Man of Steel – Polarizing #1

Polarizing

Polarizing is a new unscheduled opinion piece revolving around polarizing topics, shows, or films.

Man of Steel – the beginning of the DC Cinematic Universe – might be one of the most polarizing superhero films of all-time. At the time of writing, with 289 reviews counted, Man of Steel is at 56% on the Rotten Tomatoes ‘tomatometer’, meaning that it literally is a polarizing film with critics. Now, with its sequel Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice releasing in theaters next week, I thought I’d address one of the films that I really had a tough time having an opinion on.  Continue reading “Man of Steel – Polarizing #1”

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Rebecca”

Better Call Saul - Reviewed

The following is a review of the fifth episode of the second season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U.S. and on Netflix in Europe. Expect story spoilers. 

In the fifteenth episode of Better Call Saul (“Rebecca”), Erin is babysitting Jimmy, a familiar face meets up with Mike, and Kim tries to save her job at HHM. Rebecca is another solid Better Call Saul-episode, but I didn’t love it as much as I would’ve liked to.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Rebecca””

RETRO REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)

Drew Struzan’s Release Poster – 20th Century Fox

The following is a retro review of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, a George Lucas film.

The first return of Star Wars didn’t go as well as planned. Way back in 1999, George Lucas resurrected the greatest movie franchise of all-time with The Phantom Menace. It included politics, fan-service, and a very young Darth Vader. Fans were certain that this franchise reboot was going to work, but, unfortunately, the end result did not live up to most fans’ expectations. To this day, the end result is remembered as one of the worst examples of prequel films, but, while I can’t say that I like the film, I don’t think it is as catastrophic as its sequel. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)”

Marvelous Monday #49 – Casting Cable

Marvelous Monday 2016

Marvelous Monday in 2016 posts once a month, on the second Monday of the month.

Oh what a Marvelous Monday. By now it’s common knowledge that Deadpool was a great film, and that they want to introduce Cable in the sequel. Now, I’ve already heard people mention their dream Cables, like Tom Hardy or Dolph Lundgren or whatever. Today I want to present three actors that I think would be cheap, safe, and solid options for 20th Century Fox to put in Deadpool 2 / Deadpool & Cable. Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #49 – Casting Cable”

‘The Next Spielberg’ – Motion Picture Thoughts #8

MOTION PICTURE THOUGHTS

Every means of entertainment has a couple of greats. The next Michael Jordan – the next Elvis Presley – the next Lionel Messi. I’m sure there are a number of ‘nexts’ you can come up with at the drop of a hat. Today, I want to discuss the label ‘the next Spielberg’, which I’ve seen thrown around a lot. Some times it’s gift, and some times it turns out to be a curse. What is in the Spielberg-name? What does it mean to be the next Spielberg? And… Well, who is the next Spielberg?  Continue reading “‘The Next Spielberg’ – Motion Picture Thoughts #8”

REVIEW: Flaked – Season One (2016)

Flaked Reviewed

The following is a season review of Flaked, a Netflix Original Series.

Flaked, the newest Netflix Original Series, follows Chip (played by Will Arnett), a recovering alcoholic, in the streets of Venice, California. We see how Chip handles his addiction, interacts with other addicts, and tries to get his love life in check. Is it anything special? Not really. But I really wanted it to be.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Flaked – Season One (2016)”

Trailer Recap/Review: Captain America – Civil War (Trailer #2)

Yesterday, Marvel Studios released the second full length trailer for Captain America: Civil War, which begins the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At the very end we got a nice surprise, but there was so much more to the trailer. So, watch the trailer – and come back to discuss the trailer with me! Continue reading “Trailer Recap/Review: Captain America – Civil War (Trailer #2)”

REVIEW: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster – Bad Robot – Paramount

The following is a review of ’10 Cloverfield Lane’, a Dan Trachtenberg film.

Let’s talk about expectations. The tagline of the film, “Monsters come in many forms,” is the truest representation of the film. With the original Cloverfield we were treated to a found-footage monster movie, but 10 Cloverfield Lane is a much more polished, suspenseful, and mysterious thriller. It is a very different movie, so manage your expectations. But I think I actually like 10 Cloverfield Lane more than its titular relative.  Continue reading “REVIEW: 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)”

RETRO REVIEW: Cloverfield (2008)

Theatrical Release Poster – Bad Robot – Paramount

The following is a retro review of ‘Cloverfield’, a Matt Reeves film.

Cloverfield is one to remember. It is the most mysterious monster film ever made, one of the best found-footage films of all-time, and, arguably, the best monster film of the 2000s. I had no idea what it was when it came out. I remember how some thought that, perhaps, it was a new Godzilla-film, and while Godzilla is a great monster, I can honestly say that I’ve never enjoyed a kaiju-movie more than I enjoyed Cloverfield when it first came out.  Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Cloverfield (2008)”

Introducing Retro Reviews – News

News Retro Reviews

Today, I’m introducing a new type of review to the blog. I love reviewing films, but sometimes I want to just sit down with a film and review it even though I don’t necessarily feel it’s a classic or all that timely. Therefore I am introducing retro movie reviews. Now, be aware of the fact that I am using a very liberal interpretation of the word ‘retro’. So, what does ‘Retro Reviews’ then signify if the use of the word ‘retro’ is liberal? Continue reading “Introducing Retro Reviews – News”