The truth may, or may not, be sleeping with the fishes in Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman”; regardless, the deft mafia underworld surrounding Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance pulls you in—even if a digitally modified Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci foreshadows a hit on gangster films as we know them.
9 out of 12 Tamales
The premise is inspired and relevant, yet “Queen & Slim’s” leading characters’ connection, romantic or otherwise, feels inauthentic— a disarticulation that dooms the entire movie from the start.
6 out of 12 Tamales
No source material, a hard-to-get-right genre, no problem, “Knives Out” is this year’s most original—most inventive—movie, a whodunnit that truly keeps you guessing, and laughing, until the closing credits.
11.5 out of 12 Tamales
If looking for a good Mister Rogers movie, you’re better off watching last year’s documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” because not even Tom Hanks, or Daniel Tiger, can help “A Beautiful Day” make sensible directorial choices.
5 out of 12 Tamales
“Frozen II” lets the formula go, lets the characters’ mature, except for a funnier than ever Olaf, and gives fans what they really came for, another catchy soundtrack.
10 out of 12 Tamales
With Christian Bale’s Ken Miles firmly in the driver’s seat and Matt Damon’s Carroll Shelby competently co-piloting, “Ford v Ferrari” handles each dramatic turn and thrilling race scene like a champ.
10.5 out of 12 Tamales
World War II’s not supposed to be funny—Hitler much less—yet writer-director Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit” defies the odds and the stigma by channeling his inner Wes Anderson/Mel Brooks to give us this year’s top comedy.
11 out of 12 Tamales
