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)”

REVIEW: The Lovebirds (2020)

Original Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a review of The Lovebirds — Directed by Michael Showalter.

The Coronavirus Pandemic has had a serious impact on the film industry. The future of the movie theater industry is uncertain as some films that were meant for a theatrical release have been released on video-on-demand or streaming services, while many of the year’s biggest films have been removed from the 2020 theatrical release schedule entirely. This Michael Showalter romantic-comedy, The Lovebirds, was originally meant to be released in theaters by Paramount Pictures in April, but when theaters around the world closed their doors, the film studio sold its rights to Netflix, who finally released the film on the 22nd of May. The Lovebirds fits right in on Netflix, but, quality-wise, it is a significant step down from The Big Sick, Showalter’s previous film as a director. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Lovebirds (2020)”

REVIEW: Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures / Buena Vista International

The following is a review of Terminator: Dark Fate — Directed by Tim Miller.

Just a couple of years ago, Terminator Genisys broke my heart. Nevertheless, on Friday, I found myself in a movie theater ready to watch the next Terminator-film in its opening weekend. Terminator, a long-running franchise that hasn’t found a lot of success since James Cameron left the film series’ director’s chair and let multiple others sit in it, has been run into the ground. The first two films, which were both directed by James Cameron, are both iconic and Terminator 2: Judgment Day might be my favorite action film ever made. Since then Jonathan Mostow, McG, and Alan Taylor have all tried and, to varying degrees, failed to resurrect and reboot the film series in a successful and satisfying way. Continue reading “REVIEW: Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)”

REVIEW: Overlord (2018)

Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a review of Overlord — Directed by Julius Avery.

I won’t be the first or the last person to make this comparison, but Avery’s Overlord could’ve easily been the basis for a Wolfenstein game, a hugely popular and long-running video game series — the title font on the poster above is even similar to the font used for the latest Wolfenstein-logo.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Overlord (2018)”

REVIEW: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a review of Mission: Impossible – Fallout – Directed by Christopher McQuarrie.

The first James Bond novel was published in 1953. Nine years later, Sean Connery first played the central character on the big screen. Since then we’ve seen twenty-five Eon Productions Bond-films. In those films, six different actors have played Agent 007 to varying success. So far, all spy franchises have lived in the shadow of Ian Fleming’s creation. Every actor who becomes a leading spy character has been compared to Connery, Moore, Brosnan, Craig, and so on and so forth. Continue reading “REVIEW: Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)”

REVIEW: The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of The Cloverfield Paradox — Directed by Julius Onah.

There is nothing quite like Cloverfield. The production and release of Matt Reeves’ found footage monster movie was kept under wraps for a long time. The existence of Dan Trachtenberg’s 10 Cloverfield Lane — the spiritual sequel — was only revealed one or two months before it was set to be released in theaters. And, now, The Cloverfield Paradox is released on Netflix just a few hours after the first trailer for it was released during Super Bowl LII. There is nothing quite like Cloverfield, and yet there are so many things like the immensely disappointing The Cloverfield Paradox.
Continue reading “REVIEW: The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)”

REVIEW: mother! (2017)

Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a review of mother! – Directed by Darren Aronofsky

In a couple of days, the internet is going to be ablaze with criticism and controversy following the opening weekend of Darren Aronofsky’s mother! In fact, some may say that it already is. I wouldn’t know. I’ve tried to stay away from the hype surrounding this movie, mostly because I was hooked from the first trailer. The first trailer showed me everything I thought I needed to know about the movie, and I think most people were intrigued to see an Aronofsky film that certainly looked like a creepy thriller. But let me tell you this much, it may not be the movie you think it is. Continue reading “REVIEW: mother! (2017)”

REVIEW: Baywatch (2017)

Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a quick review of Baywatch – Directed by Seth Gordon.

Baywatch is a comedy film based on the series of the same name. It takes place in Emerald Bay, Florida, where Lt. Mitch Bucannon (played by Dwayne Johnson) is the head of the team of lifeguards known as the ‘Baywatch’ division. Continue reading “REVIEW: Baywatch (2017)”

REVIEW: Ghost in the Shell (2017)

Theatrical Release Poster – Paramount Pictures

The following is a review of Ghost in the Shell – Directed by Rupert Sanders

Rupert Sanders’ Ghost in the Shell is a science fiction action film based on a Japanese science fiction franchise created by Masamune Shirow. The film is set in the near future, and it tells the story of Mira Killian (played by Scarlett Johansson) whose brain is implanted in a complete cyborg body following a terrorist attack. One year after being inserted into her new body, Major Mira Killian starts questioning her memories and her past when she constantly experiences these vision glitches during missions. Continue reading “REVIEW: Ghost in the Shell (2017)”