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Robert Daniels
Robert Daniels is a film critic with bylines in The New York Times, LA Times, RogerEbert.com, IndieWire and so forth. He has written widely about Black American pop culture and representation in film and television.
By Robert Daniels
'Kinds of Kindness' review: A poor thing from Yorgos Lanthimos
Jesse Plemons can't miss, but was Emma Stone miscast?
![Margaret Qualley, Jesse Plemons, and Willem Dafoe in "Kinds of Kindness."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/049fsVsnca8FkceRFf7SsmP/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1718904750.jpg)
![Margaret Qualley, Jesse Plemons, and Willem Dafoe in "Kinds of Kindness."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/049fsVsnca8FkceRFf7SsmP/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1718904750.jpg)
'Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead' review: Can BET+ best the cult classic teen comedy?
Simone Joy Jones and June Squibb face off.
![Simone Joy Jones, Carter Young, Ayaamii Sledge, and Donielle Tremaine Hansley play siblings in "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04Q5AxQxmnAmwFXYYKnAux1/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1712755203.jpg)
![Simone Joy Jones, Carter Young, Ayaamii Sledge, and Donielle Tremaine Hansley play siblings in "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04Q5AxQxmnAmwFXYYKnAux1/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1712755203.jpg)
'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire' review: Do the puny humans spoil the fun again?
Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens, and Brian Tyree Henry star opposite iconic kaiju.
![Godzilla and Kong roar together in "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/0048OOeiYdNjq6GomFlekTH/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1711573772.jpg)
![Godzilla and Kong roar together in "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/0048OOeiYdNjq6GomFlekTH/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1711573772.jpg)
‘Dreaming Whilst Black’ review: A sharp critique of systemic obstacles still blocking Black filmmakers
A tightly constructed industry satire from Adjani Salmon.
![Adjani Salmon stands in a suit in a workplace break room, looking at the camera, leaning on the counter.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/027Z3X8UCkGD1eEWvsHViYV/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1694086944.jpg)
![Adjani Salmon stands in a suit in a workplace break room, looking at the camera, leaning on the counter.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/027Z3X8UCkGD1eEWvsHViYV/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1694086944.jpg)
'Strays': This raunchy story of a lost dog should just get lost
Who is this movie even for?
![Reggie (Will Ferrell), Maggie (Isla Fisher), Hunter (Randall Park), and Bug (Jamie Foxx) in "Strays."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01v6g9DEfgWadOqgEn3RQpe/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1692208518.jpg)
![Reggie (Will Ferrell), Maggie (Isla Fisher), Hunter (Randall Park), and Bug (Jamie Foxx) in "Strays."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/01v6g9DEfgWadOqgEn3RQpe/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1692208518.jpg)
'The Blackening' review: Tim Story’s Black horror comedy takes a slash out of the genre
"We can't all die first."
![Melvin Gregg as King, Grace Byers as Allison, Antoinette Robertson as Lisa, Sinqua Walls as Nnamdi, Jermaine Fowler as Clifton, Dewayne Perkins as Dewayne, and Xochitl Mayo as Shanika in The Blackening.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03q9HYN8onI35pVEP2lGgcc/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1686606968.jpg)
![Melvin Gregg as King, Grace Byers as Allison, Antoinette Robertson as Lisa, Sinqua Walls as Nnamdi, Jermaine Fowler as Clifton, Dewayne Perkins as Dewayne, and Xochitl Mayo as Shanika in The Blackening.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/03q9HYN8onI35pVEP2lGgcc/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1686606968.jpg)
Angel Reese is a national champion, not the villain
The LSU star deserves to be celebrated at the top of her game, not criticized as 'classless.'
![Angel Reese sits for a portrait while wearing white and purple LSU jersey and a crown](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05yZrnMlUetgS7qQ0aXYQ4U/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1680886710.jpg)
![Angel Reese sits for a portrait while wearing white and purple LSU jersey and a crown](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05yZrnMlUetgS7qQ0aXYQ4U/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1680886710.jpg)
'Showing Up' review: Kelly Reichardt and Michelle Williams are picture-perfect
Art and privilege are molded into a must-see movie.
![Michelle Williams and Hong Chau stand on the sidewalk in "Showing Up."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06b7r0BpWzIPGehUhrbhhTv/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1680704903.jpg)
![Michelle Williams and Hong Chau stand on the sidewalk in "Showing Up."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/06b7r0BpWzIPGehUhrbhhTv/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1680704903.jpg)
Why 'John Wick: Chapter 4's body count matters
Body count is so much more than a number.
![Keanu Reeves goes to battle in "John Wick: Chapter 4."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02mpPgXG8lUOGN89wq64PTp/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1679581269.jpg)
![Keanu Reeves goes to battle in "John Wick: Chapter 4."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/02mpPgXG8lUOGN89wq64PTp/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1679581269.jpg)
Angela Bassett's Oscars loss prolongs history of disappointment for Black actors
Continuing to await awards representation that actually celebrates 'all of us'
![Angela Bassett poses on the Academy Awards "red carpet" wearing a glamorous purple gown](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/07us0x1NvdxUzveebyS0Rpp/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1678735041.jpg)
![Angela Bassett poses on the Academy Awards "red carpet" wearing a glamorous purple gown](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/07us0x1NvdxUzveebyS0Rpp/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1678735041.jpg)
'Empire of Light' review: Heartbreak feels cold in a place like this
Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward star in Sam Mendes' earnest but vexing romance.
![Olivia Colman in "Empire of Light."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05NPCkELMlO2eizKDopxcSU/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1670444205.jpg)
![Olivia Colman in "Empire of Light."](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/05NPCkELMlO2eizKDopxcSU/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1670444205.jpg)
‘Armageddon Time’ review: James Gray's white guilt manifesto
Good intentions just aren't enough.
![Jaylin Webb stars as Johnny Crocker and Michael Banks Repeta stars as Paul Graff in director James Gray's ARMAGEDDON TIME.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/034fWuu3HFhq6wyyQuuxqCT/hero-image.fill.size_220x133.v1666881872.jpg)
![Jaylin Webb stars as Johnny Crocker and Michael Banks Repeta stars as Paul Graff in director James Gray's ARMAGEDDON TIME.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/034fWuu3HFhq6wyyQuuxqCT/hero-image.fill.size_220x220.v1666881872.jpg)