In a rare misstep amongst the modern era of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise, Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie seem to be a bit high on their own supply with ‘The Final Reckoning.’ It’s been marketed as the last film in this near thirty year run of close to perfect popcorn entertainment. As a result, the… Continue reading ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ – An Analog Hero in a Digital World?

By the time anyone reads this review, Marvel/Disney has already revealed what the “*” means in the title of its 36th film, ‘Thunderbolts*’. It’s an odd choice to do this for those who haven’t seen the movie because the reveal that these are “The New Avengers” occurs at the end of the film and makes… Continue reading ‘Thunderbolts*’ – Marvel’s Mental Health Check?

In his directorial follow-up to the Oscar winning ‘Parasite’, Bong Joon Ho provides American audiences a futuristic romp with the uproarious ‘Mickey 17’. Here he teams up with Robert Pattinson in another gonzo performance that’s somehow just perfect for the material. The movie is definitely Bong’s commentary on the absolute ridiculousness of humanity right now,… Continue reading ‘Mickey 17’ – Are Bong Joon Ho & Robert Pattinson a Match Made in Space?

‘Thunderbolts’ and ‘The Fantastic Four’ better be good movies . . . If not, the MCU just might be creatively cooked. It’s not that the newest entry, ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ is absolutely horrible (although its screenplay cobbled together by committee certainly is), it just doesn’t have much to offer beyond some interestingly choreographed… Continue reading ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ – Is This Really the Story Marvel Wanted to Tell?

What an intriguing prospect, for Robert Eggers to take on a remake of ‘Nosferatu’, itself a 100 year old silent film take on the 1897 novel, “Dracula” by Bram Stoker. Eggers, who is best known for his meticulous attention to period detail and chilling subject matter (‘The VVitch’, ‘The Northman’), has said that it’s been… Continue reading ‘Nosferatu’ – Making The Vampyr Scary Again?

‘A Complete Unknown’, starring a transformed Timothy Chalamet as a young Bob Dylan, is the latest biopic to play with the form. Rather than a biography told from birth to death, or in the case of Dylan, birth to his current status as an always evolving troubadour, James Mangold’s film captures a key moment in… Continue reading ‘A Complete Unknown’ – Is It Really Just All About the Music?

Sean Baker is a filmmaker who finds dignity in what many might deem despair (‘Tangerine’, ‘The Florida Project’, ‘Red Rocket’). His flawed characters are always presented as humans first, and the choices they make, no matter how ill-advised, come from a place of reason for these particular people. One can imagine him watching a Hollywood… Continue reading ‘Anora’ – Sean Baker’s Interpretation of ‘Pretty Woman’?

Twenty-Four years ago, Ridley Scott delivered ‘Gladiator’, a film of such magnitude that it continues to resonate. It’s rightfully revered as a true modern classic that harkens back to the sword and sandal genre films of old, but executed at the highest level of action craft. Its stars delivered the screenplay’s iconic dialogue with perfection,… Continue reading ‘Gladiator II’ – Double the Cast, Half the Original Movie?

The 2024 movie year hasn’t really been one of great many surprises, but director Edward Berger and his impeccable cast have somehow created a compelling and dramatic story surrounding the secretive process of anointing a new Pope. The film is staged as a microcosm of dueling ideals that resonate in a world divided along conservative… Continue reading ‘Conclave’ – Is It Possible to Wring Suspense & Drama From a Pope Vote?