Movie Critic

James Verniere

James Verniere has a master's degree from Rutgers University, where he has taught writing. He is a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics and the National Society of Film Critics. His work has appeared in Film Comment, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, Sight and Sound and Heavy Metal Magazine, as well as books published by the National Society of Critics such as "The A List." His essays on "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Chinatown" are in the database of the Library of Congress' National Film Registry.

The makers of “Five Nights at Freddy's” appear to forget that you need a screenplay to make a movie, not just a collection of things that happen. The film wants awfully to be a variation on a theme of Stephen King's “It.” It ain't.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ so bad it’s scary

October 27, 2023 at 12:54 a.m.

The makers of “Five Nights at Freddy's” appear to forget that you need a screenplay to make a movie, not just a collection of things that happen. The film wants...

The film's highlight is a fight scene (from the director of “Fight Club,” no less) between the killer and an actor credited as The Brute (Sala Baker, TV's “The Mandalorian”). It must be five minutes long and really is something to see. But great action alone does not a great movie make

Great fight can’t make ‘The Killer’ into thriller

October 27, 2023 at 12:16 a.m.

The film's highlight is a fight scene (from the director of “Fight Club,” no less) between the killer and an actor credited as The Brute (Sala Baker, TV's “The Mandalorian”)....

“The Persian Version” combines semi-autobiography, soap opera, music, dance and the kind of enthusiasm that cannot be faked.

‘The Persian Version’ a multi-layered cinematic feast

October 26, 2023 at 12:36 a.m.

“The Persian Version” combines semi-autobiography, soap opera, music, dance and the kind of enthusiasm that cannot be faked.

One of the many things we learn about Sandra and Samuel is that they use real experiences and people they know as fodder for their fiction.

‘Anatomy of a Fall’ complex, worthwhile mystery

October 26, 2023 at 12:12 a.m.

One of the many things we learn about Sandra and Samuel is that they use real experiences and people they know as fodder for their fiction.

“Sick Girl,” a comedy wannabe about a young woman so desperate for her friends' company and attention that she pretends to have cancer, is like a TV sitcom on a big screen.

No cure for what ails lackluster ‘Sick Girl’

October 20, 2023 at 12:58 a.m.

“Sick Girl,” a comedy wannabe about a young woman so desperate for her friends' company and attention that she pretends to have cancer, is like a TV sitcom on a...

Four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening and two-time Academy Award-winner Jodie Foster give the world a joyful acting lesson in “Nyad,” and you won't want to miss it.

‘Nyad’ a masterful dive into swimming legend’s life

October 20, 2023 at 12:46 a.m.

Four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening and two-time Academy Award-winner Jodie Foster give the world a joyful acting lesson in “Nyad,” and you won't want to miss it.

This latest “Canterville Ghost” might not be the best. The computer-generated animation is not exactly inspired. But like Noel Coward's much adapted “Blithe Spirit,” “The Canterville Ghost” is always welcome.

‘The Canterville Ghost’ a welcome screen haunt

October 20, 2023 at 12:35 a.m.

This latest “Canterville Ghost” might not be the best. The computer-generated animation is not exactly inspired. But like Noel Coward's much adapted “Blithe Spirit,” “The Canterville Ghost” is always welcome.

Director Scorsese, who co-wrote the screenplay with the great Eric Roth (“Dune”) based on the 2017 book by David Grann, has concocted a mesmerizing and dense tale of Faustian dimensions.

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‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ another Scorsese gem

October 19, 2023 at 12:10 a.m.

Director Scorsese, who co-wrote the screenplay with the great Eric Roth (“Dune”) based on the 2017 book by David Grann, has concocted a mesmerizing and dense tale of Faustian dimensions.

“The Road Dance” has its roots in the works of Thomas Hardy and George Eliot. Its stark, rural Scottishness is what sets it apart.

‘The Road Dance’ sweeping tale of love, trauma & war

October 13, 2023 at 12:50 a.m.

“The Road Dance” has its roots in the works of Thomas Hardy and George Eliot. Its stark, rural Scottishness is what sets it apart.

One of the film's tricks is withholding just how evil a characters is until later.

‘Dangerous Waters’ sails familiar seas with skill

October 13, 2023 at 12:34 a.m.

One of the film's tricks is withholding just how evil a characters is until later.