Well Jordan Peele was able to beat the mediocre freshman directorial debut cliché, so if anyone can stump the sophomore slump it’s him. “Us” is the second feature from writer-director Jordan Peele, following his Oscar-winning start with “Get Out” in 2017. It follows a family (Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex)… Continue reading ‘Us’ Keeps Us Guessing in the Most Tense of Ways
Sometimes a film is such a train wreck, a misguided screw-up of such epic proportions, that you can’t help but stare in amazement. “Welcome to Marwen” is the latest film from director Robert Zemeckis, based on the 2010 documentary “Marwencol.” The film, inspired by a true story, follows Mark Hogancamp (Steve Carell) who is beaten… Continue reading ‘Welcome to Marwen’ is Awful yet Brilliant, Dumb but Genius
I just want to go back to the days where Adam McKay was helping Will Ferrell make his only good movies… “Vice” is the biopic of Dick Cheney, a man who would rise from young staffer all the way to Vice President of the United States. Christian Bale, who gained 40 pounds for the role,… Continue reading All the Makeup in the World Can’t Cover the Major Flaws in ‘Vice’
I don’t care what anyone says, Jason Momoa is #NotMyAquaman, that will forever be Vincent Chase from “Entourage.” “Aquaman” is the sixth installment of the DC Extended Universe, and the first solo film for the titular character (we last saw him in last year’s abomination “Justice League”). Jason Momoa reprises his role as Arthur Curry… Continue reading ‘Aquaman’ Tries to be Fresh and Goofy but Ends Up Sinking into the Abyss
Sometimes, a movie just doesn’t work for you and unfortunately this is one of those time. “The Favourite” tells the semi-true story of two cousins who jockey for the favoritism of Queen Anne in early-18th century England. Olivia Coleman stars as the Queen, Emma Stone portrays maid Abigail Hill and Rachel Weisz plays Duchess Sarah… Continue reading Look… I Just Really Didn’t Like ‘The Favourite’ All That Much
Unrelated fact: Tobey Maguire is the best Spider-Man we’ve ever had, and the Sam Raimi trilogy is the best superhero series ever put to film. Ok. On with the review. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is an animated telling of the titular character (the ninth in as many years). It features Shameik Moore as Miles Morales,… Continue reading ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ isn’t Perfect, but it’s Colorful and Poignant
“Creed II” is the follow-up to the 2015 hit “Creed” and the eighth installment of the “Rocky” franchise. It follows Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) as he becomes the World Heavyweight Champion and is challenged by the Ivan Drago, the son of the man who killed his father Apollo Creed in the ring more than… Continue reading ‘Creed II’ Lacks the Punch and Swagger of the First Film
Well “Roseanne” and “Will & Grace” kicked off the TV revival trend, so only made sense that the likes of “Halloween” and “Mary Poppins” would follow suit… “Halloween” is a sequel/soft reboot to the original 1978 film, ignoring all subsequent plotlines that followed in the nine sequels since. Set 40 years after the original killing… Continue reading The ‘Halloween’ Not-Reboot is an Oldie but (Mostly) Goodie
The biggest thing I left this movie with while walking to my car is just how true of a gift Issa Rae is to us all. “The Hate U Give” is the adaptation of the 2017 novel of the same name, and follows a young high school girl (Amandla Stenberg) who must deal with the… Continue reading It’s a Little Unfocused, but There is No Denying the Passion of ‘The Hate U Give’
“This movie needed more Jack Black” is a sentence I never thought I would be typing but since when does 2018 make any sense anymore? “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween” is the sequel to the 2015 film based on the popular book series by R.L. Stine. This time around, a trio of young high schoolers (Madison… Continue reading ‘Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween’ is Too Silly, Safe for its Own Good
