Movie Reviews
Get the latest movie reviews from our in-house critics, Shirrel Rhoades and Ian Brockway. You’ll also find reviews from film festivals and advance screening movies. Do you have what it takes to be a Guest movie reviewer? Send us your review to info@TropicCinema.com for approval and maybe you’ll earn a spot! Want to make sure you never miss a review? Follow the Tropic on Facebook for daily updates!
Tropic Sprockets: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
"Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" is a visual feast and at times it reaches the height of what is honestly surreal, and it is beautiful to look upon -- but plot wise, the film gets bogged down with seeming endless battle scenes and an array of alien life forms.
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Front Row at the Movies: Maudie
“Maudie” is a biopic about Maude Lewis, a Canadian folk artist known for her small paintings of boats, dogs, cats, skaters, and landscapes. Director Aisling Walsh took on the project after reading Sherry White’s strong script. “It celebrates this woman who was rather amazing.”
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Tropic Sprockets: Baby Driver
Very much like a graphic novel, the film has quirk, sound, color, motion and a free sensibility that puts it on track to be a peculiar sort of cult film, given its emphasis on music and its power to change mental chemistry and mood.
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Front Row at the Movies: Past Life
In the latest offering from Israeli director Avi Nesher (“The Wonders,” “Once I Was,” “The Matchmaker”), two sisters delve into the secrets of their father’s former life in Poland during World War II. The film’s Hebrew title “Ha-Khata’im” gives a hint -- “The Sins.”
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Front Row at the Movies: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” moves along on sheer kinetic energy, a surreal mishmash of “Star Wars,” “The Fifth Element,” and “Barbarella” with big-budget special effects and a thrill-ride sensibility.
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Front Row at the Movies: Baby Driver
Willie Sutton was once asked why he robbed banks. He reportedly said, “Because that’s where the money is.” So why do we go to the movies? That’s where the action is.
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Tropic Sprockets: War for the Planet of the Apes
The latest chapter in the franchise points to all out chaos with no mercy intended. While short on surprise (especially after two earlier films) this chapter still holds its charge, largely due to its excellent cast: Andy Serkis, Steve Zahn and Woody Harrelson.
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Tropic Sprockets: The Big Sick
A stunning, heartfelt and beautiful film about love and life that far surpasses the often constrictive bounds of the romantic comedy category.
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Front Row at the Movies: War for the Planet of the Apes
The plot pits lead-ape Caesar (Serkis) against a human soldier known as The Colonel (a stern-faced Woody Harrelson) in something of an homage to “The Bridge on the River Kwai.” Taking place two years after the previous events, Caesar and his apes find themselves at war against the humans. The outcome will determine the future for Earth.
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Front Row at the Movies: The Big Sick
Stand-up comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon penned a screenplay about their early relationship. “The Big Sick” was produced by Judd Apatow (“Superbad,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” and “Bridesmaids”), so you know it’s gotta be funny.
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