San Diego Comic-Con isn’t what it used to be. The one time intimate comic book convention has turned into one of Hollywood’s biggest showcases for some of their most prized features and television shows. This year there were several big announcements. Some were exciting (Brie Larson as the new Captain Marvel). Others not as much … Continue reading
REVIEW: “Star Trek Beyond”
I’ve come to terms with the fact that this new series simply isn’t the Star Trek of old. Despite their numerous callbacks it was fairly evident when the first film landed in 2009. 2013’s “Into Darkness” made it even more obvious. The third movie “Star Trek Beyond” more or less casts aside any doubt. This … Continue reading
2016 Blindspot Series: “Rio Bravo”
The great Howard Hawks set out to direct “Rio Bravo” after a four year hiatus. Following the box office failure of his 1955 film “Land of the Pharaohs”, Hawks left Hollywood feeling he had lost his touch. But despite his uncertainties, his return to filmmaking resulted in one of the most entertaining and influential Westerns … Continue reading
TAKE TWO: Re-Reviewing “Hail, Caesar!”
As many do, I often look forward to giving specific films a second look. There are certain instances where a movie simply doesn’t click for me. It may be a movie that I originally approached with ridiculously high and unobtainable expectations. It may be from filmmakers with a track record for creating movies I truly … Continue reading
REVIEW: “10 Cloverfield Lane”
So I guess we can actually say there is now a Cloverfield franchise? That certainly seems to be the case with the release of “10 Cloverfield Lane”. Whether this is the first of several Cloverfield tie-ins, who knows, but I do wonder if the creators of the original film (a 2008 surprise hit) ever envisioned … Continue reading
REVIEW: “Francofonia”
Director Alexander Sokurov’s love for art and culture was made evident in 2002’s “Russian Ark”. Using a single 95 minute take, this historical drama explored over 33 rooms in Saint Petersburg’s Winter Palace (now part of Russia’s State Heritage Museum). The film is impossible to categorize. It’s rich with dramatic elements while at the same … Continue reading