I like weird films. They don't always work, but the willingness for a filmmaker to go off the beaten path and do something truly strange almost always speaks to a level of creative ambition that often overcomes whatever shortcomings the overall project might have. The zest for surrealism and the desire to experiment with cinematic … Continue reading Bigfoot, Small Ideas – Sasquatch Sunset
Category: Reviews
Spoiling Yourself – Abigail
I feel like every other post I'm starting off a review by apologizing for general lateness. I saw the new horror film Abigail about two weeks ago, but have held off on rating it until now. There's no extenuating circumstance. I've just been tired. Even today, I basically checked out of work midway through the … Continue reading Spoiling Yourself – Abigail
The Snap – Civil War
If there's one thing that's consistent with the works of Alex Garland over the last decade, it's that much of what we see is open to interpretation. How soon did Ava become fully self-aware and turn the tables in Ex Machina? What really took place beyond the Shimmer in Annihilation? How much of Jessie Buckley's … Continue reading The Snap – Civil War
Started from the Bottom – Monkey Man
It's always interesting to me when an actor becomes a director. Whether it's a master like Clint Eastwood or someone switching their own genre paradigms like Jordan Peele, there's something truly intriguing in seeing how the skill set of being in front of the camera transfers to duties behind it. What will their visual style … Continue reading Started from the Bottom – Monkey Man
LANGUAGE! – Wicked Little Letters
This past Sunday marked a year since my mother died. For the most part I think I've handled things as best as can be managed, but I confess it hasn't gotten "easier" to deal with the fact that she's gone. Part of that is because I hadn't come up with a proper way to honor … Continue reading LANGUAGE! – Wicked Little Letters
Earth Isn’t the Only Thing That’s Hollow – Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Even though I made fun of the trailer for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and apparently poked the bear so hard that trolls were suggesting I end myself as penance, I do dedicate myself to being as fair as I can possibly be to every movie I see. I've had a lot of gripes … Continue reading Earth Isn’t the Only Thing That’s Hollow – Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Breaking Containment – Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
In many ways, you can look at the Ghostbusters franchise as the comedy version of Jurassic Park. We had one groundbreaking, timeless entry that changed the way audiences look at film, followed by decades of attempting to recapture that same magic, sadly with diminishing returns for all but the most hardcore fans who dig themselves … Continue reading Breaking Containment – Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Dummy Bear – Imaginary
The Oscar Blitz is an annual tradition I look forward to with much anticipation and excitement. However, when the ceremony is over, there's only one thing I want to do - turn my brain OFF. Usually I do that through a well-earned good night's sleep. But since I had work the next day, and because … Continue reading Dummy Bear – Imaginary
The Fine Print – American Dreamer
There's a rich vein of content that can be derived from the harsh realities of our economic system. The stereotype of the "American Dream" feels ever more unattainable in the 21st Century as prices go up, the wealth gap widens, and government forces are easily bribed into taking no action. My late mother and I … Continue reading The Fine Print – American Dreamer
Come On, Chameleon! – Kung Fu Panda 4
The fundamental flaw with Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda 4 is spelled out in the first few minutes. As Po, the Dragon Warrior (Jack Black, still enthusiastic in his voice work for the most part) arrives for a very special ceremony - the opening of a new noodle shop run by his dads, Mr. Ping (James … Continue reading Come On, Chameleon! – Kung Fu Panda 4