Sam's Movie Review archive

*Designates academy award nominee. 

Current reviews can be found here.

Reviews of movies released in 2021 movies can be found here. 

Reviews of movies released in 2020 can be found here.

Reviews of movies released in 2019 can be found here.

Reviews of movies released in 2018 can be founder here. 

Note: Long reviews are underlined and can be accessed by clicking on the link.

Note: Grades are my personal assessments and derived from my rubric.  

• 13 Lives (2022, B+).  A somewhat plodding narrative film by Ron Howard that tells the story of the heroic efforts and unorthodox methods needed to save 12 boy soccer players and their coach trapped in the Tham Luang Cave in Thailand. (Prime Video)
• 42 (2013)
• 1917 (2019, A).* A visually and cinematically innovative story about heroism and the horrors of trench warfare during World War I. 

• A Hidden Life (2019, B+). An incredibly moving and poignant drama about a true story of an Austrian conscientious objector during World War II.
• A Star is Born (2018)*
• Adrift (2018) 
• Alita: Battle Angel (2019, B). A Manga-inspired story of re-awakening (re-birthing?) and search for identity by a cyborg abandoned on a scrap heap on Earth.
• All Eyez on Me (2017) 
• All The Old Knives (2022, A).  Strong performances from Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton keep this film noir suspense film on track. Click for full review / analysis
• Aladdin (2019, B-). Disney’s live-action remake of "Aladdin" is good solid fare for young ones, but may not rise to the level adults will feel fully engaged or entertained.
• American Sniper (2015) 
• American Underdog (2021, A-). A truly inspiring "underdog" story of the personal and professional trials of Kurt Warner's dogged quest to play in the NFL.
• Anna (2019, A-).  Luc Besson's action movie featuring a Russian female assassin another is a stylish, action drama that also is a a paean to the human spirit and its innate quest for freedom
• Apollo 11 (2019, documentary). A documentary tribute to human sacrifice, ingenuity, and technical achievement.
• Atomic Blonde (2017)
• Avatar: The Way of the Water (2022, A).  A visually stunning cinematic achievement and pushes technological boundaries of the industry infused with a story of family, loyalty, and acceptance. Worth the money to see on the biggest screen possible and in 3D. Click for full review / analysis. 
• Avengers
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018)* 

• Baby Driver (2017) 
• Barbarian (2022, B-).  All the elements of a classic horror movie but not much more.
• The Beatles: Get Back (2021, documentary). Iconic filmmaker Peter Jackson provides a long-overdue correction to the historical record on the Beatles. 
• Being The Ricardos (2021, B+)*. A well-executed story about the complex relationship between Lucille Ball and her husband and business partner Desi Arnaz.
• Belfast (A). Striking cinematography elevates this well crafted historical drama about growing up amidst the ethnic violence of 1969 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
• Bharat (2019, A-, in Hindi w/ English subtitles). “Bharat” is a human drama, a story of tragedy, sacrifice, social change, and personal growth in India. 
• Bird Box (2018)
• Birds of Prey (2020, B+). Well produced Marvel super hero movie showcases an excellent performance by Margo Robie, but suffers from non-redeemable characters.
• The Big Short (2015). 
• Bombshell* (2019, A-/B+)  Top flight performances from Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margo Robbie can't keep this film about sexual harassment in the Fox News workplace from falling a bit flat. 
• Black Adam (2022, B-). 
• Black Panther (2018).*
• The Black Phone (2022, A-/B+).  More suspense than horror, the Black Phone is also a coming of age story about an abducted teen finding his place and identity.  Click for full review / analysis. "The Black Phone" also has strong Christian themes which I explore on The Beacon. 
• Black Widow (2021, A).* Family drama and excellent performances lift this super hero film.
• BlacKkKlansman (2018).*
• Blonde (2022, B-).  Stunning cinematography and Oscar-worthy performance by Ana De Armas can’t save this long-drawn out, highly fictionalized, off-the-rails meditation on the worst parts of Marilyn Monroe's life. Click for full review/ analysis
• Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).*
• Book of Henry (2017)  
• Brave New World (2020, B+, Peacock Network series). This Peacock Network series is anchored by its focus on the personal freedom and liberty as the key to human happiness.
• Bruised (2021, B+). Strong performances carry this adult coming of age story of a female former MMA fighter tries to regain her identity and purpose. Halle Berry's directorial debut. (Netflix)
• Bullet Train (2022, A-/B+).  Stylish action film featuring a Brad Pitt as an assassin whose efforts to find balance in his life are challenged by an Agatha Christie-esque plot. 
• Bumblebee (2018)

• Can We Take a Joke (2016, documentary)
• Captain America: Civil War (2016)  
• Captain Marvel (2019, B-). Superhero movie fans will find excellent action, top flight cgi graphics, seamless blending of animation and live action, an intriguing origin story for the lead character, an interesting incorporation of Nick Fury into the storyline, and a cat.
  • Captain Marvel & storytelling (spoiler alert)
• Captive State (2019, B).  Understated performances serve this sci-fi movie about government tyranny, attitudes that support it, and the quest to restore freedom.
• CODA (2021, A)*. A brilliant and heartfelt story of family, humility, and overcoming the fear of the unknown.
• Crazy Rich Asians (2018)  
• Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words (2020, A). A long overdue treatment of the man who rose from abject poverty to become one of the most important Supreme Court justices of the last 50 years.
• Cry Macho (2021, B+). A solid performance by Clint Eastwood as a washed up rodeo star is not quite enough to lift this drama about rescuing a boy from an abusive home life in Mexico.
• Cyrano (2021, A).* The quintessential tragic romance told brilliantly with a contemporary eye.

• Da 5 Bloods (2020, A-). Another tour de force from Spike Lee as he examines commitment, loyalty, and African American identity through the later lives of Black Vietnam veterans.
• Darkest Hour (2017)
• Dark Phoenix (2019)
• Dawn Patrol (1938)
• Death on the Nile (2022, A). A top-flight adaptation of the classic Agatha Christie story by Kenneth Branagh. 
• Deepwater Horizon 
  • ​​Deepwater Horizon and Visual Storytelling
• Detroit (2017)
• Devotion (2022, A).  A well-executed, well-acted drama about the first African American to complete U.S. Navy flight training and his relationship with his white wingman 
• Divergent  Series 
  • Allegiant (2016)
• Don't Look Up (2021, A-). No one is spared in this parody of government decision and priority setting through entertainment driven politics. Strong performances by Hollywood's A-list. (Netflix)  
• Don't Worry Darling (2022, B).  A great performance by Florence Pugh isn't quite able to save this update of Stepford Wives' story of identity and social order.
• Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019). 
• Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022, B+). A razzle dazzle effects-laden Marvel movie that overwhelms a meaningful plot. 
• Dune (2021, A).* Visually immersive storytelling combined with Hans Zimmer's Wall of Sound artistic sensibilities lift this faithful adaptation of the Frank Herbert classic science fiction story.  
• Dunkirk (2017)

• Elvis (2022, A). A flashy, bold, coherent biopic about the King of Rock and Roll with an outstanding performance by Austin Butler and an typically excellent performance by Tom Hanks. Click for full review / analysis
• Eternals (2021, B). Yep, another Super Hero action film.  Good performances.
• Equalizer 2 (2018)
• The Exception (2017)
• Eye in the Sky (2016)

• The Fabelmans (2022, A).  An exquisitely crafted and executed semi-autobiographical coming of age drama grounded in Steven Spielberg's childhood. Click for full review/ analysis.
• Fantastic Beasts and How to Find Them (2017)  
• The Favourite (2018)*  
• Father Stu (2022, A-). A heartfelt and true story of faith and redemption. 
• Fighting With My Family (2019)
• Five Feet Apart (2019)
• ​The Florida Project (2017)  
• Ford V Ferrari  (2019)*
• Free Guy (2021, A-). An admirably human and light-hearted take on messy tech issues. 
• The Founder (2016)  
• Free Solo (documentary) (2019)*
• Free State of Jones (2016)

• The Gray Man (2022, B+).  Well produced action movie saved from a thin plot by an excellent, experienced cast. Click for full review / analysis 
• The Great Gatsby (2013)  
• Green Book (2018)* 
  • Review & Analysis of Green Book 
  • My essay on Green Book and the 2019 Oscars
• The Green Knight (A). An authentic interpretation of the classic tale of Sir Gawain's quest for meaning, courage, and honor.
• Greyhound (2020, A-).  Another strong performance by Tom Hanks as he keeps this true World War II story about a destroyer protecting a convoy of merchant ships from German submarine attacks across the Atlantic on track. (Netflix) 
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (2017)  
• The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

• Hacksaw Ridge (2016)  
• Harriet  (2019)
• Hell or Highwater (2016)
  • Narrative storytelling and the role of guns
• ​Hidden Figures (2016)
• Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)
• Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (2021, B+). The ultimate spoof of the action genre played to ludicrously comic excess by Samuel L. Jackson, Ryan Reynolds, and Salma Hayek.  
• Kong: Skull Island (2017)  
• Hostiles 
• Hotel Artemis (2018) 
• Hotel Mumbai (2019)
• House of Gucci  (B-).* Excellent performances by Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, and Al Pacino can't quite get this classically told story moving on screen.
• The Hunger Games
  • The Hunger Games (2012)
  • Catching Fire (2013)
  • Mockingjay (2015)
• The Hunting Ground (2015)  
• Hustlers (2019)

• i am All Girls (2021, B+). A dark thriller from South Africa which dives deep into the world of sex trafficking. (Netflix)
• I Am Woman (2019)
• I Care A Lot (2020, B+). A disturbing, black comedy about how grifters exploit the loop holes in elder care. A strong lead performance by Rosamund Pike.
• If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)*  
• In The Heights (2021, A). Lin-Manuel Miranda's tour de force celebration of first generation Hispanic culture in New York City.  
• India's Most Wanted (2019, in Hindi w/ English subtitles)
• Interstellar (2014) 

• Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
• Jason Bourne (2016) and visual storytelling 
• John Wick 3 (2019)
• Jolt (B+).   A well-produced action film with a fine performance by Kate Beckinsale that elevates the movie from a standard action film 
• JoJo Rabbit (2019)*
• Joker* (2019)
• Joy (2015)  
• Judas and the Black Messiah (2021, A).  Gripping performances by Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield bring this dark, disturbing real-life story of the FBI's intent to undermine Illinois's Black Panther Party in 1969 to life. 
• Judy* (2019) 
• Jungle Cruise (2021, B). Entertaining light-hearted family fun from Disney as Dwayne Johnson and Emily blunt search for a magical flower in the Amazon during World War I while being pursuing by a nasty German prince. 
• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) 
• Jurassic World: Dominion (2022, B+). This movie is a good dinosaur romp, but, unlike previous films, suffers from its lack of nuance and heavy-handed eco-disaster message. Click for full review / analysis 
• Just Mercy (2019)

• Knives Out (2019)

• La La Land (2016)    
• Lady Driver (2020, B-). A fun, authentic story with a glimpse of what a young woman can do behind the wheel of a dirt track race car. 
• Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019, B-). A somewhat plodding, aesthetically driven story about a black man's search for home and family in San Francisco.
• Last Christmas (2019)
• Licorice Pizza (B+).  A classic coming of age story about an older girl and a younger guy struggling to find what really matters in a relationship. 
• Little Pink House (2018)
• Logan  (2022, 2017)
• Lost Bullet (2020, B+).  This French action film about police corruption and redemption keeps audiences in the drivers seat (Netflix)
• The Lost City of D (B-). Light hearted rom-com carried by performances by Sandra Bullock and Brad Pitt.
• Lou (2022, B).   Strong performances by Allyson Janney and her co-stars, along with plot twists, somehow can’t make this more than a serviceable action film 
• The Lone Ranger (2013)
• Loving (2016)

• Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020, A).  This biopic of blues pioneer Ma Rainey set in 1920s Chicago is based on the play by famed playwright August Wilson. The movie adheres closely to the play and is propelled by fantastic performances by Viola Davis and Chadwick Bosman's final movie appearance. 
• Magnificent 7 (2016) 
• Man of Steel (2013) 
• Manchester-by-the-Sea (2016)  
• Marriage Story* (2019)
• Marshall (2017)  
• Mary Poppins Returns (2018)*
• ​Megan Leavy (2017)   
• Men in Black: International (2019)  
• Midway (2019)
• Minari (2020, A-).  A finely crafted historical drama of the Korean American immigrant experience set in rural Arkansas in the 1980s.
• Miss Bala (2019)
• Miss Virginia (2019)
• Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)
• Molly's Game (2017)
• Moonlight (2016)
• Morbius (2022, B-).   Typical Marvel action with a surprisingly thin plot.    
• Motherless Brooklyn (2019)  
• Mr. Jones (2020, A-/B+).  A sobering, even terrifying, historical account of how Stalin's famine-induced genocide finally came to light in the West, making the case for a free press and scrappy journalism in the process.
• Mulan (2020, A).  A faithful, engaging, and entertaining telling of a classic legend about a girl who rises to become a fierce commander in patriarchal China. 

• News of the World (2020, A-/B+).  A striking film about identity and prejudice set in post-Civil War Texas as a veteran confederate officer (Tom Hanks) must re-settle a young girl with her biological family after being raised by Kiowa Indians. 
• Nobody (2021, B). Ridiculous, well crafted, high-octane entertainment. Don't bother counting the bodies. 
• Nomadland  (2020, A). Chloe Zhao's brilliant and innovative film about the people living out of their vans in a nomadic life. There's a reason this one the Best Movie Oscar.

• On the Basis of Sex (2018) 
• Ocean's Eight (2018)   
• Once Upon A Time in Hollywood* (2019)

• Parasite (2019)*
• Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game (2022, A-). An inventive and entertaining film about how an unassuming journalist and clandestine pinball wizard fought New York City Hall and won. 
• Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
  • ​Hollywood vs real world of pirates
• Pope Francis (documentary) (2018)   
• The Power of the Dog (2021, A-). An epic Western drama, with sweeping landscapes, and a rancher who tails to grasp the power and will of those he intimidates and bullies.
• Promising Young Woman (2020, B+).   A college sexual assault leaves deep scars in this revenge thriller that has more than a few twists and turns.
• The Protege (2021, B+). A standard action film with enough mystery to keep audiences engaged and carried by solid performances by Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Keaton. 

• Queen and Slim (2019, including commentary)

• Ready Player One (2018)*
• RBG (2018, documentary)* 
• Respect  (2021, B+). Jennifer Hudson's top flight performance keeps this biopic about Aretha Franklin on track. 
• The Rhythm Section (2020, C+). A serviceable, well-executed, if uninspired, action film about a female secrete agent (Blake Lively).
• Richard Jewell* (2019)  - Commentary on controversy surrounding the movie can be found here.
• Rocketman* (2019)
• Roma (2018)*
  • My essay on Roma and the 2019 Oscars
• Run Hide Fight (2020, A-).  The filmmakers did their homework on this authentic and surprisingly well scaled action movie about surviving a high school mass shooting.
• Run The Race (2019) 
• Pinball (2022, A-). An inventive and entertaining film about how pinball was revived in New York city by an unassuming journalist and pinball wizard. 
• Samaritan (2022, B). The plot twist at the end of this Marvel-based superhero film starring Sylvester Stallone significantly elevates the storytelling value of this otherwise pedestrian action  movie. 
• Set It Up (2018)
• Sergio (2020, A-).   Sizzling on-screen chemistry between Brazilian screen icon Magner Maura and Ana de Aramas anchor this biopic of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the first High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations. 
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021, A). An epic Chinese tale drawing more from fantasy and the mysticism inspired Asian myth than science fiction. 
• The Shape  of Water  (2017)
• Silence (2016)
• Sniper: Rogue Mission (2022, B).  Surprisingly well executed B-action undercover crime movie streaming on Netflix; the tenth in the Sniper series.
• Snowden (2016)  
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)*
• Spencer Confidential (2020, B-).  A straightforward action film with Mark Wahlberg as a disgraced Boston police officer released from prison and now embroiled in a murder and corruption in the Boston police department. (Netflix)
• Spider-Man
  • Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)  
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021, A). The Spider-Man franchise is alive and well in this installment of the saga that draws on the complexities of the multiverse.
• Star Trek
  • Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013)
  • Star Trek Beyond (2016)
• Star Wars
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
  •  The Rise of Skywalker (2019) 
• Suicide Squad (2021, B+). Redeemable sociopaths make the over-the-top mayhem enjoyable.  
• The 355 (2022, A-). A solid, if uninspired, action film with an all high quality female ensemble cast.  
• The Card Counter (2021, B). A dark meditation on PTSD, the ethics of anti-terrorism tactics, and the boundaries of decency.
• The Current War (2019). 
• The Courier (2021, B+). A strong performance by Benedict Cumberbatch keeps this Cold War spy drama interesting and engaging. 
• The Extraction (2020, A-). A conventional, high-octane action film with an extraordinarily harrowing chase scene set in the busy, urban streets (which scored higher in my rubric than I guessed). (Netflix) 
• The Irishman* (2019)
• The Kid (2019)
• The Last Duel (2021, A-). A gritty medieval tale of honor, betrayal, and fidelity from the different perspectives of two men and the woman they covet. 
• The Lighthouse (2019)
• The Matrix: The Resurrections (2021, B-). Lots of action in this straightforward sequel in the Matrix franchise that Keanu Reeves made his own. Matrix fans will like it.
• The Mauritanian (2021, B). A troubling true story about someone caught in the terror of the anti-terrorist crusade. 
• The Outpost (2020, B+). Gritty realism shows the frustrating futility of America's war in Afghanistan. (Netflix)
• The Post (2017)
• The Promise (2017)   
• The Stand At Paxton County (2020, B). A romance between a San Francisco playboy and a and Army medic returning to take care of the family farm will determine its fate.
• The Take Over (2022, B-).  A shallow thriller that entertains as long as audiences don't dive too deeply. (Netflix)
• The Two Popes (717) 
• The Wife (2018)* 
• The Wolverine (2013) 
• Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
• Thor: Love and Thunder (2022, B+).  An uneven and somewhat entertaining Marvel movie that doesn't hit its groove until about the halfway point.  
• Tick, Tick... BOOM! (2021, A).  An excellent, innovative drama and musical about Jonathan Larson's struggles to get his work produced on Broadway with an outstanding performance by Andrew Garfield. (Perhaps my favorite movie of 2021.) 
• Top Gun: Maverick (2022, A). This film soars with finely woven action and drama, boosted by a high quality cast. Click for full review / analysis
• Tomb Raider (2018) 

• A United Kingdom (2017)
  • ​Commentary on freedom in A United Kingdom  
• Uncharted (2022, B-). Another videogame based action movie. Fun. Simple. Nuff said. 
• The Unforgivable (2021, B+). A strikingly layered and well-informed narrative film about the trappings of the criminal justice system and the injustices it produces. 
• Unplanned (2019)

• Valerian and  the City of a  Thousand Planets (2017)
• Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021, B). If you like smart-talking demons inside your body, this is Marvel movie for you. Tom Hardy and Woody Harrelson keep it comically real.  
•  Vice (2018)* 
• Violent Night (2022, B).  The violence in this entertaining parody of Christmas is over the top and an acquired taste but the story has heart  

• Waco (2018, Netflix series)
  • Listen to my syndicated radio interview on the series 
• Wakanda Forever (2022, A-). Well-scripted science-fiction fantasy action adventure sequel that takes the Marvel University in a new direction. Click for full review / analysis
• West Side Story (2021, A). An excellent, inspired update on the classic story and film. 
• Will You be My Neighbor? (2018, documentary) 
• Where the Crawdads Sing (2022, A-).  Well produced, directed, and intense drama of loss, heartache, and survival set in the marshes of North Carolina 
• Woman King (2022, A).  A strong, absorbing action film led by an outstanding performance by Viola Davis that stays relatively close to its historical narrative grounds in early 19th Century West Africa. 
• Wonder Woman (2017)
  • 5 not so obvious things to love about Wonder Woman
  • Wonder Woman Schools James Cameron on Strong Female  Characters 
  • Wonder Woman 1984 (2020, B). A sprawling plot and confused history nearly sink this film.

• Yesterday (2019)​