It’s OK, Michael B. Jordan. All is forgiven for “Fantastic Four.” “Creed” is the seventh installment in the “Rocky” franchise and the first since 2006’s “Rocky Balboa.” The film follows Apollo Creed’s illegitimate son (Jordan) as he attempts to come out of the shadow his father left behind. In order to be taken seriously as… Continue reading Emotionally Powerful ‘Creed’ One of Year’s Best
Michael Keaton probably should’ve started this whole “drama acting” thing a while ago. He could have a lot more Oscar nominations. “Spotlight” tells the true story of the Boston Globe team of journalists (Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Brian d’Arcy James) that worked to uncover the child abuse by Catholic priests, and the extents… Continue reading ‘Spotlight’ a Well-Acted, Infuriating True Story
They say all good things must end. In the case of the “Hunger Games” franchise, the mediocre must finish, as well. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” (gosh, that is a pain to type) is the fourth and final film in the “Hunger Games” franchise (until they decide to give it a prequel/sequel/reboot, because,… Continue reading ‘Hunger Games’ Saga Ends on a Whimper With ‘Mockingjay – Part 2’
A Christmas stoner comedy? I guess you could say Seth Rogen and company are taking the term “high holidays” quite literally! [clears throat] OK, on with the review. “The Night Before” stars Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie as three lifelong friends who have a tradition of going out and getting drunk on Christmas… Continue reading Seth Rogen Steals the Show in ‘The Night Before’
I really should learn to stop getting excited for things; it only leads to heartbreak. “Spectre” is the 24th and latest entry into the 007 franchise, with Daniel Craig returning for his fourth (and possibly final) portrayal of James Bond. This time around Bond must track down the head of a secret criminal syndicate (Christoph… Continue reading Bond Is Back, But He’s Been Better
Well this movie may not be a crisis, but it isn’t that good, either… “Our Brand Is Crisis” stars Sandra Bullock as a political strategist who comes out of retirement to help a Bolivia presidential candidate. Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie and Joaqium de Almeida also star as David Gordon Green directs. The film is… Continue reading Bullock Saves ‘Brand’ from Being a Crisis
It’s going to be awkward when Michael Fassbender wins the Oscar for Best Actor over Leonardo DiCaprio for a role that DiCaprio turned down… “Steve Jobs” is a biopic based on the man of the same name. Fassbender plays the titular Apple co-founder, while Seth Rogen portrays Steve Wozniak, Kate Winslet plays Joanna Hoffman, and… Continue reading ‘Steve Jobs’ Near-Perfectly Acted and Written Biopic
Tom Hanks starring in a Steven Spielberg period piece. Yup, Oscar Season is upon us. Based on a true story, “Bridge of Spies” stars Hanks as a New York lawyer who must organize a swap of a Soviet spy (Mark Rylance) and a captured American pilot (Austin Stowell) during the Cold War. Spielberg directs. The… Continue reading ‘Bridge of Spies’ Well-Crafted But Slow Cold War Thriller
If this film is good for anything, it’s reaffirming my desire to not visit Mexico anytime soon. “Sicario” stars Emily Blunt as an ambitious FBI agent who gets involved with a government task force (led by Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro) in an effort to bring down a Mexican drug lord. “Prisoners” director Denis… Continue reading ‘Sicario’ Offers Uneasy, Intense Thrills
Well, at least this is better than “Exodus: Gods and Kings;” whatever that’s worth. “The Martian” is based on the bestselling novel and stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney, an astronaut who is left behind on Mars after his team must perform an emergency evacuation. He must then both find a way to grow food… Continue reading ‘The Martian’ is Overlong, Underwhelming
