Seberg (2019)

 

 

In the late 1960s, Hoover's FBI targeted Jean Seberg because of her political and romantic involvement with civil rights activist Hakim Jamal. 

 

Despite excellent production with good period detail and a noteworthy performance by Kristen Stewart, this film falls short of presenting a cohesive psychological portrait of Jean Seberg. 

Detroit (2017)

Fact-based drama set during the 1967 Detroit riots in which a group of rogue police officers respond to a complaint with retribution rather than justice on their minds. 

Harrowing reconstruction of a historical event exposing a shocking racist misuse of police officers' authority; excellently directed and photographed, and very convincingly performed by the cast.

 

Ant-Man (2015)

Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Nicely entertaining Marvel superhero drama well-made on a somewhat smaller scale than similar projects; it helps, and the star cast seem to be enjoying the fun.

IO (2019)

As a young scientist searches for a way to save a dying Earth, she finds a connection with a man who wants to catch the last shuttle off the planet.

Subdued, minimalist sci-fi doomsday tale with a slight ecological message; OK in itself, just not particularly interesting.

Real Steel (2011)

In the near future, robot boxing is a top sport, and a struggling promoter feels he's found a champion in a discarded robot.

Harmless kids' stuff is well made, but it offers nothing you haven't already seen.

Maltin***: "Shamelessly manipulative but surprisingly effective, this pulls out all the stops as it channels ROCKY and THE CHAMP."

Man on a Ledge (2012)

As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion.

Nicely made and fairly entertaining thriller loses credibility with its far-fetched plot.

Maltin**: "There are clever moments, but the plot gets progressively more ridiculous and eventually loses steam; the depiction of dirty cops and a ruthless business tycoon are pretty shopworn."

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

The affair between a politician and a contemporary dancer is affected by mysterious forces keeping the lovers apart.

Despite all the credentials, good production and an intriguing premise this movie lacks any romantic felling and disappoints on the sci-fi level as well.

Maltin**1/2: "Unusual fantasy...is staged against the expansive backdrop of N.Y.C., but doesn't carry its momentum to a satisfying conclusion. Too bad; Damon and Blunt give it their best shot."