Oliver Jones
New York Observer
Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Past articles by Oliver:
‘American: An Odyssey to 1947’ Review: The Story of Three Lives, Though One Dominates
What this documentary does effectively is revitalize the work of Orson Wells by viewing it through the lens of media consolidation, government repression of art and leftist thinkers, and social justice. → Read More
‘The Equalizer 3’ Review: Denzel Washington’s Vengeance Machine Shows Signs of Age
As Washington’s hero enters geriaction territory stairs present an issue. Putting a meat cleaver in a guy’s forehead is less of a problem. → Read More
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Review: A Spotify Playlist In Search Of A Movie
Movie review, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3': The inspired needle drops and visual playfulness don't generate convincing emotion. → Read More
‘Sisu’ Review: A Gore-Splattered Contender For Action Movie Of The Summer
Set in the waning days of WWII in Finland, this stunning thriller-with-a-purpose is cool, calm, and collected in its bloodthirsty repudiation of fascism. → Read More
A Remarkable Documentary Celebrates Little Richard’s Revolutionary Art And Existence
Director Lisa Cortés doesn't just validate Little Richard's explosive role as the architect of rock & roll. Her film traces how queerness and Blackness have transformed American culture and society. → Read More
‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ Review: All The Vitality Of A Corpse
Russell Crowe’s light-on-its-feet performance is the single bright spot this absurdly plotted, blood-drenched haunted house movie. → Read More
‘How to Blow Up A Pipeline’ Review: Film As A Revolutionary Act
A gang of disaffected eco-activists undertake a momentous act of monkeywrenching in this agitprop thriller driven by real-world stakes. → Read More
‘Air’ Review: Ben Affleck’s Overeager Love Song to Nike Succeeds More Than It Doesn’t
Matt Damon and Viola Davis fight through the empty calories of a non-stop '80s soundtrack — and the absence of Michael Jordan from a story that has him at its center — in this tale of feel-good capitalism. → Read More
‘Cocaine Bear’ Review: The Marketing Is Better Than The Movie
The comedy lacks wit and bite, though things jolt to life when this meme-friendly monster movie lays the gore on thick. → Read More
Best Movies 2022: 15 Films Defined By Reflection, Regret, Friendship, and Optimism
From documentaries to a new kind of spectacle cinema, Oliver Jones looks at what links the year’s most resounding cinema. → Read More
‘EO’ Is A Dark Exploration of Humanity, Technology and Nature, Yet Still Filled with Joy
The Jerzy Skolimowski film revolves around a donkey’s trans-European journey. It’s profoundly weird and deeply moving. → Read More
‘The Inspection’: An Important Story Of Pain And Survival, Told In a Limited Way
Director Elegance Bratton tells his life as a gay, unhoused man who enlists in the Marines. The performances of Jeremy Pope and Gabrielle Union shine, but the characters feel thinly drawn. → Read More
‘Armageddon Time’ Is A Beautifully Crafted Coming of Age Story That Falls Short
As we enter a golden age of filmmakers making movies about their formative years, James Gray recalls his childhood in '80s Queens — in ways that seem awfully close to François Truffaut's memories. → Read More
‘Holy Spider’: A Crisp, Engrossing Crime Thriller That Confronts Iran’s Power Structure
In this grungy noir — based on a true story — a serial killer in Iran who claims to be “waging a jihad against vice” by killing sex workers is pursued by a journalist. → Read More
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Takes on A New, Terrifying Relevance In Netflix Adaptation
Eight months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a new German version of Erich Maria Remarque’s nearly 100-year-old novel radiates both urgency and entrenched sadness. → Read More
David O. Russell’s ‘Amsterdam’ Is Overstuffed, Manic And Enthralling
It’s a murder mystery, romance, farce, war movie, political polemic and period piece rolled into one, with a sprawling cast that includes everyone from Robert DeNiro to Taylor Swift. → Read More
‘Moonage Daydream’ Is An Otherworldly Journey Into the Life and Art of David Bowie
The spectacular visuals of Brett Morgen’s documentary are best experienced large and loud. → Read More
‘Riotsville, USA’ Uncovers the Sixties Roots of the Militarization of the Police
Sierra Pettengill’s documentary shows how more than 50 years ago fake towns were built on army bases to teach the police how to suppress rebellion. → Read More
‘Beast’ Elevates Its Horror and Dumb Thrills With a Sense of Loss (And Idris Elba)
Themes of exploitation and environmental degradation make this something more than a cheesy late August monster movie. → Read More
‘Bullet Train’: Bombastic, Bloody, And Laden With Shallow Irony
Things have to be precisely calibrated for comedy to work amidst vicious violence. No such luck with ‘Bullet Train.’ → Read More