Tag: Movie Review

REVIEW: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Theatrical Release Poster – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The following is a review of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – Directed by Gareth Edwards.

In 2015, J. J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens proudly announced that the good Star Wars was finally back. Gone are the days of the disappointing and operatic George Lucas prequels. With The Force Awakens, Lucasfilm proved that the future of the Star Wars saga – the episodes – were in good hands. But what about the untold stories of the prequels? To answer several unanswered questions Lucasfilm will give us these spin-off films that they call ‘Star Wars stories.’ Continue reading “REVIEW: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)” →

REVIEW: Ghostbusters (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Sony Pictures Releasing
Theatrical Release Poster – Sony Pictures Releasing

The following is a review of Ghostbusters (2016) – Directed by Paul Feig.

A few months ago, I went back and rewatched the first two original Ghostbusters films and reviewed them both. I still loved the original film, but I was taken aback by how much I didn’t have fun rewatching the sequel. Now, I did all of this to prepare for the remake that came out this year. Unfortunately, I missed it when it was in theaters. Now, however, I’ve had the chance to see it on Blu-Ray and here’s my knee-jerk reaction: it’s not as bad as some have made it out to be.
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REVIEW: Everybody Wants Some!!! (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Paramount Pictures
Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a quick review of Everybody Wants Some!!! – Directed by Richard Linklater.

Back in 2014, director Richard Linklater won numerous awards for Boyhood. Now, I know that not everyone enjoys that film for what it is, but I happen to think of it as a true masterpiece. One of the more important films in the 2010s so far. Naturally, I was interested in seeing what his next move as a filmmaker would be, and I’ve got to say that I’m not impressed with Everybody Wants Some!!! Continue reading “REVIEW: Everybody Wants Some!!! (2016)” →

REVIEW: Spectral (2016)

Title Card - Netflix
Title Card – Netflix

The following is a quick review of Spectral – directed by Nic Mathieu.

In Netflix’s Spectral, Clyne (played by James Badge Dale) teams up with a special ops team to discover what supernatural force has been running amok in Europe. They soon encounter ghost-like beings that are able to kill just by passing through you. Now, Clyne and the special ops team must try to survive attacks from these beings that seem invincible. Continue reading “REVIEW: Spectral (2016)” →

REVIEW: Hell or High Water (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - CBS Films; Lionsgate
Theatrical Release Poster – CBS Films; Lionsgate

The following is a review of Hell or High Water – directed by David Mackenzie.

Former actor Taylor Sheridan – a WGA Award-nominated screenwriter – is beginning to make quite a name for himself. 2015’s Sicario, which Sheridan also wrote, was easily one of the best films of that year, and now, with Hell or High Water, he may have outdone himself. At the very least, I believe director David Mackenzie has made one of the best neowestern films that I’ve ever seen out of Sheridan’s original script.
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REVIEW: Other People (2016)

Release Poster - Vertical Entertainment
Release Poster – Vertical Entertainment

The following is a quick review of Other People – written and directed by Chris Kelly.

Other People takes place in Sacramento, California, where David (played by Jesse Plemons), an openly gay writer, has returned to take care of his mother (played by Molly Shannon) who is in the advanced stages of leiomyosarcoma. By going home, David has to deal with his father (played Bradley Whitford), who refuses to accept him because of his sexuality.
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REVIEW: Blue Jay (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - The Orchard; Netflix
Theatrical Release Poster – The Orchard; Netflix

The following is a quick review of Blue Jay – directed by Alex Lehmann.

Blue Jay follows Jim (played by Mark Duplass) and Amanda (played by Sarah Paulson), two former high school sweethearts, after they run into each other in a supermarket. They decide that they should go have some coffee together and talk about their lives. Amanda is married and has become a stepmom to her husband’s two sons. Jim, on the other hand, works on houses for his uncle and hasn’t got anyone. They decide to spend the rest of the day together to discuss old memories and to reconnect. Continue reading “REVIEW: Blue Jay (2016)” →

REVIEW: Fifty Shades of Black (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Open Road Films
Theatrical Release Poster – Open Road Films

The following is a quick review of Fifty Shades of Black – directed by Michael Tiddes.

Fifty Shades of Black follows Hannah Steale (played by Kali Hawk), a college student, who has been sent to interview the wealthy Christian Black (played by Marlon Wayans). They eventually fall for each other, but it turns out that he’s not the guy she thought he was. So, yeah, this is a parody of Fifty Shades of Grey. Continue reading “REVIEW: Fifty Shades of Black (2016)” →

REVIEW: Arrival (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Paramount Pictures
Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a review of Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival – based on a short story by Ted Chiang.

The very best directors can do anything. They aren’t just locked in on a single genre, they master multiple essential ones. They also aren’t ‘filmmaking slaves’ to a single franchise. While they may operate within a franchise from time to time – like Alfonso Cuarón did with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – they don’t dedicate their careers to them. Continue reading “REVIEW: Arrival (2016)” →

REVIEW: The Commune (2016)

International Release Poster - Nordisk Film
International Release Poster – Nordisk Film

The following is a quick review of Thomas Vinterberg’s The Commune (Danish Title: Kollektivet).

The Commune takes place in Denmark in the 1970s and it follows Erik (played by Ulrich Thomsen) – a lecturer who teaches architecture – and Anna (played by Trine Dyrholm) – a television newsreader – who are married to each other and have a young daughter named Freja (played by Martha Sofie Wallstrøm Hansen).

When Erik inherits a large family house, Anna suggests that they could invite friends in to live with them, as that would be the only way for them to afford to live there. Erik somewhat reluctantly accepts, but soon he feels like he has lost his connection to his wife. Soon their relationship takes a turn for the worse.  Continue reading “REVIEW: The Commune (2016)” →