In May I wrote a list of 10 box office predictions for the summer of 2016. And just like the quality of films this summer, I did meh, alright, fine (by box office prediction standards I did not too awful; it is a fickle game). There were a few surprises this summer but a lot of… Continue reading 2016 Summer Box Office Recap
It’s like “Funny People” except not funny… “Don’t Think Twice” follows members of a New York City improv group that struggle to cope with their own lives after one of them gets a big break. Mike Birbiglia writes, directs and also stars alongside Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher and Chris Gethard. A… Continue reading Don’t Think About Seeing ‘Don’t Think Twice’
Maybe Summer 2016 won’t be a total wash after all… “Southside with You” focuses on the first date between Barack and Michelle Obama in Chicago in 1989. Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter star as Barack and Michelle, respectively, as Richard Tanne writes and directs. The concept for this film may seem either simplistic to a… Continue reading ‘Southside with You’ Coasts on Fun Performances and Script
“Ben-Hur?” I hardly knew her! [cough] Well now that I got that out of my system (and I’ve wanted to use that line for a while now), on with the review! “Ben-Hur” is the fifth film adaption of the 1880 novel and the first live-action version since the famous 1959 film starring Charlton Heston. Jack… Continue reading ‘Ben-Hur’ a Dull, Pointless Remake
Well it took until mid-August but we finally got a genuinely good summer movie. “Hell or High Water” stars Ben Foster and Chris Pine as two brothers who rob banks in West Texas, as aging Rangers Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham try to hunt them down. David Mackenzie directs. The best way I can describe… Continue reading ‘Hell or High Water’ a Slow-Burn Thriller with Great Script
I know Jared Leto spent months in psych wards trying to get his Joker cackle just right, but Jonah Hill’s laugh in this is the best one cinema has had all year. “War Dogs” stars Jonah Hill and Miles Teller as two 20-somethings who get government contracts to supply weapons to soldiers in the Middle… Continue reading Hill Steals the Show in ‘War Dogs’
For an animated movie about swearing hot dogs, this thing has a surprising amount of intelligence. “Sausage Party” is a (very) R-rated animated film about food who believe humans are gods sent to save them, but begin to realize what actually happens to them once they are taken out of the supermarket. It stars an… Continue reading ‘Sausage Party’ as Funny as it is Thought Provoking
Welcome back to everyone’s favorite game, “Meryl Streep and the Golden Globe nomination.” “Florence Foster Jenkins” stars Streep in the titular role as the infamous 1940s New York City socialite who, despite her painful lack of any talent, wishes to sign at Carnegie Hall. Hugh Grant plays her husband and Simon Helberg her pianist as… Continue reading ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ Wastes Great Leads in Inconsistent Schmaltz-Fest
Kevin Spacey, if you’re desperate for money you can just ask me for a loan, you don’t need to go demeaning yourself like this… “Nine Lives” is a comedy film (used in the loosest of terms) from director Barry Sonnenfeld, who brought us the Men in Black series. It stars Kevin Spacey as a business… Continue reading ‘Nine Lives’ a Cat-astrophe of a Comedy
If nothing else it’s nice to see Will Smith having fun in a big budget blockbuster again. “Suicide Squad” is the third entry into the DC Extended Universe and takes place after the events of this year’s “Batman v Superman.” David Ayer writes and directs as Will Smith and Margot Robbie star as members of… Continue reading ‘Suicide Squad’ Wastes Brilliant Cast in Bland CGI Romp
The Reel Deal 