The Post, Phantom Thread, Molly's Game, Mary and the Witch's Flower Reviews

Hello all! Welcome to my first review post of the new year. I've decided to experiment with a new rating system that may or may not simplify things. There are now only three ratings: SKIP IT, SEE IT, and WAIT FOR NETFLIX. Let me know if you like this new method or prefer the old fashioned A-F scale!

The Post
Dir. Steven Spielberg
Watch Trailer

Steven Spielberg is such an efficient, workman-like director that he made The Post while still in post-production on his upcoming special effects extravaganza Ready Player One. Not unlike the newspaper reporters depicted in the film, Spielberg's style is straightforward, sensational, and fast-paced. He's the seemingly perfect director for the material, and with a cast filled top-to-bottom with amazing talent, I thought The Post would have been a slam-dunk. Unfortunately, this intriguing true story of the Washington Post's ethical dilemma in regards to publishing the top secret Pentagon Papers feels a little too pat and easy for its own good. It lacks the paranoia of All the President's Men, the authenticity of Spotlight, and the urgency of Citizenfour, settling for a hum-drum, nicely polished history lesson.