First Glance: “Samaritan”

First Glance: “Samaritan”

9

Sylvester Stallone re-enters the superhero genre in his upcoming film “Samaritan”. We’ve seen him in the Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and as a scene-stealing talking shark in DC’s “The Suicide Squad”. But this is a totally different take on the genre. Directed by Julius Avery (“Overlord”), the film is based on a … Continue reading →

REVIEW: “Vengeance” (2022)

REVIEW: “Vengeance” (2022)

10

(CHECK OUT my full review in today’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) Culture clash comedies can be hit-or-miss, but writer, director and star B.J. Novak gives us a good one with his new film “Vengeance”. What makes this surprisingly rich and textured movie stand out is its blend of influences. It’s a black comedy. It’s a murder mystery. … Continue reading →

First Glance: “Blonde”

First Glance: “Blonde”

10

Andrew Dominik’s much talked about Marilyn Monroe biopic(ish) “Blonde” is set to premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival. With it only weeks away, Netflix has given us our deepest look yet with a brand new trailer. Prior to this our information has mostly consisted of some images, a teaser, and Dominik’s rather haughty defense … Continue reading →

REVIEW: “The Bad Guys” (2022)

REVIEW: “The Bad Guys” (2022)

7

I’m far from what you would call an animated film connoisseur. For reasons that I’ve never quite been able to pinpoint, animated movies have never registered with me in the same way they do with millions of other moviegoers. Now there are some I’ve genuinely loved (“The Illusionist”, “The Lego Movie”, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, “Ratatouille”). … Continue reading →

First Glance: “Pearl”

First Glance: “Pearl”

8

While Ti West’s ode to slasher films “X” started with promise, it ultimately succumbed to a slew of missteps that left it feeling like a trashy knock-off rather than something refreshing and new. Now it has a prequel titled “Pearl”, and after seeing its stylish first trailer, I can say this one looks to deliver … Continue reading →