Robert Horton

36 years, thousands of movies — it’s been a great gig

36 years, thousands of movies — it’s been a great gig

Robert Horton’s long tenure as The Daily Herald’s movie critic has ended.

 

Fitfully funny satire of our corrupt age needs sharper fangs

Fitfully funny satire of our corrupt age needs sharper fangs

“Greed,” about a corporate con man throwing himself a birthday party, fails to destroy its scared-cow targets.

 

Pixar’s enduring movie magic takes a road trip in ‘Onward’

Pixar’s enduring movie magic takes a road trip in ‘Onward’

This outing falls just short of the studio’s best work but it still casts a spell.

 

‘Seberg’: Doomed actress of ‘Breathless’ fame remains an enigma

‘Seberg’: Doomed actress of ‘Breathless’ fame remains an enigma

Kristin Stewart works hard in the title role, but is undercut by the film’s over-focus on FBI agents gathering dirt.

‘Seberg’: Doomed actress of ‘Breathless’ fame remains an enigma
Smart, tense ‘Invisible Man’ makes empty space seem sinister

Smart, tense ‘Invisible Man’ makes empty space seem sinister

Another smart move: Casting a real actress (Elisabeth Moss) instead of a starlet in the role of a woman terrorized by her angry ex.

Smart, tense ‘Invisible Man’ makes empty space seem sinister
The young cast of ‘Emma.’ boasts some future stars — period

The young cast of ‘Emma.’ boasts some future stars — period

This adaptation of the Jane Austen novel shines with a fine British cast and a slightly stylized look.

The young cast of ‘Emma.’ boasts some future stars — period
Slow-burning passions ignite in dazzling ‘Portrait of a Lady’

Slow-burning passions ignite in dazzling ‘Portrait of a Lady’

This French film begins as a 18th-century period piece, then becomes something else entirely.

Slow-burning passions ignite in dazzling ‘Portrait of a Lady’
‘Call of the Wild’? ‘Call of the Mild’ is much more like it

‘Call of the Wild’? ‘Call of the Mild’ is much more like it

This CGI-heavy adaptation of the Jack London classic is superficial stuff, though Harrison Ford helps it pick up a bit toward the end.

‘Call of the Wild’? ‘Call of the Mild’ is much more like it
Louis-Dreyfus and Ferrell impress, but ‘Downhill’ falls flat

Louis-Dreyfus and Ferrell impress, but ‘Downhill’ falls flat

This completely unnecessary remake of an excellent Swedish film never finds the right tone.

Louis-Dreyfus and Ferrell impress, but ‘Downhill’ falls flat
We never see the monster, and ‘The Assistant’ is better for it

We never see the monster, and ‘The Assistant’ is better for it

It’s an ingenious strategy for telling a story about the toxic effect of one Weinstein-like person.

We never see the monster, and ‘The Assistant’ is better for it
Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay in 1917 (Francois Duhamel / Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures/TNS)

Robert Horton predicts who will take home Oscars tonight

Will the Academy come into the 21st century and honor “Parasite” (no)? Is Brad Pitt really a lock for Best Supporting Actor (yes).

Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay in 1917 (Francois Duhamel / Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures/TNS)
‘Birds of Prey’: It’s the women’s turn to be cartoon sadists

‘Birds of Prey’: It’s the women’s turn to be cartoon sadists

Margot Robbie returns as the Lucille Ball of mayhem in this ultra-violent comic-book flick.

‘Birds of Prey’: It’s the women’s turn to be cartoon sadists
‘Honeyland’ richly deserves its multiple Oscar nominations

‘Honeyland’ richly deserves its multiple Oscar nominations

This film about a Macedonian beekeeper is a parable of sustainability versus greed.

‘Honeyland’ richly deserves its multiple Oscar nominations
Four stars for ‘Atlantics,’ a spellbinding shape-shifter of a film

Four stars for ‘Atlantics,’ a spellbinding shape-shifter of a film

This Senegalese movie, which mixes genres and moods, is one of the year’s very best.

Four stars for ‘Atlantics,’ a spellbinding shape-shifter of a film
The far-fetched premise pushes ‘Rhythm Section’ out of time

The far-fetched premise pushes ‘Rhythm Section’ out of time

Blake Lively makes for a lively, if de-glammed, heroine, but this action thriller never clicks.

The far-fetched premise pushes ‘Rhythm Section’ out of time
Guy Ritchie’s ‘Lock, Stock’ shtick is passing its sell-by date

Guy Ritchie’s ‘Lock, Stock’ shtick is passing its sell-by date

Rampant real-world gun violence makes the Brit director’s smirky crime-comedy formula seem desperate and tired.

Guy Ritchie’s ‘Lock, Stock’ shtick is passing its sell-by date
A truly exceptional cast uplifts ‘The Last Full Measure’

A truly exceptional cast uplifts ‘The Last Full Measure’

A roster of ace actors, including the late Peter Fonda, do strong work in this Vietnam-themed drama.

A truly exceptional cast uplifts ‘The Last Full Measure’
An Oscar-nominated documentary takes us inside hellish Syria

An Oscar-nominated documentary takes us inside hellish Syria

“The Cave” focuses on an underground hospital tending to the victims of the country’s civil war.

An Oscar-nominated documentary takes us inside hellish Syria
These ‘Bad Boys’ are looking like they could use a nap

These ‘Bad Boys’ are looking like they could use a nap

After 17 years, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return, but ‘Bad Boys for Life’ lacks the previous films crazed energy.

These ‘Bad Boys’ are looking like they could use a nap
Robert Downey Jr.’s a perfect fit for this weird ‘Dolittle’

Robert Downey Jr.’s a perfect fit for this weird ‘Dolittle’

He dons steampunk garb and talks to the animals in a very strange sorta-British accent.

Robert Downey Jr.’s a perfect fit for this weird ‘Dolittle’