Archive for the 'Movie Reviews' Category
September 7th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
As everyone knows the iconic actor/director Burt Reynolds passed yesterday, but fortunately he left behind an immense body of work that was unparalleled in terms of diversity and longevity. Having created so many cool characters, memorable movies and all with joyful everyman quality, Reynolds was one of the last of the Hollywood movie stars. So when I found myself scouring his various cinematic wares to select five of the best pieces of work from the man known for his legendary smirk and swagger, it became almost impossible to pick just a handful of films that he should be remembered for. His dramatic turn in Deliverance, his joy in comedies like The Cannonball Run, Smokey And The Bandit and Stroker Ace (my guilty pleasure!), his action prowess in 80’s fare like Stick, Heat, Malone and Rent-A-Cop and of course his Academy Award nominated role as charismatic pornographer Jack Horner in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Nights, prove that Reynolds was far from a one hit wonder. So in tribute to one of my favorite actors of all time I’m putting up some movie remembrance in the form of a lesser known Reynolds gem the only way I know how – welcome to…Forgotten Friday Flick. Today we delve into the recesses of Reynolds movie lore to dissect a 1989 outing that has plenty of beautiful Burt bravado. It’s the classic tale of an elder criminal who befriends a younger counterpart and the things they equally learn from each other along the way. Ready for your lesson in safe cracking 101? Time to get….Breaking In!
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “Breaking In” (Burt Reynolds Tribute Edition)’
September 7th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
This week sees a handful of smaller cinematic fare up for dissection for those looking to expand both the mind and movie palate. Mysteries involving religion, tales of family drama, moms looking to get a little gunplay justice, the damage the death of a loved one can do and surfing mixed with some seriously bad acting all make up the colorful cast of films covered this week. Check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of The Apparition, Crown And Anchor, Peppermint, Sacred Heart and Surfer: Teen Confronts Fear all below.
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Five New Indie Titles’
August 30th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Under a handful of Indie hopefuls this week (though check out my career interview posted earlier this week with Samantha Mathis – click HERE – in anticipation of the film Boarding School also out this week!), but some cinema is better than no cinema. (Movies big and small are all important to dissect after all!) A doc about canines looking to excel, plus tales of heists gone wrong, what lengths one will go to in clearing their good name and big ass alligators that bite make up the four flicks covered this week ala Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the critical skinny on Pick Of The Litter, Let The Corpses Tan, Reprisal and Lake Placid: Legacy all below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Four New Indie Titles’
August 26th, 2018 by Brian White
Summer of 84 garnered a lot of praise coming out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Our own Jason Coleman gave Summer of 84 a P-E-R-F-E-C-T Score over here and called it a “five-star ride that’s righteous.” Now Jason is more knowledgable than I can ever pretend to be in the world of movies so coming from him that’s a ringing endorsement that I MUST-SEE this film whatever the costs or stakes may be. That’s just what I did too. Given the fact that I’m stuck in Austin, TX for the unforeseen future I had to wait my turn for its iTunes’ 4K debut on the platform this past Friday the 24th. The movie, which saw a limited theatrical release back on August 10th, never made it down here. I digress though as I am used to it. Austin is no Los Angeles or Hollywood. Now let’s talk about this teenage, retro 80’s thriller. Continue reading ‘Summer of 84 Delivers 80’s Nostalgia w/ a Dark, Delicious Twist (Movie Review)’
August 23rd, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Indies, indies, indies! Banking on the theory that some good movies do indeed come in small packages, it’s time once again to dig into the lesser-known cinema scene in hopes of finding some gems amongst duds. (Or at least a flick that entertains and inspires!) Tales of missing kin, the history behind a classic flick, an angry man seeking a little payback, terror amidst trees, a day in the life of a sassy sports bar, an obsessed fan with dark habits and the violent effects of the falling housing market make up the films covered in this week’s edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. (Plus there’s a savory short film review thrown in for good movie measure!) Check out the critical skinny on Searching, The Coolest Guy Movie Ever, I Am Vengeance, What Keeps You Alive, Support The Girls, Dead Envy, Arizona and the short film Long Way Back Home below.
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Seven New Indie Titles (And One Short!)’
August 16th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
It seems super strange but also super wonderful to me that week to week there’s no shortage of smaller film fare to check out. (Shame to those who say there’s not that many films being released these days!) This week sees a crop of nine new cinematic hopefuls for those with a hankering for flicks off the beaten path. Tales of music fandom gone awry and romantic, a park ranger who takes his job a tad too seriously, the return of the smallest killing machines, an strange school with an ulterior motive, the ups and downs of struggling family life, a brother and sister that attract disaster, a young man having a rough time letting go of a dead friend, a return to the scene of The Cove and a sheltered girl who makes a troubled new friend make up the stories in this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the critical skinny on Juliet, Naked, The Ranger, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, Down A Dark Hall, We The Animals, Dr. Brinks & Dr. Brinks, Show Yourself, A Whale Of A Tale and Porcupine Lake below. Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Nine New Indie Titles’
August 12th, 2018 by Brian White
I know The Meg is based off a book, which we’ll cover in a moment, but one look at its insane trailer, crazy cast and cute name had me instantly at hello. I don’t even care if the movie is a turd or a shipwreck of events. I have to go see it if for nothing else than to get my DC Batwoman err I mean Ruby Rose fix, but I digress. I just like saying Ruby Rose for some reason. It flows off your tongue effortlessly and it’s fun to say and count all her tattoos too. Didn’t I say I digress a second ago? Well this time I really do mean it. The Meg is really just a movie about a big @$$ shark. It is being released in my favorite summer month of August. It features something that I never see here in Austin, TX…beaches and water. What’s not to love about it already? Am I right? Damn right I am! Continue reading ‘The Meg Swallows The Competition This Weekend With “Meg”a-Size Fun! (Movie Review)’
August 9th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
For those looking for an abundance of Indie outings your movie ship has come in! This week sees a massive and groundbreaking eleven smaller flicks dissected below – and one studio movie just for fun – to keep fans up to date on smaller film fare. (Told you I was gonna make up for mere trio of flicks covered last week!) Tales of possible killers next door, cloning for all the wrong reasons, an African-American cop messing with the ku klux klan, seven horror shorts squeezed together for a maximum single terror serving, demonic possession that runs in the family, trust in a post apocalyptic world, cops trapped inside a mazed gun-ridden drug den, coming of age in farm country, cybercrimes stopped by cybercops, learning to live life without cancer, being kidnapped alongside ones number one fan and a big budget killer fish flick (whew!) make up the eleven Indies and single big budget outing via this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the critical skinny on Summer of 84, Elizabeth Harvest, BlacKkKlansman, Blood Clots, Along Came The Devil, What Still Remains, Buybust, The Swan, Ghost Source Zero, Hope Springs Eternal, Pretty Bad Actress and The Meg all below! Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Eleven New Indie Titles (And ‘The Meg’!)’
August 2nd, 2018 by Jason Coleman
A mere trio of Indie outings critically covered this time (rest easy film fans – there are ten in the following week!), but there are some diamonds in the lesser-known movie rough. Docs on difficult musicians, plus flicks about the struggles of criminal families and a guessing game of who is the serial killer cover the three flicks via this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the short opinions on 40 Years In The Making: The Magic Music Movie, Night Comes On and The Forest Of The Lost Souls all below.
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Three New Indie Titles’
August 1st, 2018 by Jordan Grout
There aren’t a whole lot of reasons to watch Dead Night. There are many impressive gore effects, but there’s no genuine terror behind them. The way cinematographer Kenton Drew Johnson captures the snowy wilderness is nothing short of hypnotic and sensuous. The elegant, otherworldly work from Johnson provides the heavy lifting for a weak script.
Continue reading ‘Review: Dead Night’
July 26th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Your mission should you choose to accept it – seek out Indie outings! And to provide a little help in the area of lesser-known cinema are seven smaller flicks dissected below to help film fans along the way. Featuring docs on Hollywood icons and the dark side of medical devices, plus tales of love and puzzles, abuses of power in Nazi Germany, forbidden love both past and present, a odd opinions on today’s important issues and a freaky forest fright fest make up the wide array of films covered in this week’s edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the skinny on King Cohen, The Bleeding Edge, The Puzzle, The Captain, Snapshots, Sorry To Bother You and Dead Night below.
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Seven New Indie Titles’
July 24th, 2018 by Brian White
Having been revisiting the Mission: Impossible franchise as of late on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format (our reviews here, here, here, here and my favorite one here) I was pumped to take in the latest one dubbed Fallout. My giddy excitement for this latest installment was further fueled by the early reports of reviewer peers of mine lucky enough to live on the West Coast have hailed this as one of the best action films of all-time. That says a lot when you can make a bold statement like that. In the olden days we would have said you have big you know what to make such a declaration, but we’re so politically correct nowadays I just have to digress for the best and safest results. So without further ado ladies and gentlemen I give to you Mission: Impossible Fallout. Continue reading ‘‘Mission: Impossible Fallout’ Is ‘The Dark Knight’ Of The Franchise (Movie Review)’
July 22nd, 2018 by Brian White
The Equalizer 2 brings warm feelings to my heart much like how Jar Jar Binks felt seeing Padme again in Episode 2. Words cannot describe how overjoyed I am not only seeing The Equalizer 2, but the fact that it was even made in the first place. The critics were pretty split on the first one, but as you can see here that wasn’t the case with yours truly. I flipping loved everything about it! I just thought the meh word of mouth on the first one would have killed any chance of a sequel much like everyone ruined things for the Justice League. Whoah I just immediately went there, huh? Strong accusations. Ha ha. I’m sorry and I digress. Let’s get back on topic. Perhaps the only thing I instantly don’t like about The Equalizer 2 is the movie title itself. I mean how long did they spend thinking about that name? What’s the third one going to be called? The Equalizer 3? Ha ha! Nevertheless, retired CIA Agent Robert McCall is back and I couldn’t be happier about that. Let’s chat! Continue reading ‘‘The Equalizer 2’ Delivers More of The Same R-Rated Brand of Vigilante Justice (Movie Review)’
July 19th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Mamma mia – there sure are a lot of Indie outings this week! (So…here we go again!) We’re hitting the lesser known cinema scene to check out the offerings for film fans looking to reach well beyond the standard studio fare with seven hopefuls in various categories. Tales of lyrical racial tension, the price of fame, the effect of tragedy, surviving those middle school years, tales of espionage in Syria, a man who puts down animals for a living and an alien invasion in a small Australian town all make up the subjects covered via the diverse crop of flicks dissected this week. Check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of Blindspotting, Broken Star, 1/1, Eighth Grade, Damascus Cover, Euthanizer and Occupation below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Seven New Indie Titles’
July 13th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
Back on track with a slew of seven alternate outings this week all to add a little Indie film flavor to the current cinematic stew. Included in the batch of lesser known flicks are docs on famed and feared stuntmen, critical chefs with something to prove and the dangerous world of Islamic terrorism, plus fictitious films about love during criminal capers, brutal battles between ex’s, technology and its consequences and true stories of distinctively unfake news are all included in skinny opinion form. Check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of To Hell And Back: The Kane Hodder Story, Siberia, Custody, Constructing Albert, A.I. Tales, Shock And Awe and Path Of Blood below.
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Seven New Indie Titles’
July 11th, 2018 by Brian White
Skyscraper, which we are gathered here to discuss today, is NOT the rousing Demi Lovato song. Instead, Skyscraper is the newest Dwayne Johnson action vehicle. I mean how much lull can we have theatrically speaking without a new Rock movie packing seats in the theaters? That was of course a very rhetorical question. The answer to that is simply not much at all. The Rock is back and this time he’s playing Die Hard in a very tall building occupied by terrorists with a slight “twist.” He has a twist off lower left leg! Now you can not say this is the same old kind of movie The Rock is always in or they didn’t give his character a flaw. If nothing else, Skyscraper is the film that puts The Rock at a slight physical disadvantage, but not too much where can’t make huge, gaping horizontal/vertical leaps or use his artificial stump as an effective prop. There are limits, people. Continue reading ‘‘Skyscraper’ Is A Gravity Defying Blast! (Movie Review)’
July 5th, 2018 by Jason Coleman
After recovering from the onslaught of flicks that unspooled at the recent Dances With Films Festival 2018, this movie geek needed a little break. (New Indie titles will be popping up soon!) But in taking a little film reflection time and seeing that I had only two films with five-stars in 2018 (that would be Thoroughbreds and Marrowbone people!) I decided to take a step back and check out some of the possible gems I missed along the way. So below are eight films out already that were recommendations from close critics I trust to reviewers on this very site in an attempt to try and flesh out my low five-star flick list. (Only scored one more – but it’s still something!) So for all those willing to look back with me here are the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of You Were Never Really Here, Three Identical Strangers, First Reformed, A Quiet Place, Sicario: Day Of The Soldado, Ocean’s 8, Overboard and Life Of The Party below for your ready reference.
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Eight 2018 Retro-Recommended Titles’
July 3rd, 2018 by Brian White
I wasn’t sold on Universal’s first Purge film in 2013, but the acting of Frank Grillo in the second 2014 outing made me an instant fan. The third installment, 2016’s Election Year, was pretty good, but nothing in my opinion can top that “you killed my son” moment in Anarchy. However, I digress. We’re not here to measure sequels, but instead to talk about the all new Purge prequel titled The First Purge. It releases everywhere nationwide on our Nation’s Birthday, July 4th (with some showings tonight too). This one tells the story of how it all began with the New Founding Fathers of America testing our Nation’s first ever Purge out in one isolated community. I think y’all knows what happens next, but the getting there part is what makes this sociological experiment worth the watch. At least that is what I was hoping for going in. Continue reading ‘What’s More American Than Hotdogs, Fireworks & The First Purge? (Movie Review)’
