Mel Valentin
Featured Critic
Mel Valentin has been writing about his first and possibly his last love, film, for more than a decade. Born somewhere on the East Coast in the last century, Mel moved to the San Francisco Bay Area two decades ago. Mel spends his days looking forward to when we can all return to movie theaters and film festivals in person.Articles by Mel Valentin:
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August 3, 2022
Bullet Train Review: Brad Pitt Stars in a Tedious, Repetitive ActionerIt’s clear that everyone involved in David Leitch’s BULLET TRAIN had a great time making the actioner, but does that make it an entertaining ride?
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July 15, 2022
The Gray Man Review: Underwhelming SpycraftRyan Gosling and Chris Evans star in Netflix’s uber-budget wannabe-Bond effort THE GRAY MAN.
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July 2, 2022
Minions: The Rise of Gru Review – More Pint-Sized ChaosSeven years after Minions, the annoying little sidekicks of the Despicable Me franchise return in Minions: The Rise of Gru
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May 13, 2022
Top Gun: Maverick ReviewTom Cruise makes Top Gun: Maverick feel like the first big-screen must-see film this side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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April 21, 2022
The Northman Review: Robert Eggers Epic Viking Saga Doesn’t DisappointRobert Eggers latest-the epic viking saga The Northman-doesn’t disappoint and delivers a brutal, gore-soaked revenge tale.
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April 2, 2022
Morbius Review: Everything Old Isn’t New AgainMorbius is yet another boring origin story to toss atop the trash heap of the MCU.
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January 14, 2022
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania: Third Sequel Delivers More of the Same Except DifferentHotel Transylvania: Transformania delivers engaging visuals strong enough to keep even the most easily distracted pre-teens occupied.
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January 8, 2022
The Tender Bar Review: Ben Affleck Headlines A Fine Cast In An Underwhelming DramaBen Affleck’s performance as a compassionate bartender-philosopher saves George Clooney’s otherwise middling adaptation of The Tender Bar.
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December 17, 2021
Spider-Man: No Way Home: Trilogy Ends in Winning FashionCorporate synergy and a superior Tom Holland make Spider-Man: No Way Home a standout of the MCU.
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December 11, 2021
West Side Story: The Classic Musical Gets a Sparkling 21st-Century MakeoverSteven Spielberg’s West Side Story delivers a sparkling 21st-century makeover of the famous Broadway and Oscar-winning musical.
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November 26, 2021
Licorice Pizza Review: Paul Thomas Anderson in Hangout, Chill ModePaul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza—a coming-of-age tale set in early 1970s California—finds the auteur in decidedly chill, laid-back mode.
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November 17, 2021
Ghostbusters: Afterlife Review: Everything Old Isn’t New AgainGhostbusters: Afterlife, the fourth entry in the series, is minus the wit, humour, or imagination of its predecessors.
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film
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TV
Families Like Ours Review: A Speculative Displacement Story
Thomas Vinterberg's new CBC Gem series is a fresh and creative Danish take on a speculative apocalyptic narrative.
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music
Piece by Piece: TIFF 2024 Review
Morgan Neville’s Piece by Piece delivers a visually stunning look at Pharrell Williams’ legendary life and career.
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podcasts
Spoiled Rotten 316: Revisiting Ghost Rider
Ben and Daniel are joined by filmmaker, RB3, to revisit Ghost Rider & more on Spoiled Rotten Podcast!
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