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
Let's face facts, folks. The first two months of this year have been grim from a movie standpoint. January and February typically aren't bastions of quality, mind you, but usually there's something to latch onto as a genuine hit, perhaps even a surprising one. To say that this has not been the case in 2024 … Continue reading This Film is Not Yet Watchable – March 2024
In the leadup to next year's Oscar Blitz, I focused a lot of time over the past two months on clearing as many International Feature submissions as possible, netting myself 10 of the 15 films eventually shortlisted by the Academy. On the flipside of things, this means I wasn't nearly able to spend as much … Continue reading Back Row Thoughts – I’ve Got a Little List, Part 1
Hooray, this shitty year is almost in the books! We've endured four god awful Disney remakes plus a sequel to a previous one! We've survived Jennifer Lopez in her natural state as a stripper! Somehow we've even made it past Donald Trump's head photoshopped onto Rocky Balboa and HIS CAMPAIGN TRYING TO SAY IT'S A … Continue reading This Film is Not Yet Watchable – December 2019
When I was a junior in high school, I took AP English Literature. It was a fun class because given the small size (only nine students), we could delve deeper into literary works and concepts than the more full classes. This also meant we could explore different ways to study, including artistic films. It was … Continue reading Zombies and Satire Compete for Biting Supremacy – The Dead Don’t Die
I saw 111 new films in 2018 between the theatre and streaming services. Eleventy-one movies, eleventy-one reviews, either stand-alone or in groups. Eleventy-one chances to thrill, to laugh, to cry, and to outright despise. It's been a hell of a run this first year, and we're still not done. There are still plenty of movies … Continue reading The Best (and Worst) of 2018
I think it can be generally agreed that Robert Redford is one of the greatest film actors of all time. Among his vast catalog is an array of classics, and you could have a wonderful debate as to the best of the bunch. Is it Jeremiah Johnson? All the President's Men? The Sting? A Bridge Too Far? For me, … Continue reading Sundance Rides Out One Last Time – The Old Man & The Gun
Written and directed by rapper and founding member of The Coup, Boots Riley, Sorry to Bother You is a brilliant satire about life in corporate America - quite possibly the finest put to screen since Thank You for Smoking. But what elevates this film from just being really good and really funny to the pantheon of 2018 … Continue reading Use Your Inside White Voice – Sorry to Bother You
I Actually Paid To See This 