Cube Critics

As the Potterverse expands this week with the prequel "Fantastic Beasts and where to find them," history fans are served by "Loving," and teen rom-com lovers by "Edge of 17." Cube Critics Stephanie Curtis and Euan Kerr share their opinions.

With "Arrival" in theaters this week, the scent of first contact is in the air. There have been many great movies made of what might happen when aliens arrive on Earth. Both Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Stephanie Curtis immediately thought of "ET" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." But what about others? The Cube Critics created lists and tried to limit it to three each. Will they succeed?

"Arrival" arrives in theaters this week. Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner lead a group of scientists in Denis ("Sicario") Villeneuve's sci-fi drama about trying to communicate with aliens who descend on Earth without warning. Cube Critics Stephanie Curtis and Euan Kerr talk it through, and discuss the French drama "Being 17."

Connections beget connections: Cube Critic Stephanie Curtis makes the argument for better things, or rather "Better Things." Euan Kerr is "Shameless" and talks about a recent exposure to Greek culture in the cinema.

The long wait is over for Dr. Strange fans as his exploits hit the big screen. Mel Gibson returns with "Hacksaw Ridge." And Minnesota gets to understand the fuss over "Moonlight." Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Tracy Mumford chew it all over.

Korean director Chan-Wook Park's thriller "The Handmaiden" is drawing raves this weekend around the country. It's a tense, layered tale of a young street thief involved in a plot to steal a wealthy woman's fortune. The plan is to marry her to another crook, posing as an aristocrat, then convince her she's mad, so they can lock her up in an asylum and take her money. Yet, almost nothing is as it seems in this story. It's filled with twists and turns. The new film is a change from Park's early work which are eerie tales of vengeance. They are dark and often bloody - in other words perfect for Halloween. MPR Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Stephanie Curtis chew over their favorites.

Well, here's a turn up for the Cube Critics books: young Stephanie Curtis claims she's still flustered from seeing Chan Wook Park's erotic thriller "The Handmaiden" and Euan Kerr makes the case for watching the quiet splendor of "Certain Women."

In an era where the Indie film is often that just in name alone, director Kelly Reichardt's movies proudly fly the true Indie flag. She makes quiet movies about ordinary people struggling with the small things of life. There is seldom any dramatic action in her stories, although there is always a sense that something might be about to happen. Her films often attract big name stars, despite being made on a shoestring. Her latest, "Certain Women" stars Laura Dern, Michelle Williams, Kristen Stewart, Lily Gladstone, and Jared Harris. As that movie creeps out in theaters, her earlier work such as "Old Joy," "Wendy and Lucy," and "Meeks Cutoff" are available on-line. Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Stephanie Curtis explain why they are worth seeking out.

What a mix! A Philip Roth adaptation and two movies with colons in the title (aka sequels.) Cube Critics Euan Kerr and Tracy Mumford muse over Ewan McGregor in "American Pastoral," Tom Cruise in "Jack Reacher: Never go back" and some haunted cardboard in "Ouija: Origin of Evil."

Ava DuVernay busted onto the scene for many people with "Selma." She's kept going too, and now Cube Critic Stephanie Curtis raves to Euan Kerr about "The 13th." And that somehow morphs into a discussion of "Orange is the New Black."