Well…it’s going to be awkward watching my next NFL game… Based on a true story, “Concussion” stars Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, the forensic pathologist who fought against the National Football League from suppressing his research on the brain damage suffered by football players. Albert Brooks and Alec Baldwin co-star as Peter Landesman writes… Continue reading Smith, ‘Concussion’ Let Down By Script
Well…this is a bit depressing. “The Big Short” follows four stock traders (Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt) who successfully predicted the housing bubble crisis of 2007 and bet against the banks. Adam McKay directs and co-writes. I was looking forward to this movie because I loved the cast and it looked… Continue reading ‘The Big Short’ Wastes an Amazing Cast
There isn’t a review in the world that will change your thoughts on whether or not you plan on seeing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” but let’s give this thing a whirl anyway. The first film of a new trilogy and the seventh overall, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” picks up 30 years after the… Continue reading ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ a Thrilling If Not Familiar Adventure
At least once a year there is a film that has a very solid central performance, however it is the quality of that performance that exposes the mediocrity of the film they’re in. “Trumbo” stars Bryan Cranston as the titular screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who along with others was branded a Communist in 1950’s America and… Continue reading Cranston Is Solid, ‘Trumbo’ Is Not
Adam Sandler may not be funny, but give him credit; he is one heck of a businessman. “The Ridiculous Six” is the first of Sandler’s four film deal with Netflix (because he wised up and realized people have gotten too smart to pay theatrical price for his “comedies”). The film stars Sandler, Terry Crews, Jorge… Continue reading ‘Ridiculous Six’ May Be Sandler’s Worst
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
The Reel Deal 