One of the main premises of Ryan Coogler's Sinners is that music is a deeply-rooted source of power and identity that can transcend generations. It's a feeling that a lot of us have experienced, when a particular song, lyric, or performance resonates so much that it's almost out of body. Even for someone as non-religious … Continue reading Let the White One In – Sinners
As a writer and director, Alex Garland's work is largely about trying to find the humanity in the inhumane. From Ex Machina to Men to Annihilation to the 28... Later series (the third installment of which debuts later this summer), the creative center of Garland's career has been about people doing their best in the … Continue reading Exit Strategy – Warfare
The old adage about ignorance being bliss is sometimes quite accurate. I've been through far too many experiences where not knowing something crucial allowed me a modicum of extra pleasure, and conversely, on occasion knowing too much spoiled the fun. This is why, way back when I established my "Remake Rule" on this blog (though … Continue reading Revenge of the Nerd – The Amateur
It's been just over two years since my mother passed away, and the world hasn't been the same since. I know that's patently obvious, as any major loss will alter one's perspective and worldview, but it's hard to put into words until you experience it for yourself. I jumped to the "Acceptance" phase of my … Continue reading Apollo’s Creed – The Friend
It's the middle of April, so why in God's name am I already doing batch reviews of animated films? Well, there are a few reasons. First is that I'm already super stoked for next year's Oscars. The Academy will be debuting its new category for Casting, and just to keep aficionados like me super hyped, … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – Animation Mythologization
I've mentioned my professional work a fair few times on this blog. If you've somehow missed those occasions, here's the gist. I work primarily in game shows, both as a writer and an on-set judge. Essentially, my job is to create content for the games - and depending on the project help form the game … Continue reading Beating the Game – The Luckiest Man in America
I must begin this review, as I have done on several occasions, with an apology. I saw Mickey 17 over a week ago, and was planning to review it this past Wednesday, after a well-earned brief respite following the Oscar Blitz, where I posted for 51 consecutive days. It was meant to be a short … Continue reading The Working Dead – Mickey 17
There's nothing wrong with an honest mistake. Human beings are inherently fallible creatures, and our entire lives are spent in one giant exercise of trial and error, hoping to achieve a level of balance that allows us to prosper and reach a state of contentment once we've adjusted enough to meet our individual goals properly. … Continue reading The Replacements – Captain America: Brave New World
One of the hardest things to pull off in film is a story about kids that feels authentic to the realities of being a kid. It's rare, but when it happens, it's some of the best stuff you'll ever see. Whether it's something sentimental like We Grown Now or over-the-top bonkers like Good Boys, when … Continue reading Girlhood – Jazzy
Now that the Oscars are over, it's time to get back fully to regular coverage of 2025 cinema. I've already posted a couple of belated reviews, and I've got a few more in the chamber to dole out over the next week or so. The first of these is Heart Eyes, which came out just … Continue reading Date Fright – Heart Eyes
I Actually Paid To See This 