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
Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” featuring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, reimagines Mary Shelley’s classic with a visually stunning narrative rich in detail. While it has a few pacing issues, the film showcases emotional performances, particularly Elordi’s duality as the Creature. Though not del Toro’s best, it promises engaging revisits.
It’s crazy the dumb hot guy from “The Hangover” has become a nine (soon to be as much as 13)-time Oscar nominee. “Maestro” is the second directorial effort from Bradley Cooper, who also stars as the titular conductor Leonard Bernstein. Carey Mulligan plays his wife Felicia Montealegre and Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, and Sarah Silverman… Continue reading ‘Maestro’ Review: A Well-Shot and Well-Acted (Though By-the-Numbers) Biopic
For the second time in as many weeks, we get a film with “Killer” in the title made by one of the best-working directors. “The Killer” is the latest film from David Fincher, and stars Michael Fassbender as a professional hitman, who after a botched job must go on the run; Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell,… Continue reading ‘The Killer’ Review: David Fincher Is Back and as Cold as Ever, Though He’s Been Better
Between this, “21 Bridges,” “Extraction,” and “Cherry,” the Russo brothers are trying to complete their own Infinity Gauntlet of solo projects starring MCU vets. “The Gray Man” stars Ryan Gosling as a covert hitman who must locate a missing drive and save a young girl from a crazed government agent (Chris Evans). Ana de Armas,… Continue reading ‘The Gray Man’ Review: Way More Generic Than It Should Be
Not sure when multiverses and actors meeting younger versions of themselves became Hollywood’s go-to, but here we go again… “The Adam Project” stars Ryan Reynolds as a pilot from the future who crash lands in the year 2022 and must work with his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell) to get back to his time. Mark Ruffalo,… Continue reading ‘The Adam Project’ Review: A Passable Yet Forgettable Sci-Fi Adventure
Proof that just because you have an Oscar to your name and an A-List cast to work with, doesn’t mean you’re capable of making a genuine good film. “Don’t Look Up” is the third “serious” film from director Adam McKay, and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as two scientists who discover a comet headed… Continue reading ‘Don’t Look Up’ Review: Adam McKay Misses the Mark Yet Again
Lin-Manuel Miranda really said “I am going to make 2021 the year of the stage musical adaptation.” “Tick, Tick… Boom!” is based off the semi-biographical stage play of the same name by Jonathan Larson. The film stars Andrew Garfield as Larson, a 29-year-old aspiring playwright, and his quest to get the musical that he has… Continue reading ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Review: A Love-Letter to the Creative Struggle
I guess there’s something ironic about Kevin Hart starring in a film about maturing while also attempting to branch out into new acting territories. “Fatherhood” stars Kevin Hart as a new father as he struggles to raise his daughter (Melody Hurd) after the sudden death of his wife. Alfre Woodard, Lil Rel Howery, DeWanda Wise,… Continue reading ‘Fatherhood’ Review: A Welcome (Semi) Serious Turn from Kevin Hart
Is there a more hot-and-cold director in Hollywood than Zack Snyder? “Army of the Dead” follows a group of mercenaries (led by Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, and Ana de la Reguera) who are hired to retrieve $200 million from a Las Vegas casino after the city has become overrun with zombies. Zack Snyder directs a… Continue reading ‘Army of the Dead’ Review: Big on Dumb, Low on Fun
