Christa Banister
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
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Triple 9 Nothing More than a Poor Man's Training Day
In an era where modern-day police ethics are regularly called into question, Triple 9 only fuels the fire as there's nary a good guy dressed in blue here. And anyway, the dirty cop thriller has...Thursday, February 25, 2016
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Risen Brings New Life to Bible Movies
This tale of faith and redemption marks a new chapter for biblical epics. While not perfect, Risen still delivers one of the best portrayals of Christ's death and resurrection to date, as we...Wednesday, February 17, 2016
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This Race Finishes with Substance & Heart
The athletic achievements of Olympic legend Jesse Owens are nothing short of remarkable, but Race is so much more than your average sports movie or celebrity biopic. It’s a very human story about...Wednesday, February 17, 2016
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Providence Has Its Heart in the Right Place, but Not Much Else
Providence is best described as a faith-based romance in the Nicholas Sparks vein, a just-in-time-for-Valentine's film for Christians. But a plodding narrative, dull characters and an absence of...Wednesday, February 10, 2016
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Hail, Caesar! is a Goofy Valentine to Hollywood's Golden Age
In what's easily one of the Coen Brothers' zaniest movies about Hollywood's inner workings since Barton Fink, the audience is transported back to the 1950s where one very busy man tries to keep one...Wednesday, February 3, 2016
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The Choice: Predestined for Predictability
Nicholas Sparks has repeatedly tried to recapture the lightning in a bottle of The Notebook. The Choice may have emotional stakes but delivers neither star power nor screenwriting prowess. It's a...Wednesday, February 3, 2016
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Kung Fu Panda's Third Chapter Still Has Plenty of Kick
The Kung Fu Panda movies have been a consistently fun and family-friendly cinematic diversion for eight years now, proof that a simple, well-executed concept can win over an audience again and...Thursday, January 28, 2016
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The 5th Wave Crashes and Burns into Dystopian Oblivion
Rick Yancey's book has to be far better than this resulting movie. How else to explain how such a bloated dystopian mess got greenlighted in the first place?Thursday, January 21, 2016
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Joy: Lawrence is So Good, She Can Make a Movie about a Mop Sparkle
Despite having enough material for three separate movies, this story about a harried female inventor satisfies on multiple levels thanks to the skill of Jennifer Lawrence.Thursday, December 24, 2015
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Strong Female Leads Aside, This Carol Doesn't Quite Sing
Blanchett may be considered an Oscar frontrunner for her performance, but Carol, about a lesbian love affair in the 1950s, is pretty scant on substance and a distinct point of view.Thursday, December 24, 2015
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Dueling Ferrell & Wahlberg Should Have Made Daddy's Home Funnier
This movie would've been so much better if the leads had switched roles. As it is, it's neither edgy enough for the comedy crowd, or friendly enough for the family crowd.Thursday, December 24, 2015
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The Big Short is the Most Entertaining (and Sobering) Economics Lesson Ever
Like a well-staged morality play that’s far more entertaining than preachy, this film asks the big questions The Wolf of Wall Street never quite got around to.Tuesday, December 22, 2015
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Church Satire Fails on All Fronts - Especially Humor - in Don Verdean
It could've been timely satire. Instead, it falls flat in every possible way: shockingly unfunny with a point of view so tepid and timid that you're not quite sure why the Hesses went after the...Wednesday, December 9, 2015
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Creed Packs a Franchise-Reinvigorating Punch
Not only pays homage to the original Rocky with plenty of knowing winks, but raises the bar with a solid storyline, memorable performances and even a little existential food for thought.Tuesday, November 24, 2015
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Banal By the Sea is Beautiful but Boring
Director and female lead Angelina Jolie Pitt turns an intriguing-enough premise into a sumptuously-lit slog of a movie where the most exciting event is seeing which exquisite silk nightgown Jolie...Thursday, November 19, 2015
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In a High-Tech World, Peanuts is a Lo-Fi Delight
Considering how sophisticated animated movies have become thanks to Pixar, one still couldn’t help wondering if something based on a comic strip back in 1950 could please parents and their...Friday, November 6, 2015
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For a Movie about Heaven, 90 Minutes is Surprisingly Earthbound
Lacks the production values of Heaven is for Real, but follows its source material more closely. But a plodding pace and a surprising shortage of heaven itself leave much to be desired.Thursday, September 10, 2015
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Thanks to Redford, Nolte, Woods is a Walk Unspoiled
The script may only scratch the surface on more significant matters, but it’s fun to see these actors out amid jaw-dropping scenery in a story that doesn't always go where we expect.Tuesday, September 1, 2015