REVIEW: BoJack Horseman – Season Five (2018)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of the fifth season of BoJack Horseman — Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg.

Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Daredevil, GLOW, The Crown, or Stranger Things? — Over the years there have been many Netflix favorites for the streaming audience, but, in my opinion, no Netflix show has managed to be consistently great for as long as BoJack Horseman has. Though I might say The Crown is currently the best live-action Netflix show, I feel confident in saying that BoJack Horseman is the greatest show on the streaming service — and the fifth season is just as excellent as the one that came before it. Continue reading “REVIEW: BoJack Horseman – Season Five (2018)” →

Remakes at the Oscars – Special Features #31

This year, Bradley Cooper is giving us his highly anticipated directorial debut with his version of A Star is Born. Notice how I said ‘his version?’ Good, well, the fact of the matter is that Cooper’s A Star is Born is the third remake released of the 1937 William Wellman romance drama. So, what does that mean for its Oscar chances? Can a remake be nominated for, or even win, the biggest categories at the Oscars? Well, let’s see.  Continue reading “Remakes at the Oscars – Special Features #31” →

REVIEW: The Nun (2018)

Theatrical Release Poster – Warner Bros. Pictures

The following is a review of The Nun — Directed by Corin Hardy.

A funny thing happened when I sat down in a local movie theater room to watch The Nun — the newest The Conjuring spin-off film (this one having been inspired by a demon from James Wan’s The Conjuring 2). It was a packed theater full of people of all ages, shapes, and sizes, and right behind me, three young men sat and talked with one another. When the film opened with a scene from The Conjuring 2, I could hear one of them say: “wait, is this a Conjuring-movie?” Then another one said with his mouth full of popcorn: “oh, I haven’t seen the second one yet.” Continue reading “REVIEW: The Nun (2018)” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Quite a Ride”

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

In the fifth episode of the fourth season — Quite a Ride — Kim (played by Rhea Seehorn) starts to ignore her main client, and Jimmy (played by Bob Odenkirk) goes to the Dog House. Quite a Ride was written by Ann Cherkis and directed by Michael Morris. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Quite a Ride”” →

REVIEW: Next Gen (2018)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Netflix’s Next Gen — Directed by Kevin R. Adams & Joe Ksander.

You may be surprised when the first acting credit that pops on the screen in the relatively unpromoted Netflix animated film Next Gen is that of actor-director John Krasinski. At the very least, I was surprised to see names like Krasinski’s, but also other actors like Jason Sudeikis and Michael Peña. You start to ask yourself how this animated movie had managed to go relatively unnoticed with those names attached to it, and then you hope that you’ve found a new hidden gem. Next Gen isn’t quite that good, but I did enjoy it for what it was. Continue reading “REVIEW: Next Gen (2018)” →

REVIEW: The Rider (2018)

Release Poster – Sony Pictures Classics

The following is a review of Sony Pictures Classics’ The Rider — Directed by Chloe Zhao.

You may not be surprised to learn that, to my knowledge, the competitive sport of rodeo is not really a popular activity in coldish Scandinavia. Although it may have had its roots elsewhere (I, honestly, have no idea), I have always associated rodeo with America and the cultural fascination with thrill-seeking cowboys. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Rider (2018)” →

New Category for 2018 – IJR Awards

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the ways that I could improve the annual I’m Jeffrey Rex Awards, and today I am announcing one new category that will hopefully make the annual awards lists complete. On top of that, I am also retiring (or discontinuing) a related television award that has been a part of the IJR Awards the last two years.  Continue reading “New Category for 2018 – IJR Awards” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Talk”

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

In the fourth episode of the fourth season — Talk — Mike (played by Jonathan Banks) talks in group therapy, Kim (played by Rhea Seehorn) observes, and Jimmy (played by Bob Odenkirk) goes to work. Talk was written by Heather Marion and directed by John Shiban. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Talk”” →

91st Academy Awards Predictions: August Update – Special Features #30

The Oscar season is about to kick into a higher gear with the major end of the year festivals coming our way very soon. So, before we get to hear what major film critics think about Damien Chazelle, Barry Jenkins, and Alfonso Cuarón’s new films, I here provide you with the current update of my Oscar predictions. Continue reading “91st Academy Awards Predictions: August Update – Special Features #30” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Something Beautiful”

The following is a recap and review of the third episode of the fourth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the third episode of the fourth season — Something Beautiful — Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn) gets back to work, Nacho (played by Michael Mando) gets hurt, and Jimmy (played by Bob Odenkirk) tries to steal a Bavarian Boy Hummel-figurine. Something Beautiful was written by Gordon Smith and directed by Daniel Sackheim. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Something Beautiful”” →