Movie reviews of Sandy Schaefer

Glass concludes Shyamalan's superhero movie trilogy in a manner that manages to be absorbing, frustrating, and bewildering at the same time. Review

It has some promising elements, but on the whole Replicas is a campy sci-fi movie that's more likely to elicit unintended laughs than anything else. Review

An entertainingly cheesy and surprisingly innovative B-movie, but suffers when it turns its attention to setting up future sequels. Review

A lazy comedy that wastes a fun premise and talented cast on tired jokes, tasteless gags, and sometimes bafflingly outdated humor. Review

Powered by Kidman's fierce performance and Kusama's deliberate filmmaking, Destroyer makes for an effectively pulpy work of high-art storytelling. Review

A respectably moody and intelligent psychological thriller, if also a relatively muddled supernatural horror allegory. Review

An ambitious, but miscalculated and otherwise misguided attempt to blend effects-driven filmmaking with grounded storytelling. Review

Though it has the makings of a biting satire/biopic, Vice ends up feeling more like the rough draft of a better movie than a fully-realized vision. Review

Has some terrific world design and visuals, but its uninspired narrative and ungainly filmmaking make for a hollow viewing experience. Review

A delightfully whimsical musical sequel that pays homage to its predecessor, yet by and large thrives on its own merits. Review

The Quake doesn't break the mold for natural disaster thrillers but, like The Wave, its humanist approach to the genre is refreshing and engaging. Review

Much like his previous films as a director, Jenkins' Beale Street adaptation is a richly layered and beautifully atmospheric work of cinematic poetry. Review

Armed with Lanthimos' trademark weirdness and three great lead performances, The Favourite is a truly unique spin on the typical royal court drama. Review

More compelling as a history lesson than a film, but makes for a relevant dramatization of Ginsburg's experiences all the same. Review

Meaningful and poignant continuation of the Creed/Rocky films, even though it doesn't scale the same artistic heights as its precursor. Review

Certain segments are far more engaging than others, but overall The Ballad of Buster Scruggs makes for an intriguing piece of anthology storytelling. Review

Has its moments of wonder and delight, but gets bogged down in its efforts to build out the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Review

Yet another impressive technical accomplishment for Cuarón, Roma explores the filmmaker's memories of childhood in a truly immersive and vivid manner. Review

Masterfully blends high-art craftsmanship with a sharply drawn pulpy narrative to deliver a crime flick that's equally smart and entertaining. Review

Well acted and thoughtfully directed, Boy Erased is a compassionate memoir that nevertheless struggles to leave much of an emotional impact. Review

McCarthy and Grant make for a delicious pair of miscreants in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, a memoir brimming with sharp wit and social observations. Review

Buoyed by the affecting performances from Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges, Ben is Back makes for a compelling (though uneven) exploration of addiction. Review

An alluring blend of sociopolitical allegory and visceral supernatural horror that yields imperfect, yet all the same fascinating results. Review

Despite a strong performance by Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody plays out as an excessively sanitized version of Queen's story, rather than a labor of love. Review