The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)

Frenzied, harried, and full of nearly two dozen celebrity voices, The Angry Birds Movie 2 is an animated family comedy that hits more than it misses.

Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)

One of the biggest surprises of 2019, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, led by a breakout performance by Isabela Moner, is yet one more movie I never knew I needed.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)

The long-awaited adaptation of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a well-made, PG-13 engineered horror film, though far more suspenseful than scary.

Brian Banks (2019)

The story of an NFL hopeful wrongfully incarcerated for a crime he never committed, Brian Banks should be something deeper and more profound than a surface-level, paint-by-numbers disappointment.

Michael WardAugust 9, 2019Aldis Hodge, Greg Kinnear, Sherri Shepherd, Melanie Liburd, Xosha Roquemore, Tiffany Dupont, Kevin Yamada, 2019, Brian Banks, Drama, Tom Shadyac, Doug Atchison

Aberdeen (2019)

20-year-old, first-time filmmaker Colton Van Til arrives in Seattle to introduce Aberdeen, a story of a young female sports journalist who uncovers some troubling discoveries with a local high school sports team.

Michael WardAugust 7, 2019Isabel Bennett, Amara Davis, Cooper Tomlinson, Matt George Moore, Bryley Michael Bell, Tommy Driver, Jennifer True, Jeremy Moller, Taylor Weaver, 2019, Drama, Independent, Aberdeen, Colton Van Til, Edward Santiago

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

Staying on brand, Hobbs & Shaw , a spin-off from the wildly popular Fast & Furious franchise, is a raucous, absurd, empty-headed summer action movie extravaganza that will test your patience.

Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood (2019)

Aimless, this 9th film from writer/director Quentin Tarantino is a lackluster disappointment despite outstanding performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.

The Farewell (2019)

Lulu Wang’s outstanding comedic drama The Farewell is one of 2019’s best films.

Michael WardJuly 26, 2019Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, Zhao Shuhzen, Han Chen, Aoi Mizuhara, Hong Lu, Yongbo JIang, Gil Perez-Abraham, Ines Laimins, 2019, The Farewell, Comedy, Drama, Lulu Wang, SIFF 2019, Yes You Should!!!

Sword of Trust (2019)

Lynn Shelton’s Sword of Trust is a funny, insightful comedy, with a wonderful ensemble led by Marc Maron and Jillian Bell.

Michael WardJuly 26, 20192019, Comedy, Sword of Trust, Marc Maron, Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Jon Bass, Toby Huss, Dan Bakkedahl, Lynn Shelton, Timothy Paul, Whitmer Thomas, Al Elliott, Mike O'Brien

Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love (2019)

Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love is singularly focused for such a long period of time on Leonard Cohen, that Marianne Ihlen seems like something of an afterthought for director Nick Broomfield.

The Lion King (2019)

Disney’s 2019 reinterpretation of The Lion King is innovative and groundbreaking and unlike anything I have ever seen before. The rest of the movie struggles to find its own identity.

The Art of Self-Defense (2019)

A sandpaper dry satire on toxic masculinity and “bro culture,” Riley Stearns’ The Art of Self-Defense has a terrific Jesse Eisenberg playing a meek, timid man who turns to karate to become what intimidates him.

Michael WardJuly 18, 20192019, Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, Imogen Poots, Steve Terada, Phillip Andre Botello, David Zellner, The Art of Self-Defense, Comedy

Stuber (2019)

With the terrific chemistry developed between Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista on screen, Stuber survives a mediocre, throwback plot and story, delivering some of the biggest laughs of the summer.

Michael WardJuly 15, 2019Dave Bautista, Kumail Nanjiani, Mira Sorvino, Natalie Morales, Iko Uwais, Betty Gilpin, Karen Gillan, Jimmy Tatro, 2019, Action, Comedy, Stuber, Michael Dowse, Tipper Clancy

Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable

Inspirational documentary, Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable, is a family-friendly, incredibly safe film looking at the life and times of the teenage shark attack victim now a professional surfer, wife, and mother.

Michael WardJuly 15, 20192019, Documentary, Unstoppable, Bethany Hamilton, Adam Dirks, Alana Blanchard, Cheri Hamilton, Timmy Hamilton, Noah Hamilton, Nanea Hamilton, Tyler Wright, Coco Ho, Aaron Lieber, Carol Martori

Halston (2019)

1970s fashion designer Halston gets the documentary treatment in a story of fame, glory, celebrity, and how those same things can cannibalize someone’s vulnerabilities.

Michael WardJuly 15, 2019Tavi Gevinson, Liza Minnelli, Marisa Berenson, Joel Schumacher, Pat Cleveland, Bob Calacello, Carl Epstein, Lesley Frowick, Sassy Johnson, Naeem Khan, John David Ridge, 2019, Documentary, Frédéric Tcheng, Halston

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, Spider-Man: Far From Home is an audience-friendly summer blockbuster that continues Marvel’s winning streak.