Asher Luberto, Author at The Playlist

‘Volition’: Tony Dean Smith’s Sci-Fi Thriller Is A Convoluted, Time-Hopping Mess [Review]

July 10, 2020 2:51 pm

In "Volition," an action/science fiction hybrid, Adrian Glynn McMorran plays a guy who can see into the future. "Precognition," he calls it. It's too bad McMorran couldn't tap into those same powers of prophec...

‘Exit Plan’ Is A Dull Thriller With Horrible Characters [Review]

Asher Luberto

June 20, 2020 3:00 pm

News, Reviews

In "Exit Plan," a dull thriller directed by Jonas Alexander Arnby, Nikolaj Coster-Waldu (of "Game of Thrones" fame) plays Max, an insurance agent who couldn't be more different from his role as Jaime Lanister....

‘You Should Have Left’ Is More Tortured Soul Then Creepy Haunted House [Review]

Asher Luberto

June 19, 2020 6:04 pm

News, Reviews

Like a lot of haunted house stories, the wonderfully sinister "You Should Have Left" is less about a creepy house and more about a tortured soul. With its empty rooms, creaky floorboards, and symmetrically fra...

‘Sometimes Always Never’: Bill Nighy Brings Quirky Charm To Carl Hunter’s Comedy [Review]

Asher Luberto

June 11, 2020 2:25 pm

News, Reviews

In "Sometimes Always Never," rocker-turned director Carl Hunter plays with style and form the way his characters use letters in Scrabble. It's a father-son road movie where words, whimsy, and comedy collide in...

‘Spelling The Dream’: Sam Rega’s Inspirational Doc Will Leave You At A Loss For Words [Review]

Asher Luberto

June 5, 2020 11:58 am

News, Reviews

Words abound in Sam Rega's "Spelling the Dream," which follows the winning streak of Indian-Americans at the National Spelling Bee. The Netflix documentary celebrates a group of young contestants who have dedi...

‘I’m No Longer Here’: The Joys Of Dance & Culture Are At The Heart Of This Touching Drama [Review]

Asher Luberto

June 2, 2020 12:41 pm

News, Reviews

Imagine a city where everyone dances. Some move to the rhythm of life. Others flow with the gangs and street violence that ravage their small, mountain village. Either way, everyone comes together at night to ...

‘End Of Sentence’: John Hawkes & Logan Lerman Are Great In This Tender Family Drama [Review]

Asher Luberto

May 29, 2020 4:00 pm

News, Reviews

At first glance, there's nothing original about the new father-son movie "End of Sentence." We've seen estranged father/sons before—here the two are played by Logan Lerman and John Hawkes, displaying tough ext...

‘Fourteen’: Dan Sallit’s Latest Is A Thoughtful Study Of A Crumbling Friendship [Review]

Asher Luberto

May 22, 2020 1:29 pm

News, Reviews

Comprising small, gentle scenes played out largely in apartments and restaurants, "Fourteen" wonders if it's possible for friendships to deepen even as they fall apart. Doing most of the falling apart is Jo (N...

‘Body Cam’: Sleepy Performances & Shoddy Storytelling Kill This Cop Thriller [Review]

Asher Luberto

May 21, 2020 12:36 pm

News, Reviews

Two words sum up this grisly mess. And no, they aren't "grisly" or "mess." It's when detective Renee (Mary J. Blige) yells, "Calling backup!" It's not only a good judgment call, but it also prepares audiences ...

‘Castle In The Ground’: Alex Wolff & Imogen Poots Put A Sympathetic Face On Drug Addiction [Review]

Asher Luberto

May 14, 2020 11:49 am

News, Reviews

In its opening scenes, the grief drama "Castle in the Ground'' looks like it's going to be a sweet, simplistic film about family bonding. The story begins with Henry (Alex Wolff) taking care of his sick mother...

Author Asher Luberto