“Ultimately, ‘Bitter Money’ points out that accumulating money doesn’t necessarily bring wealth, and that slaving away isn’t necessarily a solution for the Chinese subjects — it’s their only option.”
“Despite its over-moralizing and trite narrative, the film’s sweetness and Noël Wells’ promise make ‘Mr. Roosevelt’ a comedy worth spending 90 minutes with.”
“The ambition and concept are good to have, it just takes a lot more work to match the craft and care of Bergman, Altman or Lynch.”
“In a time such as ours, ‘Dolores’ delivers a vision of community organization and social flourishment that can usher in a new reality for America’s masses.”
“Roberts believes in the subtle force of his nice-as-pie protagonist, and he is right: Katie’s light outshines the blue Arizona sky.”
“‘Song to Song’ finds itself in its vast mercies. It balances tragedies and heartbreaks with life’s many graces.”
“No matter which storyline is in play, the best thing about ‘Still Tomorrow’ is its subject.”
“What ‘Catfight’ lacks in sanity, it makes up for in the sheer exuberance of Sandra Oh and Anne Heche.”
“‘Strong Island’ is a vulnerable, affecting documentary that illustrates what systemic racism looks like on a personal level.”
“The editing is where the story of Casting JonBenet is truly built.”
“‘Rat Film’ doesn’t spell out its conclusions, instead allowing the viewer to come to their own upon seeing the images and stories it presents.”
“Pema Tseden’s all-Tibetan film is a confrontation of old and new, of solitude and togetherness, of dreams and reality.”
“We can’t always get what we want, but ‘Mes nuits feront écho’ shows that, in our dreams, we are in charge.”
“All in all, ‘Demonios tus ojos’ is a movie about the excitement of doing something prohibited.”
“The director’s own forthrightness is, at once, both refreshing and perplexing.”
“The beauty of ‘Super Dark Times’ can be found in its caring and sensitive vision for the characters’ world.”
“In this promising debut, there is something beautiful about the resignation that humanity can be found in surprising places.”
“The film is more of a mood piece than a purely narrative feature, one that prefers to focus on the nuances of being different.”
“Recollecting lessons learned is not the same as actual learning.”
“For all its violence and grandiosity, it stands as an impressively filmed indictment against religious persecution.”