REVIEW: Sharp Objects (2018 – Mini-Series)

Series Poster – HBO

The following is a review of HBO’s Sharp Objects — A Mini-Series Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée.

I had been looking forward to this show for quite some time when I first sat down to watch the first episode of Sharp Objects, which is titled Vanish. The entirety of HBO’s latest well-cast mini-series was directed by Jean-Marc Vallée who, just last year, was the talk of the town with his first HBO series Big Little Lies — one of my favorite shows from 2017. It only made me more interested in the show when I learned that Sharp Objects, his new mini-series, was based on a novel by Gillian Flynn, who also wrote Gone Girl. Continue reading “REVIEW: Sharp Objects (2018 – Mini-Series)”

Reaction to the Nominees for the 89th Academy Awards

'Manchester by the Sea,' Amazon Studios
‘Manchester by the Sea,’ Amazon Studios

And here we are! I had a lot of fun with trying to predict the nominations this awards season, it went a little bit better than last year’s predictions. I believe I got 77% of my predictions correct this year. But that’s not important. Now, let’s discuss the biggest shocks and surprises from this year’s nominations. Continue reading “Reaction to the Nominees for the 89th Academy Awards”

REVIEW: Nocturnal Animals (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Focus Features
Theatrical Release Poster – Focus Features

The following is a review of Nocturnal Animals – Directed by Tom Ford.

In Nocturnal Animals, Susan Morrow (played by Amy Adams), a gallery owner, receives the manuscript for a novel by her ex-husband, Edward Sheffield (played by Jake Gyllenhaal). She is now married to Hutton Morrow (played by Armie Hammer) and she’s losing touch with her husband, who is actively cheating on her. Susan is surprised to learn that Edward has dedicated the novel to her, and even more disturbed, but intrigued, by the story which takes place in West Texas and is a very violent revenge story. Continue reading “REVIEW: Nocturnal Animals (2016)”

REVIEW: Arrival (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Paramount Pictures
Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a review of Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival – based on a short story by Ted Chiang.

The very best directors can do anything. They aren’t just locked in on a single genre, they master multiple essential ones. They also aren’t ‘filmmaking slaves’ to a single franchise. While they may operate within a franchise from time to time – like Alfonso Cuarón did with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – they don’t dedicate their careers to them. Continue reading “REVIEW: Arrival (2016)”

Trailer Recap: Arrival

“Why are they here?” – That’s the question in Denis Villeneuve’s newest film Arrival, based on a short story by Ted Chiang. Today two trailers for the film were released, the one above this paragraph is the regular official trailer, but in this recap I’ll also be discussing the international trailer, which can be found here. Continue reading “Trailer Recap: Arrival”

REVIEW: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-free review of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a Zack Snyder film.

Batman v Superman is finally here! Comic book fans have been wanting to see this film for decades, and moviegoers have been waiting for a proper sequel to Man of Steel since 2013. Somehow this film had to appease both audiences. My complicated history with Man of Steel has been heavily documented on this blog, and I don’t think I’ve really loved a Zack Snyder-film since his remake of Dawn of the Dead.

Needless to say, I was really worried about this film. Superman used to be one of my favorite comic book characters, and Batman still is one of my favorites – I want them to be given a proper treatment on the big screen. I just wanted to like it – that is all I wanted from this film. But, to be perfectly honest, I did not. At least not all of it.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)”