Representation in mainstream cinema has a long way to go, but there have certainly been significant strides in the right direction. Case in point: Greg Berlanti's new film, Love, Simon. It's a testament to how far we've come as a society (and how far we still have to go) that an otherwise standard teen rom-com could … Continue reading A Love Story That’s Short on Substance, but Big on Heart – Love, Simon
First things first, I must apologize for the lateness of this review. I actually saw this movie a few days ago, but I've been dealing with myriad computer issues over the last 48 hours, so I've had to focus on that. I can't even guarantee that my machine won't crash half a dozen times while … Continue reading In Soviet Russia, Movie Laughs at You! – The Death of Stalin
Disney's latest adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time (they did a TV movie in 2003) had all the ingredients to be great. First off, it was my favorite book as a child (though my first exposure to the story was in an opera in 1992 put on by OperaDelaware, which adapts children's stories for the stage … Continue reading Ava DuVernay Proves That Even the Best of Us Have Off Days – A Wrinkle In Time
One of the greatest black comedies in cinematic history is 1988's Heathers. From the "corn nuts" death scenes to Christian Slater blowing himself up outside a pep rally, it's one of the funniest looks at the extremes of teenage life ever depicted on film. It's also one that Hollywood could probably never get away with again, … Continue reading When Gilmore Girls Go Bad – Thoroughbreds
It seems apparent that director Nash Edgerton and writer Matthew Stone (writer of Intolerable Cruelty, Man of the House, Life, and Soul Men, not the co-creator of South Park) were really trying to capture the wonderful silliness of the classic caper films of old with their newest film, Gringo. At times they succeed, with the movie containing some of the madcap … Continue reading Es un Mundo Loco, Loco, Loco, Loco – Gringo
First thing's first: If you're thinking about seeing this because of some Jennifer Lawrence nudity and eroticism, your investment will be paid off around the 45-minute mark. But if that's all you're looking for, wait for the DVD. If you're looking for a taut political thriller or a spy film for the 21st century, then … Continue reading American Propaganda Invades a Russian Spy Thriller – Red Sparrow
A little less than two months ago - the night this very blog was born as a matter of fact - at the Golden Globe Awards, Natalie Portman took a stand for equality by calling out the fact that all the nominees for Best Director were men. Never mind that she's only done one feature … Continue reading The #MeToo Movement Also Includes Sci-Fi Cannon Fodder – Annihilation
Where to begin with Game Night? Well, let's just say that a dog getting blood sopped into its fur isn't the most fucked up thing you'll see in this movie, not by a long shot. This film is immensely fun from beginning to end, because like many adult comedies these days, the movie is very … Continue reading The Game of Life is Won with Cards Against Humanity Humor – Game Night
Director Raoul Peck seems to have a thing for revolutionary intellectuals. Last year he was nominated for the Documentary Feature Oscar for his film, I Am Not Your Negro, about the life of James Baldwin. Now, in a work of historical fiction (which tracks very closely with factual records), he looks at the founders of modern … Continue reading “In Theory, Communism Works”… But Only When You Work Together – The Young Karl Marx
I'll admit I've had a difficult relationship with the Marvel Cinematic Universe over the past few years. Sometimes it's a matter of quality, and sometimes it's simply a lack of access. We are now in what is referred to as "Phase Three" of the MCU, and I confess I haven't seen half the films in … Continue reading A Film Fit for a King, and a Message Fit for its Maturing Audience – Black Panther
I Actually Paid To See This 