REVIEW: “You Were Never Really Here”

REVIEW: “You Were Never Really Here”

With “You Were Never Really Here” writer-director Lynne Ramsay (“We Need to Talk About Kevin”) makes a forceful statement. Not just to her own individual talents as a filmmaker, but to the female perspective and the powerful jolt it can give a genre. By genre, I would call her latest film an action/revenge thriller although … Continue reading →

REVIEW: “Rampage” (2018)

REVIEW: “Rampage” (2018)

I wonder how people know that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s monster-thriller “Rampage” is actually based on a video game first released to arcades in 1986? I remember it well. As someone who spent a lot of time as a kid in that lively arcade culture, I was never the biggest fan of the “Rampage” video game. … Continue reading →

REVIEW: “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”

REVIEW: “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”

What started as a successful but slightly schizophrenic pet project has evolved into one of my very favorite movie franchises. Aside from the common thread of their high-profile star, the first three “Mission Impossible” installments couldn’t feel more different. It was mainly due to having three very different directors, each with their own unique stamp. While I … Continue reading →

REVIEW: “Skyscraper”

REVIEW: “Skyscraper”

Expectations are a funny thing, especially when talking about a movie like “Skyscraper”. After seeing the trailers I could never shake my “The Rock versus a Skyscraper” impression. I fully expected a movie cheesier than a block of Velveeta. But after seeing the film I can honestly say I was wrong…sort of. Now don’t misunderstand … Continue reading →

Retro Review: “Mission: Impossible” (1996)

Retro Review: “Mission: Impossible” (1996)

Paramount Pictures had repeatedly tried and failed to adapt the “Mission Impossible” television series to the big screen. Tom Cruise loved the show as a kid and began working on his vision for it. He believed so strongly in the project that he made it the first film developed under the banner of his fledgling … Continue reading →