It’s apparent after viewing ‘Suicide Squad’, the newly released, tonally messy but well-cast, mildly diverting WB/DC film, that it was never meant to be the center-piece of the world-build initiated in this past March’s ‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ Designed to be a side-piece revolving around villains forcibly indentured into government service, based on… Continue reading ‘Suicide Squad’ – The ‘Heroes’ We Deserve Right Now?
The third entry into the modern re-imagining of the sci-fi classic series, ‘Star Trek – Beyond,’ is a polished, if somewhat by-the-numbers, episodic outing of a franchise that appears to be humming along well. The stage was set by director, now producer, J.J.Abrams, who worked with his writers and actors to forge a series that may be… Continue reading ‘Star Trek – Beyond’ – A Slick but Slight Episode?
The all-female led, 2016 version of the 1984 classic, ‘Ghostbusters,’ benefits from a very funny cast of comedians and state-of-the-art effects (particularly the proton packs and new weaponry), yet suffers under the specter of nostalgia that it insists on forcing to evoke. When director Paul Feig (‘Bridesmaids’) allows the four hilarious ladies (Kristen Wiig, Melissa… Continue reading ‘Ghostbusters’ – Fresh Franchise Restart or Unnecessary Nostalgia-Fest?
It’s been 13 years since ‘Finding Nemo’ ruled theaters and really catapulted Pixar into the stratosphere of quality family entertainment. ‘Toy Story’ may be the original masterpiece, but ‘Nemo’ showcased what the studio could produce both technically and creatively, it being the most Disney-friendly feature it had produced in tone at the time. In effect… Continue reading ‘Finding Dory’ – Hilarious and Heartfelt Return to the Sea?
Director James Wan made his mark on modern horror with the original ‘Saw’ and haunted house / possession thriller, ‘Insidious,’ but with his 1970s-set, rousingly terrifying ‘The Conjuring’ released in 2013, he cemented his status as a premier craftsman of the macabre. Based on the experiences of real-life couple and original cultural ghost-hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren,… Continue reading ‘The Conjuring 2’ – More of the Same, but isn’t that Scary Good?
There is a prescient line in an otherwise humdrum script halfway through new franchise outing, ‘X-Men: Apocalypse,’ that goes something like, ‘the third one is always the worst.’ Unfortunately, when comparing this film to its’ two stellar predecessors, ‘First Class’ and ‘Days of Future Past,’ ‘Apocalypse’ falls far short. It’s truly a shame as those… Continue reading ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ – Has a Resurgent Series Lost its’ Way?
In the newest entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ relationships are tested, stakes are high, and unlike some other recent comic book slugfests, emotion is duly earned. The film boasts some of the best superhero action yet and balances levity and character-building heft equally well. Brother directors Anthony and Joe Russo… Continue reading ‘Captain America: Civil War’ – The Best Marvel Movie Yet?
Jon Favreau has had an interesting and varied career writing, acting in, and directing everything from indie fare (emerging with the acerbic yet sweet ‘Swingers’) to big-budget franchises (he ushered in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his ‘Iron Man’ films). When looking at his filmography, a pattern starts to emerge – an uncanny ability to… Continue reading ‘The Jungle Book’ – Timeless Classic for the CGI Age?
The long awaited Warner Bros./DC super-hero mash-up, ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,’ arrives in theaters this weekend with an ominous build-up and a promise for a bombastic showdown between comic book legends. While it delivers the smack-down in painstakingly rendered detail, leaving all of its’ reportedly $200 million plus budget on screen, the motivation for said gladiator… Continue reading ‘Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice’ – God Vs. Man, But Does the Audience Lose?
In a surprise move out of left field, the found-footage, shaky-cam monster movie and moderate 2008 hit, ‘Cloverfield’ gets a quasi-sequel in the form of a claustrophobic, Hitchcockian thriller set in a fallout bunker. ’10 Cloverfield Lane’ is a throwback film that relies on visual cues, body language, and a cleverly unfolding screenplay that keeps the… Continue reading ‘10 Cloverfield Lane’ – 3 Strangers in a Bunker – What Happens When People Start Getting Real?
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