Aarcflick

John Turturro has been doing extraordinary work in cinema for decades, yet he has never been nominated for an Oscar—not even for *Do the Right Thing*. In *The Only Living Pickpocket in New York*, he delivers a performance worthy of consideration for all manner of awards. It is one of those instances where an actor with a long, distinguished career achieves a resounding success, reminding us exactly why we have admired him for so long. His character, Harry, is a lifelong loser who makes a living stealing wallets and gym bags, then selling their contents to Ben (Steve Buscemi), a pawn shop owner. He has a wife in a coma whom he loves deeply, and an adult daughter (Tatiana Maslany) who detests him. Among his few friends is Detective Warren (Giancarlo Esposito), an old-school cop whose career was sidelined when the NYPD shifted its focus toward cybercrime rather than petty theft. Harry’s luck takes a turn for the worse when he steals a USB drive belonging to Dylan (Will Price)—a spoiled yo...

*The Mongoose* is a fast-paced action thriller that aims to deliver an entertaining blend of reckless driving, police chases, military drama, and a protagonist struggling to escape a situation that threatens to destroy his life. At the heart of the story is Ryan "Fang" Flanagan—played by Liam Neeson—a decorated former soldier accused of a serious crime. With law enforcement hot on his heels, Fang hits the road in a powerful sports car, triggering a cross-country pursuit that captures the attention of the police, the media, former comrades-in-arms, and the public, all of whom follow the unfolding events.  The premise offers ample opportunity for suspense, dramatic confrontations, and spectacular action sequences. It also raises questions about justice, loyalty, reputation, and the difficulty of leaving one's past behind. Unfortunately, while the core concept is promising, the film struggles to weave all its elements together coherently. Although there are moments where the...

 *Christmas at the Kringles* is a horror-comedy set during the holiday season that subverts the typical image of cheerful, festive neighbors, transforming it into a disturbing tale of manipulation, family dynamics, and deadly secrets. Directed by Kevin Lewis and written by Zack Imbrogno, the film features an ensemble cast including Ron Livingston, Rachel Bilson, Thomas Lennon, Arden Myrin, Rob Riggle, Donald Faison, and Beverly D’Angelo. The plot follows the Severson family as they move into a quiet residential neighborhood, hoping for a fresh start.  Their new neighbors, the Kringles, seem eccentric but kind; they celebrate Christmas year-round with decorations, festive music, and an enthusiasm that initially appears entirely harmless. However, the cozy atmosphere gradually turns unsettling when the Seversons discover that their neighbors harbor intentions far more sinister than anyone could have imagined. What begins as an unconventional neighborhood comedy slowly devolves i...

*Holy Father* (2026) is a supernatural horror thriller that blends demonic possession, exorcisms, murder investigations, and psychological suspense. Written and directed by Shravan Tiwari, the film stars Eric Roberts as Father Isaac Wales, an experienced exorcist who faces a terrifying case involving a possessed priest. Set in Savannah, Georgia, the story follows Father Wales as he attempts to free Father Michael from an ancient demon. When a traditional exorcism fails, he seeks the help of Luna, a woman with the supernatural ability to read minds.  Their investigation gradually uncovers a disturbing connection between the possession, a murder, and a kidnapping. What begins as a religious struggle against a supernatural evil force evolves into a mystery in which the characters must uncover hidden truths before more lives are put at risk. The film aims to combine the chilling atmosphere of a possession story with the investigative structure of a crime thriller, offering a premise li...

Leave your brain at the door. While Ishiguro transports you through crisp, powerful prose in his celebrated dystopian fable, Waititi, by contrast, hits you with relentless whimsy and crushing sentimentality—in what feels like an inadvertent bid to get himself permanently blacklisted from the film industry. Leave your brain at the door—unless you want your IQ pulverized—should you choose to watch Taika Waititi’s bafflingly disastrous and cloying adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s *Klara and the Sun*. Starring Jenna Ortega as Klara—an "Artificial Friend" (AF) powered by solar energy who begins to develop human emotions through her overexposure to generic, profoundly foolish human feelings—the film shapes up to be this year’s equivalent of *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey*: another failure backed by a renowned director that, quite unintentionally, brings him closer to being blacklisted by the industry. Director: Taika Waititi Writers: Taika Waititi, Dahvi Waller, Kazuo Ishiguro Stars: ...

 Sundance: If anything, the documentary by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley about this beloved and wonderfully honest comedian suffers from having too much good material. Here is a problem any comedian would love to have: an excess of good material. That is the case with the documentary by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley, "Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story," which centers on a subject who is 1) incredibly funny and captivating, 2) open to sharing her life, and 3) has experienced enough ups and downs to fill half a dozen documentaries.  Directors: Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley Stars: Judd Apatow, Joel Bamford, Maria Bamford Add to this a long list of interviewees—ranging from Bamford’s family to Ted Sarandos, Sarah Silverman, Conan O’Brien, Tig Notaro, Patton Oswalt, and many others—a wealth of archival footage, and a final 20 minutes that feel remarkably "timely," and the duo’s documentary comes across as overloaded—in both the best and worst ways. In other words: ...