★★★★★ Hilarious and thematically rich, Paul Thomas Anderson's sweeping political caper allows the celebrated director to orchestrate a dazzling spectacle of controlled chaos in his boldest and most captivating film yet.
★★★★ Full of humour, warmth, and raw emotion, this biopic brings Scottish campaigner John Davidson's story to life, spotlighting the daily challenges of Tourette syndrome and inspiring greater understanding.
★★★★ This emotional and deeply affecting adaptation of Stephen King's dystopian novel gruellingly explores the depths of human endurance, elevated by unforgettable performances from Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson.
★★★ Despite Spike Lee's bold stylistic flourishes in this jazz-infused spin on a Kurosawa classic, his latest joint stumbles with erratic pacing and a distracting upbeat soundtrack that drains away any sense of peril.
★★1/2 Lacking in freights and originality, the film pivots the spotlight onto the Warrens themselves, casting the real-life paranormal investigators as daring pioneers despite their exploits remaining dubious decades later.
★★★1/2 Austin Butler electrifies every scene with majestic charm in this surprisingly fun crime caper from Darren Aronofsky, though the director's signature grit sometimes clouds the film's light-hearted tone.
Quick thoughts and reviews of all the new releases I was able to catch in August.
★★ I found myself surprisingly unmoved by Mike Flanagan's TIFF winner, A hollow experience that tries to disguise its narrative void with a shallow meditation on life and death.
★★★1/2 Stellar performances and Aster's fearless direction pull you into this powder keg of a town, but by juggling too many sensitive topics, the films feels as subtle as a knife to the head.
★★1/2 While the jokes and story stumble in this legacy sequel, Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis shine, effortlessly stepping back into the roles they reversed more than twenty years ago.
Dan Loves Film 