Tag: Movie Review

REVIEW: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Universal Pictures
Theatrical Release Poster – Universal Pictures

The following is a short updated review (2022) of Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016).

Mockumentaries can be absolutely hilarious. I love the general idea behind that entire genre, in that it can lampoon the level of gravitas that documentaries can sometimes have. The excellent original Borat film managed to be both outright funny, but also revealing about the reaction real people have to their jokes and characters. So when I found out that the brilliant The Lonely Island guys were doing a mockumentary somewhat inspired by Justin Bieber’s musical documentary and concert film Never Say Never, I was as excited as I could possibly be. This felt like a great kind of documentary to have fun with. For some reason, when I first saw the film, it didn’t really click for me, and so my original review indicated that it was merely ‘okay.’ However, on subsequent viewings, it has improved significantly for me. I think it’s brilliant. Continue reading “REVIEW: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)” →

REVIEW: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

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

The following is a review of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Five years after the end of the Harry Potter film series, Warner Bros. is ready to bring you another story in the wizarding world of the Rowlingverse: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Make no mistake, this film does not feature Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, or Ron Weasley. In fact, Fantastic Beasts takes place in the 1920s – a very long time before Hagrid told Harry that he was a wizard. Continue reading “REVIEW: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)” →

REVIEW: True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016)

Release Poster - Netflix
Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a quick review of True Memoirs of an International Assassin, a Netflix Original Film.

True Memoirs of an International Assassin follows Sam Larson – an unpublished author who also work as an accountant – as he is trying to finish a story about an assassin. When the story is finally finished, however, he has a tough time getting it published, until he meets an unconventional publicist who makes his book available online.

However, Larson is shocked when he finds out that she altered the title and published it as a non-fiction book. Dangerous people now believe Larson is an infamous assassin known only as ‘the Ghost,’ and now Larson must live as if he is the star of his book. Continue reading “REVIEW: True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016)” →

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)” →

REVIEW: Green Room (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - A24
Theatrical Release Poster – A24

The following is a quick review of Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room.

Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room follows a punk band called ‘Ain’t Rights,’ which is nearing the end of their tour. In Oregon, they meet a local radio host who arranges a gig at a neo-Nazi bar. After the show, the band goes back to the green room, and they see a girl who has been stabbed to death. When the band’s bassist (played by Anton Yelchin) tries to call the police, the bouncers and the bar owners freak out and hold them at gunpoint inside the green room.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Green Room (2016)” →

RETRO REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)

Drew Struzan’s Release Poster – 20th Century Fox
Drew Struzan’s Release Poster – 20th Century Fox

The following is a retro review of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, a George Lucas film.

While I don’t love every film in the franchise, I clearly love Star Wars. I write about the franchise all the time. So while it is pretty obvious, it pains me to admit that The Phantom Menace wasn’t a good movie. I tried not to tear that film apart in my review of it.

I wanted to review this film right after reviewing The Phantom Menace, but, for some reason, it took me a very long time to finally muster up enough strength to write about this film. This review has been delayed for way too long. Let’s finally talk about the worst Star Wars film. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)” →

REVIEW: Doctor Strange (2016)

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

The following is a review of Doctor Strange. The reviewed film was seen in IMAX 3D.

At this point, people expect a lot from Marvel Studios. Doctor Strange is the fourteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and most of these films have been pretty well-received. Still, Doctor Strange is a bit of a risk, seeing as it is introducing magic and beings from other dimensions to the universe.

While Doctor Strange has to introduce its own corner of the universe with just this film, Marvel Studios has been releasing these films in a smart way. Marvel Studios has, essentially, been preparing moviegoers for this kind of film with Thor, Ant-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Doctor Strange (2016)” →

REVIEW: Dirty Grandpa (2016)

Poster - Lionsgate
Poster – Lionsgate

The following is a quick review of Dan Mazer’s Dirty Grandpa.

In 1975, Robert De Niro – my favorite actor of his generation – won an Academy Award for his performance as Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II. In 1981, De Niro won his second Academy Award for his performance as Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. Then in 2016, one of De Niro’s worst films was released. Let’s talk about Dirty Grandpa.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Dirty Grandpa (2016)” →

REVIEW: The Witch (2016)

Release Poster - A24
Release Poster – A24

The following is a quick review of Robert Eggers’ The Witch.

Robert Eggers’ The Witch takes place in 17th century New England, and it follows a family that has been banished from a Puritan plantation. They build their new home right outside a giant forest, and soon the mother of the family gives birth to a new child. But, one day, that same child disappears while playing with his big sister, Thomasin (played by Anya Taylor-Joy). Her mother (played by Kate Dickie) blames Thomasin for the child’s disappearance, but it is revealed to the audience that it had been taken by an old witch who lives in the forest. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Witch (2016)” →

REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two (2011)

Poster - Warner Bros.
Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a spoiler-filled review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two.

In 2004, The Lord of the Rings film series was recognized at the Academy Awards in a big way. The Return of the King was nominated for eleven Oscars, and it, somehow, managed to win every single award it was nominated for. That was a big deal. It was a big moment for the Oscars, the Tolkien films, and all genre films.

In 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two was released. The Academy, however, chose not to recognize the Harry Potter film series in the same way. That is a shame. Because the Harry Potter film series actually ended on such a high note that it deserved a similar treatment. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two is fantastic. Continue reading “REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part Two (2011)” →