You all know my history with the Despicable Me franchise. I loved the first film. I thought the second was alright, but nothing special. I hated the third. I was grateful that the fourth was adequate and competent, mostly because the Minions spinoff movies were just the worst. I admit I occasionally chuckled at the … Continue reading Banana-bylon – Minions & Monsters
I have to say, as we approach Thanksgiving, there are years where it gets really hard to find anything for which to be thankful, because what the sentiment actually means is an acknowledgement of the good things in your life. This has been an incredibly difficult year for my family and me. We've suffered a … Continue reading This Film Is Not Yet Watchable – November 2025
For as long as I can remember, I've always loved a good story. Whether it was a bedtime story my mom made up, a book, or even a piece of well-written news copy, I am enchanted by a tale told well. I didn't really know how to express myself when I was younger, as I … Continue reading Oscar Blitz 2025 – Original Screenplay (VIDEO)
Life is hard. I know that goes without saying, but sometimes even that basic acknowledgement goes a long way. It's how we develop our sense of empathy. Carefree ease only happens for a select few of us as we navigate existence, and even for those privileged individuals, there are certainly bumps in the road. We're … Continue reading Catharsis – A Real Pain
I like weird films. They don't always work, but the willingness for a filmmaker to go off the beaten path and do something truly strange almost always speaks to a level of creative ambition that often overcomes whatever shortcomings the overall project might have. The zest for surrealism and the desire to experiment with cinematic … Continue reading Bigfoot, Small Ideas – Sasquatch Sunset
Right off the bat, I should apologize for the relative lateness of this month's column. Today, April 5, is the first day of the month for new theatrical releases, and typically I have this piece out well in advance of that. However, two variables came into play that I did not expect. One is that … Continue reading This Film is Not Yet Watchable – April 2024
If you're wondering why I haven't posted anything in the last week, there's a very good reason. I just spent five days at this year's AFI Fest in Hollywood. Over the course of the festival, I took in an insane 15 movies, including 10 that have been submitted for the Oscar for International Feature. Needless … Continue reading This Film is Not Yet Watchable – November 2023
It's a little odd to wait so many years between an original film and its sequel, but every once in a while it happens, and oftentimes with positive results. Take for example last year's hit and Oscar nominee Incredibles 2. The sequel to Brad Bird's beloved family tale set against the backdrop of superhero culture was … Continue reading More Rules, Less Drool – Zombieland: Double Tap
Did you know there's a remake of The Lion King out right now? Did you know it sucks and shouldn't exist? Did you know there were other movies that came out over the last two weeks that you could've watched instead? Well, fear not, for your intrepid small-time blogger offers an alternative to Disney's unceasing parade … Continue reading Everybody’s In Kung-Fu Fight Club! – The Art of Self-Defense
I Actually Paid To See This 