Tag: 2012

REVIEW: Skyfall (2012)

Daniel Craig as James Bond and Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva in SKYFALL — Photo: Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures Releasing.

Directed by Sam Mendes — Screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan.

This week, I will watch and review No Time To Die, which is supposedly the final film in the Daniel Craig-era of the Bond-franchise. So, in anticipation of the aforementioned 25th Eon Bond-film, I decided to take a brief look back at one of the most popular Bond films ever made; the wildly successful Skyfall. As this film was released several years ago, I have decided to discuss the film with some spoiler details in this review, so make sure that you have actually seen Skyfall before you go any further.

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REVIEW: Uncut Gems (2019)

Theatrical Release Poster – A24

The following is a review of Uncut Gems — Directed by Josh & Benny Safdie.

“Keep an eye on the Safdie Brothers.” — I ended my short review of 2017’s Good Time thusly. When I watched that film I don’t think I knew of the Safdies Brothers’ early career as young but already somewhat prolific independent filmmakers. To me, they were (and, in a way, still are) exciting newcomers to the world stage of cinema. Good Time was a brilliant but anxiety-inducing nightmare that gave us Robert Pattinson’s finest performance, thus far. That film showcased the Safdies’ talents as directors both with the exquisite mastering of tension and anxiousness, as well as the ability to pull out awards-worthy performances from actors who have a tendency to be pigeonholed. With Uncut Gems, the filmmaking duo has done it again. Adam Sandler delivers his finest performance since 2017’s The Meyerowitz Stories in the Safdies’ Good Time-follow-up, which is even more nailbiting and even more impressive. Continue reading “REVIEW: Uncut Gems (2019)” →

REVIEWS: Feature Films Directed by Quentin Tarantino (1992-2015)

Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time In Hollywood opened in North American theaters a couple of weeks ago, but it was just released in my corner of the world yesterday. To commemorate the release of what Tarantino claims is his penultimate feature film as a director, I decided to rewatch and review every full feature film directed by Quentin Tarantino thus far (not including his partially lost amateur film). Below you’ll find reviews of all of the films listed in the image above. So, without further ado, let’s get to it. Continue reading “REVIEWS: Feature Films Directed by Quentin Tarantino (1992-2015)” →

Best of the 2010s: Directorial Debut Films

There is something very exciting about a directorial debut. Obviously, the filmmaker is excited about their first chance to step behind the camera on a feature film, but, as an audience member or film writer of any kind, it is so fascinating to see the choices being made. Sometimes some of the boldest and most imaginative filmmakers present us with instant classics, other times newcomers deliver a product that may not be extraordinary filmmaking but which may still be a moving or exciting motion picture. In this month’s best of the decade list, I’m honoring the very best directorial debuts. Some of them are first works for potential auteurs, while others are impressive blockbuster entertainment from untested new filmmakers just learning the ropes. Continue reading “Best of the 2010s: Directorial Debut Films” →

Best of the 2010s: Top Ten Comedy Films

Paramount Pictures; Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Comedy isn’t black-and-white. The genre most associated with films like your average American comedy like, say, American Pie or some Judd Apatow film is much more than its stereotype. There are stylish and quirky comedies, absurd and dark comedies. Comedy films come in all shapes and sizes, and the Best of the 2010s-list highlights multiple different types in the genre. Continue reading “Best of the 2010s: Top Ten Comedy Films” →

REVIEW: Prometheus (2012)

Theatrical Release Poster – 20th Century Fox

The following is a short review of Prometheus – Directed by Ridley Scott. For more Alien reviews, check out this category.

Ridley Scott’s long-awaited return to the Alien-franchise – Prometheus – offered up several surprises and was ultimately deemed a ‘let down’ by many fans of the franchise. The premise of the prequel film was, to an extent, at odds with fan expectations, but was nevertheless an admirable and ambitious attempt at rebranding a franchise that needed to feel fresh again. Continue reading “REVIEW: Prometheus (2012)” →

Top Ten Movie Heroes of 2012

2012-hero
‘The Avengers,’ Walt Disney Studios

The following list contains spoilers for films from 2012.

It’s time for the second Top Ten Tuesday of 2017. I’m still getting through the best heroes of this decade, and we’ve reached 2012. Do note that these characters aren’t solely ranked on how heroic their actions are. Also, some heroes may not be traditional heroes. Without further ado, here are the top ten movie heroes of 2012. Continue reading “Top Ten Movie Heroes of 2012” →

Top Ten Movie Villains of 2012

'Wreck-It Ralph,' Buena Vista.
‘Wreck-It Ralph,’ Buena Vista.

The following list contains spoilers for films from 2012.

It’s week three of the Heroes and Villains period of Top Ten Tuesday, and that brings us to 2012. Do note that these characters aren’t solely ranked on how evil their actions are. Without further ado, here are the top ten movie villains of 2012.

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REVIEW: Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)

Marvel's The Avengers - Poster
Release Poster – Marvel Studios – Disney

The following is a spoiler review of Marvel’s The Avengers, a Joss Whedon film. This review was written in early 2016.

Marvel’s The Avengers was and is a very special movie. For many this film was not unlike a religious experience. You finally saw that these mega-movie events were possible, and Marvel Studios had finally proven that their cinematic universe was built on solid ground, with a fantastically entertaining team at the center of it.

But there are some very noticeable problems with one of Marvel Studios’s very best films, and some of those problems really annoyed me when I rewatched it a third or fourth time. So, in this review I will be brutally honest, and therefore the review does include some spoilers. You have been warned.

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Marvelous Monday #25 – Recast The Avengers

I'm Jeffrey Rex' Marvelous Monday - Recast The Avengers

In May 2012 Marvel Studios released Marvel’s The Avengers in theaters. It would go on to become one of the best ever comic book movies. Along the way it made $1.5 billion worldwide at the box office, and would spawn numerous other cinematic universes for other comic book characters at other studios.

You could argue, however, that a comic book movie is only as good as its leading men and women. But what if Marvel Studios never cast Downey Jr., Hemsworth, Ruffalo, Johansson, Evans, and Renner? Today, on Marvelous Monday, I try to recast the heroes in The Avengers from a pre-Marvel Cinematic Universe perspective. Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #25 – Recast The Avengers” →