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Linda and Al Lerner
Tomatometer-approved critic
Linda and Al Lerner are members of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle (CIFCC) and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC). They have been reviewing film and covering film festivals for more than a decade. Al is a member of SAG/AFTRA. He was Sports Anchor/Feature reporter (ABC?s WLS-TV News-Chicago and radio personality/talk show host at WGN Radio, then syndicated on the USA Radio Network interviewing high profile entertainment, sports newsmakers to authors and politicians. Linda was Assignment Editor/Writer/Producer at CBS? WBBM-TV News (Chicago) and KNBC-TV news in LA. She wrote and produced movie and music features covering junkets for the Radio Network (60 stations nationwide) and Supervising Producer of a children?s musical special for PBS that won 3 Emmys.
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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It Ends With Us (2024) |
This film had a lot going for it, but becomes a tearjerker melodrama misfire. Starring the gorgeous Blake Lively, two attractive sexy men, up-scale settings and revealing high-end fashions, there’s inauthenticity about the characters and the main theme. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Aug 09, 2024
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Sing Sing (2023) |
Director Kwedar captures the friction, pathos, inner turmoil, but also the humor, sensitivity, trust and friendship of these characters. This is an incredibly moving film about those who made mistakes but learn how to use art as a way to heal. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Aug 08, 2024
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Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) |
This film is fun, but laborious, packed with an overabundance of snappy irreverent one-liners and well-known character cameos in R-rated language and supremely, sadistically bloody SFX combat scenes. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jul 28, 2024
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Twisters (2024) |
This is a worthy Summer popcorn-munching thriller with current technology creating impressive special effects. And for his first big action flick, Lee Isaac Chung has given this Twisters a real spin. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jul 19, 2024
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Fly Me to the Moon (2024) |
With Woody Harrelson as the likable villain, and the backdrop of a time when Americans were unified cheering for the Red, White and Blue, it’s Johansson and Tatum who create the sparks and light up this rocket. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jul 13, 2024
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Dandelion (2024) |
Her eventual emergence and growth let’s her journey end on an upbeat, triumphant note. Nicole Riegel and Kiki Layne remind us that for every Taylor Swift or Beyoncé there are thousands of Dandelions fighting for their chance to bloom and blossom. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jul 11, 2024
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Despicable Me 4 (2024) |
Despite not having the punch of others in the franchise, this colorful film moves fast, has some snappy dialogue, a few laughs and upbeat music. But it may not be on the continuous play loop when it hits home. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jul 04, 2024
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Kinds of Kindness (2024) |
It's one perverse story after another with great actors stretching the bounds of their characters in this trilogy. You'll be thinking about it long after it ends, and we think messing with your head about life is what Lanthimos intended from the start. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jun 28, 2024
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A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) |
Director Sarnoski and Krasinski use Sam’s story to elevate the excellent character driven emotion Lupito Nyong’o brings to the camera. Day One is exhausting and somewhat entertaining, so we’ll give this prequel a not too loud cheer.
- Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jun 27, 2024
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The Bikeriders (2023) |
An interesting study, but also very intense, frustrating and deliberately slow, without much meaningful dialogue. Comer makes up for it and Nichols creates scenes showing the original Vandals impressive, loudly rumbling en mass down the road. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jun 23, 2024
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Thelma (2024) |
June Squibb takes on this role and rolls with it. At 93, Squibb is the lead for the first time in this surprisingly funny buddy road trip action flick for the geriatric set. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jun 21, 2024
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Tuesday (2023) |
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ interaction with the bird is a visually rich and astonishing experience. The story takes her character into a horror-filled turn that is both disturbing, heroic and this new cinematic envisioning of the character of Death is a jolt. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jun 18, 2024
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Inside Out 2 (2024) |
While Inside Out 2 may not quite reach the heights of its predecessor, this is a Pixar delight that is artful in both its concept and execution. So see it, but remember to keep your emotions in check. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jun 14, 2024
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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) |
At 79, George Miller is an auteur adding another layer of over-the-top excitement to a franchise jam packed with high powered machines. This furious 2 and half hour ride leaves indelible tracks. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted May 24, 2024
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IF (2024) |
Although this film gets too syrupy towards the end, Krasinsky thought what the world needed now was a story about sweetness filled with lots of creative characters and imagination. It is, but, a little overstuffed. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted May 22, 2024
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Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) |
This is a film that deserves to be seen on a big screen. For a franchise with 10 films, Ball, with writer Josh Friedman, has pulled off a rare feat. They manage to make this still feel fresh and original. Yes, it’s a "chimp" off the old block.
- Movies and Shakers
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| Posted May 10, 2024
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The Idea of You (2024) |
Hathaway is a standout, looking better than ever, seeming more comfortable and confident in a film that might have been less convincing without her. Galitzine may play the heartthrob but Hathaway is the real heart of this romcom. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted May 03, 2024
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We Grown Now (2023) |
Baig does a pretty good job letting these well-cast boys express their feelings in conversation, but, at times, their declarations to the world get a little heavy-handed. Still Blake and Gian are convincing as a couple of best friends… - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 29, 2024
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The Beast (2023) |
Seydoux and McKay are directed for deliberately slow, methodical interaction. Bonello depicts past, present and future showcasing Seydoux’s versatility playing characters through different eras in a haunting, complicated, frightening history of romance. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 26, 2024
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Hundreds of Beavers (2022) |
Though many might write this off as stupid, adolescent humor, you can’t overlook the artistry and commitment that Cheslik used to craft this unique piece of comedy. It finds the funny bone over and over again. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 22, 2024
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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) |
You may wince here and there, but you’ll also get a few laughs. While we never tire seeing Nazis get what’s coming to them, this film fails to be little more than an exaggerated bloody caper. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 19, 2024
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Civil War (2024) |
This controversial film is exactly what Writer/Director Alex Garland wanted. One that would have you leave the theater coming to your own conclusions about conflicts, journalists, politics, and violence. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 12, 2024
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Arcadian (2024) |
The flow and the content are a bit confusing and despite the crisp sound design of the scary clicking and clacking jaws, this creature feature won’t keep you up at night. safe. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 11, 2024
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Wicked Little Letters (2023) |
Director Sharrock and writer Sweet set well-timed wheels in motion to catch the perp in the act. Colman and Buckley show they’re both game and hilarious in this piece of forgotten history in a profanely prolific, poison-pen whodunnit. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 10, 2024
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Monkey Man (2024) |
As hard as this very brutal action film is to watch, you have to respect Patel for writing, directing and taking a beating in his quest for justice in this heart pounding, chest thumping movie. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 08, 2024
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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) |
By the time we get to the climatic desert battle smashing the Pyramids there’s no impact left. This is a repetitive series of chest thumping monsters, shrieking CGI, familiar characters, a thin plot, using impressive sound design with lots of campy music. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Apr 01, 2024
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Stormy (2024) |
Having gone through so many court appearances and interviews, Gibson shows how savvy Stormy has become. She is smart, knows how to protect herself and her daughter, has learned a lot about law, and is no dummy. Stormy is a whirlwind. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Mar 25, 2024
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One Life (2023) |
Nicholas Winton is an example of what a monumental humanitarian effort can do, as quoted in the film’s post scripts, “If you save one life, you save the world.” Hopkins’ and Flynn’s passionate performances more than illuminate that message.
- Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Mar 23, 2024
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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) |
There are just too many characters, old and new. Even the poster is overloaded. It feels long, with action and special effects that are not so special. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Mar 22, 2024
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Problemista (2023) |
Swinton mesmerizes and Torres stakes his claim as a Writer/Director and Actor in this original comedy that raises a lot of issues without hitting you over the head. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Mar 07, 2024
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Dune: Part Two (2024) |
Villeneuve aptly weaves the disparate threads of family, power, mysticism, religion, politics, and love in this second part of a strikingly visual film. Climb into the sandbox for this one.
- Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Feb 28, 2024
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Drive-Away Dolls (2024) |
The comedy, sex and moments of intense brutality Coen puts up on the screen are neither funny nor sexy enough. Even if you’re a fan of buddy road trip comedy crime capers, steer clear of Drive-Away Dolls. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Feb 23, 2024
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Molli and Max in the Future (2023) |
This Sci-Fi Rom Com is literally out of this world. Director Michael Lukk Litwak goes retro-future inspired by When Harry Met Sally with clever comedic dialogue and imaginative visuals. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Feb 17, 2024
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Madame Web (2024) |
It’s Marvel taking you down the rabbit hole of inane action sequences again. Although the gorgeous Johnson provides important lessons in how to administer CPR, this messy film couldn’t save itself. This Spidey spinoff spins no well-constructed web. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Feb 14, 2024
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Argylle (2024) |
If you were hoping for a smart, crisp action-spy thriller this isn’t it. Watching this exasperating movie, we felt like saying “Arrrrrrrgh-yle.” - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Feb 02, 2024
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Departing Seniors (2023) |
Considering it was shot in 16 days, Cooney gets some likable performances from the ensemble, especially the two leads who show some real talent guiding the narrative. But what transpires in the film is pretty predictable. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jan 29, 2024
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Origin (2023) |
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor shows every emotional nuance in her controlled performance in what she calls “The People’s Movie.” Despite no love from the awards community, DuVernay’s Origin is a relevant film about human dignity and justice that should be seen. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jan 25, 2024
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Anatomy of a Fall (2023) |
Suicide or Homicide? Triet and Harari present a long but compelling film with commanding performances by Hüller and Milo. You may find the dénouement confusing, but fall for this intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jan 24, 2024
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The Zone of Interest (2023) |
Now, with hate and violence re-emerging around the world, Glazer, Friedel and Hüller skillfully present this film about what happened in 1943 as a cautionary tale. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jan 16, 2024
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Mean Girls (2024) |
Talented, tuneful , sometimes clever and cliquey, this production has some fun moments, but it’s just not as edgy or well put together, as the biting and classic original. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jan 12, 2024
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The Taste of Things (2023) |
Tran Anh Hung uses Binoche and Magimel in good measure with the many delectable ingredients in his filmmaking pantry to create a beautiful, meaningful, extremely satisfying love story to savor. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jan 10, 2024
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The Boys in the Boat (2023) |
Rowing takes a great deal of strength and coordination, but it’s not very dynamic to watch. Despite the appearance of one of history’s most evil villains, Clooney creates a pleasant, but predictable 2 hour cruise that inspires just enough to cheer about. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Jan 03, 2024
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Ferrari (2023) |
Except for the fiery performance of Penélope Cruz, Mann seems to put a lid on the emotional component. Adam Driver has the same tight-jawed countenance throughout. We just wish Ferrari was more full throttle entertainment. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Dec 29, 2023
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The Color Purple (2023) |
Despite talented Fantasia, Henson and Brooks, Bazawule’s musical adaptation doesn’t connect as fully as the 1985 original, although the final scene brought us to tears. But this “Color Purple” is vibrant, worth seeing and a symbol of resilience and love. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Dec 24, 2023
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The Iron Claw (2023) |
Sean Durkin shows real appreciation for the physical artistry and sideshow promotion he watched as a boy. His film is more than a story of love and loss. It’s about a family’s bond that was stronger than an Iron Claw. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Dec 22, 2023
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Wonka (2023) |
. Chalamet is sincerely sweet and in terms of chocolate, this film is somewhat smooth, sort of dark, but satisfying with Grant’s tart Oompah-Loompa oomph.
- Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Dec 21, 2023
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American Fiction (2023) |
Jeffrey Wright is stellar delivering Cord Jefferson’s smart satire on race, love, family trauma while poking fun at literary, movie and media businesses with sharp humor that feels more like truth than fiction. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Dec 14, 2023
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Poor Things (2023) |
Stone infuses Bella with a thirst to experience every aspect of life, becoming a beacon of liberation, acceptance and learning. Emma Stone’s performance is rock solid as Lanthimos delivers laughs and gasps in this rich film which is anything but poor. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Dec 11, 2023
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The Disappearance of Shere Hite (2023) |
Director Nicole Newnham & Dakota Johnson show Shere Hite as a colorful and romantic character who fought hard for women to have sexual satisfaction and a rightful place among men. She asked, “Why is equality dangerous?” A question women still ask today. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Dec 11, 2023
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The Boy and the Heron (2023) |
Miyazaki, at 82, shows no sign of losing his vibrant imagination and desire to tell wondrous tales bursting with emotion including optimism in a story needed now more than ever. - Movies and Shakers
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| Posted Dec 10, 2023
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