Mike Tyrkus

An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

Movie Review: French Exit

The bittersweet earnestness of the film, along with the connection eventually established between mother and son make French Exit a worthwhile endeavor.

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Movie Review: Godzilla vs. Kong

Although there is nothing terribly wrong with Godzilla vs. Kong, there isn’t really too much that is entirely epic about it either other than the film’s premise and title.

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Movie Review: A Week Away

Although it will not give any of history’s great love stories any enduring competition, A Week Away manages to offer an occasionally feel-good musical romance.

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Movie Review: Bad Trip

In short, there is nothing to recommend here, nor is there anything remotely funny about a frightening majority of Bad Trip.

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Movie Review: Nobody

While it may hit all of the tropes of the typical action film, especially those of the ilk from which it is derived, Nobody delivers an enthralling tale of survival and solidifies Bob Odenkirk as a respectable action hero.

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Movie Review: The Courier

While the spy thriller The Courier is the true-life story of British businessman Greville Wynne, it is also the tale of a friendship between two men that transcends borders and political ideologies.

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Movie Review: Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal

Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal is an entertaining and informative examination of a con that is an infuriating reminder that the caste system is very much alive in many aspects of the current system of higher education.

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Detroit Film Critics Society Names Nomadland Best Picture

The Detroit Film Critics Society (DFCS) is pleased to announce the BEST OF 2020 nominees and winners in thirteen categories. This year, due to the pandemic, the period for which a film could be released was extended through February 28, 2021. Also included this year, and not in the past, are films that streamed because they could not be theatrically released. The DFCS was founded in Spring 2007 an...[Read More]

Detroit Film Critics Society Announces 2020 Nominations

The Detroit Film Critics Society is pleased to announce the Best of 2020 nominees in thirteen categories. This year, to to the pandemic, the period during which a film could be released and considered for the awards was extended through February 28, 2021. Also included this year (and not in the past), are films that streamed because they could be released theatrically. The winners will be announce...[Read More]

Movie Review: The United States vs. Billie Holiday

While The United States vs. Billie Holiday is a heartfelt ode to a singular talent, it comes across as a bit too assured of its own merits and the dramatic heft of its subject to be bothered to simply tell the compelling story it has been gifted.

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Movie Review: Judas and the Black Messiah

As far as feature-length directorial debuts go, one would be hard-pressed to identify one as impressive and awe-inspiring as Shaka King’s tour-de-force Judas and the Black Messiah.

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Movie Review: The Little Things

An example of extremely talented actors shoehorned into a plodding piece that loses its power and credibility before dissolving into a procedural thriller.

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