Rating: «««

out of ««««

Running Time: 130 minutes

This film from United Artists and Orion Pictures opens nationally on Oct. 28.

While many biopics can feel, well, a little formulaic and predictable, a few real-life stories are so powerful and unusual that one can’t help but take notice. “Till” not only details the atrocious and appalling lynching of a black teenager, but also shows the very unexpected events that followed. In some respects this movie does feel like a glossy Hollywood production, but the lead performance is so compelling and the narrative unconventional enough that the end result is gripping.

In 1955, the Civil Rights Movement was gaining traction in...

It’s that time of year again when trick or treaters appear and even adults don elaborate costumes to attend parties. There’s no shortage of seasonal films to watch either, and so it seems like a perfect opportunity to write about some of my personal picks. Not all of these are set exactly on Halloween, but they’re still spooky all the same.



Obviously, many households are filled with adults and children looking to have some fun together. My first pick would be the 1949 Disney animated short “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” which was put on a double bill under the banner “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” during its original release. Based on the...

Rating: 3 out of 4

Running Time: 134 minutes

This feature from 20th Century Studios opened in theaters on Oct. 7.

Filmmaker David O. Russell (“I Heart Huckabees,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “American Hustle,” “Joy”) has a reputation for creating memorable, if occasionally shaggy films featuring eccentric protagonists and large ensemble casts. After spending seven years away from the director’s chair, he has returned with “Amsterdam,” a star-studded period comedy/mystery/thriller.

But those terms don’t quite sum this movie up. Like other titles from Russell, the movie is its own strange amalgam with its own unique tone. The characters are odd and the story...

Rating: ««

out of ««««

Running Time: 158 minutes

This film from Focus Features opens in Albuquerque on Oct. 21. It opens in more markets on Oct. 28.

Most Hollywood films feature stories about a proactive hero stepping forward and overcoming great odds to either save the world or improve themselves. Occasionally, an independent title arrives that does something considerably different. Tár is one of those kinds of movies.

It’s a beautifully performed character piece, but also one that moves at an almost glacial pace. The wait is a long one and once tension does arrive the movie becomes exciting, but average moviegoers (and to a degree, this reviewer) may find the slowness...