I could sit here and explain why Walt Disney's push for live-action remakes of its animated films is an exercise in creative futility. That, however, serves no real purpose. Walt Disney has been adapting their animated films for the stage for years. So, with that in mind, if you’re sitting in a theater seat and [...]
One of life’s little ironies comes from our internalization of what we put of ourselves into the world. We have an insatiable need for others' approvals without necessarily giving thought to actually communicating those needs. Writer-director Nicole Holofcener explores these notions in her quiescent dramedy, You Hurt My Feelings, which is expanding nationwide this weekend. [...]
Volume three of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" saga is not the most unique of the series, but it's undoubtedly the most emotional. Writer/Director James Gunn understands what made the first movie special and sharpens those elements in this conclusion to the trilogy of ragtag intergalactic heroes. Music has always been a significant staple in [...]
Ari Aster does not make movies for himself - he makes them for an audience to experience. If that statement reads bold or brash, it matters not; it is out in the world now. Regardless of how you feel when you walk out of his latest film, Beau Is Afraid, Aster's characters and their situations [...]
To say that Kelly Reichardt's movies are an experience is apropos. Her "eye," or camera, tends to remain steady; the action on screen happens within the frame as the eye gently yaws through the commotion. Perceptibly, the camera never moves, yet we're aware of the motion because of that commotion, thus creating the experience. Reichardt's [...]
The "Evil Dead" franchise has come a long way since the humble original kicked-started the careers of both Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi. It spawned four more feature films and a groovy TV series. Two of those features can be considered remakes or reboots, which leaves only two true sequels. 1992's "Army of Darkness" dialed [...]
Yes, I am of the Nintendo generation, probably more so of the Atari 2600 than NES; however, you get my point – I was exposed to games early on. I grew up with Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros. After many hours trying to get past a certain level, I finally beat the game. Once, [...]
I'd love to tell you that Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, for its long journey to the silver screen, was worth it. I'm in the minority compared to the current 90% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes. Though it boasts a strong ensemble that ham-fists their way through the story, the story and its villains [...]
I've spoken often about the human condition. So much so that it is probably passé by this point. However, I remain fascinated with the idea that we cling to our grief so tightly; it turns animus enough that we seek outlets that are not very good for us instead of facing our grief and dealing [...]
One of the most impressive aspects of the "John Wick" series is that each entry somehow finds a way to elevate the action and spectacle of the previous film. After three exhilarating entries, creating a fourth movie that once again raised the bar sounds like an impossible task. Thankfully, the Baba Yaga has never shied [...]
