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
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
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
I mean, I had fun… “Boo! A Madea Halloween” is the latest film from writer/director/producer/actor/put-my-name-on-everything Tyler Perry, and features Perry returning to dress in drag as everyone’s favorite sassy black woman. This time around Madea is called to keep an eye on a group of teenagers who want to sneak out to a party on… Continue reading Sue Me: I Enjoyed ‘A Madea Halloween’
The title of this sequel is “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” and after seeing it I wish Tom Cruise didn’t go back to this franchise… “Never Go Back” is a sequel to the 2012 film “Jack Reacher” and features Cruise returning to the title role. This time, Reacher must go on-the-run with an Army Major… Continue reading Contrived ‘Jack Reacher’ Sequel Wastes Cruise
First Sam Rockwell in “Mr. Right” and now Ben Affleck in this; Anna Kendrick really has a thing for falling for men who like to shoot people. “The Accountant” stars Ben Affleck as an autistic certified public accountant who cooks the books for mobsters and drug dealers. Kendrick, J. K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor… Continue reading ‘The Accountant’ Fun, Original and One of 2016’s Best
“Girl on the Train?” More like, “Girl, That Was Lame,” amiright?! “The Girl on the Train” is based on the 2015 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name and follows an alcoholic woman (Emily Blunt) who gets involved with a missing person investigation. Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux and Luke Evans also… Continue reading ‘Girl on the Train’ Wastes Cast on Sluggish Melodrama
It’s official: Peter Berg is a more toned down version of Michael Bay. “Deepwater Horizon” is based on the true story of the 2010 explosion and oil spill by the titular drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Mark Wahlberg stars alongside Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O’Brien and Kate Hudson as Peter… Continue reading ‘Deepwater Horizon’ Big on Booms, Low on Story
Another 2016 film, another disappointment. “The Birth of a Nation” tells the real-life story of Nat Turner’s 1831 slave rebellion. Nate Parker directs (in his debut), co-writes, produces and stars as Turner, with Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King and Jackie Earle Haley in supporting roles. This shares a title with D.W. Griffith’s 1915 film, and… Continue reading ‘The Birth of a Nation’ a Well-Acted but Heavy Handed Drama
Do yourself a favor and instead of watching this, go watch “3:10 to Yuma” and then “Seven Samurai” (after reading this review of course). “The Magnificent Seven” is a remake of the 1960 western film of the same name, which in turn was a remake of the 1954 Japanese film, “Seven Samurai.” It stars Denzel… Continue reading ‘The Magnificent Seven’ a Slow, Surprisingly Dull Western Remake
The Reel Deal 