By Cate Marquis – Director Noah Baumbach offers a charming, quirky indie-film comedy with “Mistress America.” College student Tracy (Lola Kirke), who hopes to become a writer, is having trouble connecting with her fellow students. Feeling lost and alone in New York City, she calls…
WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS
‘We Are Your Friends’ is strictly for Zac fans – FILM REVIEW By Cate Marquis – “We Are Your Friends” is a music-filled tale about an aspiring DJ and his friends in Los Angeles’ suburban San Fernando Valley. While fans of star Zac Efron, who plays the DJ, will get plenty of eye-candy and a…
THE DIARY OF A TEENAGED GIRL
‘The Diary of a Teenaged Girl’ follows teen’s sexual coming-of-age in ’70s San Francisco – FILM REVIEW – By Cate Marquis – There are two things to note about “The Diary of a Teenaged Girl.” First, despite the title, it is not appropriate for actual teenaged girls, it is for adults, particularly adult women. Secondly,…
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
‘Straight Outta Compton’ traces rise of rapper N.W.A. with humanity and dramatic power – FILM REVIEW – By Cate Marquis – “Straight Outta Compton” traces the rise of early rappers N.W.A. and the hip hop music genre, with a focus on these young men’s humanity and with a nod to the present post-Ferguson world. This…
THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. captures retro style in reboot of ’60s TV spy series – FILM REVIEW – By Cate Marquis – Director Guy Ritchie (“Snatch,” “Sherlock Holmes”) delivers a stylish bit of ’60s spy film fun with “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” an elegant, entertaining reboot of the 1960s James Bond-style spy TV show. Rather…
FANTASTIC FOUR
‘Fantastic Four’ is not so fantastic – Film Review by Cate Marquis – Marvel Comics continues its movie juggernaut with “Fantastic Four,” a reboot with an origin story and a fresh cast of young actors. Despite some serious acting chops, particularly the talented Miles Teller, this franchise relaunch fizzles, precisely because it fails to take…