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3.5/5
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Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson is intriguing, touching, sad, and hopeful all at once.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3/5
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Ant-Man
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Ant-Man is entertaining for what it is, but is average on the scale of all the Marvel films so far. Its action is fantastic, Ant-Man's abilities pretty cool, and the setup for future films solid enough.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3.5/5
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A LEGO Brickumentary
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Imagination will overflow as soon as you see it and you'll be surprised to find that it is an eccentric look at the Lego company that informs, is as layered as its bricks, and entertaining without ever becoming boring.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3.5/5
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The Stanford Prison Experiment
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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While it sometimes drags on in certain places and becomes repetitive in its showing of the actions taken by the guards, the film still stands well enough and is able to explore the ugly side of humanity that is very revealing.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3.5/5
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The End of the Tour
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The performances are really what keep the film from falling apart and the character dynamic makes up for any sluggishness that befalls the film around the midway point before it picks up again.
Posted May 02, 2019
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2.5/5
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The Runner
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The Runner is a semi-return to form for Cage, but not quite good enough.
Posted May 02, 2019
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1.5/5
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Fantastic Four
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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It's an extremely rough film where there are a lot of edges that needed to be smoothed over.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3.5/5
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Ricki and the Flash
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The combination of fantastic music, good performances, and the slightly dark undertones covered up by a feel-goodness the movie has in the end, makes for a fun watch regardless of any issues it might have.
Posted May 02, 2019
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4/5
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The Gift
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The Gift is like finding a gem in a summer of mostly mediocre films. It's character-driven, well-developed, smartly written and finely acted.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3.5/5
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The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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A highly stylized and entertaining spy film worth seeing.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3/5
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Amnesiac
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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I suppose Amnesiac is intriguing in its own way, captivating only in a way that works when you're not laser-focused on some of the imbalance between its plot and side plot.
Posted May 02, 2019
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2/5
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Big Sky
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The plot is entirely too underdeveloped and all the characters suffer from its neglect. A hard movie to sit through.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3/5
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The Diary of a Teenage Girl
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The performances, however, drive the story and make for intriguing conversations even if the end feels like it's pulled together quickly in order to spur a resolution.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3/5
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6 Years
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Fidell's tone and direction keep the film steady and the characters relatable.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3.5/5
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Mistress America
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Filled with heart-warming moments, combined with a witty script, and a great cast, the film is one of Baumbach's more light-hearted outings and he and Gerwig make it work.
Posted May 02, 2019
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2.5/5
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American Ultra
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Excessively violent and gory without needing to be, American Ultra never quite realizes which path it wants to take and leaves you ultimately unsatisfied.
Posted May 02, 2019
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2.5/5
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No Escape
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Perhaps Dowdle and his brother Drew didn't want to make the story too convoluted and complicated, but one can't help but think that this politically-charged thriller has a gaping missing piece.
Posted May 02, 2019
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2.5/5
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The Park Bench
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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LeSchander shows a lot of strength in her debut feature, but because of the unchanging setting, The Park Bench could have perhaps been better if it had been situated on a stage rather than onscreen.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3/5
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Unsullied
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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While the film does have a lot to offer, it isn't able to carry that momentum all the way through to the end. Regardless of some of the film's issues, however, Simeon Rice has a lot of potential in his future as a filmmaker.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3.5/5
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Rosenwald
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Rosenwald does well in balancing both stories as well as taking care to note the importance of the work behind it and its significance. On occasion emotionally stirring, importantly informative, and as humble as Julius Rosenwald was.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3.5/5
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Grandma
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Grandma is an unabashed look at different generational and matrilineal relationships and owning up to your actions.
Posted May 02, 2019
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4/5
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Z for Zachariah
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Z for Zachariah is beautifully made, has wonderful storytelling, is subtle without being unclear, and has a lot of food for thought. A film that works in many ways and is a must watch.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3/5
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Zipper
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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It's well-acted, dramatic, has several thematic elements that are solid, even if it doesn't always peel back the curtains to reveal the reasons why or make use of the consequences of the protagonist's choices.
Posted May 02, 2019
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2.5/5
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We Are Your Friends
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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We Are Your Friends won't make you want to be any of these characters' friends. Even the saddening event that happens later on, and serves as the turning point for Efron's character, lands no impact.
Posted May 02, 2019
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4/5
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Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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An honest film about the life of Jobs. Using archive footage and interviewing the people who were closest to him, the film removes the rose-colored glasses to bring us the real man behind the technology that we are so very fond of today.
Posted May 02, 2019
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2/5
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Addicted to Fresno
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Often ridiculous, the film has a lot of ingredients but lacks the right recipe.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3/5
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Before We Go
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Before We Go is mediocre at best and ultimately a forgettable film. Still, it's also somehow decently entertaining despite its shortcomings and occasionally drawn-out melodrama. A film best seen from the comfort of your own home.
Posted May 02, 2019
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2.5/5
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Learning to Drive
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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While there are a few genuinely funny moments, Learning to Drive isn't the feel-good comedy it's meant to be.
Posted May 02, 2019
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3/5
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Dirty Weekend
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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This makes for an intriguing, but unfortunately still very tame and more mainstream kind of film, which is unlike LaBute. Mediocre but leaves more to be desired.
Posted May 02, 2019
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4.5/5
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Avengers: Endgame
(2019)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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'Avengers: Endgame' is a well executed story that centers its characters and their journeys, while providing some of the best action sequences the MCU has ever had.
Posted Apr 26, 2019
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4/5
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Fast Color
(2018)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The characters drive the story instead of the other way around and it's bolstered by a tremendous cast and an authenticity that makes for a moving viewing experience.
Posted Apr 19, 2019
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3/5
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X Plus Y
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Morgan Matthews infuses the film with enough emotion, good conversation, and an effective ending that will pull on your heartstrings a bit.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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3.5/5
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The Visit
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The Visit is solidly entertaining without overdoing anything. At least it's not a negative mark on Shyamalan's record, which is in and of itself a reason to be happy.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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2/5
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Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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While it eventually gets to the point, the direction is all over the place and isn't grounded in anything solid.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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3/5
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Sleeping With Other People
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Although not everything in the film works, it's likable overall and far better than most other romantic comedies the last couple of years.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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3.5/5
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Goodnight Mommy
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Goodnight Mommy is increasingly unnerving and meant to completely throw off even the most die-hard horror fan, but the film is less horror than it is a psychological trip through clues, truths, lies, fantasy and reality.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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3/5
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Everest
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Although you can appreciate the fact that the events of the film stay relatively true to what actually happened and the technical aspects of the film are fantastic, it's still disappointing that the characters aren't given enough attention.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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2.5/5
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Black Mass
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Entertaining but underwhelming for a movie of its kind.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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4/5
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Meet the Patels
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Well-balanced and intimate without being invasive, Meet the Patels is one of the best documentaries you'll see this year and without a doubt is a film for everyone, no matter who you are.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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3.5/5
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The Second Mother
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The Second Mother doesn't look to solve the socioeconomic gap, but rather paints a very vivid picture of the senselessness behind it all. It's an intriguing and well-executed story from the perspective of the underprivileged characters.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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4/5
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Sicario
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Although some of the disturbing images are hard to swallow at times, Sicario is a drug thriller you won't want to miss seeing.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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3.5/5
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The Intern
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The Intern is very enjoyable and is good at loosening the heartstrings a little. It's not a romance between De Niro and Hathaway (thankfully), but serves its purpose well in being a feel-good, character-driven film.
Posted Apr 11, 2019
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2.5/5
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Ashby
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Ashby has occasional heartwarming moments but isn't well-rounded enough to understand its own journey.
Posted Apr 10, 2019
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1.5/5
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Campus Code
(2013)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Let me just say that Campus Code is not a strong feature debut for Catherine Scorsese.
Posted Apr 10, 2019
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4/5
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The Martian
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The Martian is a film that is driven and well-rounded family entertainment that is sure to please everyone and maybe make them want to go pick up a science book.
Posted Apr 10, 2019
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3.5/5
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The Final Girls
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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The Final Girls is an entertaining bit of spoof comedy that has its own strengths and more emotion than the average horror film.
Posted Apr 10, 2019
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3/5
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Pan
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Wright tends to ditch some of the more magical parts and elaborations on character...to give us a prequel that will be entertaining for the kids, but will leave adults wanting more.
Posted Apr 10, 2019
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3/5
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Big Stone Gap
(2014)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Trigiani's heart is in the right place and the film is very obviously a labor of love that isn't very heavy on plot but makes you feel like you're right at home.
Posted Apr 10, 2019
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4.5/5
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Victoria
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Victoria is superbly executed, character-driven, and full of twists and turns that will keep you watching and riveted to the screen at all times.
Posted Apr 10, 2019
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3/5
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Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom
(2015)
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Mae Abdulbaki
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Winter on Fire isn't a perfect documentary, but it is a perfect example of the power of the people can bring about change when they rally to overthrow a president who doesn't serve their best interests.
Posted Apr 10, 2019
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