March Movie Reviews
What to watch on the big screen
MOVIE OF THE MONTH
SHALL WE KISS? Can a full-on, swoony lip lock ever be innocent, a kiss without consequences? We wish. Virginie Ledoyen as married Judith puts that question to the test when her neurotic, single best friend Nicolas (writer/director Emmanuel Mouret) becomes starved for physical affection. Reversing a tired cliché, here's a guy who can't enjoy sex without romance first. This droll French rom-com follows the duo's efforts not to fall in love, with doomed but delightful ploys that include actually trying for bad sex. The wily script nudges us to wonder if Nicolas is as helpless and nerdy as he seems or Judith as gullible. Ledoyen creates a charmingly down-to-earth heroine, the kind of mythical Frenchwoman who makes a simple crisp white shirt seem preposterously glam and the most outlandish propositions--like tricking her wonderful hunky husband into leaving her--sound downright sensible. Another of Judith's friends recounts the whole sordid story as a cautionary tale after a handsome stranger asks her for a no-ties smooch. No need to resist this enchanting, airy trifle with a surprisingly sober twist.
17 AGAIN An older man's brain locked in Disney-cookie Zac Efron's hard body is a fantasy we'll embrace. Mike (Matthew Perry) gets a do-over 20 years later and wakes up as his 17-year-old self. It's still 2009, and his own kids are now classmates whom he befriends, which makes his ex-wife his new pals' hot mom (real-life hot mom Leslie Mann). The savvy cast raises this comedy above its family-friendly, 13 Going on 30 premise. Endearingly funny, Efron channels Perry's gestures and inflections. Makes us glad our senior year stayed over.
LYMELIFE An outbreak of Lyme disease is the least of anyone's problems in director Derick Martini's truthful slice of suburban life set in 1979. Nerd Scott (Rory Culkin) lives with unhappiness: adulterous dad (Alec Baldwin), repressed mom (Jill Hennessy), screwed-up neighbors (Timothy Hutton and Cynthia Nixon). But Scott's coming-of-age story is overshadowed by Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew star and Julia's niece) as his crush. As a girl just beginning to recognize her sexual power, Roberts moves one step closer to adult stardom.
Stay In The Know
Select the newsletters you’d like to receive. Then, add your email to sign up.
-
Anne Hathaway Apologizes to Journalist for "Awful" 2012 Interview That Went Viral
All's well that ends well!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Taylor Swift Makes $5 Million Donation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton Relief
One organization thanked Swift for her generosity.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Says Ben Affleck Split Did "Almost Take Me Out for Good" the Second Time
She doesn't regret any of the lessons she's learned.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
The 32 Best Sports Movies Ever
These hit a home run.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Lyle and Erik Menendez Will Share What "Hasn’t Been Told" in Netflix Documentary 'The Menendez Brothers'
The convicted murders speak on their case from prison in the new doc, which premieres just weeks after 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.'
By Quinci LeGardye Last updated
-
How 'The Substance' Uses Practical Effects and Splashy Makeup to Craft a Body Horror Film That Tears Down Beauty Standards
The makeup and effects artists open up about the behind-the-scenes process on Coralie Fargeat's new movie.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
With 'My Old Ass,' Megan Park Masters the Coming-of-Age Movie
The director discusses filming her second feature starring Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The Best Video Game TV and Movie Adaptations
Ready, player one?
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The Best Movie Remakes of All Time
You might be surprised that some of these reimagine other films.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The 32 Best Neo-Noir Movies Ever
Some surprising classics borrow from the genre to amazing effect.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
'Blink Twice' Has Been Called a #MeToo Thriller—But We Deserve Better
Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut doesn't provide the nuance needed to move the conversation forward.
By Sadie Bell Published