Tag: viola davis

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ Review: A Sometimes Compelling, At Other Points Laborious Prequel
Review

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ Review: A Sometimes Compelling, At Other Points Laborious Prequel

David PalmerLeave a comment

The “Hunger Games” was one of the most “sure, that was solid I guess” franchises of the 2010s, so it makes sense that a prequel installment would follow suit. “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is the fifth installment of the young adult franchise based on the books of the same name,… Continue reading ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ Review: A Sometimes Compelling, At Other Points Laborious Prequel

‘Air’ Review: Not the GOAT Sports Drama, Just Good Old-Fashion Fun
Review

‘Air’ Review: Not the GOAT Sports Drama, Just Good Old-Fashion Fun

David Palmer2 Comments

This has nothing to do with the film or review, but I just want it on the record that Michael Jordan is the GOAT over LeBron James every day of the week, and twice on Sunday. “Air” is the fifth directorial effort from Ben Affleck (and his first since 2016’s “Live by Night”), and follows… Continue reading ‘Air’ Review: Not the GOAT Sports Drama, Just Good Old-Fashion Fun

‘Black Adam’ Review: A Welcome Superhero Surprise
Review

‘Black Adam’ Review: A Welcome Superhero Surprise

David PalmerLeave a comment

Well paint me green and call me a cucumber, this was a lot of fun! “Black Adam” is the latest installment of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and stars Dwayne Johnson in the titular role. In the film, Adam is awoken from his 4,600 year slumber and must adjust to his place in the modern… Continue reading ‘Black Adam’ Review: A Welcome Superhero Surprise

‘The Woman King’ Review: A Cool Story, Averagely Told
Review

‘The Woman King’ Review: A Cool Story, Averagely Told

David PalmerLeave a comment

Lashana Lynch could decapitate me and I would thank her. “The Woman King” tells the story of the Agojie, a group of women soldiers (led by Viola Davis) who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, and John Boyega also star as Gina Prince-Bythewood directs. I’m… Continue reading ‘The Woman King’ Review: A Cool Story, Averagely Told

‘The Suicide Squad’ Review: A Self-Aware (and Self-Congratulatory) Sequel
Review

‘The Suicide Squad’ Review: A Self-Aware (and Self-Congratulatory) Sequel

David Palmer1 Comment

In the history of low cinematic bars to clear, this has to be at the bottom of the barrel; just be better than what is considered one of the worst superhero films ever made. “The Suicide Squad” is a standalone sequel to the 2016 film of the (almost) same name, and features the titular team… Continue reading ‘The Suicide Squad’ Review: A Self-Aware (and Self-Congratulatory) Sequel

Chadwick Boseman Gives a Touching Swansong Performance in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
Review

Chadwick Boseman Gives a Touching Swansong Performance in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

David PalmerLeave a comment

Chadwick Boseman, man, gone way too soon… “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is based on the play of the same name by August Wilson, and follows “Mother of the Blues” singer Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) amid a stressful recording session one summer afternoon in 1927 Chicago. Chadwick Boseman also stars (in his final film appearance), with… Continue reading Chadwick Boseman Gives a Touching Swansong Performance in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

‘Widows’ Can’t Fully Pull Off the Job, but the Effort is There
Review

‘Widows’ Can’t Fully Pull Off the Job, but the Effort is There

David PalmerLeave a comment

It’s like “Ocean’s 8” just with none of the light-hearted jokes or Rihanna and Awkafina quipping. “Widows” is based off the 1980s British TV series of the same name, and follows a group of women (Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and Cynthia Erivo) who must complete a heist to pay back a crime boss… Continue reading ‘Widows’ Can’t Fully Pull Off the Job, but the Effort is There

89th Academy Awards Predictions: Who Will, Could, and Should Win 
Lists

89th Academy Awards Predictions: Who Will, Could, and Should Win 

David PalmerLeave a comment

The 89th Academy Awards are less than a week away, so naturally it’s time to predict them. This year things are more up-in-the-air than usual, with only one essential lock, although betting your mortgage on “La La Land” winning multiple awards is the closest thing to a safe bet as they come nowadays. Here, I’ll… Continue reading 89th Academy Awards Predictions: Who Will, Could, and Should Win 

2017 Oscar Nominations and Reactions
Lists

2017 Oscar Nominations and Reactions

David PalmerLeave a comment

It’s most every film fan’s favorite time of the year again: Oscar Season (unless you’re like me and the Summer Movie Season takes precedence). The nominees were announced Tuesday and as expected, “La La Land” cleaned up house with a record-tying 14 nominations including Best Picture, and there were a few surprises along the way… Continue reading 2017 Oscar Nominations and Reactions