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
Hey folks! It's Oscar time! So I'll offer some thoughts while the ceremony is going on. Hopefully I can continually update this during the show, so you can see thoughts as they appear. If not, it'll be (hopefully) a good read once everything's done. Before we begin, last night was the Independent Spirit awards, and … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Live Diary
It's time to put up or shut up, folks! For the last several weeks I've been trolling theatres, streaming services, and DVD rentals to complete another Oscar Blitz. Every nominated film, every category, and over that time I've been lucky enough to share my assessments with all of you reading. You know how I feel … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Who Will Win?
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
We've come to it at last, the final award after weeks of analysis. It's time to rank the nine nominees for Best Picture. And because the voting is different for this than for the rest of the categories, we're going to do things a little bit different tonight. In the other 23 categories, a simple … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Best Picture
I guess it's appropriate that I'm doing the Directing category today, especially after I spent the early part of yesterday's review of Annihilation calling B.S. on Natalie Portman's complaints about the category at the Golden Globes. This is a category long mired in controversy, and not just for gender bias, though the fact that it took … Continue reading Oscar Gold 2018 – Best Director
