MUSIC
A new update to Academy Award predictions for November
Howdy folks. Hopefully everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving feast and are recovering from Tryptophan overload. As a way to move on from Turkey Day (and distract from Black Friday shopping), I’ve got a whole new set of Oscar predictions to share with you! Yes, it’s that time once again. With precursors[...]
Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz are a deliciously dark trio in “The Favourite”
Nobody is making movies these days quite like Yorgos Lanthimos is making. Throughout his career, he has been doing things in such a unique way, it doesn’t even compare. Alps, Dogtooth, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Lobster…these are specific films coming from a distinctive voice. This week, he[...]
“Ralph Breaks the Internet” is a clever and winning sequel for Disney
A few years back, Wreck-It Ralph was a nice little change of pace for and from Disney. The non Pixar outings can sometimes be a step down, Frozen notwithstanding. So, that cartoon being as good as it was, that was a nice surprise. Now, today brings us the inevitable sequel,[...]
Alfonso Cuarón tells a deeply personal story with absolute precision in “Roma”
You rarely see such an intimate tale painted on such a large canvas. In telling a story based on his own youth, filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón has made an epic movie about the women in his life. If that sounds a bit unusual, once you see the movie, it all makes[...]
“Creed II” is an outstanding sequel and one of the year’s best films
Creed was a major surprise. Seriously. As much as I love the Rocky franchise, was there any reason to assume that what was essentially Rocky VII, just without a focus on the character we know and love, would be a success? Sure, it had an exciting young actor at the[...]
Strong showings for “Eighth Grade” and “You Were Never Really Here” highlight the Independent Spirit Award nominations
Moments ago, the Film Independent Spirit Awards announced their nominations for 2018. Essentially the Oscars of indie film, this is a time when certain movies can see their only true moment in the sun. As you’ll see below, the nominees this year represent both some major Academy Award players as[...]
Review: Round-Up: “At Eternity’s Gate”, “The Clovehitch Killer”, “Jonathan”, and “The Last Race”
For this week’s review round-up, it’s a foursome! The quartet of titles today are a real mixed bag, which happens. We have two misfires, one mild recommendation, and a mixed bag that I really hemmed and hawed about in terms of a thumbs up or thumbs down. You’ll see which[...]
“Green Book” is a crowd pleaser of the highest order and a definite Oscar contender
They don’t make em like this anymore. Sometimes that’s a bit of a slight, as film has evolved over the years. In the case of Green Book, aside from a small complaint or two, it’s almost exclusively a compliment. This movie is an absolute crowd pleaser, one that almost defies[...]
Steve McQueen and a phenomenal ensemble cast help make “Widows” look effortless
It shouldn’t seem this easy. To make a popcorn heist movie that also has something to say about society…that’s a thin line to walk. Luckily, filmmaker Steve McQueen is one of the best out there, and for Widows, which opens this week, he has assembled one of the year’s best[...]
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” offers something for every type of Coen Brothers fan
Brace yourself for something chilling. I, a supposedly serious film critic, run hot and cold on the Coen Brothers. Yes, despite their reputation as masters of their craft, I only occasionally fall for their work. It’s incredibly hard to predict too. I love Inside Llewyn Davis more than almost anyone,[...]
