Author: ljablesnik

Movie Reviews

‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’ – The Documentary Everyone Could Use More Of?

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  Documentaries that feature a viable subject matter and present it with care have the power to truly transcend.  Morgan Neville’s ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’, a film marking the impetus and long, celebrated run of ordained minister Fred Rogers’ landmark PBS television program, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is one such documentary.  The movie not only… Continue reading ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’ – The Documentary Everyone Could Use More Of?

Movie Reviews

‘Incredibles 2’ – 14 Years in the Making – Worth It?

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  Brad Bird, writer/director of the original 2004 Pixar classic, ‘The Incredibles’, has returned to his creation, picking up directly after the events of the first film, furthering the trials and tribulations of a family of superheroes.  As with many sequels, ‘Incredibles 2′ is bigger, funnier, more action-packed, and more detailed in its animation technology, but in some… Continue reading ‘Incredibles 2’ – 14 Years in the Making – Worth It?

Movie Reviews

‘Hereditary’ – Family Drama Gone Insane?

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  What constitutes a great horror film?  What is it about the genre that has been drawing audiences since the beginnings of celluloid storytelling?  These questions are at the forefront after experiencing the abject terror of a movie like ‘Hereditary’, because it expertly utilizes well established tropes as well as challenges the viewer as to… Continue reading ‘Hereditary’ – Family Drama Gone Insane?

Movie Reviews

‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ – Competent Prequel Doomed to Underwelm?

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  ‘Solo’ is only the second ‘story’ film set within the Star Wars Universe, but it comes to audiences with so much baggage it begs the question of whether or not Disney/Lucasfilm can sustain its grand plans for the franchise.  As understood by the industry and fans, the idea behind these ‘Star Wars Stories’ was to… Continue reading ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ – Competent Prequel Doomed to Underwelm?

Movie Reviews

‘Deadpool 2’ – Can Lightning Strike Twice for Ryan Reynolds?

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  Unfortunately, the answer to this question is a muted ‘no’. . .  In February of 2016, the first ‘Deadpool’ movie was released and turned the superhero franchise game on its head.  Shepherded over multiple years, in fits and starts, by star Ryan Reynolds and screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the film was a… Continue reading ‘Deadpool 2’ – Can Lightning Strike Twice for Ryan Reynolds?

Movie Reviews

‘Avengers: Infinity War – Avengers Assemble or Avengers Disassembled?

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  The obviously talented filmmakers, cast, and crew of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ had an almost impossible task in realizing the most ambitious blockbuster event in cinematic history, the culmination of ten years worth of always watchable, and many times brilliant comic book movie storytelling.  They were given the largest budget ever committed by a studio and they… Continue reading ‘Avengers: Infinity War – Avengers Assemble or Avengers Disassembled?

Movie Reviews

‘Ready Player One’ – Is it Possible to Love an Homage to all the Things You Love?

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  Steven Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One,’ arrives at a moment of peak nostalgia in pop culture.  ‘Stranger Things’ rules on Netflix and ‘80s/‘90s revivals are popping up everywhere, most recently with the much touted ratings boon of a rebooted ‘Roseane’ on ABC.  This new ‘movie’ (Spielberg himself announced that this cinematic adventure is not a… Continue reading ‘Ready Player One’ – Is it Possible to Love an Homage to all the Things You Love?

Movie Reviews

‘Tomb Raider’ – What is it with Video Game Movie Adaptations?

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  Movie adaptations have had a historically lousy run, from ‘Super Mario Bros.’ bad to ‘Assassin’s Creed’ bland.  Producers and filmmakers are consistently perplexed as to how to successfully transpose the ideas, aesthetic, and feel of these insanely popular properties, but because they have built-in audiences, they will continue to churn them out.  The latest is a gritty reboot of… Continue reading ‘Tomb Raider’ – What is it with Video Game Movie Adaptations?

Movie Reviews

‘Death Wish’ – A Bad Idea for a Re-Make or the Worst Idea?

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  Schlockmeister extraordinaire Eli Roth (writer/director of ‘Cabin Fever’, the first two ‘Hostel’ movies) knows how to antagonize and torture moviegoers and critics alike, not so much a provocateur as he is an instigator.  Nonetheless, the arrival of a new project with his stamp on it signals the possibility for teasing the limits of taste,… Continue reading ‘Death Wish’ – A Bad Idea for a Re-Make or the Worst Idea?

Movie Reviews

Top Ten Films of 2017 – Still Making the Case for the Big Screen Experience?

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This year, the Academy Awards delayed its’ ceremony until the first Sunday in March, which thankfully provided time to actually view just about all of the nominees, and consequently reflect on last year’s best offers.  It was a challenging year for cinema, an art-form besieged by so-called, ‘prestige TV’, to retain its’ crown as the most… Continue reading Top Ten Films of 2017 – Still Making the Case for the Big Screen Experience?