REVIEW: West Side Story (2021)

The Jets, The Sharks, and Tony & Maria in Spielberg’s West Side Story – Photo: 20th Century Studios.

Directed by Steven Spielberg – Screenplay by Tony Kushner.

If you’ve been thinking that another West Side Story is pretty unnecessary, then you’re not alone. After all, Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’ 1961 musical film adaptation of the Romeo & Juliet-inspired Broadway stage play ended up with eleven Oscar nominations and won in ten of those categories including Best Picture. Often regarded as one of the greatest musical films of all time, the 1961 film has made people very familiar with the story. So, did we need Steven Spielberg to make a new version of the stage play? No, we definitely didn’t. But here’s the thing. Let’s be honest, we also didn’t technically need another Batman reboot. We didn’t technically need three different live-action Spider-Men in the last twenty years. However, even though we didn’t need those films, just like how I loved the vast majority of the Spider-Man films, as well as the new Batman flick, I have to say that Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story is just wonderful. We didn’t need it, but I’m glad we now have it.

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REVIEW: The Report (2019)

Release Poster – Amazon Studios

The following is a review of The Torture Report — Directed by Scott Z. Burns.

While Netflix is enjoying another moment in the sun with the release of Martin Scorsese’s latest masterpiece, The Irishman, which is streaming exclusively on Netflix, Amazon Studios has quietly released The Report to Prime Video. The lack of awareness that The Report is getting is reminding me of a quote in the film itself: “you have a sunlight problem.” Though The Report isn’t the most notable or, frankly, the best film released on streaming services this week, Scott Z. Burns’ film is genuinely gripping thanks, in large part, to a strong central performance from Adam Driver that elevates the otherwise potentially dramatically listless material. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Report (2019)”

REVIEW: First Man (2018)

Theatrical Release Poster – Universal Pictures

The following is a review of First Man — Directed by Damien Chazelle.

Do kids still dream of becoming astronauts? — That is one of the many things I thought of after I saw First Man — the latest film from Damien Chazelle (Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench; Whiplash; La La Land). When I was a kid I remember I sometimes would play and try to jump in slow motion, because I imagined that would be what it would be like to jump on the moon. Continue reading “REVIEW: First Man (2018)”

Uncharted: The Movie – Casting #1

CASTING - Who Should Play Who?

Casting has replaced The Collection on the monthly schedule. The Collection will return on an unspecified date.

Uncharted is one of the most beloved Sony PlayStation video game franchises of all-time. It is incredibly cinematic, and it definitely should become a movie, or a series of movies, one day in the future. But before the movie studio starts to pick who should play Nathan Drake, let’s beat them to the punch. Who should be in the cast for an Uncharted: The Movie. Continue reading “Uncharted: The Movie – Casting #1”

REVIEW: House of Cards – Season Four (2016)

House of Cards - Reviewed

The following is a review of the entire fourth season of House of Cards. Expect spoilers from seasons 1-3, but spoilers for the fourth season will be kept at a minimum.

House of Cards is one of my favorite shows ever, I would’ve said that prior to the release of the fourth season, and I’ll still say that now. Why do I bring this up? Just to inform you that this review comes from a fan of the show who happens to be a member of the target audience for the show: I am interested in American politics, I am a TV-nerd, and an admirer of Shakespeare-esque storytelling. I enjoyed the third season of House of Cards, which I know was somewhat polarizing. I liked it, but with the fourth season of House of Cards I’ll go as far as to say that I absolutely loved every second of it. I thought it was a spellbinding season.
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REVIEW: Ant-Man (2015)

Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios’ poster for Ant-Man (2015).

The following is a spoiler-free review of Marvel’s Ant-Man (2015).

We’ve reached the final film of Marvel Studios‘ Phase Two – Ant-Man is here. If this sounds like Marvel has gone for one of the most obscure comic books they’ve ever done, then you’re not entirely wrong. The general public wouldn’t be that familiar with the character, but he is not unimportant – his film is much more than a stopgap between Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Captain America 3 – in fact, this origin story is a breath of fresh air for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Continue reading “REVIEW: Ant-Man (2015)”