Martin Tsai

2/22/23

<i>The Quiet Girl</i> review: well-meaning film needs to make a little noise

The Quiet Girl review: well-meaning film needs to make a little noise

Ireland’s Oscar nominee for Best International Feature follows a young girl escaping her dysfunctional family

Martin Tsai

PublishedFebruary 22, 2023

12/26/22

<em>Broker</em> film review: a family that preys together may not stay together

Broker film review: a family that preys together may not stay together

Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda's first Korean-language film is an unlikely road movie starring K-pop superstar…

Martin Tsai

PublishedDecember 26, 2022

11/30/22

<i>Hunt </i>review: Lee Jung-jae plays another deadly game

Hunt review: Lee Jung-jae plays another deadly game

The Squid Game star makes his film directing debut with a tantalizing, '80s-set espionage thriller for Netflix

Martin Tsai

PublishedNovember 30, 2022

11/2/22

Jennifer Lawrence shines even if <i>Causeway</i> doesn't

Jennifer Lawrence shines even if Causeway doesn't

Vital performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry aren't enough to lift this story of physical and…

Martin Tsai

PublishedNovember 2, 2022

10/14/22

In <i>Stars At Noon</i>, an American expat sells her body at an uncertain cost

In Stars At Noon, an American expat sells her body at an uncertain cost

With daring performances by Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn, French icon Claire Denis puts her stamp on a John le…

Martin Tsai

PublishedOctober 14, 2022

7/20/22

<i>My Old School </i>teaches new lessons from a '90s hoax

My Old School teaches new lessons from a '90s hoax

Alan Cumming stars in Jono McLeod's documentary, which uses Daria-style animation to recreate an infamous deception

Martin Tsai

PublishedJuly 20, 2022

7/13/22

<i>Paws Of Fury </i>turns a Mel Brooks' blueprint into a clearinghouse for Asian clichés

Paws Of Fury turns a Mel Brooks' blueprint into a clearinghouse for Asian clichés

The animated martial arts-themed film will make viewers long for the nuance of Blazing Saddles

Martin Tsai

PublishedJuly 13, 2022

7/13/22

<em>Don’t Make Me Go is </em>a road trip movie that doesn't travel very far

Don’t Make Me Go is a road trip movie that doesn't travel very far

Neither the destination nor the journey are all that interesting in this terminal-illness travelogue with John Cho…

Martin Tsai

PublishedJuly 13, 2022

6/29/22

<i>Accepted </i>teaches tough lessons about a higher education scandal

Accepted teaches tough lessons about a higher education scandal

Dan Chen's film tracks T.M. Landry College Prep's fall from grace in real time, capturing multiple deceptions

Martin Tsai

PublishedJune 29, 2022

6/28/22

In <i>Mr. Malcolm's List</i>, colorblind casting invigorates a Georgian-era comedy of manners

In Mr. Malcolm's List, colorblind casting invigorates a Georgian-era comedy of manners

Freida Pinto, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, and Zawe Ashton borrow a page from Bridgerton in this buttoned-up love story

Martin Tsai

PublishedJune 28, 2022

6/15/22

In <i>Bitterbrush</i>, these cowgirls are too busy to get the blues

In Bitterbrush, these cowgirls are too busy to get the blues

Emelie Mahdavian's elegant documentary offers an understated but much needed corrective to traditional Western…

Martin Tsai

PublishedJune 15, 2022

5/18/22

<i>Downton</i> rekindles that old feeling in <i>A New Era</i>

Downton rekindles that old feeling in A New Era

Julian Fellowes' latest installment of the Downton Abbey saga delivers for Viewers Like You

Martin Tsai

PublishedMay 18, 2022

5/11/22

Jarrod Carmichael's <i>On The Count Of Three </i>is no laughing matter

Jarrod Carmichael's On The Count Of Three is no laughing matter

The comedian’s grim directorial debut turns a death wish into a revenge fantasy

Martin Tsai

PublishedMay 11, 2022

5/5/22

How Gaspar Noé's near-death experience shaped his provocative new films

The director of Irreversible and Enter The Void tries a fresh approach with Vortex and Lux Æterna

Martin Tsai

PublishedMay 5, 2022

5/5/22

16 summer movies that serve as perfect blockbuster counterprogramming

Experiencing superhero fatigue? Ask your doctor what these original offerings can do for you

Jack Smart,

Luke Y. Thompson,

Martin Tsai,

Mark Keizer,

and Jeremy Smith

PublishedMay 5, 2022

5/4/22

<em>Happening</em> enters the <em>Roe v. Wade</em> debate with (unfortunately) perfect timing

Happening enters the Roe v. Wade debate with (unfortunately) perfect timing

Vividly rendered by director Audrey Diwan, the Venice 2021 winner revisits a moment in history that's on the verge…

Martin Tsai

PublishedMay 4, 2022

3/22/22

<i>Drive My Car </i>director <i></i>Ryusuke Hamaguchi discusses his search for beautiful accidents

Drive My Car director Ryusuke Hamaguchi discusses his search for beautiful accidents

The Oscar-nominated filmmaker reflects on his fascinations, creative process, and newfound acclaim

Martin Tsai

PublishedMarch 22, 2022

3/18/22

In <i>Umma</i>, Sandra Oh faces her worst nightmare—becoming her mother

In Umma, Sandra Oh faces her worst nightmare—becoming her mother

Iris K. Shim's debut unfolds like a horror version of Minari, except it doesn't reconcile the dichotomy between…

Martin Tsai

PublishedMarch 18, 2022

3/7/22

<em>Turning Red</em> delivers a timely message as it tackles a timeless topic

Turning Red delivers a timely message as it tackles a timeless topic

Charming animated allegory expands Pixar's boundaries and offers a welcome respite from anti-Asian hate

Martin Tsai

PublishedMarch 7, 2022