Tag: Ed Harris

REVIEW: Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Tom Cruise as Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell in Joseph Kosinski’s TOP GUN: MAVERICK — Photo: Skydance Media / Paramount Pictures.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski — Screenplay by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie.

If there is one thing that the release of Top Gun: Maverick has already proven, it is that Tom Cruise is still a real movie star capable of drawing a crowd even in the Post-COVID lockdown world. Although the 1986 original Tony Scott film, Top Gun, did leave a cultural imprint and is an iconic 1980s film, it isn’t like most people have been crying out for a sequel to the original film that, way back when, received mixed reviews. And yet, when I saw its sequel, people of all ages — including several people over the age of fifty — had such a need for speed that they had flocked to the theater to watch Tom Cruise as “Maverick” take another ride into the danger zone. I’m happy to tell you that — yes, it’s true — Top Gun: Maverick is every bit as awesome as you may have hoped. In fact, I think it’s a much better film than the 1980s classic.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Top Gun: Maverick (2022)” →

REVIEW: The Last Full Measure (2020)

Theatrical Release Poster – Roadside Attractions

The following is a review of The Last Full Measure — Directed by Todd Robinson.

Todd Robinson’s The Last Full Measure is a war drama that tells the true story of William H. Pitsenbarger (played by Jeremy Irvine), a Vietnam War-hero, who died defending a unit of soldiers during a tough battle in 1966. The film, however, primarily follows Scott Huffman (played by Sebastian Stan), a relatively young Pentagon bureaucrat, thirty-two years later. After having met with Pitsenbarger’s parents and the soldiers that he saved, Huffman risked his career to tell Pitsenbarger’s story in an effort to have him awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Last Full Measure (2020)” →

REVIEW: Westworld – Season Three (2020)

Poster – HBO

The following is a review of the third season of HBO’s Westworld — Created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy.

I wish I had more nice things to say about this latest season of Westworld. This is a show that I have loved for a very long time. In the past, I have spent a lot of hours online reading theories and speculations about the series. In the past, I would discuss the show with friends and family. In the past, I would nerd out about the show. In the past, it never wore me out. I would spend each and every week writing recaps and reviews of each and every episode of the first two seasons. But, unfortunately, season three of Westworld was the one that convinced me to stop reviewing the series episode by episode. It, honestly, shocked me to find out that a show that I had loved so much could lose me so easily. Continue reading “REVIEW: Westworld – Season Three (2020)” →

IJR Awards 2018: Nominations, Part One of Two

Today I’m revealing the first half of the 2018 nominations for this blog’s IJR Awards (I’m Jeffrey Rex Awards, but you probably already guessed that). The two legend awards (Film Legend and TV Legend) aren’t getting any nominees, instead, I’ll reveal the winners, or honorees, in the two upcoming IJR Awards 2018-posts. Continue reading “IJR Awards 2018: Nominations, Part One of Two” →

REVIEW: Westworld – “The Passenger”

The following is a spoiler-filled recap and review of the tenth episode of Westworld: Season Two – Developed by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy.

In the final episode of the second season of Westworld (“The Passenger”), Maeve (played by Thandie Newton) makes her escape, Dolores (played by Evan Rachel Wood) runs into an old friend, and Bernard (played by Jeffrey Wright) makes a life-affirming decision. Continue reading “REVIEW: Westworld – “The Passenger”” →

REVIEW: Westworld – “Vanishing Point”

westworld-review

The following is a spoiler-filled recap and review of the ninth episode of Westworld: Season Two – Developed by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy

In the penultimate episode of the second season of Westworld (“Vanishing Point”), we learn what exactly drove William’s wife to commit suicide, William (played by Ed Harris) becomes increasingly more paranoid, and Teddy (played by James Marsden) rethinks his relationship with Dolores (played by Evan Rachel Wood). Continue reading “REVIEW: Westworld – “Vanishing Point”” →

REVIEW: Westworld – “Kiksuya”

westworld-review

The following is a spoiler-filled review of the eighth episode of Westworld: Season Two – Developed by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy

In the eighth episode of the second season of Westworld (“Kiksuya”), Akecheta (played by Zahn McClarnon) — the leader of the Ghost Nation — tells us his story as the fates of William (played by Ed Harris) and Maeve (played by Thandie Newton) are still up in the air. Continue reading “REVIEW: Westworld – “Kiksuya”” →

REVIEW: Westworld – “Les Écorchés”

westworld-review

The following is a spoiler-filled recap and review of the seventh episode of Westworld: Season Two – Developed by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy

In the seventh episode of the second season of Westworld (“Les Écorchés”), Dolores’ train arrives at the Mesa Hub complex, Maeve (played by Thandie Newton) and William (played by Ed Harris) meet, and the illusion of free will is explored both inside and outside of the Cradle. Continue reading “REVIEW: Westworld – “Les Écorchés”” →

REVIEW: Westworld – “Phase Space”

westworld-review

The following is a spoiler-filled recap and review of the sixth episode of Westworld: Season Two – Developed by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy

In the sixth episode of the second season of Westworld (“Phase Space”), Maeve (played by Thandie Newton) leaves Shogun World to find her daughter, Dolores (played by Evan Rachel Wood) struggles with the newly rewritten Teddy (played by James Marsden), and Bernard (played by Jeffrey Wright) explores the Cradle. Continue reading “REVIEW: Westworld – “Phase Space”” →

REVIEW: Westworld – “Akane no Mai”

westworld-review

The following is a spoiler-filled review of the fifth episode of Westworld: Season Two – Developed by Jonathan Nolan & Lisa Joy

In the fifth episode of the second season of Westworld (“Akane no Mai”), Maeve (played by Thandie Newton) and the rest of her group meet the hosts of Shogun World and participate in a not entirely unique storyline. Dolores (played by Evan Rachel Wood) and Teddy (played by James Marsden) discuss their relationship. And two weeks later, Strand (played by Gustaf Skarsgård) gets new information about what has happened to the hosts found in the flooded valley. Continue reading “REVIEW: Westworld – “Akane no Mai”” →