Category: Review

‘Rules Don’t Apply’ a Boring, Disappointing Return for Warren Beatty
Review

‘Rules Don’t Apply’ a Boring, Disappointing Return for Warren Beatty

David Palmer1 Comment

It’s like “Café Society,” only worse. “Rules Don’t Apply” marks the cinematic return of Warren Beatty in his first acting role since 2001’s “Town & Country” and directorial effort since 1998’s “Bulworth.” Beatty stars as Howard Hughes and the story follows a contract driver (Alden Ehrenreich) and actress (Lily Collins) who are employed by Hughes… Continue reading ‘Rules Don’t Apply’ a Boring, Disappointing Return for Warren Beatty

‘Fantastic Beasts’ a Comforting but Flawed Return to Harry Potter
Review

‘Fantastic Beasts’ a Comforting but Flawed Return to Harry Potter

David Palmer1 Comment

I mean, at least it’s better than “The Hobbit” or “Star Wars” prequels… “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is the first of five (five!!) films of the spin-off prequel Harry Potter series that follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the author of the animal guide students at Hogwarts will eventually use. Katherine Waterston, Dan… Continue reading ‘Fantastic Beasts’ a Comforting but Flawed Return to Harry Potter

‘Allied’ a Slow-Burn Spy Thriller Worth Watching
Review

‘Allied’ a Slow-Burn Spy Thriller Worth Watching

David Palmer1 Comment

Part of me spent the entire runtime of this film hoping it would turn out to be an “Inglourious Basterds” spin-off… “Allied” stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard as two spies in World War II who meet and fall in love during a mission to assassinate a German official. Jared Harris, Lizzy Caplan and Matthew… Continue reading ‘Allied’ a Slow-Burn Spy Thriller Worth Watching

‘Bleed for This’ Filled with Decent Performances, Every Cliché
Review

‘Bleed for This’ Filled with Decent Performances, Every Cliché

David Palmer1 Comment

I guess there really is no way to make a non-cliché boxing film… “Bleed for This” stars Miles Teller as real-life boxer Vinny Pazienza who after a car accident is left with a broken neck. Despite being told he would never fight again and may not even be able to walk, Pazienza defies the odds… Continue reading ‘Bleed for This’ Filled with Decent Performances, Every Cliché

‘Moonlight’ a Well-Acted and Masterfully Shot Drama
Review

‘Moonlight’ a Well-Acted and Masterfully Shot Drama

David PalmerLeave a comment

Who would have thought a coming-of-age story could be so original? “Moonlight” follows Chiron, a gay African American in Miami, through three stages of his life (youth, teen and adult) and the struggles he faces to figure out who he truly is. Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders and Alex Hibbert star as the three incarnations of… Continue reading ‘Moonlight’ a Well-Acted and Masterfully Shot Drama

‘Billy Lynn’ an Aimless, Disappointing Misfire
Review

‘Billy Lynn’ an Aimless, Disappointing Misfire

David Palmer1 Comment

And 2016 just keeps stabbing me in the heart… “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” stars newcomer Joe Alwyn as the title character, a 19-year-old Iraq veteran who is going around the country with his eight-man company (led by Garrett Hedlund) after a video of them during a mission goes viral. Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel, Steve… Continue reading ‘Billy Lynn’ an Aimless, Disappointing Misfire

‘Almost Christmas’ is Almost Not Half-Bad
Review

‘Almost Christmas’ is Almost Not Half-Bad

David Palmer1 Comment

Never a bad time for a Christmas movie, even if it’s really nowhere near Christmas… “Almost Christmas” is the first of several yuletide films this holiday season and features an ensemble cast as a dysfunctional family that reunites for Christmas for the first time since their mother passed away. Mo’Nique, Gabrielle Union, Jessie Usher, Danny… Continue reading ‘Almost Christmas’ is Almost Not Half-Bad

‘Arrival’ a Close Encounter of the Underwhelming Kind
Review

‘Arrival’ a Close Encounter of the Underwhelming Kind

David Palmer1 Comment

This is pretty much if neo-Steven Spielberg met neo-Christopher Nolan and both of them brought their B-game. “Arrival” stars Amy Adams as a linguist who is called upon by the military (led by Forest Whitaker) to figure out alien’s language after spaceships touchdown in 12 locations across the globe. Jeremy Renner and Michael Stuhlbarg also… Continue reading ‘Arrival’ a Close Encounter of the Underwhelming Kind

‘Doctor Strange’ Wastes Cast in Lazy, Trippy Romp
Review

‘Doctor Strange’ Wastes Cast in Lazy, Trippy Romp

David Palmer1 Comment

I don’t think I’ve seen a film so desperate to be unique while ending up so cookie cutter… “Doctor Strange” is the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and stars Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role as a neurosurgeon that suffers a career-ending injury and sets out to learn magic to try and heal… Continue reading ‘Doctor Strange’ Wastes Cast in Lazy, Trippy Romp

‘Hacksaw Ridge’ a Bloody, Moving Story of Conviction
Review

‘Hacksaw Ridge’ a Bloody, Moving Story of Conviction

David PalmerLeave a comment

I thought it was interesting the trailer for this said “from the director of ‘Braveheart’;” apparently it’s still too soon to use Mel Gibson’s name as a brand… “Hacksaw Ridge” is the true story of World War II Army medic Desmond Doss, a pacifist who refuses to bear arms despite enlisting in the military and… Continue reading ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ a Bloody, Moving Story of Conviction