For a guy who announced he was going to retire from action movies, Liam Neeson sure does make a lot of action movies. “Blacklight” stars Neeson as an off-the-books FBI fixer who gets caught up in a government conspiracy. Mark Williams directs while Emmy Raver-Lampman, Taylor John Smith, and Aidan Quinn also star. Liam Neeson… Continue reading ‘Blacklight’ Review: Another By-the-Book Liam Neeson ‘Thriller’
For the fifth installment of a 25-year-old horror franchise being released in the typically dead month of January, this wasn’t half-bad! “Scream” is the fifth film in the storied scary movie franchise, started by the film of the same name in 1996 (though this is not a reboot or remake). Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and… Continue reading ‘Scream’ (2022) Review: A Brutal, Bloody, and Worthy Requel
If you Google “standard January movie release” this is what you’ll find staring back at you. “The 355” stars Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger, and Fan Bingbing as a group of international spies who must put aside their differences to locate a stolen device that could trigger World War III; Sebastian Stan… Continue reading ‘The 355’ Review: Pretty-Looking People Stuck in a Pretty Bland Action Flick
Little did Sam Raimi know when he started cameras rolling on “Spider-Man” back in 2000 that he would be launching the first film of an accidental 20-year franchise… “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is the third film of the MCU Spider-Man series starring Tom Holland in the titular role. Following the events of “Far From Home,”… Continue reading ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Review: Fun, Ridiculous, and Surprisingly Emotional
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
Figures that the least Coen-y films are the ones by Coen Brothers I like the most. “The Tragedy of Macbeth” is an adaptation of the famed William Shakespeare play by Joel Coen, his first credited solo directing effort without his brother Ethan. Denzel Washington stars in the titular role, with Frances McDormand (also a producer… Continue reading ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ Review: A Hypnotic, Haunting Shakespearean Tale
There really is not a more hot-and-cold director than Ridley Scott. “House of Gucci” depicts Maurizo Gucci and his wife Patrizia Reggiani (Adam Driver and Lady Gaga) as they fight for control of the Gucci fashion brand in the 1980s; Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Salma Hayek, and Al Pacino also star as Ridley Scott directs.… Continue reading ‘House of Gucci’ Review: A Criminal Waste of Talent and Time
You know what hey say: when in doubt, shoot it in black and white. “Belfast” is the passion project of director Kenneth Branagh, loosely based on his own experiences growing up in 1960s Northern Ireland. The film stars Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, and Jude Hill, and follows a family… Continue reading ‘Belfast’ Review: A Personal Story Without Much to Set It Apart
Who would’ve thought that the stoic and blank-stared teens from “Twilight” would grow up to become two of the best actors working today? “Spencer” is set over the Christmas weekend of 1991 in which Princess Diana (Kristen Stewart) decides that her place in life is not with the royal family. Jack Farthing, Timothy Spall, Sean… Continue reading ‘Spencer’ Review: A Hypnotic Glimpse Behind the Royal Curtain
Someone in Hollywood give Jim Cummings control of a mainstream movie already! “The Beta Test” follows an up-and-coming Hollywood agent (Jim Cummings) who receives an invitation to an “Eyes Wide Shut”-type meetup, only for him to become paranoid about the fallout. Cummings also directs and co-writes with PJ McCabe. I was a big fan of… Continue reading ‘The Beta Test’ Review: A Dark Comedy That Further Raises Jim Cummings’ Stock
The Reel Deal 