Mark Burger

United States

Film Critic at Yes! Weekly

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Articles

A new summer program opens at a/perture cinema

3 weeks ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

In addition to its patented blend of showing big-budget Hollywood fare alongside independent and foreign films — as well as its various special events — Winston-Salem’s a/perture cinema will be presenting its first summer camp film series for children, titled “film a/ppreciation: an introduction to the art of cinema for Middle Schoolers.”The two-week-long summer camps are specifically designed for middle-school students (rising grades 6th-9th) and will be held July 14-18 and Aug.
Fear Street: Prom Queen travels a familiar but entertaining avenue

3 weeks ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

In Hollywood, nothing succeeds like excess, and when it comes to sequels, nothing exceeds like success. Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that, having hit ratings paydirt with its original Fear Street trilogy, broadcast on successive weeks in 2021, Netflix would go the tried-and-true route with a fresh installment. Adapted from R.L. Stine’s 1992 novel The Prom Queen, Fear Street: Prom Queen doesn’t break new ground but it’s a class act in the slasher movie sweepstakes.
Video Vault - June 4, 2025

3 weeks ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

PICK OF THE WEEK JASON X (Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment Group): After the debacle of Jason Goes to Hell (see below) and with the long-anticipated Freddy vs. Jason (2003) stuck in development hell, New Line Cinema and executive producer/series creator Sean S. Cunningham decided to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Friday the 13th franchise by making a tenth installment, belatedly released in 2002.
Overkill clouds latest Mission: Impossible

1 month ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

In their joint effort to make Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning the best in the lucrative franchise, producer/star Tom Cruise and producer/director Christopher McQuarrie have made the eighth outing the biggest and, with a 170-minute running time, the longest. But it’s not the best. Nor, for that matter, is it the worst.
Video Vault - May 28, 2025

1 month ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

PICK OF THE WEEKKINGPIN (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): The Farrelly Brothers (Bobby and Peter) followed up their smash 1994 debut Dumb and Dumber with this outrageous 1996 sports comedy that stumbled at the box-office and earned mixed reviews, then rebounded on cable and home-video to become one of their best-remembered, most-loved films – which some (ahem) consider to be their best.
Bring your friends to Better Bring Your Friends

1 month ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

When Marketplace Cinemas in Winston-Salem resumes its “Filmed in Winston-Salem” series sponsored by the Piedmont Triad Film Commission (PTFC) on Sunday, June 8, in addition to the 3:30 p.m. screening of Shifting Gears, the 2018 comedy filmed in Winston-Salem, there will also be a special preview screening of the documentary feature Better Bring Your Friends at 1 p.m.Both screenings will take place at Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, and admission is free.
Not-so-trivial pursuits at Marketplace Cinemas

1 month ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

Marketplace Cinemas in Winston-Salem will be launching a new series this month while continuing another in June. These events will take place at the theater, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, and admission is free. The first series, “Movie Trivia Game Night,” is exactly as described: Those with an affinity for movie trivia can compete for such prizes as Marketplace Cinemas gift cards, movie posters, and other movie-related memorabilia and merchandise.
Star-studded Nonnas serves up friendly fare

1 month ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

Wearing its heart proudly on its sleeve — or apron, in this case — Nonnas is a feel-good, fact-based, warm-hearted confection that’s hard to dislike. It’s pleasant, undemanding, and never for a moment is the outcome ever in doubt. Little wonder it became Netflix’s top movie when released in time for Mother’s Day, because a maternal theme runs throughout. Executive Producer Vince Vaughn plays Joe Scaravello, a blue-collar working stiff mourning the recent death of his mother.
Video Vault - May 21, 2025

1 month ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

PICK OF THE WEEKMARLEY (Tuff Hong Worldwide/MVD Entertainment Group): When you hear the word “reggae,” likely the first name that comes to mind is Bob Marley, and the reasons for that are immortalized on film thanks to director Kevin Macdonald’s award-winning (yet overlooked) 2012 documentary feature, very likely the definitive portrait of Robert Nesta Marley (1945-’81). It’s everything you ever wanted to know about Bob Marley – and more.
Juliet & Romeo: A shallow dip in Shakespearean waters

1 month ago | yesweekly.com | Mark Burger

In addition to the title, Juliet & Romeo is something of a revisionist take on Shakespeare’s oft-told, much-filmed tale of star-crossed lovers. Unfortunately, the revisions aren’t nearly as clever or innovative as the filmmakers appear to think.