Another year, another Liam Neeson-with-a-gun movie. “The Marksman” stars Liam Neeson as a retired U.S. Marine who lives on the Arizona-Mexican border, and is forced to escort a young Mexican boy (Jacob Perez) to Chicago while being pursued by cartel members. Katheryn Winnick, Juan Pablo Raba, and Teresa Ruiz also star, while Robert Lorenz directs.… Continue reading ‘The Marksman’ Review: More Misses Than Hits
2020 was rough for a lot of reasons, including the lack of theaters, but luckily the quality of films did not seem to be affected. There were a lot of solid movies in contrast to only a few stinkers, as well as what I think are two of the better movies we’ve gotten in recent… Continue reading Top 10 Best Films of 2020
This film’s entire message is “careful what you wish for,” and it rings true about the release of the film itself. “Wonder Woman 1984” is the sequel to the 2017 film, and features Gal Gadot returning to the titular role. Here, she and her long-lost love Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) must stop a businessman bent… Continue reading ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ Review: More Flawed Than Fun
2020 has been crazy, so there’s something comforting about a Pixar movie around Christmas to end the year. “Soul” follows a middle school music teacher (voiced by Jamie Foxx) with dreams of being a jazz musician who dies and must work with a young soul (Tina Fey) to return to Earth. Questlove, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed… Continue reading ‘Soul’ Review: Heart, Humor, and a Whole Lotta Jazz
As far as blatant rip-offs go, I’ve seen worse than this. “The Midnight Sky” is the latest directorial effort from George Clooney, based on the novel “Good Morning, Midnight.” The film follows a lone scientist in the Arctic (Clooney) who must journey to a radio tower to warn off a returning spaceship (containing Felicity Jones,… Continue reading ‘The Midnight Sky’ Review: You’ve Seen This a Dozen Times Before, So Why Not Once More?
Sometimes good intentions aren’t good enough. “All My Life” is based on a true story and follows a young couple (Jessica Rothe and Harry Shum Jr.) that must put their wedding on hold after one of them receives a cancer diagnosis. Kyle Allen, Chrissie Fit, Jay Pharoah, Marielle Scott, and Keala Settle also star while… Continue reading I Could Go ‘All My Life’ Without Every Thinking About This Film Again
I feel the amount of anticipation and pressure on this film and David Fincher to deliver can’t be understated. “Mank” is the latest film from director David Fincher, and his first since 2014’s “Gone Girl.” Written by his father Jack Fincher, the film follows writer Herman Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman) and his development of the script… Continue reading ‘Mank’ Review: A Witty and Meticulous Hollywood Homage
Chadwick Boseman, man, gone way too soon… “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is based on the play of the same name by August Wilson, and follows “Mother of the Blues” singer Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) amid a stressful recording session one summer afternoon in 1927 Chicago. Chadwick Boseman also stars (in his final film appearance), with… Continue reading Chadwick Boseman Gives a Touching Swansong Performance in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
Sometimes it is wonderful when a movie is exactly what its trailer made it out to look like. “Freaky” puts a twist on the body-swap tale, when a notorious serial killer (Vince Vaughn) switches places with one of his teenage victims (Kathryn Newton). Katie Finneran, Celeste O’Connor, Misha Osherovich, and Alan Ruck also star as… Continue reading ‘Freaky’ Review: Vince Vaughn Is Having a Bloody Good Time and You Will Too
See, this is what happens when you don’t give people their Oscars when they deserve them; they put on a bunch of makeup and take on heavy-handed family dramas. “Hillbilly Elegy” is based on the memoir of the same name by J.D. Vance about his upbringing in rural Ohio, and the struggles he faces with… Continue reading ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Is a Contrived Family Drama
The Reel Deal 