Movies and TV

Atsuko Maeda plays a Japanese TV show host who visits Uzbekistan for work in the affecting “To the Ends of the Earth.”(Courtesy Kim Stim)

A Japanese TV host journeys in evocative ‘To the Ends of the Earth’

‘The Last Blockbuster’ an engaging, nostalgic documentary

 

Billy Bob Thornton perfectly plays the title character in “Bad Santa.” (Courtesy Columbia)

Yule jewels: 14 Christmas movies break with tradition

Holiday films with a twist are online for streaming pleasure

 

Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis are excellent in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” a new film based on a play by Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson. <ins>(Courtesy Netflix)</ins>

August Wilson’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ pierces the soul

Chadwick Boseman’s brilliant, poignant final performance is in ively musical drama

 

Diego Luna and Sienna Miller star in “Wander Darkly,” a psychological romantic drama by Tara Miele. (Courtesy Lionsgate)

Tara Miele’s ‘Wander Darkly’ fascinates and frustrates

‘76 Days’ looks at COVID-19 crisis in Wuhan, China

Diego Luna and Sienna Miller star in “Wander Darkly,” a psychological romantic drama by Tara Miele. (Courtesy Lionsgate)
Lucas Hedges and Meryl Streep star in “Let Them All Talk.” (Courtesy HBO Max)

Amusing ‘Let Them All Talk’ tells of literary folks with things to hide

New Yorker readers will particularly enjoy Soderbergh’s latest

Lucas Hedges and Meryl Streep star in “Let Them All Talk.” (Courtesy HBO Max)
Mads Mikkelsen stars in the entertaining “Another Round,” which celebrates the joy of drinking. <ins>(Courtesy Samuel Goldwyn Films)</ins>

‘Another Round’ amusingly addresses alcohol consumption

‘Mayor’ an engaging profile of the leader of Palestine’s Ramallah

  • Dec 3, 2020
Mads Mikkelsen stars in the entertaining “Another Round,” which celebrates the joy of drinking. <ins>(Courtesy Samuel Goldwyn Films)</ins>
Gary Oldman is excellent as the screenplay writer of “Citizen Kane” in David Fincher’s “Mank.” <ins>(Courtesy Netflix)</ins>

‘Mank’ glorious for movie buffs, good for everyone else

David Fincher at long last releases his homage to ‘Citizen Kane’

Gary Oldman is excellent as the screenplay writer of “Citizen Kane” in David Fincher’s “Mank.” <ins>(Courtesy Netflix)</ins>
Paul Bettany, right, and Peter Macdissi are excellent in “Uncle Frank,” a cliché-packed melodrama.<ins> (Courtesy Amazon Studios)</ins>

‘Uncle Frank’ is both moving and clichéd

‘Zappa’ a sprawling doc about a unique rock artist

Paul Bettany, right, and Peter Macdissi are excellent in “Uncle Frank,” a cliché-packed melodrama.<ins> (Courtesy Amazon Studios)</ins>
“The Croods: A New Age” is a pleasant sequel to 2013’s cartoon adventure about cave people. (Courtesy DreamWorks Animation)

New ‘Croods’ is colorful, comfy

But cartoon sequel is less funny than original

“The Croods: A New Age” is a pleasant sequel to 2013’s cartoon adventure about cave people. (Courtesy DreamWorks Animation)
“Home for the Holidays,” starring, from left, Charles Durning, Holly Hunter and Anne Bancroft, is a quintessential Thanksgiving movie. <ins>(Courtesy Paramount)</ins>

15 great Thanksgiving movies (and one turkey) to watch at home

While many families won’t be getting together during this pandemic Thanksgiving holiday,…

“Home for the Holidays,” starring, from left, Charles Durning, Holly Hunter and Anne Bancroft, is a quintessential Thanksgiving movie. <ins>(Courtesy Paramount)</ins>
Riz Ahmed, left, and Paul Raci are superb in the powerful “Sound of Metal.” <ins>(Courtesy Amazon Studios)</ins>

‘Sound of Metal’ tells an emotional story of deafness

Darius Marder’s debut feature has strong characters, performances

Riz Ahmed, left, and Paul Raci are superb in the powerful “Sound of Metal.” <ins>(Courtesy Amazon Studios)</ins>
Guy Pearce makes the most of a showy role in “The Last Vermeer.” <ins>(Courtesy Jack English/TriStar Pictures 2020 CTMG)</ins>

Guy Pearce elevates ‘Last Vermeer’

‘Born to Be’ sensitively documents transgender surgery

Guy Pearce makes the most of a showy role in “The Last Vermeer.” <ins>(Courtesy Jack English/TriStar Pictures 2020 CTMG)</ins>
East Bay Cake artist Mona Marwaha is among the contestants appearing on “Candy Land,” a reality competition based on the famous board game premiering at 9 p.m. Nov. 15. <ins>(Courtesy Food Network)</ins>

Fremont cake painter competes on Food Network

Mona Marwaha enjoyed everything about her ‘Candy Land’ experience

East Bay Cake artist Mona Marwaha is among the contestants appearing on “Candy Land,” a reality competition based on the famous board game premiering at 9 p.m. Nov. 15. <ins>(Courtesy Food Network)</ins>
Vince Vaughn, center, plays both a killer known as the Butcher and a high school student with whom he switches bodies, in “Freaky.”<ins>(Courtesy Brian Douglas/Universal)</ins>

Entertaining body-swapping ‘Freaky’ has scares and laughs

Gory flick with Friday the 13th release actually may calm some viewers

Vince Vaughn, center, plays both a killer known as the Butcher and a high school student with whom he switches bodies, in “Freaky.”<ins>(Courtesy Brian Douglas/Universal)</ins>
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, right, is prominently featured in Frederick Wiseman’s “City Hall.” Courtesy photo

Frederick Wiseman brings Boston to life in ‘City Hall’

‘Irmi’ tells touching story of survival, resilience

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, right, is prominently featured in Frederick Wiseman’s “City Hall.” Courtesy photo
Angelina Jolie and David Oyelowo appear in “Come Away,” directed by Brenda Chapman. (Courtesy Hilary B. Gayle/SMPSP/Maginot Line, LLC)

Brenda Chapman takes to live action in ‘Come Away’

New Alice-Peter Pan fantasy has 21st century family

Angelina Jolie and David Oyelowo appear in “Come Away,” directed by Brenda Chapman. (Courtesy Hilary B. Gayle/SMPSP/Maginot Line, LLC)
“Ocean Station November,” a film about the Coast Guard rescue of passengers on a transatlantic flight that was forced to crash into the ocean in October 1956, is among the offerings in the free Veterans Film Festival. (Courtesy photo)

Ninth Veterans Film Festival goes virtual

Free program designed to enlighten military members and civilians

“Ocean Station November,” a film about the Coast Guard rescue of passengers on a transatlantic flight that was forced to crash into the ocean in October 1956, is among the offerings in the free Veterans Film Festival. (Courtesy photo)
Nat Wolff plays a young man with special powers in “Mortal,” a film by Norwegian director André Øvredal. (Courtesy Saban Films)

‘Mortal’ a sci-fi fantasy with a deep, dark hero

Nat Wolff stars as a Norwegian-American with issues

Nat Wolff plays a young man with special powers in “Mortal,” a film by Norwegian director André Øvredal. (Courtesy Saban Films)
From left, Jack Lowden, Fiona Shaw and the excellent Tamara Lawrance star in “Kindred.” (Courtesy IFC Films)

Superb lead performance boosts creepy ‘Kindred’

‘Koko-Di Koko-Da’ an intriguing, sinister fantasy

From left, Jack Lowden, Fiona Shaw and the excellent Tamara Lawrance star in “Kindred.” (Courtesy IFC Films)
Jules Porier, left, and Marta Nieto appear in Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s intriguing “Madre.” (Courtesy Strand Releasing)

‘Madre’ a dark and buoyant psychological drama

‘Us Kids’ details rising anti-gun violence youth movement

Jules Porier, left, and Marta Nieto appear in Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s intriguing “Madre.” (Courtesy Strand Releasing)