What a delightful little trainwreck this film turned out to be… “Midnight Sun” tells the story of a teenage girl (Bella Thorne) with xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare disease that essentially makes her allergic to sunlight. When she meets a neighbor she has had a crush on since childhood (Patrick Schwarzenegger) she tries to keep her… Continue reading ‘Midnight Sun’ is So Contrived and Poorly Made that It’s Almost a Must-See
Dennis Quaid is such an under-appreciated gem, he deserves to be in so many more projects… “I Can Only Imagine” tells the story behind the song of the same name, written by of Bart Millard, the lead singer of the band MercyMe. J. Michael Finley stars as Millard and Quaid as his abusive father, along… Continue reading ‘I Can Only Imagine’ a Better-than-Average Faith Film
Between this, “Batman v Superman” and “Kong: Skull Island,” I could get used to this “summer blockbuster season starting in March” thing. “Tomb Raider” is the reboot of the film franchise that starred Angelina Jolie back in the early 2000s, based on the long-time video game series of the same name. Alicia Vikander steps into… Continue reading For What it’s Worth, ‘Tomb Raider’ is the Best Video Game Movie Ever Made
It’s like “John Wick,” just without an interesting central protagonist, well-choreographed action sequences and sleek cinematography. “Death Wish” is a remake/reboot of the 1974 film that starred Charles Bronson, and features Bruce Willis in the main role as a Chicago doctor who becomes a vigilante after his wife and daughter are attacked. Vincent D’Onofrio, Elisabeth… Continue reading ‘Death Wish’ is About as Fun as Getting Shot in the Leg
When executed properly, I don’t think there is anything better than a black comedy. “Game Night” follows a group of friends (Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris and Kylie Bunbury) who get involved in a possible kidnapping mystery during their weekly game night get together. Kyle Chandler, Jesse Plemons and Jeffrey… Continue reading ‘Game Night’ Uses a Talented Cast to Provide Big Laughs
The Patriots lost the Super Bowl, so God had to balance the positive vibes that put into universe by releasing this film the same day… “The Cloverfield Paradox” is the third film of the “Cloverfield” franchise, and follows a group of astronauts aboard the ISS who must find a way back to earth after they… Continue reading ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ is a Fascinating Disaster of a Film
Aaron Sorkin could write directions for baking a fruitcake and it would still be more interesting and invigorating than most people’s screenplays. “Molly’s Game” marks Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut from a script of his own hand. Like most all his work, it is based off a memoir and in this case he chronicles the story… Continue reading ‘Molly’s Game’ is Great Chastain but Only OK Sorkin
Michael Stuhlbarg has appeared in an Oscar-nominated film five of the past six years and in 2017 appeared in three (likely) Best Picture nominees. Hope he’s paying his agent enough… “Call Me by Your Name” tells the story of the romantic relationship that develops between a 17-year-old (Timothée Chalamet) and his father’s American assistant (Armie… Continue reading ‘Call Me by Your Name’ is an Honest, Painful Look at First Love
It worked for Colin Firth and Meryl Streep, and portraying a 20th century British politician may finally get Gary Oldman his own Oscar. “Darkest Hour” details the first month of Winston Churchill’s term as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the early stages of World War II. Oldman stars as Churchill while Ben Mendelsohn,… Continue reading Gary Oldman is Great in the Just-OK ‘Darkest Hour’
Say what you will about the “Pitch Perfect” series but there is something commendable about milking three successful films out of the concept of a college a cappella group. “Pitch Perfect 3” is the third and final film of the trilogy that stars Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Hailee Steinfeld, Hana Mae… Continue reading ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ is Dumb, Silly and Aca-Awkward, for Better or Worse
The Reel Deal 