Matt Olien's Movie Reviews: Recent Episodes
Prairie Public
Television producer Matt Olien doubles as Prairie Public's resident movie critic, and uses his background in film studies and extensive knowledge of movie history to review a current film. Stay tuned until the end, where he's quizzed with obscure Oscar trivia.
"Longlegs" is a chilling slasher blending "Silence of the Lambs" and satanic cult themes. Matt says Nicolas Cage's terrifying performance as the elusive killer is Oscar-worthy.
"Horizon: An American Saga Chapter One" is a Western drama by Kevin Costner, chronicling settlers' challenges during the American frontier expansion. Matt didn't like the movie.
"The Bike Riders" is a gritty 1960s drama about a Midwestern motorcycle club's rise, exploring themes of brotherhood, rebellion, and loyalty through its members' perspectives.
Matt Olien is Prairie Public's movie critic. Today he reviews Woody Allen's Coup de Chance.
Prairie Public movie critic Matt Olien reviews this latest in the action-heavy Mad Max saga.
Matt reviews "The Idea of You," starring Anne Hathaway, follows the story of a single mother who falls for a lead singer of a popular boy band.
Matt says the computer generated effects in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes are awesome!
"Battle-scarred stuntman Colt Seavers springs back into action when the star of a big studio movie suddenly disappears."
Matt reviews "Civil War, " a movie that emerges as a stark, harrowing portrayal of a fractured America.
"When people in Littlehampton--including conservative local Edith--begin to receive letters full of hilarious profanities, rowdy Irish migrant Rose is charged with the crime. Suspecting that something is amiss, the town's women investigate." (IMBD)
Matt reviews "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire," a supernatural comedy film that serves as the sequel to "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (2021). He also remembers Louis Gossett Jr.
Matt reviews "Immaculate," starring Sidney Sweeney as a nun in a horror movie blending religion and sex. Matt says Sweeney knows what she is doing as the film's producer.
Matt Olien reviews "One Life," praising Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Sir Nicholas Winton and the film's moving tribute to heroism during the Holocaust.
Matt reviews, "Cabrini," a movie about the first American Saint and also updates us on the Academy Awards.
Matt reviews "Dune: Part Two" (2024): Paul Atreides allies with Fremen for revenge in this deeper saga of power and destiny on Arrakis. Directed by Villeneuve.
Matt reviews "Wonka" (2023): An origin tale of Willy Wonka's chocolatier dreams, facing a greedy cartel. Stars Timothée Chalamet; directed by Paul King.
Matt reviews "The Taste of Things," a 2023 film by Trần Anh Hùng about a cook and her gourmet employer's romance in 1889, inspired by Dodin Bouffant.
"Perfect Days" review: A Tokyo toilet cleaner's life reveals dignity & loneliness through his unseen role, showcasing the value in all work.
Matt reviews the Netflix film on Diana Nyad's Cuba-Florida swim stars Annette Bening, Jodie Foster; praised for focus, performance, and not sugarcoating Nyad's obsession.
Matt Olien lauds "Godzilla minus one" for blending emotional depth with historical insights, elevating it above past films as a critical and visual triumph.
Matt reviews "The Zone of Interest," A film about Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife's life near the camp, contrasting domesticity with genocide.
Matt reviews: "Anatomy of a Fall,"A film exploring the mysterious death of Samuel and the troubled marriage with his author wife Sandra, leaving viewers in suspense.
Matt reviews "Poor Things," which reimagines Frankenstein with a twist, blending satire and sci-fi in a tale of a woman revived with her unborn child's brain.
Matt reviews "Maestro" which portrays Leonard Bernstein's life, highlighting his musical genius and personal struggles in a career and relationship-focused narrative.
Matt reviews "May December," which delves into a May-December romance, exploring love, societal views, and the complexities of age-gap relationships.
Matt reviews "American Fiction," which explores the diverse American experience, focusing on identity, culture, and the pursuit of dreams through rich narratives.
"All Of Us Strangers" depicts diverse lives intertwining amidst a global crisis, exploring survival, connection, and human resilience.
There's just one dream for the women of Ballygar to taste freedom: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes.
It's an Australian supernatural horror film directed by Danny and Michael Philippou — their first feature film.
Matt Olien reviews “Sound of Freedom.” He also reflects on the career of director William Friedkin, who passed away on Monday. Two of Friedkin’s famous films are “The Exorcist” and “The French Connection.”
Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb.
Matt Olien reviews "Past Lives" a film about two deeply connected childhood friends who reunite years later. Then, he discusses his list of Top 100 favorite films.
Prairie Public television producer and film critic Matt Olien shares his Top 100 favorite films of all time.
Inspired by true events. A West Texas single mother wins the lottery and squanders it just as fast, leaving behind a world of heartbreak.
Matt Olien reviews "The Quiet Girl," a 2022 Irish film nominated for Best International Feature at this year's Academy Awards.
Matt Olien reviews "Triangle of Sadness," the Oscar-nominated satirical comedy about a luxury cruise gone awry.
Matt Olien reviews "Women Talking," the Oscar-nominated drama about women of an isolated religious colony.
Matt Olien reviews "80 for Brady," a new comedy starring Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Rita Moreno, and Lily Tomlin.
Matt Olien says Brendan Fraser's performance may be worthy of a Best Actor Academy Award.
It’s a busy weekend for movie-goers, Matt Olien gives us a double-header, reviewing both “The Menu” and “Disenchanted.”
Matt Olien reviews Armegeddon Time, a new historical drama starring Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong.
Tár features a tour-de-force performance for Cate Blanchette. Will it get her another Academy Award?
Matt Olien reviews “The Banshees of Inisherin,” a black comedy-drama written and directed by Martin McDonagh.
Musician, fashion icon, and painter, Moonage Daydream is a gorgeous exploration of of the life and art of David Bowie.
Matt Olien reviews “Blonde,” a look at the rise to fame and the epic demise of actress Marilyn Monroe.
A documentary about scientists and lovers Katia and Maurice Krafft, who died in a volcanic explosion doing the very thing that brought them together: unraveling the mysteries of volcanoes.
"Dr Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens a portal to the multiverse. However, a threat emerges that may be too big for his team to handle."
“Val” is a documentary about the life and career of Val Kilmer, using archival footage often shot by Kilmer himself over the course of his career.
Two astronomers go on a media tour to warn humankind of a planet-killing comet hurtling toward Earth.
Matt finds a lot to like, and a lot that's not so great. He discusses this "neo-noir psychological thriller" from director Guillermo del Toro.
“House of Gucci” is loosely based on events involving the real murder of Maurizio Gucci and the downfall of the Gucci family.
Matt Olien reviews “Eternals,” another film based on Marvel comics about immortal beings who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years as they reunite to battle evil.
Matt reviews “Spencer,” a drama about Princess Diana’s decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles.
Eddie Brock is still struggling to coexist with the shape-shifting extraterrestrial Venom.
The Card Counter stars Oscar Isaac. It's the story of William Tell, a gambler who sets out to reform a young man seeking revenge on a mutual enemy.
Matt Olien reviews “Stillwater,” the new Matt Damon film about a young American woman imprisoned in France for a murder she didn’t commit.
"King Arthur's headstrong nephew embarks on a daring quest to confront the Green Knight"