Steve Geise

Japanese film explores the travails of a poor farming family without the use of dialogue.

Weak plotting in the first half undermines a terrific final act.

Marvel legend John Romita’s four-year run on on Spidey’s daily comic strip adventures draws to a close.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler team up again for a rollicking coming-of-middle-age comedy.

Craig and Mendes re-team for an effort that falls short of Skyfall’s heights, but not by much.

In Steven Spielberg’s latest history lesson, our professor/director tackles the Cold War.

This 1949 Italian film marries social commentary about the lower class with rewarding drama and romance.

Second film in the Maze Runner cycle fails to build upon the strengths of its predecessor.

Takashi Murakami’s first film is fun for the whole family but sorely lacking his usual artistic iconoclasm.

Schumer gets some laughs, but Apatow seems determined to be a drama director.

Italian stars Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni play against type in this beguiling drama.

The third full-length movie starring alternate universe human versions of My Little Pony characters.

The series marks the triumphant return of the nighttime soap opera to network TV.

Steinfeld shines, Banks makes a fine director, but the returning characters tread water due to Kay Cannon’s subpar script.

Box set compiles five groovy ’70s Japanese films.

BBC America’s ambitious sci-fi show returns its focus to Maslany’s multiple characters.

The second entry in The Divergent Series benefits from fancy special effects but not much else.

This collection provides ideal format for cohesively enjoying the long-form stories.

Nicholson breaks out in this early headlining role.

The Muppet Babies of the DC Universe.

The world’s largest Star Wars convention offered stars, cosplay, exclusive merchandise and recreated film sets.

DC’s latest animated film is a dark but engaging adaptation of Batman’s Court of Owls storyline.

Documentary shines a spotlight on the legendary animation Studio Ghibli and its visionary co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki.

Producer John Aglialoro completes his quixotic quest to adapt Ayn Rand’s epic novel to the screen.

Derivative of many other dystopian works, but with enough fresh spin and worthwhile performances to make it a winner.

Frank Capra’s romantic comedy classic shines in new Criterion release.

Emmy-winning Danish TV series features Mads Mikkelsen as an unconventional detective.

Agatha Christie’s approved actress expertly brings her literary heroine to life in the investigation of deaths.

Intelligent, thought-provoking sci-fi drama with winning performances and production design.

The 2nd biggest live-action comedy of 2014 has an incredibly simple premise but surprises with its refreshing delivery.

Second season of this tropical murder series flirts with interdepartmental romance but otherwise maintains staid formula.

Bob Fosse’s crowning directorial achievement shines in the Criterion spotlight.

Tatiana Maslany continues to impress in her multiple characters, but the show has cooled.

Blu on Blu-ray is the best way to experience this musical, colorful jungle, although the lackluster story falls short.

Atmospheric and deadly serious mystery show set in the dramatic Welsh countryside.

Traditional British sleuthing set in the easy-going Caribbean.

Oscar-nominated film is short on substance but long on style.

Oddball choice for Marvel’s latest print comic conversion to motion comic.

Father and son PIs solve crimes and crack wise in rustic Newfoundland.

Action series completes its run with an abbreviated final arc.

Impressive cast wasted on faulty script that attempts to pack in too many plots and instead masters none.

Kurosawa and Mifune team up for another classic.

It’s best to stick to Vol. 1 for the superior writing and art.

There’s not much to really draw readers into the story, leaving the art as the main attraction.

Final season of show that put Danish TV on the U.S. map exits gracefully

Great action but not much story.

Little-known superhero gains new life at Dark Horse Comics.

Jeph Loeb’s underwhelming return to Marvel goes nowhere and isn’t helped by Bianchi’s polarizing art.

Timeless classic enhanced by new digital restoration and bonus features.

Veteran series wraps up its run with a dark and dreary arc.