So ‘The Hunger Games’ series comes to a very unceremonious end with ‘Mockingjay Part 2’ and even powerhouse actress Jennifer Lawrence can’t save this poorly lit and staged, dreary, plodding mess of a film.  Perhaps it was the decision to split the final chapter into two drawn out segments when the subject matter didn’t warrant… Continue reading ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2’ – Seriously . . . That’s It?!

While not capturing the ambition and artistry of previous James Bond masterpiece, ‘Skyfall,’ the Daniel Craig-fronted, Sam Mendes-directed follow-up, ‘Spectre,’ is nonetheless a solid entry in the 24-film franchise, if not a completely satisfying end to this cycle of character-driven, grounded films.  The filmmakers had an incredibly difficult task coming off of such a brilliantly… Continue reading ‘Spectre’ – How Important is Knowing Who’s Pulling the Strings?

The Danny Boyle directed, three-act ‘screen/play’, ‘Steve Jobs,’ proudly places its’ Aaron Sorkin screenplay front-and-center, at times to the detriment of what is a compelling, engrossing micro-portrait of a technological icon and notoriously prickly personality.  Where something like the David Fincher / Sorkin collab, “The Social Network,” used its’ sharp screenplay to drive stylized visuals… Continue reading ‘Steve Jobs’ – A Curious Representation of a Flawed Icon?

The horror genre has produced some of the most classic and indelible visuals on film.  Many great directors have gotten their starts, and made their mark in pop culture through their visions of the macabre, the disturbing, the profane, and the thrilling.  The following is my take on the greatest through film history.  Please note… Continue reading Top Ten Horror Films Countdown – Who’s Scared, You Scared?

Writer / Director Guillermo del Toro alternates his films between intimate, set-driven suspense/horror (‘The Devil’s Backbone’, ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’) and quirky big-budget spectacle (‘Hellboy’, ‘Pacific Rim’).  His new film, ‘Crimson Peak,’ basically falls into the former category, although in viewing it, from an aesthetic perspective, it is an assuredly grand spectacle loaded with acting talent.  Unfortunately,… Continue reading ‘Crimson Peak’ – Gothic horror style over substance?

If Ridley’s Scott’s investing new film, ‘The Martian,’ based on the popular, intricately researched novel by Andy Weir, was not about an astronaut left stranded on Mars, you’d think it was based on an incredible true story of determined survival and remote teamwork.  The film has the feel of a modern-day ‘Apollo 13’, complete with steady, professional direction and engaging everyman acting… Continue reading ‘The Martian’ – Reinvigorating Sci-Fi with Sci-Fact?

There is a great scene two-thirds into the new gritty, true-crime drama, ‘Black Mass,’ that perfectly displays both the strength and weakness of the overall picture.  Johnny Depp, chillingly portraying former kingpin of South Boston, James ‘Whitey’ Bulger, is in the home of his childhood friend and FBI enabler John Connelly (Joel Edgerton in another multi-dimensional performance). … Continue reading ‘Black Mass’ – Is Depp back on track channeling Whitey Bulger?

What is more impossible, the fact that Tom Cruise is 53 years of age and still pushing the limits of what action films can be, or that this 5th installment in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise is the most assured, exciting, pulse-pounding, and intelligent one yet?  Cruise is the guiding force behind this unique series –… Continue reading ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ – The best in the series?