Jenniffer Wardell

1 month ago | vaildaily.com | Jenniffer Wardell

Death of a Unicorn (in theaters)Unicorns are getting their day in the darkness. They’re the menacing monsters hungry for blood in “Death of a Unicorn,” the new horror comedy from A24. Half satire of the rich, half monster revenge movie, it’s a hoot for anyone who wishes unicorns got more respect or wants to see rich people gored to death. Though it’s not perfect – there are some balance issues, as well as big gaps in the monster lore – a handful of great performances add to the movie magic.

1 month ago | vaildaily.com | Jenniffer Wardell

Don’t judge a Snow White by her hairstyle. Though Disney saddled her with a deeply unfortunate bob, Rachel Zegler does a fantastic job as the lead in the new live-action “Snow White.” She embodies all the goodness, grace and charm of the original animated character, easily commanding the screen whenever she’s on it. She also has a beautiful voice, making the most out of both the classic songs and those written for the new movie. She’s a true Disney princess in human form.

2 months ago | vaildaily.com | Jenniffer Wardell

Novocaine (in theaters)“Novocaine” doesn’t really satisfy as an action movie, but it’s great if you’re looking for a really violent romantic comedy. Though it does a terrible job portraying the medical condition that serves as the movie’s hook, it’s hard to get too mad at it. Jack Quaid gives the main character an overwhelming likability that pervades the rest of the movie, an oddball sweetness that isn’t dimmed by the violence.

2 months ago | vaildaily.com | Jenniffer Wardell

Turns out even Paddington can have an off day. Though the first two movies in the series are generally beloved, the quality dips noticeably for “Paddington in Peru.” It’s still cute enough to appeal to kids, but all the little touches that elevated the previous movies are gone. The script is a mess, the main villain tips too far into cartoonishness, and the new setting is completely wasted. Though Ben Whishaw is still a delight as Paddington, the majority of what’s going on around him falls short.

2 months ago | vaildaily.com | Jenniffer Wardell

How funny do you find blood splatter? The answer to that will determine how you feel about “The Monkey,” the latest from “Longlegs” director Osgood Perkins. Loosely based on a Stephen King short story, the horror-comedy utilizes a lot of its absurdity in a series of dramatic, cartoon-like deaths. Though there’s also plenty of fringe ridiculousness, including Elijah Wood playing one of his textbook weirdos, it’s clear that the deaths are what Perkins is really invested in.