If I had a dollar for every time a character says “Amsterdam” in this film, I could bring my college loan debt down to zero. “Amsterdam” marks David O. Russell’s return to filmmaking after a seven-year hiatus, and follows three friends (Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington) in 1933 New York City who… Continue reading ‘Amsterdam’ Review: Big on Names, Low on Fun
Lashana Lynch could decapitate me and I would thank her. “The Woman King” tells the story of the Agojie, a group of women soldiers (led by Viola Davis) who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, and John Boyega also star as Gina Prince-Bythewood directs. I’m… Continue reading ‘The Woman King’ Review: A Cool Story, Averagely Told
Disney stop remaking all your animated classics challenge. “Pinocchio” is the latest live-adaptation of an original animated film by Disney. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film follows the little wooden puppet who comes alive after a magical wish. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth voices the titular character, with Tom Hanks as Geppetto and Cynthia Erivo, Giuseppe Battiston,… Continue reading ‘Pinocchio’ Review: A Remake as Wooden and Lifeless as a Puppet
A bad August horror film? Now I’ve seen it all! “The Invitation” stars Nathalie Emmanuel as a young American woman who discovers she has distant family in England, only upon arriving realize they have a sinister secret. Jessica M. Thompson directs and co-writes, as Thomas Doherty, Stephanie Corneliussen, Alana Boden, Courtney Taylor, Hugh Skinner, and… Continue reading ‘The Invitation’ Review: Feel Free to Kindly Decline
When the title is the best part thing about your film, you’re in trouble. “They/Them” is the directorial debut of screenwriter John Logan, and follows a group of teens who attend a gay conversion camp (run by Kevin Bacon), only to be stalked by a masked killer. Jason Blum produces through his Blumhouse banner. When… Continue reading ‘They/Them’ Review: A Slasher Low on Scares, High on Snores
It’s rare, but sometimes a trailer depicts a film for exactly what it is. “Bullet Train” is based off the Japanese novel of the same name, and stars Brad Pitt as an unlucky American assassin who gets caught up in a conspiracy aboard a moving Shinkansen (or, “bullet train”). Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree… Continue reading ‘Bullet Train’ Review: All Aboard for a Bloody (Mostly) Good Time
When you begin your directorial career with what will likely be the best film you ever make, I guess there’s nowhere to go but down. “Nope” is the third film from director Jordan Peele, and follows two siblings (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) who begin to suspect their ranch has been visited by a UFO.… Continue reading ‘Nope’ Review: The Film’s Title Says It All
Several years ago, OJ Simpson wrote a book about the murder of his ex-wife Nicole titled “If I Did It.” On an unrelated note, the author of “Where the Crawdads Sing,” a book about an author who is accused of murder, is herself wanted in connection to an unsolved murder. Anyways. “Where the Crawdads Sing”… Continue reading ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ Review: An Underwhelming Book-to-Film Adaptation? Now I’ve Seen it All
Between this, “21 Bridges,” “Extraction,” and “Cherry,” the Russo brothers are trying to complete their own Infinity Gauntlet of solo projects starring MCU vets. “The Gray Man” stars Ryan Gosling as a covert hitman who must locate a missing drive and save a young girl from a crazed government agent (Chris Evans). Ana de Armas,… Continue reading ‘The Gray Man’ Review: Way More Generic Than It Should Be
They say lightning never strikes the same place twice, but surely if anyone can buck that trend it’s the God of Thunder… right? “Thor: Love and Thunder” is the fourth film of the “Thor” franchise and the 29th in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (fatigued yet?). Chris Hemsworth reprises the titular role, alongside Christian Bale, Tessa… Continue reading ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Review: A Thunderous Disappointment
The Reel Deal 