Novitiate - Review

Most of the time, when a film takes a look at religion it can be hit or miss on an extreme scale. It runs the risk of being too preachy or flat out church in film form (i.e. God’s Not Dead) or it could be an in depth look at the nature of faith in a chaotic world (i.e. Silence). Novitiate, thankfully, falls much closer to the hits.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - Review

An equal mixture of dark comedy and tremendous sorrow, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is about as close to violently profane yet surprisingly tender that one could find in film. Anchored by a dynamite performance from its lead and a stellar screenplay from its writer-director, Three Billboards finds a way to keep everything unbalanced while strangely focused at the same time.

Coco - Review

After twenty-two years it really shouldn’t be shocking anymore when Pixar releases another excellent animated film. And yet here we are, with another fantastic, heart-warming, and emotional film under their belt and audiences reap the rewards. Pixar is always at its best when they get creative, and Coco is pretty inventive and smart in its execution. The film’s success only reiterates just how spectacular Pixar can be.

Lady Bird - Review

Interestingly enough, a film that brings to mind the classic coming-of-age films of the past manages to be charming, smart, and pleasantly unique in its own way. The setting nor plot scream originality and yet the film feels out of the ordinary, even special if you will. Lady Bird is the combination of all these elements, or tropes, but manages to spin it in a sharper, yet equally as affable, manner.

Justice League - Review

Have you ever been so innately excited for a film while equally as nervous? Well in this case Justice League fits the bill. With a troubled production, Justice League was wounded before it really left the gate and yet it’s hard to not be eager to see the DC heroes fighting together on screen. And while the course correction that the film takes is in the vicinity of the right direction, being slightly better the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice isn’t a success.

The Florida Project - Review

As the end of the cinematic year draws closer, the awards season contenders are all starting to emerge like clockwork. Perhaps one of the more promising films with plenty of festival buzz is The Florida Project. The newest film from director Sean Baker finds a very sympathetic approach to telling a moving story, and every second of it is exceptional.

Daddy's Home 2 - Review

Even when an actor has really been off of their game lately, it’s easy to give them the benefit of the doubt when they’ve been great in the past. Will Ferrell is one of those actors, and despite not having a hit in quite a while, it’s easy to forget. It’s not like the first Daddy’s Home was horrendous by any means (there are some truly horrifying comedies lately), but it wasn’t good either. Unfortunately, the sequel isn’t any better.

Murder on the Orient Express - Review

The remake, a Hollywood staple that’s so frequent at this point it might as well be its own genre. Some are worth it, presenting a good idea in a new way that the original messed up, but most of the time it’s a waste of everyone’s time. Murder on the Orient Express is an odd case. It’s a story that’s been told many times and yet the idea of adapting it in a new way never seems like a terrible thought process. And with a stellar ensemble cast and a talented director, this remake may just be a good thing.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer - Review

In a year where the weird has frequented cinemas, perhaps the newest master has stepped up to the plate. Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos returns to outdo himself after last year’s The Lobster with a film that’s equal parts mysteriously tense and beautifully haunting in The Killing of a Sacred Deer. A film that’s overflowing with dread and absurdity in a way that very few films can match.