In “One Battle After Another,” director Paul Thomas Anderson delivers a unique take on action with a strong cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, showcasing humor amidst serious themes. With a hefty budget, the film impresses with its engaging score, fluid action sequences, and well-developed performances, despite uneven tone in certain aspects.
Sometimes delayed sequels are actually worth the wait! “The Accountant 2” is the follow-up to the 2016 film, and again follows Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck), an autistic accountant who must team up with his estranged brother (Jon Bernthal) and a Treasury agent (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) to find a missing child; Gavin O’Connor returns to direct. I… Continue reading ‘The Accountant 2’ Review: An Entertaining, Different Kind of Sequel
Sometimes a director’s “one for me” film ends up blowing the “one for them” out of the water. “Sinners” follows a pair of twin gangsters (both played by Michael B. Jordan) who open up a juke joint in 1930s Mississippi, only to have opening night ruined when a vampire (Jack O’Connell) attacks. Hailee Steinfeld, Miles… Continue reading ‘Sinners’ Review: An Action-Horror Dripping with Style and Flair
Not even sure where to begin with this one… “Megalopolis” is the first directorial effort from Francis Ford Coppola since 2011’s “Twixt,” funded by $120 million of his own money. Set in a fantastical modern United States, the plot follows a visionary architect (Adam Driver) as he clashes with the corrupt mayor (Giancarlo Esposito) about how to… Continue reading ’Megalopolis’ Review: A Fever Dream of a Passion Project
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
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
Well, at least Ethan Hawke seemed to have fun… “The Black Phone” follows a young boy (Mason Thames) who is kidnapped by a serial killer (Ethan Hawke) and must find a way to escape. Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, and James Ransone also star, while Scott Derrickson directs and co-writes. I’m not the biggest fan of… Continue reading ‘The Black Phone’ Review: Let It Go to Voicemail
In what was a pretty good year at the movies in 2021, the Oscar lineup is actually somewhat underwhelming. In my opinion it is the weakest batch of Best Picture nominees that we have seen in years, with only three or four of them scoring above a 5 with me. Still, there are chances for… Continue reading 94th Academy Awards Predictions: Who Will, Could, and Should Win
You know what they say: fool me once, shame on you. Fool me three times, you’re the Ghostbusters sequels. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is the fourth installment of the franchise, and serves as a direct sequel to the first two films. Directed by Jason Reitman, son of the original film’s director Ivan, the plot follows two young… Continue reading ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ Review: Big on Fan-Service, Low on Fun
You know what they say, better late than never! “Black Widow” is the long-awaited (and oft-delayed) solo film for the titular superhero played by Scarlett Johansson, and follows a mission that ends up reuniting her with her family (Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz). O-T Fagbenle, William Hurt, and Ray Winstone also star while… Continue reading ‘Black Widow’ Review: A Fittingly Action-Packed Return to the MCU
The Reel Deal 