Fresh Fiction
Fresh Fiction is not a Tomatometer-approved publication. Reviews from this
publication only count toward the Tomatometer when written by the following
Tomatometer-approved critic(s):
Courtney Howard, James Clay, Preston Barta
Rating
Title/Year
Author
1
C+
Honest Thief (2020)
This benign, yet surprisingly watchable movie is lean and plays with the action template enough to be serviceable.
Posted Jan 12, 2021
2
B
Love and Monsters (2020)
LOVE & MONSTERS is rare, and it could signal a return to more original films that aren't ashamed of their familiarity, yet lean into originality.
Posted Jan 12, 2021
3
B
Jungleland (2020)
JUNGLELAND is murky, gross, and heartfelt to the point where you may either roll, or bawl your eyes right out of your head.
Posted Jan 12, 2021
4
B
The Craft: Legacy (2020)
Jones' film gives itself a reason to exist by refining the tone and witchy plotline that's more coherent and gives its coven more of a satisfying dynamic.
Posted Jan 12, 2021
5
B+
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
A chamber piece with powerhouse performances and layered storytelling. Boseman shines.
Posted Dec 19, 2020
6
A-
Another Round (Druk) (2020)
'Another Round' serves up one of the year's very best and an award worthy Mikkelsen performance.
Posted Dec 18, 2020
7
4/5
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Emerald Fennell's vision is uncompromising, serving its acidic venom in a fine crystal champagne coupe.
Posted Dec 15, 2020
8
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
With its thoroughly enriched themes, layered characterizations and sublimely shot action sequences, it's a spectacularly fun blockbuster with lots to treasure.
Posted Dec 15, 2020
9
A
News of the World (2020)
Paul Greengrass' film contains stirring themes and resonant character dynamics, but it's Tom Hanks' refined performance that delivers new colors to their complex shading.
Posted Dec 11, 2020
10
2/5
The Midnight Sky (2020)
It's an unwieldy piece, suffering from difficulty connecting two separate narrative tracks into one cohesive picture.
Posted Dec 9, 2020
11
B+
Black Bear (2020)
12
C-
Godmothered (2020)
13
The Prom (2020)
Delivering an unbeatable high, its meaningful sentiments and memorable songs combine to form an extravaganza that sings as it tugs on the heartstrings.
Posted Dec 1, 2020
14
B+
Leap of Faith (2019)
15
2/5
Superintelligence (2019)
It's rare to see a movie that can simultaneously value and completely undervalue its leading lady. But here we are with Superintelligence.
Posted Nov 25, 2020
16
A-
Uncle Frank (2020)
A nuanced drama that's impeccably self-controlled and has a deep emotional well. An Oscar-worthy performance from Peter Macdissi.
Posted Nov 24, 2020
17
B+
The Croods: A New Age (2020)
18
B
Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970)
19
A-
High Plains Drifter (1973)
20
B-
The Eiger Sanction (1975)
It's a wild ride, and for all the flack Eastwood gets for being a bland filmmaker these days, he sure had no problems taking risks earlier in his directing career.
Posted Nov 19, 2020
21
B+
Play Misty for Me (1971)
PLAY MISTY FOR ME is a cautionary tale for those who casually choose their lovers; it's a screeching shock to the system
Posted Nov 19, 2020
22
B
Joe Kidd (1972)
23
A-
The Beguiled (1971)
24
Happiest Season (2020)
The poignancy of its sentiments, the welcoming beauty of its Nancy Meyers-esque aesthetic and its essential need in the marketplace stand to make things merry and bright.
Posted Nov 19, 2020
25
B-
The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)
Predictable, but a pleasant-enough follow-up, with a thimbleful of creative ideas at play.
Posted Nov 18, 2020
26
A-
The Nest (2020)
'The Nest' is love's worst nightmare. While the film tackles familiar themes, it's a simple nudge to talk to your family and live outside your head.
Posted Nov 18, 2020
27
B+
A PG-rated episode of 'ROBOT CHICKEN.' It's got laugh-a-minute gags, a surprising amount of heart, and a charming cast of voices.
Posted Nov 17, 2020
28
A
The Climb (2020)
An ode to the art of filmmaking. It's exceptionally well-told and acted, and it includes an onslaught of technical achievements that belong in college film discussions.
Posted Nov 13, 2020
29
B-
Freaky (2020)
FREAKY is exactly what you think it's going to be, a little expendable and a tad forgettable, but enjoyable nevertheless.
Posted Nov 12, 2020
30
4/5
Freaky (2020)
With gleeful gusto and glorious amounts of gumption, this Freaky Friday The 13th mashup slashes straight through to our hearts.
Posted Nov 11, 2020
31
B
Jungleland (2020)
32
C
Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
Howard holds back on delivering subtext that would complement this portrait of a man rectifying his past with his present. It's selectively streamlined.
Posted Nov 10, 2020
33
B+
Proxima (2019)
This sincere mission will bring you down to Earth and open your heart in profound ways.
Posted Nov 6, 2020
34
C-
Let Him Go (2020)
Bezucha's in a little over his head fashioning anything unique out of the material, which in his hands is tonally unwieldy and unforgiving.
Posted Nov 5, 2020
35
F
Friendsgiving (2020)
FRIENDSGIVING is the Boston Market version of holiday cheers.
Posted Nov 2, 2020
36
B
Save Yourselves! (2020)
Wilson and Fischer's film is about honesty with your partner and learning how to love yourself in the process.
Posted Nov 2, 2020
37
B
The Craft: Legacy (2020)
Writer-director Zoe Lister-Jones crafts a continuation that seamlessly mixes nostalgic flavors with new, kinetic entertainment.
Posted Oct 28, 2020
38
C
Holidate (2020)
The narrative's inevitable resolution tends to hinder your complete affection - and ironically, makes it feel like something you're settling for.
Posted Oct 28, 2020
39
B+
Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
40
B
Rebecca (2020)
41
The Witches (2020)
Zemeckis' most vibrant and best film in years, it stands to remind us that children's bedtime stories can feel somewhat comforting in times of upheaval and stress.
Posted Oct 21, 2020
42
Jumbo (2020)
The most shocking element about this straight-faced schlock is how conventional and predictable it is in its motions.
Posted Oct 19, 2020
43
Pink Skies Ahead (2020)
Kelly Oxford's comedically-tinged fictionalized drama paints a staggeringly honest, raw and revelatory portrait that makes for an assured debut directorial feature.
Posted Oct 19, 2020
44
A-
Shithouse (2020)
45
B-
A Rainy Day in New York (2020)
It's simply a cozy movie, no more or less.
Posted Oct 16, 2020
46
I'm Your Woman (2020)
From its Cassavetes-esque heroine to the heart-filled drive deep within its marrow, this 70's style character-driven crime drama is contemporary and distinct in its aim.
Posted Oct 16, 2020
47
B-
Evil Eye (2020)
Although predictable and melodramatic, 'Evil Eye' is a solid enough thriller to see these 'Welcome to the Blumhouse' films continue to explore family and pain themes.
Posted Oct 15, 2020
48
B
Nocturne (2020)
49
Rebecca (2020)
With terrific performances, uniquely nuanced genre-smashing ideology, rapturous production design and refined cinematography, it's an engrossing escape worth swooning over.
Posted Oct 14, 2020
50
A