Film critic Dwight Brown reviews The Devil Wears Prada 2, finding a polished but redundant sequel that recaptures the original’s style without its shine, carried by strong chemistry but hampered by plodding direction and emotionally detached characters.
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Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein offers grand design and stellar visuals but little of the terror or tension that defines the classic story. Despite its ambition, this version feels more art gallery than horror film.
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The Smashing Machine
Dwayne Johnson surprises in a stripped-down, affecting performance as MMA legend Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s Smashing Machine. The film deglamorizes the sport, digs into addiction and relationships, and finds real stakes far beyond the cage.
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One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another blends counterculture myth, political satire, and a father-daughter chase. Teyana Taylor blazes; Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn spar with a wobbly tone. The set-pieces stun, but the story never fully locks in.
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Love, Brooklyn Â
Love, Brooklyn, an indie dramedy set in Fort Greene blending love, community, and gentrification, with nuanced performances and a strong soundtrack.
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Highest 2 Lowest
Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest reimagines a classic crime thriller with Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, and A$AP Rocky. Uneven in tone but gripping in execution, the film delivers action, cultural resonance, and a standout second act.
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps skips the usual flash and leans into real emotion. With strong performances from Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, a gripping script, and one unforgettable space birth, it may be the most human Marvel film in years.
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28 Years Later
Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later is a beautiful nightmare—packed with eerie images, primal moments, and a terrifying performance by Ralph Fiennes. It’s not perfect, but it’s unforgettable.
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Bad Shabbos
Bad Shabbos serves up sharp laughs and unexpected twists — with Method Man stealing the show in this chaotic culture-clash indie comedy, reviewed by Dwight Brown.
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The Woman in the Yard
Ramona, a widowed mom, is struggling to cope with her grief and neglecting her children, but a mysterious woman appears in the front yard, causing chaos and leading to a mind game between the two.
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Magazine Dreams
Magazine Dreams, directed by Elijah Bynum, follows the story of a mentally disturbed young man named Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) who is determined to become a magazine cover model through bodybuilding, but his anger issues and ultra-violent behavior lead to a descent into madness.
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The Brutalist
The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, is a brilliant work of art that tells the story of a Jewish Hungarian architect who fled post-WWII Europe and built a community center in the Brutalist style, featuring impeccable detail and artistry.
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Best of the Best Movies 2024
The 2024 film year was filled with strong performances, astute directing, and behind-the-scenes talent, with notable films including The Brutalist, Conclave, Wicked, and The Piano Lesson.
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The Fire Inside
The Fire Inside tells the inspiring story of Claressa Shields, a young girl from Flint, Michigan, who becomes a world champion boxer and Olympic gold medalist, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of female athletes.
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Pansy’s relentless rants and insults define her character in Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths
Marianne Jean-Baptiste delivers a powerful performance as Pansy, a woman who is constantly angry and abusive to her family, friends, and strangers, in the film Hard Truths.
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Anthony Robles’ inspiring journey to NCAA championship as a one-legged wrestler
Anthony Robles, a one-legged wrestler, overcomes adversity and becomes a champion, inspiring others with his determination and resilience.