Moana

Moana

9.5 out of 10

Moana is a warm, visually lush film for the whole family with music that will make your heart feel as if it is flying. I’m deducting half a point because the song with the crab is stupid.

Logan

Logan

9 out of 10

An epic sense of finality permeates Logan, the level of carnage and emotional resonance at an all-time high as Hugh Jackman slashes his way across America in an attempt to deliver the Wolverine movie fans have been waiting for. While casual X-Men fans (such as myself) may find the first act a bit disorienting, the film as a whole is undeniably engrossing and spectacularly done. Relentlessly grim and occasionally upsetting, Logan surpassed all of my expectations and proved a worthy final outing for Jackman as the titular character.

Get Out

Get Out

10 out of 10

Jordan Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, is a testament to the power of cinema, perfectly blending wit and thrills, and reflecting meaningfully on pertinent social issues. I find myself searching my mind, desperately trying to recall a movie as gripping as this, a movie that utilizes every creative decision perfectly to maximize impact. I am at a loss. Get Out is, in a word, perfection.

Note: You'll probably enjoy the movie more if you do not watch the trailer beforehand. The less you know, the better... but here's the trailer if you wish to see it anyways.

The Neon Demon

The Neon Demon

8 out of 10

Nicolas Winding Refn's latest film The Neon Demon is absolutely mesmerizing in its visuals, earning himself the title of "visionary director". While it is undoubtedly a success on a visual level, the film features a relatively thin script with flimsy characters and incredibly disturbing content. While its stylized visuals may make the film feel inaccessible to the average filmgoer, further reflection will reveal the movie, much like the industry it examines, to be unquestionably gorgeous but incredibly vapid. Surprisingly, the film's third act is its strongest but veers sharply into dark and disturbing territory, featuring what the MPAA describes as "aberrant sexuality" and violent content that warrants a word far stronger than "disturbing". While I left the theater miserable and feeling physically ill, the movie has yet to exit my mind and I'm am sure I will be seeing again in the coming days.

8 1/2

8 1/2

7 out of 10

Enthralling in its visuals, fascinating in its complexity, and occasionally infuriating in its obscurity, Fellini's surreal masterpiece 8 1/2 is not particularly accessible but is ultimately incredibly rewarding for those who can truly invest themselves.

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

5 out of 10

While some of the gags land successfully, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising fails due to an overall lack of substance. Despite featuring promising commentary surrounding sexism and rape culture at its beginning, any worthwhile message gets lost in contradictory jokes about"Tumblr Feminists", forced exposition, and thin scripting. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is a brainless, occasionally hilarious comedy. Nothing more, nothing less.

Where to Invade Next

Where to Invade Next

7 out of 10

Where to Invade Next, the newest film from Michael Moore, is poignant and polarizing, once again showcasing Moore's liberal ideas, snarky commentary, and considerable talent as a documentary film maker.