It seemed that after the critically and commercially lukewarm Death on the Nile, the case closed on Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot franchise. However, the famed star and director has reinvigorated the series with the fresh and smart A Haunting in Venice. Boasting a new cast, new locale, and a looser adaptation of Agatha Christie’s source … Continue reading Review: ‘A Haunting in Venice’ – It’s No Mystery, This is Branagh’s Best Poirot Yet
Review: ‘Jules’ – An Unforgettable Journey About Memory and Acceptance
Jules is one of those films that doesn’t fit into a box. Quirky, heartbreaking, funny, unsettling, and sincere all describe the movie in equal measure. However, not all these ideas complement each other, and the effect leaves the viewer as confused as the film’s protagonist. This is either a brilliant commentary on the mental decline … Continue reading Review: ‘Jules’ – An Unforgettable Journey About Memory and Acceptance
Review: Disney’s ‘Haunted Mansion’ – A Grim, Grinning Good Time
Welcome (back) foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion. Following a heavily panned, albeit unfairly, adaptation of Disney's classic theme park attraction, Haunted Mansion is given a second after-life. The new film by Justin Simian features a new cast and story and does what the previous movie did not. It expands on the lore of the … Continue reading Review: Disney’s ‘Haunted Mansion’ – A Grim, Grinning Good Time
Review: ‘Stan Lee’ – A Glossy Look at Marvel’s Biggest Champion
The story of Marvel can scarcely be told without some focus on Stan Lee, the man, the myth, the mascot. The eponymously titled Stan Lee, a new documentary by David Gelb, flips this script to focus on the life of a true comic book giant. Told primarily in the first person, Gelb focuses on the … Continue reading Review: ‘Stan Lee’ – A Glossy Look at Marvel’s Biggest Champion
Review: ‘No Hard Feelings’ – Jennifer Lawrence Delights in an Enjoyable Comedy
No Hard Feelings is one of those comedies that doesn’t quite fit into any one box. It is clear from the title and the trailers that marketing painted it as a raunchy sex comedy. However, the end product elevates the film beyond that limited designation. Instead, we have a movie that has a surprising amount … Continue reading Review: ‘No Hard Feelings’ – Jennifer Lawrence Delights in an Enjoyable Comedy
Review: ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ – The Franchise Transforms in a Fresh Direction
The latest entry in the Transformers franchise, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, serves as a loose sequel to Bumblebee and an even looser prequel to the original Michael Bay-directed films that starred Shia LaBeouf. With only two returning Transformer characters, the film feels like a soft reboot of the series. This works in the film’s … Continue reading Review: ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ – The Franchise Transforms in a Fresh Direction
Review: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ – A Relic of Some Value
Seeing a favorite character return to the silver screen in a new story will always have a thread of excitement. I will admit that I am one (the one?) who enjoyed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is better than that film in many ways … Continue reading Review: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ – A Relic of Some Value
Review: ‘The Little Mermaid’ – A Film Kept Afloat by Its Lead
Disney Studio’s latest live-action adaptation of its animated classics takes viewers under the sea in an enjoyable retelling. The Little Mermaid has previously had a Broadway adaptation, so staging the animated film in live-action is not as far a leap as features like Dumbo, Mulan, or Lady and the Tramp. Director Rob Marshall infuses the … Continue reading Review: ‘The Little Mermaid’ – A Film Kept Afloat by Its Lead
Review: ‘The Flash’ – The Past Cannot Be Changed and the Fate of the Old DCU is Sealed
Early marketing and interviews regarding The Flash hyped the best DC movie that Warner Brothers has made. Bold words, indeed. Yet anticipation was somewhat reserved due to real-life conflicts and controversy of its lead star. Further confusing matters was when the film was meant to take place. Was this meant to be the end of … Continue reading Review: ‘The Flash’ – The Past Cannot Be Changed and the Fate of the Old DCU is Sealed
Review: Elemental – A Feel-Good Romance that Boasts Pixar’s Signature Beautiful Visuals
Some say that Pixar films are in decline after their latest releases. This criticism does not hold up when looking at the individual films. Onward, Soul, and Turning Red each explored different stages of life (and death) in unique and creative ways. Luca and Lightyear comparatively were misfires but, when viewed independently of the Pixar … Continue reading Review: Elemental – A Feel-Good Romance that Boasts Pixar’s Signature Beautiful Visuals