Movies & Streaming Reviews

The latest movies & streaming reviews from Jim Schembri, professional film reviewer since 1980.

Thoughtful and energetic, musical-drama ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ confronts tough teen topics with honesty, sensitivity and song

Fake friend: Evan Hansen ...
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Covid-themed, art scene satire ‘Project Space 13’ has fun with lockdown in NYC; Interview with writer/director Michael Bilandic

One of the stars of ‘Project Space 13’: “All good comedy is self-deprecating on some level,” says writer/director Michael Bilandic ...
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It’s colourful, boisterous, brimming with song and magic, yet Disney’s ‘Encanto’ is far-from-enchanting, a little forced and, well, rather dull

Magic time: Mirabel learns about the downside of magic in Disney’s ‘Encanto’. ENCANTO ** (96 minutes) PG It’s beautiful to ...
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‘Dune’, a sensational space opera with grand visuals and a great story

Snack time: A giant sandworm comes up for a spot of lunch in ‘Dune’. DUNE **** (155 minutes) M Yes, ...
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‘Palazzo di Cozzo’: outstanding, funny, sweet & sour bio-doc delivers the whole enchilada on furniture king Franco Cozzo

Furniture king: The life of Franco Cozzo is examined in the bio-doc ‘Palazzo di Cozzo’. PALAZZO DI COZZO ****1/2 (85 ...
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Body-horror shocker ‘Titane’ is captivating, perverse & not for the squeamish

Pinhead: Agathe Rousselle plays a lass in a spot of bother in the French art movie ‘Titane’. TITANE ***1/2 (108 ...
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‘Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn’, a cautionary, timely tale about Covid-19 and the downside of uploading do-it-yourself sex tapes

Teacher in trouble: Emi (Katia Pascariu) pleads with the PTA in ‘Bad Luck Banging’. BAD LUCK BANGING OR LOONY PORN ...
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More mega-movie mediocrity from Marvel in ‘Venom 2’

Hi bud: Tom Hardy and VFX friend star in ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’. VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE ** ...
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Sparks fly as Michael Caine & Aubrey Plaza lift the pleasant, predictable, pro-literature comedy ‘Best Sellers’

Same page: Aubrey Plaza and Michael Caine in the comedy ‘Best Sellers’. BEST SELLERS *** (102 minutes) M Some very ...
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Box-ticking period drama ‘Passing’ fails to bring its characters to life

Tough tale: Tessa Thompson stars in the period drama ‘Passing’. PASSING *1/2 (97 minutes) M A strong contender for Most ...
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