REVIEW: First Man (2018)

Theatrical Release Poster – Universal Pictures

The following is a review of First Man — Directed by Damien Chazelle.

Do kids still dream of becoming astronauts? — That is one of the many things I thought of after I saw First Man — the latest film from Damien Chazelle (Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench; Whiplash; La La Land). When I was a kid I remember I sometimes would play and try to jump in slow motion, because I imagined that would be what it would be like to jump on the moon. Continue reading “REVIEW: First Man (2018)”

Oscar Chances for BLADE RUNNER 2049 – Special Features #6

BLADE RUNNER 2049 is one of my favorite movies of the year thus far. Unfortunately, while most critics love the film, general audiences aren’t excited to see it. The film’s opening weekend in North America was alarmingly low at just $32m, and, to the best of my knowledge, it isn’t doing all that well in the rest of the world either.

But what everyone seems to agree on is the fact that it deserves some awards recognition. Today I want to figure out what it deserves to win, and how likely it is that the film will win golden statues in early 2018. Continue reading “Oscar Chances for BLADE RUNNER 2049 – Special Features #6”

REVIEW: Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Theatrical Release Poster – Warner Bros.

The following is a review of Blade Runner 2049 – Directed by Denis Villeneuve

Filmmaking is a business, and some business decisions just do not make sense. Indeed, some might say it makes no sense to make Blade Runner 2049 under the conditions that it has been. The original Blade Runner, which was directed by Ridley Scott, was originally met with mixed reviews and, to the best of my knowledge, it didn’t find much success at the box office. Continue reading “REVIEW: Blade Runner 2049 (2017)”

REVIEW: La La Land (2016)

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

The following is a review of La La Land – Directed by Damien Chazelle

They don’t make movies like they used to. Cinema is dead. – Odds are that you’ve encountered similar sentiments online or by the water cooler this past year. 2016 was, somewhat unfairly, called a bad year for movies, when it was just a bad year for summer blockbuster films. As is always the case with discovering new films, you have to know where to look.

It is all about finding the right talents, the right studios, or the premises that will pique your interest. Sometimes the right movie for you is one that reminds you of great classics but still isn’t blind to the nostalgia it’s feeding on. With a charismatic and charming cast, a brilliant director, and a genre that people are sometimes turned off by, La La Land is here at the right time to breathe new life into our love of movies.  Continue reading “REVIEW: La La Land (2016)”

Will La La Land Break the Record For Most Oscar Wins?

la-la-land-academy-analysis-record

Now, I still haven’t gotten a chance to see La La Land as it hasn’t been released in Denmark yet. So it’s tough for me to really say if La La Land deserves every nomination it got. But it did get a record-tying 14 nominations for the Academy Awards, which only Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s All About Eve and James Cameron’s Titanic have gotten before.  Continue reading “Will La La Land Break the Record For Most Oscar Wins?”

Top Ten Movie Heroes of 2011

'Captain America: The First Avenger,' Paramount Pictures
‘Captain America: The First Avenger,’ Paramount Pictures

The following list contains spoilers for films from 2011.

It’s time for the first Top Ten Tuesday of 2017! I’m still getting through the best heroes of this decade, and we’ve reached 2011. Do note that these characters aren’t solely ranked on how heroic their actions are. Also, some heroes may not be traditional heroes. Without further ado, here are the top ten movie heroes of 2011.

Continue reading “Top Ten Movie Heroes of 2011”

REVIEW: The Ides of March (2011)

Release Poster - Columbia Pictures
Release Poster – Columbia Pictures

The following is a quick review of George Clooney’s The Ides of March

George Clooney’s The Ides of March – which is based on Beau Willimon’s play Farragut North – follows Stephen Meyers (played by Ryan Gosling), a junior campaign manager for a Democratic presidential candidate, Governor Mike Morris (played by George Clooney).

Meyers is a very talented and respected campaign manager who is sought after by Morris’ competing campaign, which is managed by Tom Duffy (played by Paul Giamatti). But when Meyers makes a critical mistake, his loyalty is brought into question. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Ides of March (2011)”

RETRO REVIEW: Blue Valentine (2010)

Theatrical Release Poster - The Weinstein Company
Theatrical Release Poster – The Weinstein Company

The following is a quick spoiler-filled retro review of Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine.

“You always hurt the one you love,” Ryan Gosling’s character sings in Derek Cianfrance’s ‘love story’ Blue Valentine from 2010. That line tells you everything you need to know about this film, which tells a story about two people (played by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams) falling in love, starting a family, and how they become victims of complacency and expectations for their spouse.  Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Blue Valentine (2010)”