Category: Reviews

REVIEW: Doctor Strange (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Theatrical Release Poster – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The following is a review of Doctor Strange. The reviewed film was seen in IMAX 3D.

At this point, people expect a lot from Marvel Studios. Doctor Strange is the fourteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and most of these films have been pretty well-received. Still, Doctor Strange is a bit of a risk, seeing as it is introducing magic and beings from other dimensions to the universe.

While Doctor Strange has to introduce its own corner of the universe with just this film, Marvel Studios has been releasing these films in a smart way. Marvel Studios has, essentially, been preparing moviegoers for this kind of film with Thor, Ant-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Doctor Strange (2016)” →

REVIEW: Dirty Grandpa (2016)

Poster - Lionsgate
Poster – Lionsgate

The following is a quick review of Dan Mazer’s Dirty Grandpa.

In 1975, Robert De Niro – my favorite actor of his generation – won an Academy Award for his performance as Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. In 1981, De Niro won his second Academy Award for his performance as Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. Then in 2016, one of De Niro’s worst films was released. Let’s talk about Dirty Grandpa.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Dirty Grandpa (2016)” →

REVIEW: The Witch (2016)

Release Poster - A24
Release Poster – A24

The following is a quick review of Robert Eggers’ The Witch.

Robert Eggers’ The Witch takes place in 17th century New England, and it follows a family that has been banished from a Puritan plantation. They build their new home right outside a giant forest, and soon the mother of the family gives birth to a new child. But, one day, that same child disappears while playing with his big sister, Thomasin (played by Anya Taylor-Joy). Her mother (played by Kate Dickie) blames Thomasin for the child’s disappearance, but it is revealed to the audience that it had been taken by an old witch who lives in the forest. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Witch (2016)” →

REVIEW: Westworld – “Dissonance Theory”

westworld-review

The following is a spoiler review of the fourth episode of Westworld – Developed by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy

In the fourth episode of Westworld, Dolores (played by Evan Rachel Wood) follows William (played by Jimmi Simpson) and Logan’s (played by Ben Barnes) bounty hunt. Meanwhile, the Man in Black (played by Ed Harris) find the next clue in his search for the Maze: a woman with a certain tattoo, and, elsewhere, Theresa Cullen (played by Sidse Babett Knudsen) has a meeting with Dr. Ford (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) to discuss the future of the park.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Westworld – “Dissonance Theory”” →

REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two (2011)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two.

In 2004, The Lord of the Rings film series was recognized at the Academy Awards in a big way. The Return of the King was nominated for eleven Oscars, and it, somehow, managed to win every single award it was nominated for. That was a big deal. It was a big moment for the Oscars, the Tolkien films, and all genre films.

In 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two was released. The Academy, however, chose not to recognize the Harry Potter film series in the same way. That is a shame. Because the Harry Potter film series actually ended on such a high note that it deserved a similar treatment. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two is fantastic. Continue reading “REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two (2011)” →

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One (2010)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One.

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One, Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (played by Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson) are unable to return to Hogwarts and, instead, go on the hunt for Horcruxes and ways to destroy them.
Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One (2010)” →

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Severus Snape (played by Alan Rickman) makes an unbreakable vow with Narcissa Malfoy (played by Helen McCrory) to protect Draco (played by Tom Felton), and fulfill his mission if Draco is unsuccessful. At Hogwarts, Harry (played by Daniel Radcliffe) finds a mysterious textbook with helpful notes that used to belong to someone known as the Half-Blood Prince. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)” →

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

With the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Warner Bros. and Mike Newell made sure that we were ready to lose people. Cedric Diggory’s death was very sad, but it didn’t come close to being as devastating as what happened in David Yates’ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)” →

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

After Cuarón’s excellent Prisoner of Azkaban, the Mexican film director left the franchise. The next man up, so to speak, was film director Mike Newell – known for Donnie Brasco & Four Weddings and a Funeral. Newell made a surprisingly fun film, considering Goblet of Fire was the first Harry Potter film to be rated PG-13. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)” →

RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled retro review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe) finds out that Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman) – a man who supposedly supports Lord Voldemort – has escaped Azkaban prison and is on his way to kill our protagonist.  Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)” →