Rocketman - Review

The music biopic has been long labeled as formulaic, basic, and altogether tired. That is until Bohemian Rhapsody somehow won multiple Academy Awards despite fitting each of those descriptors. Now it seems as though the music biopic may never die, and if it wasn’t the case before, Dexter Fletcher insures it with the surprisingly creative and wildly energetic Rocketman.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters - Review

Hollywood produced Godzilla films are not exactly a solid bet for quality. Granted there have been only two prior attempts, but the less said about the 1998 version, the better, and the 2014 version, while praised in some regard, is still very divisive amongst audiences. It’s hard to have faith in American adaptations of the Japanese icon when it has never been rewarded, and still hasn’t been with Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

Brightburn - Review

With an increasing number of superhero films out with each passing year, experimentation with the sub-genre was bound to happen. Horror seems like the next logical step to attempt to integrate into the superhero world. And what better way to do that than with the inverse of the superhero that started it all, Superman, just with some add gore and violence.

Booksmart - Review

It seems as though lately, every new coming of age film is faced with numerous comparisons to the last great coming of age film, based solely on a single similarity. For Booksmart, outside of being in conversation with Lady Bird or Eighth Grade recently, has been likened to a female Superbad. While the premises share some vaguely familiar beats, they could not be further from the same thing outside of being truly fantastic comedies.

Aladdin - Review

Of Disney’s renaissance era animated films, Aladdin might be the most difficult sell as a live action remake. And not due to any complex themes or narrative choices, but the task of replicating the magic of a classic without completely mimicking the delightful performance of Robin Williams in an iconic role. Yet, somehow, the results are not nearly as bad as the trailers would make it seem.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum - Review

As a franchise, John Wick just may be the most improbable success in recent memory. From a practical standpoint, a film directed by a former stuntman about a stoic assassin all set in motion by stealing a car and killing a puppy sounds like an odd B-movie one might find late at night on cable television. And yet, audiences are now being given the third entry in said franchise (with talk of more on the horizon), and the bonkers elements only get bigger, the visuals more striking, and the action more insane.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu - Review

The emergence of Pokémon as a pop culture phenomenon happened a little over twenty years ago, and has gone in and out of popularity as the years have gone by. It is honestly a shock, in any sense, that a live action Pokémon film has not made it to the big screen before 2019. But now it’s here, and Detective Pikachu looks to kick start the franchise once more in new and exciting ways.

Long Shot - Review

On paper, the comedic sensibilities of Seth Rogen should be kept rather far away from a romantic comedy setting, particularly one as layered and sharp as Long Shot. However, the schlubby nature and over the top laugh are gone here, replaced by a strange vulnerability that shows Rogen is more than his stoner persona, and actually plays a pretty convincing romantic lead.