Robert Horton

Awe-inspiring director and cast make ‘The Irishman’ a classic

Awe-inspiring director and cast make ‘The Irishman’ a classic

Netflix gave Martin Scorsese $160 million to make what is perhaps the perfect gangster movie.

Awe-inspiring director and cast make ‘The Irishman’ a classic
‘Last Christmas’ an OK holiday time-killer, nothing more

‘Last Christmas’ an OK holiday time-killer, nothing more

This rom-com has lots of George Michael songs, including the title tune, so don’t say you weren’t warned.

‘Last Christmas’ an OK holiday time-killer, nothing more
‘Doctor Sleep’ revisits ‘The Shining,’ with mixed results

‘Doctor Sleep’ revisits ‘The Shining,’ with mixed results

Ewan McGregor leads a committed cast as that REDRUM kid all grown up, but the film is overlong and under-scary.

‘Doctor Sleep’ revisits ‘The Shining,’ with mixed results
Pedro Almodovar takes stock of himself in ‘Pain and Glory’

Pedro Almodovar takes stock of himself in ‘Pain and Glory’

In the master filmmaker’s latest, Antonio Banderas stars as an aging movie director suffering from writer’s block.

Pedro Almodovar takes stock of himself in ‘Pain and Glory’
Bad-taste humor gives way to soft sincerity in ‘JoJo Rabbit’

Bad-taste humor gives way to soft sincerity in ‘JoJo Rabbit’

Believe it or not, the film needs more of its very weird idea: Hitler as an imaginary friend to a 10-year-old boy.

Bad-taste humor gives way to soft sincerity in ‘JoJo Rabbit’
James Cameron’s touches help restore ‘Terminator’ to glory

James Cameron’s touches help restore ‘Terminator’ to glory

The producer was more involved in this sequel, and it shows — it’s tight, well-staged and doesn’t wear out its welcome.

James Cameron’s touches help restore ‘Terminator’ to glory
Expect the exhilaratingly unexpected in brilliant ‘Parasite’

Expect the exhilaratingly unexpected in brilliant ‘Parasite’

This Korean film that won top honors at Cannes is another triumph for the director of “Snowpiercer.”

Expect the exhilaratingly unexpected in brilliant ‘Parasite’
You’ll get a charge out of fun, fast-moving ‘The Current War’

You’ll get a charge out of fun, fast-moving ‘The Current War’

The movie tells the story of Thomas Edison’s 19th century fight with George Westinghouse over the power grid.

You’ll get a charge out of fun, fast-moving ‘The Current War’
‘Black and Blue’ is better at cop stuff than Important Messages

‘Black and Blue’ is better at cop stuff than Important Messages

The film, about a rookie police officer on the run from rogue cops, tries too hard to make big statements about race in America.

‘Black and Blue’ is better at cop stuff than Important Messages
‘Zombieland: Double Tap’: Mix of snark and gore feels dated

‘Zombieland: Double Tap’: Mix of snark and gore feels dated

Sure, there are some laughs, but the sequel’s mean-spiritedness eventually grows tiresome.

‘Zombieland: Double Tap’: Mix of snark and gore feels dated
‘Dolemite’ is a dynamite comeback for the still-sharp Eddie Murphy

‘Dolemite’ is a dynamite comeback for the still-sharp Eddie Murphy

The star has his best role in many years as the Ed Wood of 1970s blaxploitation pictures.

‘Dolemite’ is a dynamite comeback for the still-sharp Eddie Murphy
Ham-handed approach keeps ‘Lucy in the Sky’ from soaring

Ham-handed approach keeps ‘Lucy in the Sky’ from soaring

Natalie Portman is superb as an astronaut who makes bad choices. Too bad the director does, too.

Ham-handed approach keeps ‘Lucy in the Sky’ from soaring
‘Where’s My Roy Cohn?’ covers the life of Trump’s odious mentor

‘Where’s My Roy Cohn?’ covers the life of Trump’s odious mentor

Cohn’s long gone, but this documentary confirms that his rancid influence is still being felt today.

‘Where’s My Roy Cohn?’ covers the life of Trump’s odious mentor
It’s Will Smith vs. his youthful clone in tech-obsessed ‘Gemini Man’

It’s Will Smith vs. his youthful clone in tech-obsessed ‘Gemini Man’

The action scenes are solid, but director Ang Lee is mostly interested in playing with digital toys.

It’s Will Smith vs. his youthful clone in tech-obsessed ‘Gemini Man’
Phoenix is brilliant, but ‘Joker’ is a sour, incoherent mess

Phoenix is brilliant, but ‘Joker’ is a sour, incoherent mess

It strives to be a serious statement about modern times, but director Todd Phillips isn’t up to that job.

Phoenix is brilliant, but ‘Joker’ is a sour, incoherent mess
‘Chained for Life’ confronts notions of beauty and difference

‘Chained for Life’ confronts notions of beauty and difference

This indie, about a beautiful woman making a film with sideshow performers, recalls the 1932 classic “Freaks.”

‘Chained for Life’ confronts notions of beauty and difference
FBI satire lacks bite in oddly tame ‘The Day Shall Come’

FBI satire lacks bite in oddly tame ‘The Day Shall Come’

British filmmaker Chris Morris’ latest doesn’t measure up to “Four Lions,” his bracing send-up of jihadists.

FBI satire lacks bite in oddly tame ‘The Day Shall Come’
Plodding ‘Judy’ biopic doesn’t do the legendary singer justice

Plodding ‘Judy’ biopic doesn’t do the legendary singer justice

Renee Zellweger does her darndest as Judy Garland, but she and the movie aren’t up to the task.

Plodding ‘Judy’ biopic doesn’t do the legendary singer justice
Devotees will love the ‘Downton Abbey’ movie; others beware

Devotees will love the ‘Downton Abbey’ movie; others beware

All the elements of the TV series remain in place — including shameless nostalgia for imaginary times gone by.

Devotees will love the ‘Downton Abbey’ movie; others beware
‘Ad Astra’: Willy-nilly sci-fi detracts from stunning visuals

‘Ad Astra’: Willy-nilly sci-fi detracts from stunning visuals

This otherwise thoughtful film doesn’t care about being grounded in plausibility, and that’s a problem.

‘Ad Astra’: Willy-nilly sci-fi detracts from stunning visuals