Green Book - Review

A story of race and friendship is not a foreign concept in filmmaking, specifically those that involve the relationship between an African American individual and a white individual in the face of glaring racism or danger of some sort. Set it in any time period you like, they’re still designed with a message in mind, to move the narrative forward and widen perspectives or make people feel better about themselves and their own prejudices. Green Book wants to be the former, but undercuts itself so much, it becomes the latter.

Creed II - Review

The idea of a new entry in the Rocky franchise following the son of Apollo Creed didn’t sound like a smart idea on paper. It had all the makings of a cash grab seeking to capitalize on nostalgia for the days of the Italian Stallion. And then Creed came out, and arguably was one of the best films of 2015. Now the gang is back, sans the brilliant director, for a sequel that succeeds despite falling back into franchise formula. 

Ralph Breaks the Internet - Review

The 2012 original, Wreck-It Ralph, sort of caught audiences and critics by surprise. After years and years of lackluster efforts, Disney had only recently gotten back on track, returning to good storytelling as well as good animation. Even then, however, nothing had truly struck a chord with audiences everywhere, until the heartfelt movie about video game characters and friendship came along to really put Disney Animation Studios back in the game. 

Widows - Review

Looking through the filmography of director Steve McQueen would hardly suggest he is the man for a thrilling heist film, and yet upon seeing the film, it makes complete sense. With an aptitude for human drama and sorrow, McQueen brings those same talents to this caper and produces tremendous results. Results that ultimately make Widows a standout in every sense of the word.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - Review

There are proper approaches to prequels and there are improper approaches. The first film in this new Wizarding World franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, did it the right way, introducing a new corner of this fictional world while retaining the familiarity of the original series for a result that while not exactly great, was a decent starting point. Unfortunately, The Crimes of Grindelwald squanders a solid foundation for incoherence and convenience.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? - Review

On its surface, Can You Ever Forgive Me? does not sound like a winner. A story of a curmudgeon writer struggling to make ends meet and the crimes she commits is hardly a story that the masses yearn to see. However, the filmmakers and actors behind the film craft something that requires everyone’s attention, and will likely gain it with heaps and heaps of awards that will inevitably come its way. 

The Grinch - Review

It is only the second week in November, and yet another Christmas movie is upon us. Never mind the fact that it’s another familiar property adapted once more in hopes of capitalizing on the hopes of those awaiting Christmas, it just happens to be animated this time. The Grinch is far from a complex story, the book only covered 60+ pages or so, and the limitations show in a film that amounts to nothing more than a primer for the holiday season.

The Girl in the Spider's Web - Review

As of this film, there have now been three iterations of the characters of Lisbeth Salander on screen since the first novel’s publication in 2005. The inherent interest in the cold and introverted hacker guarantees that a return to telling her stories is almost an inevitability. The early reviews and box office receipts indicate this version may be the last for quite some time.

Bohemian Rhapsody - Review

Without a shred of doubt, the story of Freddie Mercury and Queen is a worthy story to be told on film. That being said, the days of the straightforward biopic have largely died out, and bringing that approach to such a fascinating individual and legendary group is a recipe for disaster. Nevertheless, the folks in charge have brought us Bohemian Rhapsody, a look at the life of one of music’s most charismatic performers, packaged in a boring two-hour film.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms - Review

Apparently, someone decided that Christmas begins the day after Halloween this year. It’s November 2nd, Thanksgiving is still weeks away, and yet everyone is gearing up for the holly jolly nature of December. Disney isn’t doing anything to help, releasing a seemingly well-known Christmas property almost two months before the actual day is ill-advised from just about every perspective, and as the numbers and reviews are showing, it’s not without reason.