As the announcement of this year's Oscar nominations grew ever closer, I knew there was still one major contender I hadn't yet covered. Now, on the eve of the annual Blitz, it's time to dust it off at long last. Debuting at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Jury Prize and an odd … Continue reading Come Mierda, Puta! – Emilia Pérez
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
Throughout the entirety of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there have been two subseries that have been my absolute favorites, namely Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy. The two are vastly different in terms of tone, story, and character, but at their absolute core, they kept the same high points throughout. More than anything else, … Continue reading Rocket’s Man – Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3
The first Avatar film did just about everything right. Director James Cameron built an entire world of dazzling visuals (most of which still hold up), realizing the full potential of 3D as a viable format all the way back in 2009. It felt larger than life, and not just because the imaginative Na'vi people were … Continue reading Whalers on the Moon – Avatar: The Way of Water
There's something to be said for sticking to a successful formula. When certain elements work, it's natural to want to go back to the well and try it again. I totally get that. And there are plenty of filmmakers who've relied on tried and true methods to come up with an entertaining product, be it … Continue reading The Department of Redundancy Department – Amsterdam
Laika Studios now have five feature films under their collective belt when it comes to stop-motion animation. The previous four (Coraline, ParaNorman, Box Trolls, and Kubo and the Two Strings) were all nominated for the Oscar for Animated Feature, and rightfully so. In addition to eye-popping animation and visual effects that continually breathe new life into a format … Continue reading Lighter Than Normal Laika Fare, But No Less Dazzling – Missing Link
First off, I must apologize for the lateness of this review. The whole point of this blog is to get reviews out as quickly as possible, so you the consumer can decide the best use of your movie-going dollars. That said, there are two major reasons for the delay, which I think excuse it. For … Continue reading We Finally Got to the Fireworks Factory! – Avengers: Infinity War
I Actually Paid To See This 