In the new crime drama “Just Breathe”, Kyle Gallner plays Nick Bianco, a hardened yet well-meaning man who battles with serious anger management issues. He’s finally started therapy at the behest of his girlfriend Mel (Emyri Crutchfield). Nick is crazy about Mel. So much so that he’s bought an engagement ring with big plans to … Continue reading
“The Long Walk” has a premise that undoubtedly sounds silly on the surface. But as director Francis Lawrence (“The Hunger Games” films) begins to plow deeper, we see a wealth of themes sprout up, most explored through the film’s young characters. Yet despite the strong performances and its surprising thematic heft, “The Long Walk” is … Continue reading
There have been many movies tackling the difficult subject of domestic abuse. But few have offered a more comprehensive on-screen depiction of a deteriorating relationship as “Just the Two of Us”. This well-conceived and well-acted French psychological thriller begins with a romantic first encounter that blossoms into love, marriage, and children. But as insecurity gives … Continue reading
It’s Halloween night – that beloved evening in late October when kids dress up in their favorite costumes and take to their neighborhood streets in hopes of scoring bags full of candy. It’s also a preferred time of the year for deranged and diabolical movie masked murderers to go on blood-drenched killing sprees. It’s a … Continue reading
The French New Wave movement has played a critical role in my deep love for cinema. While it bloomed well before I was born, I later found myself infatuated with the works of Truffaut, Godard, Rohmer, Rivette, Chabrol, Varda, Resnais, and others. So naturally I was drawn to “Nouvelle Vague”, a playful and passionate reimaging … Continue reading
In terms of style and substance, Darren Aronofsky movies tend to have many similarities. Most offer dark examinations of the human experience, often focusing on such themes as self-destructive obsessions, psychological trauma and the like. But his latest is something quite different. “Caught Stealing” is a loud and messy attempt at mixing black comedy with … Continue reading
