Well it took until mid-August but we finally got a genuinely good summer movie. “Hell or High Water” stars Ben Foster and Chris Pine as two brothers who rob banks in West Texas, as aging Rangers Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham try to hunt them down. David Mackenzie directs. The best way I can describe… Continue reading ‘Hell or High Water’ a Slow-Burn Thriller with Great Script
I know Jared Leto spent months in psych wards trying to get his Joker cackle just right, but Jonah Hill’s laugh in this is the best one cinema has had all year. “War Dogs” stars Jonah Hill and Miles Teller as two 20-somethings who get government contracts to supply weapons to soldiers in the Middle… Continue reading Hill Steals the Show in ‘War Dogs’
For an animated movie about swearing hot dogs, this thing has a surprising amount of intelligence. “Sausage Party” is a (very) R-rated animated film about food who believe humans are gods sent to save them, but begin to realize what actually happens to them once they are taken out of the supermarket. It stars an… Continue reading ‘Sausage Party’ as Funny as it is Thought Provoking
Welcome back to everyone’s favorite game, “Meryl Streep and the Golden Globe nomination.” “Florence Foster Jenkins” stars Streep in the titular role as the infamous 1940s New York City socialite who, despite her painful lack of any talent, wishes to sign at Carnegie Hall. Hugh Grant plays her husband and Simon Helberg her pianist as… Continue reading ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ Wastes Great Leads in Inconsistent Schmaltz-Fest
Kevin Spacey, if you’re desperate for money you can just ask me for a loan, you don’t need to go demeaning yourself like this… “Nine Lives” is a comedy film (used in the loosest of terms) from director Barry Sonnenfeld, who brought us the Men in Black series. It stars Kevin Spacey as a business… Continue reading ‘Nine Lives’ a Cat-astrophe of a Comedy
If nothing else it’s nice to see Will Smith having fun in a big budget blockbuster again. “Suicide Squad” is the third entry into the DC Extended Universe and takes place after the events of this year’s “Batman v Superman.” David Ayer writes and directs as Will Smith and Margot Robbie star as members of… Continue reading ‘Suicide Squad’ Wastes Brilliant Cast in Bland CGI Romp
Between this, “Hail, Caesar!” and “The Nice Guys,” old-time Los Angeles is getting a lot of cinematic visits in 2016… “Café Society” is the latest film from Woody Allen and stars an ensemble cast, including Steve Carell, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Kristen Stewart and Corey Stoll. In the film a young man (Eisenberg) moves to… Continue reading ‘Café Society’ Harmless but Pointless Woody Allen dramedy
I kept thinking two things while watching this: (1) Alicia Vikander is unfairly attractive and (2) I still can’t believe that Matt Damon and “The Martian” won Best Comedy at the Globes last year… “Jason Bourne” is the fifth installment of the Bourne franchise and the first one to feature Damon since 2007’s “Ultimatum.” This… Continue reading ‘Jason Bourne’ Too Familiar, Sloppy To Fully Enjoy
There is a world of difference between potential and reality. “Lights Out” is a horror film about a family that is haunted by a creature that only appears when the lights go out (I know how stupid and simple that sounds but that’s honestly the best way to describe the plot). Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman… Continue reading ‘Lights Out’ High on Production, Low on Scares
And so Underwhelming Summer 2016 continues. “Ghostbusters” is a reboot (not sequel) of the famed franchise and stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones as the four members of the titular team of paranormal hunters. Paul Feig directs and co-writes. This film has been the topic of debate since the idea was… Continue reading Updated ‘Ghostbusters’ Not Fun Enough to Work
The Reel Deal 