Archive for the 'Movie Reviews' Category
December 21st, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Martin Scorsese has never backed away from involving religion in his films. We’ve seen overt attempts to tackle his perception of certain topics like in The Last Temptation of Christ. There have also been instances where his characters are given extra dimensions based on their religion, like with Mean Streets. Silence is a strong push back into overt territory and he challenges himself by addressing the perils of devotion to a belief in a manner that strips him of many qualities associated with his films. The result is a bleak and solemn challenge to the audience that can expect a level of detail and committed performances, while also being placed in a troubling scenario with the characters we follow.
Continue reading ‘‘Silence’ Probes The Depths Of Scorsese’s Religious Thoughts (Movie Review)’
December 20th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
If Deepwater Horizon was a solid warm up for director Peter Berg earlier this year, then Patriots Day is the hit he was going for. Working to portray an intense, real life situation without exploiting it, Berg carefully balances tragedy with heroics spread through a variety of characters simply doing their job. Minus some final minutes, this is a fictional film that provides a level of entertainment based out of horrific circumstances that does not succumb to too much showiness. With strong actors and a deft touch, Patriots Day is a winning look at how Boston held strong during a time of sadness.
a Continue reading ‘‘Patriots Day’ Skillfully Portrays A Successful Manhunt (Movie Review)’
December 19th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
A colleague of mind constantly claims how studios should have at least been able to accidentally make a great video game movie at this point. Assassin’s Creed is unfortunately not the accident we’ve been waiting for. In those terms, sure there have been films of this ilk that have found success (the Resident Evil films), but it is strange that not one of the many films in this sub-genre has been able to find success on both financial and artistic terms for the majority of audiences. Given the game in question, I wouldn’t have pegged Assassin’s Creed as the one to solve this problem, but there surely could have been better choices made for this adaptation.
Continue reading ‘‘Assassin’s Creed’ Takes A Leap Of Faith Into Video Game Movie Despair (Movie Review)’
December 19th, 2016 by Brian White
Why Him? is ordinarily not the kind of film I would go see in the theaters. Had it not been for two key factors I don’t think I would have gone. First it has the very irresistible and hilarious trailers on its side. That Red-band one is insane. Although I’m hoping all the funny parts were not included in said trailers. Second, there’s the nod to “from the makers of I Love You Man.” I love that comedy! So as you can see right from the get go I’m walking into Why Him? ahead in the count. Now is the moment of truth and also the chance to have fun with the title’s question mark. What did I think of Why Him? That is the question we are all pondering here, right? Why Him?
Continue reading ‘Why Him? Spreads The F-ing Holiday Cheer (Movie Review)’
December 16th, 2016 by Jason Coleman
The current theme of stage to screen provides a vast amount of cinematic selections so let’s get back at it with a biting flick that proudly sports saucy slang and pitch perfect performances – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Today we’re heading back into David Mamet (we’ve already explored House of Games film fans!) land for a poignant peek into the cutthroat world of real estate. Seems the suit and tie guys here are itching to be top of the board and are willing to go to some extreme lengths to get there. Getting good leads, always be closing and brass balls – welcome the salesmen of…Glengarry Glen Ross.
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “Glengarry Glen Ross”’
December 15th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
It’s taken nearly 10 years to bring Passengers to the big screen and I’m not quite sure why. The film feels like an easy sell. Get two A-list stars together for a romantic science fiction film, set on a spaceship. It calls to mind a great bit from Thank You For Smoking, where Rob Lowe’s character basically details the exact premise (he even name checks Passengers’ distributor Sony). Well it’s here now and it’s pretty good. Given recent sci-fi fair such as the intelligent film that is Arrival and the popcorn spectacle that is Rogue One, Passengers falls a bit short in its potential, but that says nothing of how engaging the film manages to be. It works thanks to the established personas of the actors involved and some clever ideas involving the production design to make a slick-looking movie.
Continue reading ‘Pratt And Lawrence Are Romantic ‘Passengers’…In Spaaaace! (Movie Review)’
December 15th, 2016 by Jason Coleman
Getting down to the end of the year cinematic nitty gritty, I seemed to have let a couple of flicks slip through the cracks last week. (I do try, but I’m only one guy!) So to rectify the movie misplacement here’s a quick version of Encapsulated Movie Reviews with a duo that includes a doc on drum machine significance and a horror outing in love with haunted houses – check out the critical skinny on 808 and Abattoir below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Two New Indie Titles’
December 15th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
To see Denzel Washington star, produce and direct an adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Fences is to literally watch the superstar paint himself into a corner. I mean that in a good way, as this is a story that was originally set entirely in the backyard of a house in Pittsburgh. This means Washington had to come up with a way to creatively express this story on a cinematic level. That can prove to be difficult and I am one to call out play-to-film adaptations for their staginess, but the strength of acting can be a powerful thing and Fences certainly knows how to harness that power.
a Continue reading ‘Great Acting Foundation Holds Up ‘Fences’ (Movie Review)’
December 14th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
It’s strange how Collateral Beauty is almost a novel idea for a film. Somehow packing a bunch of talented actors into a film set during the December holiday season that isn’t a comedy has become a rare commodity. The film is a straight drama that holds its sincerity close to its heart, even if that means embracing its ridiculous concept. However, that ridiculous concept also means the film is an original. If only the story managed to place more meaning in its title phrase, rather than keeping this cast so busy with subplots. Collateral Beauty attempts to do the job of letting good actors act, they just have to be involved in this plot about grief and the lengths friends to go to in an effort to help.
Continue reading ‘The Vague Dramatic Expression That Is ‘Collateral Beauty’ (Movie Review)’
December 13th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Right now we are seeing Disney test out a concept. With plans to deliver a new Star Wars film every year, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the result of moving beyond the episodic entries and into new territory. Sure, there have been novels, TV shows, comics and games that have expanded the universe (not to mention a couple Ewok movies), but this is something new. Fortunately, riding in on the wave of throwback fun that was The Force Awakens, Rogue One succeeds at being more than just a concept that’s fun to say out loud. This standalone story fits in well with the universe, while also serving as its own filmmaking effort.
a Continue reading ‘‘Rogue One’ Is Disney’s Latest Superweapon (Movie Review)’
December 11th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Hidden Figures is the kind of winning biopic I can easily champion. It joins a film like Queen of Katwe from earlier this fall, in presenting a story I was not too informed about, with enough confidence to easily please those in search of a good story. The film does little to distance itself from other historical dramas of its nature, but a mainstream film like this that matches up well to the many other films about famous white men who overcame adversity is worth giving notice to. That this film accomplishes so much by focusing on smart women who prove themselves by being good at their work and kind is just a testament to a film that can make certain subjects so cinematically interesting.
a Continue reading ‘Courage Seen In ‘Hidden Figures’ (Movie Review)’
December 10th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Out in the world is someone with an idea that will turn into a great film. Filmmaker Damien Chazelle is proof that these people exist. Managing to do this twice is not easy accomplishment. So seeing Chazelle follow up on the intense joy that was Whiplash with La La Land, a 50s-style musical set in modern times, proves that his first effort was not a stroke of luck. It also shows that the man is a dreamer and fittingly enough, this film concerns people with dreams and what kind of work and sacrifice can go into them to achieve success. La La Land also happens to be a colorful blast of excitement thanks to the performers and style of the film.
a Continue reading ‘A Terrific Look At The City Of Stars In ‘La La Land’ (Movie Review)’
December 9th, 2016 by Jason Coleman
Since themes have provided memorable movie selections for this column of late, it felt right to explore a new one in the form of stage to screen cinema that cooks – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! We’re gonna be taking on films that had their humble beginnings as a play on the theatrical stage for a while and our first is a perfect powerhouse in the realm of great actors acting. A high-class prostitute charged with murder, an apprehensive lawyer in over his head, two overly loving parents and one explosive hearing all to determine if the unpredictable accused is indeed…Nuts.
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “Nuts”’
December 8th, 2016 by Jason Coleman
Keeping in touch with the indie flicks of the week amidst a sea of year-end movies, there are more movies being watched than at ten film festivals combined. But bound and determined to give our readers the skinny on cinema, I still managed to check out four smaller films this week and the subjects are diverse to say the least. A song and dance film, a doc on the everyman and two horror outings (is this December or Halloween time?!) grace the chopping block below and make up this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out my take on La La Land, The Possession Experiment, Tree Man and Abbey Grace below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Four New Indie Titles’
December 7th, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
For those seeking the holiday film that dials down the action and isn’t trying to make you cry, Office Christmas Party delivers on what you’d expect in a good way. It may not go down as a great comedy or even a great Christmas comedy, but it has a lot of funny people being consistently funny. It’s the kind of movie that sets up its premise in the title and makes you wonder if that sort of bluntness will transfer into something worthwhile. Fortunately, everyone seemed game to make that happen. It only helps that the film plays fairly by its own rules and buries a level of sentiment in a film set during a time that benefits from holiday cheer.
a Continue reading ‘‘Office Christmas Party’ Delivers Decent Holiday Bash (Movie Review)’
December 2nd, 2016 by Jason Coleman
Having recently reviewed and torn apart the lame duck slasher outing The Driller Killer, I felt like I should make amends to Director Abel Ferrara, whom I’m actually a fan of, by recommending one of his five-star masterworks as a critical counterbalance to the condemnation – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! This week I’m going back to 1990 for a little crime drama with a very big cast. It’s the tale of a drug lord who gets released from prison and picks up right where he left off. Guns at the ready, gals galore and drugs a plenty, this one pits gangsters with attitude vs. a gaggle of cops eager to get even and all vying to be the one and only…King Of New York!
Continue reading ‘Forgotten Friday Flick – “King Of New York”’
December 1st, 2016 by Jason Coleman
I’m taking a pause in between a gaggle of end of year ‘must sees’ (whew!) to pick off five more indie films that may provide some cinematic satisfaction. (Or may not!) Grim tales of horror, dramatic stories of second chances, criminal activities, almighty homicide and gun battles done in a noble fashion – what a group! Check out the Encapsulated Movie Reviews of The Eyes of My Mother, Run The Tide, Anonymous, Blood Brothers and The Duelist all provided below!
Continue reading ‘Encapsulated Movie Reviews – Five New Indie Titles’
December 1st, 2016 by Aaron Neuwirth
Like many children’s stories, A Monster Calls is about death. Think about that. For all the joy that often comes from films intended for children or a family audience, death is a key ingredient. That’s not necessarily bad, as death is a part of life, but interesting. Obviously some of these stories place death further in the background, but others embrace it as a crucial plot point. A Monster Calls deals with the concept head on through the workings of visual wonder and emotional performances.
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a Continue reading ‘It’s An Emotional Time When ‘A Monster Calls’ (Movie Review)’
Martin Scorsese has never backed away from involving religion in his films. We’ve seen overt attempts to tackle his perception of certain topics like in The Last Temptation of Christ. There have also been instances where his characters are given extra dimensions based on their religion, like with Mean Streets. Silence is a strong push back into overt territory and he challenges himself by addressing the perils of devotion to a belief in a manner that strips him of many qualities associated with his films. The result is a bleak and solemn challenge to the audience that can expect a level of detail and committed performances, while also being placed in a troubling scenario with the characters we follow.
