Tag: Mel Gibson

REVIEW: Dragged Across Concrete (2019)

Theatrical Release Poster – Summit Entertainment

The following is a review of Dragged Across Concrete — Directed by S. Craig Zahler.

S. Craig Zahler’s Dragged Across Concrete is a crime thriller that follows two suspended police detectives — Brett Ridgeman (played by Mel Gibson) and Anthony Lurasetti (played by Vince Vaughn) — who are both desperate for money. Ridgeman wants to relocate his family away from a neighborhood that is unsafe for his daughter, whereas Lurasetti wants to make sure he can give his girlfriend the life she deserves. When they decide to rob criminals, they eventually run into dangerous criminals, as well as Henry Johns (played by Tory Kittles) who is equally desperate for money. They may have bitten off more than they can chew. Continue reading “REVIEW: Dragged Across Concrete (2019)” →

Best of the 2010s: Top Ten Biographical Pictures

Sometimes biopics — or biographical pictures — get a bad rap. Some people think of them merely as Wikipedia entries on the big screen, others think they just exist for studios to promote during awards season — people like to say that biopics are Oscar-bait. But today I want to showcase my ten favorite biographical pictures of the 2010s. I’ll also preface this list by saying that I reserve the right to change this list for the remainder of 2019 in case something new is good enough to make it onto this list. Continue reading “Best of the 2010s: Top Ten Biographical Pictures” →

Top Ten Films of 2016

2016-top-ten-films-header

It’s time for me to finally let go of 2016 by officially announcing my top ten films of 2016. I’ve said this multiple times at the beginning of 2017, but I just don’t think 2016 deserves to be known as a bad year for movies. I think it was a bad year for blockbuster films, but at the end of the year there were so many great films to watch. Continue reading “Top Ten Films of 2016” →

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: Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Summit Entertainment
Theatrical Release Poster – Summit Entertainment

The following is a film review of Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge.

The rather controversial Mel Gibson, a gifted actor and a sublime director, has directed another film for us to enjoy. Hacksaw Ridge is his first film as a director since 2006’s Apocalypto. Let’s just get this out of the way, though. Mel Gibson – as a person – isn’t as beloved as he once was, but I have absolutely no interest in discussing his actions outside of filmmaking in this review.

Instead, I want to focus on this excellent film that Gibson – who will always be Martin Riggs, to me – has directed. And while I enjoy his previous work as a director, I have to say that this film – Hacksaw Ridge – might actually be my favorite film directed by the man who once played Max Rockatansky and William Wallace. Continue reading “REVIEW: Hacksaw Ridge (2016)” →

The Academy Got It Wrong? – Motion Picture Thoughts #9

Academy Analysis 2016

This edition of Academy Analysis covers every Best Picture Winner since the 63rd ceremony (March 1991), ending with the 88th ceremony (February 2016).

So, one of the things I want to do in Motion Picture Thoughts is to really highlight the Academy Awards. I watch it every year. I obsess over nominees. I’m just incredibly intrigued by the Oscars. So, a couple of months ago, I decided to write about the best picture winners at the Oscars. In the future, I may focus on another award. Continue reading “The Academy Got It Wrong? – Motion Picture Thoughts #9” →