Full disclosure: I was never a part of the original “Space Jam” craze. I was 25-years-old when the movie came out in 1996 and never felt inclined to see it during its initial release. I watched it later (at least most of it) and nothing about it has stuck with me. I say that to … Continue reading
REVIEW: “In the Heights” (2021)
In 2016 Damien Chazelle and Justin Hurwitz brought some much-needed spice to the movie musical with “La La Land”. The film was a hit with critics and audiences alike and offered proof that the movie musical was still very much alive. And then you have Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton”, a Broadway musical that went from Tony … Continue reading
First Glance: “Tick, Tick… Boom!”
These days everything Lin-Manuel Miranda touches turns to gold. We’ll get to see if that trend continues later this year with the real ease of “Tick, Tick… Boom!”, an upcoming musical drama that will mark the 41-year-old New Yorker’s feature film directorial debut. The movie is based on the stage musical of the same name … Continue reading
REVIEW: “Rogue Hostage” (2021)
“Fast and Furious” wisecracker Tyrese Gibson is handed a much more serious role leading the upcoming action-thriller “Rogue Hostage”. Jon Keyes directs from a story by screenwriter Mickey Solis. Their movie, set mostly in a Wal-Mart styled department store, starts out with glimmers of promise. But as the tropes start to pile up and the … Continue reading
First Glance: “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
Younger audiences won’t remember Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, the hosts of the immensely popular television ‘ministry’ The PTL Club. Starting out of a small North Carolina studio, the Bakkers grew their show nationally and eventually into its own TV network. They even launched a 2500-acre theme park and resort. The couple’s lavish lifestyle was … Continue reading
REVIEW: “Awake” (2021)
Gina Rodriguez gets a hefty lead role in the newly streaming Netflix film “Awake”, a sci-fi action-thriller built around a weirdly intriguing premise. The movie is directed by Mark Raso from a screenplay he wrote with his brother Joseph. Raso’s previous film was 2017’s road-trip drama “Kodachrome”, also for Netflix. “Awake” is a much different … Continue reading