Tag: Kerry Condon

‘Night Swim,’ ‘IF,’ ‘For Evigt,’ and ‘Birthday Girl’ | Bite-Sized Reviews

Top Row (L-R): NIGHT SWIM (Universal Pictures); IF (Paramount Pictures).
Bottom Row (L-R): FOR EVIGT (Nordisk Film); Birthday Girl (Nordisk Film).

In addition to all of the other reviews I’m publishing by themselves, and other relevant articles to kick off the year, I am also starting the year by publishing a small handful of bite-sized review compilation posts. In this edition, I’ll give you my thoughts on two Danish films from last year that didn’t fully win me over, as well as an American horror film released 12 months ago, and John Krasinski’s family film about imaginary friends.

Continue reading “‘Night Swim,’ ‘IF,’ ‘For Evigt,’ and ‘Birthday Girl’ | Bite-Sized Reviews” →

REVIEW: The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Brendon Gleeson and Colin Farrell’s characters at the pub in Martin McDonagh’s latest hit THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN — PHOTO: Searchlight Pictures.

Directed by Martin McDonagh — Screenplay by Martin McDonagh.

By now, Martin McDonagh, a long-time celebrated British-Irish playwright, has established himself as a brilliant writer-director with a home in the dark comedy genre. His Oscar-winning short Six Shooter, as well as his equally excellent first two features In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, set up his name as one to keep an eye on as a filmmaker. With Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, McDonagh had a genuine awards frontrunner, and that extra spotlight, or magnifying glass, revealed a far more divisive and controversial film than the 7 Oscar nominations (and excellent Rotten Tomatoes score) may have made general audiences suspect. I’ve enjoyed all of McDonagh’s films, including Six Shooter, but Three Billboards didn’t land as well for me as In Bruges or Seven Psychopaths had. Therefore it makes me happy to say that The Banshees of Inisherin, his latest film, is a return to form and arguably as good as, if not better than, In Bruges. 

Continue reading “REVIEW: The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Bagman”

The following is a recap and review of the eighth episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the eighth episode of the fifth season — Bagman — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) travels south of the border to pick up Lalo Salamanca’s bail money. Bagman was written by Gordon Smith and directed by Breaking Bad creator, Better Call Saul co-creator, and El Camino-director Vince Gilligan.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Bagman”” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “JMM”

The following is a recap and review of the seventh episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the seventh episode of the fifth season — JMM — Lalo Salamanca (played by Tony Dalton) hires his trusted lawyer ‘Saul Goodman,’ and Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) and Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn) are married at the courthouse. JMM was written by Alison Tatlock and directed by Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul producer Melissa Bernstein, who, with JMM, makes a glorious directorial debut. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “JMM”” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Wexler v. Goodman”

The following is a recap and review of the sixth episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the sixth episode of the fifth season — Wexler v. Goodman — Mike Ehrmantraut (played by Jonathan Banks) decides to do something about Fring’s Salamanca-problem, while Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) and Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn) go head-to-head. Wexler v. Goodman was written by Thomas Schnauz and directed by Michael Morris. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Wexler v. Goodman”” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Dedicado a Max”

The following is a recap and review of the fifth episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the fifth episode of the fifth season — Dedicado a Max — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) goes to work for Mr. Acker (played by Barry Corbin), Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn) makes potentially dangerous plans, and Mike (played by Jonathan Banks) tries to figure out why he is in Mexico all of a sudden. Dedicado a Max was written by Heather Marion and directed by Jim McKay, who previously directed the Better Call Saul episode titled Coushatta. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Dedicado a Max”” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Namaste”

The following is a recap and review of the fourth episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the fourth episode of the fifth season — Namaste — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) has a meeting with Howard Hamlin (played by Patrick Fabian), Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn) tries to make Mesa Verde reconsider their plans, and Mike (played by Jonathan Banks) tries to make things right with his family. Namaste was written and directed by Gordon Smith, who has previously written several episodes of Better Call Saul. This is Gordon Smith’s directorial debut. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “Namaste”” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “The Guy for This”

The following is a recap and review of the third episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the third episode of the fifth season — The Guy for This — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) meets Lalo Salamanca (played by Tony Dalton), Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn) has to deal with a stubborn Tucumcari homeowner, and Nacho Varga (played by Michael Mando) is confronted by his father. The Guy for This was written by Ann Cherkis and directed by Michael Morris. Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “The Guy for This”” →

REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “50% Off”

The following is a recap and review of the second episode of the fifth season of Better Call Saul, available on AMC in the U. S. and on Netflix internationally. Expect story spoilers. 

In the second episode of the fifth season — 50% Off — Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) goes to work as Saul Goodman, Mike Ehrmantraut (played by Jonathan Banks) does a favor for his daughter-in-law, and Nacho Varga (played by Michael Mando) does what he can to earn Lalo Salamanca’s trust. 50% Off was written by Alison Tatlock and directed by Norberto Barba (making his Breaking Bad-universe debut). Continue reading “REVIEW: Better Call Saul – “50% Off”” →