June 2, 2024 “Moviepass, Moviecrash” (**1/2 out of four) was a modestly interesting documentary about the company that founded Moviepass which (temporarily at least) seemed to revive the movie-theatre industry and revitalize customer interest but it soon crashed and burned as the company went bankrupt and its owners were under federal investigation. Film covers what was primarily a footnote in film history and was not quite as monumental as it makes it out although the editing, interviews, and footage are relatively well-captured. Best left for ardent film lovers and documentary die-hards. Continue reading →
June 1, 2024 “Atlas” (*1/2 out of four) was a desperately derivative sci/fi thriller about a counterterrorism analyst (Jennifer Lopez) who has a deep distrust of A.I. but discovers that it might be her only hope of saving mankind when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry and it might mean apocalypse now. Film’s title is ironic and apt since it is a virtual atlas itself of futuristic sci/fi cliches and is entirely composed of humdrum spare parts from other movies. Lopez is much better than the material; she also produced. Continue reading →
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