Tag: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Flora and Son (2023) | REVIEW

Eve Hewson in “Flora and Son,” now streaming on Apple TV+.

Directed by John Carney — Screenplay by John Carney.

Set in Dublin, Ireland, John Carney’s Flora and Son follows the titular characters — Flora (played by Eve Hewson) and her son Max (played by Orén Kinlan) — as the struggling mother makes an effort to grow closer to her son, who is on the wrong track and on the bad side of the law. Flora, who had her son when she was in her late teens, feels like life has passed her by. She doesn’t have a good relationship with her rebellious son or his father (played by Jack Reynor), and all she has to look forward to is going to a local nightclub to dance, drink, meet men, and start all over again. In an attempt to reach out to her son, she finds an old guitar in a waste container, has it restored, and presents it to her completely disinterested son. Flora decides to take part in online guitar lessons with Los Angeles-based Jeff (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), whom Flora is instantly smitten by. As the film goes forward, Flora and Max’s growing interest in music brings them closer together. 

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REVIEW: The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

Trial of the Chicago 7 Film Poster
Release Poster – Netflix

Written and Directed by Aaron Sorkin (Steve Jobs) — Distributed by Netflix.

Back in July 2020, news broke that Netflix had acquired the distribution rights to this Aaron Sorkin legal drama following negotiations with Paramount Pictures. The global COVID-19 pandemic had made it difficult for Paramount to live up to the promise of a wide theatrical release this year especially since it was, reportedly, important for the filmmakers to have their film released to the public prior to the 2020 United States Presidential Election in November. Netflix provided them with a feasible and acceptable way out. The Trial of the Chicago 7 has now been released globally on the popular streaming service, thus giving Americans a chance to watch this drama before casting their vote. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)” →

Overview: June 2020

Overview provides my readers with a brief overview of the articles or reviews that I have written, as well as additional bite-sized thoughts on films or shows about which I do not intend to write thorough reviews. In June 2020, among other things, I wrote a lengthy spoiler-filled discussion of the story of The Last of Us: Part II, and I also, finally, reviewed the third season of Westworld.

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REVIEW: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Theatrical Release Poster - Warner Bros.
Theatrical Release Poster – Warner Bros.

The following spoiler-filled review of The Dark Knight Rises was written in August 2016

I don’t think I have ever mentioned this on the blog before, but I’ve only seen The Dark Knight Rises three times. Once in the movie theater, once on Blu-Ray, and once yesterday when I rewatched it for this review. I really liked it when I first saw it in theaters, but, when I rewatched it for the first time, it didn’t work on me as well as it had previously. Following this latest rewatch, I will say immediately that it definitely is not as disappointing as my memory had conjured up. Look, I’m not going to come out and say that this film is an ‘underappreciated masterpiece’ or anything like that — not at all. This film still has its problems. But when I finished rewatching the film last night, I had to admit that maybe I had been a bit too harsh on it for the last couple of years. The online vocal minority has begun to really criticize this film in recent years, but while The Dark Knight Rises definitely doesn’t come close to the quality of the first two films in the Dark Knight Trilogy, I do think it is still a solid ending to an excellent trilogy. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)” →

REVIEW: 50/50 (2011)

5050 Poster

The following is a review of 50/50, a Jonathan Levine film.

When I first encountered 50/50 I had heard very little about it. I knew the premise, I was very familiar with the stellar cast, but I could have never expected how much I would love this film. It is one of the most perfect ‘dramedies’ (comedy-drama) out there. It is well-directed, well-acted, and unforgettable. 50/50 is a dramedy masterpiece.  Continue reading “REVIEW: 50/50 (2011)” →

REVIEW: The Walk (2015)

TriStar Pictures’ Theatrical Release Poster for The Walk (2015)

The following is a review of The Walk, a Robert Zemeckis film. The reviewed film was seen in IMAX 3D.

The Walk follows the street artist Philippe Petit (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), and shows us how he evolved into a legendary high-wire artist. Along the way, he meets a lover, friends, and partners – and together they all embark on a mission to illegally perform a high-wire between the two towers of the World Trade Center back in 1974. Petit becomes particularly obsessed with these towers, and this obsession threatens to end the group. Their great coup changes all partners, for better or worse, and this coming-of-age coup ends up revealing what Petit’s obsession truly means to him. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Walk (2015)” →