Richard Jewell Is Bare Bones Reporting (Movie Review)
Clint Eastwood’s latest film to tackle a hero who was unfairly scrutinized in the public eye is, for better or worse, exactly what you think it is. The story of a would-be lawman whose instincts to be overly cautious led to the discovery of a bomb that could have killed hundreds at a music fest during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta is told plainly, almost to a fault. There are many sides to this story, but Eastwood only lets his audience sympathize with one of them. If we lived in a vacuum, this would be fine, but in 2019 we most certainly do not. Strong performances and a steady hand by the 89-year-old filmmaker ensures this flick will be enjoyable to many over the holiday break. Still, a bolder film would have at least attempted to illuminate different POVs. As a result, Richard Jewell is more Sully than Million Dollar Baby.
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The follow-up to Sony’s 2017 surprise smash hit, Jumanji: The Next Level is a clever expansion pack for the Jumanji universe. The formula still works, but it’s the chemistry of the cast and fantastic pacing that makes this series a new holiday favorite. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillian, and Jack Black are all game to hit start along with new addition Awkwafina. Should audiences do the same over the holiday break? Heck yes! Jumanji: The Next Level is big, bombastic, and, when it needs to be, kinda sweet.
Elsa and the gang are back as, apparently, no one could just let it go. Six years after what is arguably the biggest animated zeitgeist flick of the decade, the gal with ice powers, her sister Anna, and snow buddy Olaf are ready for a brand-new adventure – this time in a forest! The mood is “kid dark,” which might be a bit much for toddlers. Others, who have long since worn out their Elsa dresses, now closer to the ripe old age of ten, should be fine. Visually a stunner with decent-ish songs, Frozen 2 is very much a Disney sequel, not a Pixar one.
Kristen Stewart goes big in writer/director Elizabeth Banks’ Charlie’s Angels, another reboot/sequel/legacy flick. A solid cast, smart action, and funny jokes keep this by-the-numbers tale on the right track. Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie may have nothing to worry about, but these Angels’ own impossible missions are way more engaging than the generic trailers suggested. Although why the soundtrack doesn’t include a banger by the suitably named Charlie XCX, we’ll never know.
Hey there folks! So I went to see Doctor Sleep (2019) earlier last week. I have been passively following this film since it had been green lit and to be honest I thought they were making a TV series out King’s book, at first. It was not until I recently caught a trailer for Doctor Sleep (2019) that I realized it was opening in theaters. Upon watching the trailer, my interest was piqued, but I knew that many Stephen King books-turned-movies are either hit or, definitely, miss. Despite how polarizing Stephen King story adaptations can be, I am one who can enjoy them regardless! Even Sleepwalkers (1992) and Thinner (1996) are entertaining to me! I just love the King! That being said which category does Doctor Sleep (2019) fall under? Come play with us and find out!
There was a time when the old Brian would have found such a movie like Ford v Ferrari to be a wet dream. Up until about two years ago my world literally revolved around my 2006 Mustang GT. She, affectionately named Dark Angel after Jessica Alba’s failed TV show back in the day, was everything to me. She was the only physical connection left to my old life in Cleveland, OH and my bridge to the proverbial road ahead. I never imagined a day without her. Then some “great” guy in Austin, TX, whose hair just happen to get in his eyes while driving (no kidding), took my world away from me. My life has never been the same. I absolutely hate driving nowadays and pretty much want nothing at all to do with cars anymore to the point where I sadly drive a Honda Civic I named Vegas. However, I digress because secretly my motor had been revving with anticipation for Ford v Ferrari. So fill up your racing tanks and speed on down below with me as I test drive Ford v Ferrari. 
The great Stephen King revival continues with a follow-up to one of his most acclaimed works, The Shining. While Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic adaptation is famously hated by King, nearly forty years later, Doctor Sleep arrives based on King’s sequel book of the same name, with influence from Kubrick’s film as well. This time, the director behind the nightmares is horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) who’s already made a strong King feature, Gerald’s Game. Can this vehicle for Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson leave a mark where Danny’s big wheel had once trodden before?
Schmaltzy Christmas flicks are typically the sole property of the Hallmark channel. Still, Universal made a list, checked it twice, and included charming leads Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, the music of George Michael/Wham!, and a Love, Actually London setting for Last Christmas. Still, perhaps the script could have been checked a few more times? The cast has spirit, but is that enough to bring forth holiday cheer?
So recently I went to go see Black and Blue (2019). I was not too familiar with this film in particular… I know , I know I say that a lot, but its just true guys. I was so unaware of this film I confused it for at least two other films that are coming out this year with similar elements to them. Once again I’m not trying to sound like a broken record or beat a dead horse, but this film flew well under the radar for me. Once I accepted that this film existed and was coming out in theaters in a few days I decided to watch a trailer. After watching a few seconds of the trailer I was surprisingly… on board. When I got into the theater and watched the film though… well… it was eh. How about you guys hop in the passenger seat and let’s hit it.
She’s back. After nearly three decades Linda Hamilton, the original Sarah Connor, has reteamed with James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger for Terminator: Dark Fate, a direct follow-up to the iconic 1991 game-changing blockbuster Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The film that flipped the script, setting a high bar for sequels. Is the Cyberdyne Systems 2019 model on par with the first two?
Countdown’s success at delivering thrills should have been as easy as, well, downloading an app. By now, there is a formula – perfected by the Final Destination series for random folks doing whatever they can to avoid their untimely demise. Add a spooky shot of 
Well, it’s over folks! The illustrious 
So I went to see Jojo Rabbit (2019) on the very first day of this month. I was very aware of this film coming out. I know on a few of my reviews I mention that “I had no idea this film was even coming out”; this is not the case with Jojo Rabbit (2019). The stills from the film, featuring, director, Taika Waititi, as one of the most infamous war criminals in history, Adolf Hitler, is enough to rub people the wrong way. Seeing only one of Waititi’s films in completion, Thor Ragnarok (2017), I had a feeling that Jojo Rabbit (2019) would be some sort of satirical film about the overbearing presence of Nazism in WW II Germany. Where this would make for a disastrous and poorly received film… I actually found it to be truly moving, clever, and heartfelt. Let’s hop to and talk about it.
It feels so good to be back! It was 10 years ago when the first film, Zombieland (2009), came out. I went to go see it with a friend or two not sure what to expect. I walked out of that film with such a love for what I was seeing on screen! The cast was great, the sets were awesome, and the humor was in full swing. Now we flash forward to 10 years later, not only in time of the film, but also in real life. I know what you guys are thinking… Does it hold up after all this time. Is this film still relevant? Does Zombieland: Double Tap (2019), truly, nut up or shut up? It nuts up guys… it nuts up.
A decade is a long time for fans to wait to see the next installment of their favorite franchise. That tenth of a century waiting period can pay off big time like with Disney’s release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens… or not (we’re still waiting for Avatar 2). Enter Zombieland: Dobule Tap, a sequel to a surprise hit from 2009. In that time, the undead craze unearthed some bona fide hits like AMC’s The Walking Dead. Was ten years too long to wait for another romp with Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock? Yes… and no.
