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 →

REVIEW: “Leave No Trace” (2018)

REVIEW: “Leave No Trace” (2018)

It’s hard to believe it has been eight years since director Debra Granik’s last narrative feature. That movie was “Winter’s Bone” and it portrayed a distinct slice of America as foreign to most people as a distant alien planet. Her latest is “Leave No Trace” and while not nearly as grim as her previous film, … Continue reading →

REVIEW: “Pacific Rim: Uprising”

REVIEW: “Pacific Rim: Uprising”

Five years ago revered filmmaker Guillermo del Toro added one of the weirdest additions to his already strange and eclectic filmography. The movie was “Pacific Rim”, a big-budget sci-fi monster mashup that drew comparisons from Transformers to Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. Sporting a whopper of a budget, the movie didn’t exactly burn up the … Continue reading →