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
Review: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ – The Godfather II of Animated Films
Few sequels match their predecessor in terms of quality. Even fewer elevate the quality of the original to stand alone as a “best of” for their given genre. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse does this and then some. It’s better than the first film, better than any other animated feature in the last decade, and probably … Continue reading Review: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ – The Godfather II of Animated Films
Review: ‘Fast X’ – This Series Still Has Gas in the Tank
The Fast and Furious has become a franchise that is somehow both inconsistent and reliable. The audience has come to rely on over-the-top action sequences, grave soliloquies on the importance of family, and a stubborn belief that nobody stays dead. These tropes, present in most entries from entry number four onward, are the hallmark of … Continue reading Review: ‘Fast X’ – This Series Still Has Gas in the Tank
Review: “The Mother” – Jennifer Lopez Cannot Save This Uneven Action Thriller
Though the quality of her last several direct-to-streaming films has not been consistent, Jennifer Lopez has starred in a number of films that are fun to watch. The Mother, now streaming on Netflix, is a departure from the rest. Overlong, gritty, and uneven, Lopez carries the film in a role that unfortunately doesn’t give her … Continue reading Review: “The Mother” – Jennifer Lopez Cannot Save This Uneven Action Thriller
Review: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ – An Emotional Farewell to Gunn’s Guardians Team
In the geeky corners of movie fandom, one hears legend of the odd-numbered Star Trek curse. It is said that the odd-numbered films in the series cannot hold a candle to the weaker even-numbered counterparts. With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, director James Gunn subverts that space-opera curse. He delivers as strong an odd-numbered … Continue reading Review: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ – An Emotional Farewell to Gunn’s Guardians Team
Review: Peter Pan & Wendy – It’s Time for Peter Pan to Grow Up
As Disney churns out live-action adaptations of their animated features, it's astounding how much of a mixed bag they have been. After all, the stories have already been field tested. All that's left to do is let a new filmmaker put their spin on the movie that millions love. With Peter Pan & Wendy, despite … Continue reading Review: Peter Pan & Wendy – It’s Time for Peter Pan to Grow Up
Review: ‘Boston Strangler’ – A Solid Film That Fails to Make the Headlines
Serial killers have long been a subject ripe for picking for dark yet intriguing Hollywood productions. Done right, they expose the dark side of human nature and the perseverance of the human condition. The protagonist often isn't fighting to survive, they are fighting for what's right, for the truth. In the case of true crime … Continue reading Review: ‘Boston Strangler’ – A Solid Film That Fails to Make the Headlines