Directed by Park Chan-wook (Oldboy; Joint Security Area) — Screenplay by Wentworth Miller.
A handful of years before he directed all episodes of the excellent and underseen adaptation of The Little Drummer Girl led by Florence Pugh and Alexander Skarsgaard, Park Chan-wook made his first film in English with the Hitchcockian thriller Stoker, based on a screenplay from Prison Break-actor Wentworth Miller (under a pen name).
Continue reading “REVIEW: Stoker (2013)”
The following is a short updated review (2019) of Spike Jonze’s Her (2013).
Written and directed by Adaptation.-director Spike Jonze, Her is a science-fiction love story set in a ‘futuristic’ American city. The film follows Theodore (played by Joaquin Phoenix) — a writer of other people’s personal letters — who is separated from his wife (played by Rooney Mara). Continue reading “REVIEW: Her (2013)”
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”
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”
The following is a spoiler-filled review of Before Midnight — Directed by Richard Linklater.
When I started writing this review, I had watched all of these films twice. In what probably amounts to the course of 72 hours, I have seen all three films twice, and each time the series has managed to warm my heart, break it, and pick up the pieces in its last moments. Continue reading “REVIEW: Before Midnight (2013)”
The following is a review of Grand Piano – Directed by Eugenio Mira
Grand Piano is a mixture of a simple classical concert and Joel Schumacher’s thriller Phone Booth. Tom Selznick (played by Elijah Wood), a well-known pianist who has developed stage fright, is playing a comeback concert in Chicago. During his opening performance, Selznick notices a note written with a red marker on his sheet music. Continue reading “REVIEW: Grand Piano (2013)”
The following is a spoiler-filled review of The Wolverine – Directed by James Mangold
X-Men Origins: Wolverine was an unnecessary, bloated mess of a film that managed to – not just butcher the Deadpool character – but also harm the legacy of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. In 2013, James Mangold managed to restore Jackman’s legacy with an exciting chapter in that character’s story. So, today, in anticipation of the release of James Mangold’s Logan, I want to do a spoiler-filled review of Mangold’s first film about Wolverine. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Wolverine (2013)”
The following list contains spoilers for films from 2013
It’s time for the third Top Ten Tuesday of 2017. I’m still getting through the best heroes of this decade, and we’ve reached 2013. 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 2013.
The following list contains spoilers for films from 2013.
It’s week four of the Heroes and Villains period of Top Ten Tuesday, and that brings us to 2013. 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 2013. Continue reading “Top Ten Movie Villains of 2013”
The following is a movie review of Star Trek Into Darkness. This review was written in 2016. Expect spoilers.
J. J. Abrams Star Trek from 2009 made me interested in the franchise. It made me a Star Trek-fan. I love the 2009 film so much that Star Trek Into Darkness was my most anticipated film of 2013. I was reading message boards every day. I watched the trailers over and over. I was so ready to love the film. But ultimately it didn’t really meet my expectations. However, that doesn’t mean I dislike the film. Not at all. Continue reading “REVIEW: Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)”
I'm Jeffrey Rex 