If nothing else, this film taught me where the term “blackballing” comes from! “La bola negra” follows three young men in 1932, 1937, and 2017, and how their lives are connected by the work of Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca. Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Lola Dueñas, Penélope Cruz, and Glenn Close all star,… Continue reading ‘La bola negra’ Review: A Well-Shot and Delicate Story
It’s like the old saying goes: if you can’t beat ’em, take a dangerous unregulated drug that allows you to physically resemble them. “Clayface” follows a rising young actor (Tom Rhys Harries) who is disfigured by a mob boss and undergoes an experimental surgery to fix it, only to have mutative side effects. The third film… Continue reading ‘Clayface’ Review: R-Rated Comicbook Flick Gets Under Your (Moldable) Skin
As far as legacy sequels go, it doesn’t get much more high-pressure than following up one of the greatest films of all-time. “The Social Reckoning” is a standalone sequel (being marketed as a “companion piece”) to the 2010 film “The Social Network,” and follows the 2021 Facebook leak by employee Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison). Jeremy Allen White… Continue reading ‘The Social Reckoning’ Review: Facebook Sequel Hits Enough of the Right Notes
“Project Hail Mary,” directed by Lord and Miller, features Ryan Gosling as a biologist sent into space to save humanity from a dying sun. It’s visually impressive and showcases Gosling’s charm, though lacks emotional depth, failing to convey the high stakes of its plot.
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
