After the blazing success of Collateral, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Michael Mann's return to his iconic TV series would be a rousing success. However, Mann has never been one to tell a simple story. While adapting any of his storylines on Miami Vice could have been an excellent nostalgia pull, Mann swung … Continue reading Michael Mann’s ‘Miami Vice’ – A Stunning Visual Spectacle with Inconsistent Story
Michael Mann’s ‘Thief’ – One of the Greatest Crime Thrillers of All Time
A man watches the clock, shrouded in darkness, while his partner cuts through a safe. For nearly ten minutes, a group of thieves pull off a brilliant heist without needing to vocalize their next steps. The balletic opening of Thief, scored by a pulse-pounding Tangerine Dream score, remains one of the highlight moments of Michael … Continue reading Michael Mann’s ‘Thief’ – One of the Greatest Crime Thrillers of All Time
Review: ‘Bottle Rocket’ – Anderson’s Stunning Debut is a Comedy of Errors
Wes Anderson came out of the gate with an incredible eye for comedy. The now-iconic director caught the eye of James L. Brooks thanks to his short film collaboration with Luke and Owen Wilson. Soon after, the Wes Anderson train left the station, taking all three to new heights as stars. Yet Bottle Rocket works … Continue reading Review: ‘Bottle Rocket’ – Anderson’s Stunning Debut is a Comedy of Errors
‘Jurassic Park’ at 30 – The Power and Wonder Remain
When Steven Spielberg took on Jurassic Park, there were plenty of suitors. Tim Burton, Joe Dante, and Richard Donner were all in the mix. Michael Crichton had more than enough credentials to demand a seat in directing chair. Yet Spielberg had Industrial Light and Magic, as well as George Lucas, in his back pocket. It … Continue reading ‘Jurassic Park’ at 30 – The Power and Wonder Remain
NOStalgia: ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’ – A Miami Party Atmosphere and Comedy Galore
Shifting an action franchise to a new location is rarely a bad idea. with John Singleton on board to direct a sequel to The Fast and the Furious, many believed the gang would return to Los Angeles. Instead, Singleton and the production team swerved, taking their talented drivers to South Beach. With Vin leaving the … Continue reading NOStalgia: ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’ – A Miami Party Atmosphere and Comedy Galore
NOStalgia: ‘The Fast & the Furious’ Kicked Off the Phenomenon
Humble stories have humble origins. The Fast & the Furious, from director Rob Cohen, certainly qualifies for this arc. The iconic franchise kicked off with a surprise hit in 2001. Borrowing its plot from Kathryn Bigelow's instantly iconic Point Break, The Fast & The Furious tapped into a void. The action stars of the past … Continue reading NOStalgia: ‘The Fast & the Furious’ Kicked Off the Phenomenon
Review – Ant-Man Quantumania & the Trilogy Under the Magnifying Glass
Staff writer Josh Walbert looks at the Ant-Man trilogy from director Peyton Reed. A rocky start to the franchise led to one of its most exciting trilogies. To fully get the picture of the little guy, Josh revisited the three films in the franchise, culminating in the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania release on February … Continue reading Review – Ant-Man Quantumania & the Trilogy Under the Magnifying Glass
We Miss VHS: ‘Strange Days’ Stuns as the Best Dystopian Nightmare Since ‘Blade Runner’
For decades, audiences have been transported by Sci-Fi futurism, only to be trapped in dystopias. While movies like Total Recall and Blade Runner have jumped decades, others chose to set themselves in near-future nightmares. Strange Days, from director Kathryn Bigelow, captures Y2K anxiety, fears of surveillance, distrust in police, and simmering racism to craft a … Continue reading We Miss VHS: ‘Strange Days’ Stuns as the Best Dystopian Nightmare Since ‘Blade Runner’
‘Hocus Pocus’ – Revisiting Disney’s 1993 Cult Classic
Perform a quick Google search of “Millenials and no…” and the first topic suggested is millennials and nostalgia. At this point, it is common knowledge that the millennial generation, for better or worse, is known as the nostalgia generation. The answer to whether there is any basis for this will not be discussed in this … Continue reading ‘Hocus Pocus’ – Revisiting Disney’s 1993 Cult Classic
31 Horror Days of Halloween: Rob Zombie’s 2007 ‘Halloween’ Stumbles as a Frustrating Reboot
The Rob Zombie aesthetic can be grating for some viewers. While his House of 1000 Corpses franchise remains a highlight, there are genuine peaks and valleys in his career. At the height of his power, Zombie sought to revive Halloween from its hiatus. In many ways, horror fans should be thankful to Zombie. The brutal … Continue reading 31 Horror Days of Halloween: Rob Zombie’s 2007 ‘Halloween’ Stumbles as a Frustrating Reboot