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
Most people this weekend will be clamoring to see Black Panther. Honestly, I'll probably be one of them. It's going to be the first true blockbuster of the year. But there's another movie worth checking out if you get the chance (or if Black Panther is sold out), the latest claymation family feature from Nick Park (Wallace … Continue reading Prehistoric Footballers Bend it Like Bedrock – Early Man
I've been a fan of Clint Eastwood my entire life. I used to watch the Dirty Harry movies as a kid, I love High Plains Drifter, and I've really come to enjoy his work as a director. Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River, the man's hardly had a misfire. But over the last decade or so, there's been a noticeable … Continue reading Three American Heroes Save a Train… After 80 Minutes of Hokey Preaching – The 15:17 to Paris
Dear readers, I regret to inform you all that the beloved Helen Mirren has become the latest victim of the studio-dump-horror-film-for-a-quick-paycheck abyss, starring in the newly-released Winchester, which, I shit you not, revolves around the ghosts of gunshot victims being "saved" by being shot... again. Strap yourselves in. The Aussie-American project features Mirren as Sarah Winchester, … Continue reading Busting Ghosts by Shooting them in the Goddamned Face – Winchester
After its debut at the Telluride Film Festival in September, Scott Cooper's western odyssey, Hostiles, earned critical praise and got a limited release in late December, just before the deadline for Oscar eligibility. Unfortunately, after a month-long marketing campaign, the film was released nationwide today after being shut out of the nominations. After spending the afternoon … Continue reading Watching People Walk Many, Many Miles in Each Others’ Shoes – Hostiles
With just a few days to go before Oscar nominations come out, it's fitting to take a look at a film that is likely to pick up a few nods come Tuesday. The eighth film from writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread has been available in "select cities" (i.e. Los Angeles and New York) for a … Continue reading Daniel Day-Lewis Reaps What He Sews – Phantom Thread
I Actually Paid To See This 