It was long overdue, but I am so glad that Ryan Reynolds has finally gotten his day in the sun and the praise he deserves. Along with Gosling, Canada has given us two Ryans that we are not worthy of. “Deadpool 2” is the sequel to the surprise 2016 hit about the titular foul-mouthed superhero.… Continue reading ‘Deadpool 2’ is More of the Same, for Better or Worse
We recently got the third entry of a staple Hollywood franchise in both “Thor” and “Pitch Perfect” so it only seems right that one of the most-mocked trilogies of all-time gets its swan song, too. “Fifty Shades Freed” is the third and (thank God) final film of the “Fifty Shades” franchise, and follows newlyweds Christian… Continue reading ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ an Unsatisfying Climax
As we put 2017 in the rearview mirror, a year full of big hits but many box office bombs, we look ahead to 2018. It appears that tentpoles and blockbusters will again dominate ticket sales and conversations so just as I did last year I thought it would be fun to predict some of the… Continue reading 2018 Box Office Predictions
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
Like I started my “Force Awakens” review with, there’s not a review in the world that will stop you from seeing “The Last Jedi” but let’s give this a shot anyways. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is the 8th Episode of the main series and the second film in the sequel trilogy. The plot picks… Continue reading A Safe, Spoiler-Free Review of the Safe, Underwhelming ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’
Just let Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson co-host the Oscars already, it’s long overdue. “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” is a standalone sequel to the 1995 cult hit that starred Robin Williams. This time, instead of the board game coming into the real-world, four teens are transported into the jungles of Jumanji (now a video… Continue reading ‘Jumanji’ Sequel May Not be Necessary, but it’s Pretty Fun
Between needing to reprise his roles for “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones” and now “Blade Runner,” I forget just how influential Harrison Ford was to 1980s cinema. “Blade Runner 2049” is the sequel to the 1982 cult classic and features Harrison Ford returning as ex-LAPD detective Rick Deckard. Ryan Gosling also stars alongside Ana de Armas,… Continue reading I Mean… ‘Blade Runner 2049’ at Least Looks Nice…
At this point you’re either on the global warming bandwagon or you’re not, so I’m not really sure who this film was made for… “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” is the follow-up to the 2006 Oscar-winning documentary that depicts former Vice President Al Gore’s quest to combat climate change. Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk… Continue reading ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ Sequel is Important Yet Somehow Almost Pointless
First Kevin Spacey in “Baby Driver” then Michael Keaton in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and now Woody Harrelson: I keep forgetting how much I love certain actors until they show up on screen. “War for the Planet of the Apes” is the third film in the reboot/prequel series and follows the final confrontation between the Apes, led… Continue reading ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ is Visually Strong, Narratively Weak
Maybe the Minions aren’t as much a sign of the Apocalypse as I once feared… “Despicable Me 3” is the third film of Illumination’s most popular franchise, and follows ex-villain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) who meets his long-lost twin brother (also Carell). The duo must then team up to defeat a childhood actor-turned-supervillain (Trey… Continue reading ‘Despicable Me 3’ is Everything You’d Expect, and I Enjoyed Most of It
The Reel Deal 