I suppose when you are the youngest Best Director winner in history and have made arguably two of the best films of the past decade, you can afford to go a little crazy. “Babylon” follows an aspiring actress (Margot Robbie), aging star (Brad Pitt), and young assistant (Diego Calva) who all try to navigate the… Continue reading ‘Babylon’ Review: Excessive, Nostalgic, and Indulgent in the Best Ways
And with that, the Will Smith post-slap era officially begins. “Emancipation” follows a slave (Will Smith) who escapes his Louisiana plantation in an effort to reach the Union Army in 1863. Ben Foster and Charmaine Bingwa also star while Antoine Fuqua directs. The rights to this film were bought by Apple TV+ for $130 million,… Continue reading ‘Emancipation’ Review: An Emotional Will Smith Carries a Familiar Slavery Story
Season’s beatings, everyone! “Violent Night” stars David Harbour as Santa Claus, who must come to the rescue of a family being held hostage by a group of mercenaries (led by John Leguizamo). Cam Gigandet, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Leah Brady, Edi Patterson, and Beverly D’Angelo also star, while Tommy Wirkola directs. The “violent Christmas film”… Continue reading ‘Violent Night’ Review: A Bad Santa in an OK Movie
It’s fitting Anya Taylor-Joy is in a film about foodies, because she’s a damn snack! “The Menu” follows a group of wealthy guests at a remote restaurant ran by Ralph Fiennes, only for strange things to begin to happen. Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, and John Leguizamo all star, while… Continue reading ‘The Menu’ Review: Weird, Dark, and Pretty Tasty
For my money? Better than the first one. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the sequel to the 2018 film and the 30th installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the film, Shuri (Letitia Wright), Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), and other allies try and defend Wakanda against a new enemy, led by Tenoch Huerta. Danai Gurira,… Continue reading ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Review: The MCU Is Back, Baby!
I think it should be federal law that no new Christmas movies be released until mid-November at the very earliest. “Spirited” is a modern spin on the classic “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, and follows the Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) as he tries to redeem a corrupt PR spinster (Ryan Reynolds). Octavia… Continue reading ‘Spirited’ Review: Christmas Comes Early With Middling Results
Well paint me green and call me a cucumber, this was a lot of fun! “Black Adam” is the latest installment of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and stars Dwayne Johnson in the titular role. In the film, Adam is awoken from his 4,600 year slumber and must adjust to his place in the modern… Continue reading ‘Black Adam’ Review: A Welcome Superhero Surprise
Must a film be *great*? Is it not enough to feature two movie stars in a genre on life support in a full theater? “Ticket to Paradise” stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts as a divorced couple who team up to convince their young daughter (Kaitlyn Dever) to call off her sudden engagement in Bali.… Continue reading ‘Ticket to Paradise’ Review: Simple, Easy Breezy, Rom-Com Fun
Pretty audacious for the studio to put the word “ends” in the title of this film when you know damn well it isn’t the final installment of the franchise. “Halloween Ends” is the third installment of the requel trilogy that picks up four years after last year’s “Halloween Kills.” Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her… Continue reading ‘Halloween Ends’ Review: The Franchise Should Take Its Title’s Advice
Martin McDonagh seems to always be making movies that draw controversy, so if enjoying all of them gets me cancelled then so be it! “The Banshees of Inisherin” is the latest film from writer/director Martin McDonagh, and reunites his “In Brudges” pair of Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Set in 1923, the film follows two… Continue reading ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ Review: Sharp, Dark, and Poignant
The Reel Deal 