The Deer Hunter is an iconic ‘70s film that has not aged well. The story follows a group of friends as they go off to the Vietnam War and how it affects them. Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage form a powerful cast, but their performances feel a bit forced. The storytelling is particularly weak and unfocused; spending far too much time establishing characters and far too little time developing them. Yet, The Deer Hunter has its moments and tries (though somewhat inadequately) to say something important about the effects of war.
Mel Gibson delivers a raw and uncompromising vision of the Crucifixion in The Passion of the Christ that takes it out of mythology and makes it an experience that cannot be forgotten. The film forces the audience to go through the suffering and death of Jesus of Nazareth on a visceral level unlike anything that has been done before. It’s extraordinarily emotionally draining, drawing the audience in so as to feel every whiplash and every nail of the cross. The imagery is haunting and is assisted by the use of the Aramaic language to create a completely immersive experience that transcends film. The Passion of the Christ isn’t entertainment, not by any stretch of the imagination, but instead acts as a Rorschach test that challenges the audience.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a powerful and moving film about friendship and forgiveness. Based on a true story, investigative journalist Lloyd Vogel interviews children’s television entertainer Fred Rogers for an article, but it soon turns into something more as Rogers takes a personal interest in Vogel and his family. Both Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys give great performances; particularly Hanks, who really captures the spirit and personality of Rogers. Additionally, director Marielle Heller does a brilliant job at homaging the look and feel of the Mr. Rogers Neighborhood show by integrating faux segments of the show as part of the film’s narrative. Incredibly creative and inspiring, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbor is a touching film with a positive message.
Toy Story is a masterpiece, and one of those few films that changed the medium forever. It was the first fully computer animated film, and took CGI to a whole new level. But more than that, it created a whole new way of storytelling that could appeal to both children and adults. With a powerhouse cast that included Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Jim Varney, and Wallace Shawn, it’s clear that Pixar took the film seriously and wanted quality performers to bring the animation to life; and they did. Toy Story is a creative and imaginative film that elevated filmmaking to a new level.
Is this even a movie? Creepshow III plays like a bad fan film shot at some guy’s house for a couple hundred bucks. There’s no real acting, the production values are shit, and the stories don’t make any sense. A complete travesty, this garbage has no business being part of the Creepshow series.
Equilibrium is a smart and well-crafted science fiction thriller. In a dystopian future where emotion is outlawed and suppressed by the State a cleric charged with rooting out dissidents begins to experience emotion and has a crisis of conscience. The story deals with interesting questions about what makes a person alive and the purpose of the law. Featuring Christian Bale, Emily Watson, and Taye Diggs, the casting is quite good and delivers strong performances. Additionally, the choreography for the fight sequences is outstanding, and adds a lot of excitement and energy to the film. Still, there are some formulaic and stereotypical parts that detract a bit. Yet while it has its flaws, Equilibrium is a powerful and thrilling science fiction adventure.
“How can the same sh** happen to the same guy twice?” Right?! Die Hard 2 suffers (as so many films do) from the sequel syndrome: more of the same, and bigger. John McClane finds himself facing off with terrorists once again when a rogue military group takes control of the Dulles International Airport and holds the planes hostage, including the plane his wife is on. Unfortunately the film just tries too hard and comes up short; unable to meet the high bar set by the original. And as a result, it’s overstuffed with McClane tossing out jokes and quips left and right like a one-man comedy show, and three main villains involved in an overly complex terrorist plot. However, director Renny Harlin brings the action with some spectacular sequences. While Die Hard 2 has its problem, it’s still an exciting, action-packed adventure that’s extremely entertaining.
One of the greatest disaster films ever made, The Poseidon Adventure is an intense thriller that never lets up. In the middle of its transatlantic voyage the S.S. Poseidon capsizes on New Year's, leaving a small group of passengers to struggle for survival by climb through the bowels of the ship in an attempt to reach rescue. The all-star cast includes Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Roddy McDowall, Shelley Winters, and Pamela Sue Martin. The set designs are amazing, and really give the sense of being in an upside-down ship. The special effects are also especially well done; enhancing the film by adding suspense and a sense of danger. The Poseidon Adventure is a compelling and ground-breaking film that set a new standard for the disaster genre.
Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode star in the subversive dark comedy Silent Night. On the eve of an impending ecological disaster a family gathers for one last Christmas. The film is surprisingly political, dealing with themes of environmentalism, medical ethics, and euthanasia. But the filmmakers do a good job at keeping the focus on the characters and never let the political issues overshadow them. Still, the plot is underdeveloped and leaves a lot intentionally vague or unaddressed. Also, the humor is rather morbid and crass; what little there is. A provocative and controversial film, Silent Night explores some interesting issues, but can be kind of trite and overly dramatic at times.
From Judd Apatow and Jason Segel comes the outrageously hilarious comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The story follows Peter Bretter who goes on a Hawaiian vacation in an attempt to get over his break up with famed television star Sarah Marshall only to find that she’s also vacationing there with her new boyfriend. The cast is especially good and includes Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Russell Brand, who all deliver excellent performances. Additionally, the writing is well-done and feels genuine; partially because of how raw and savagely honest the humor is, which really works for the film. However, the directing is a bit weak and not all of the humor works. But despite a few rough edges, Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a wickedly fun romantic comedy that goes all out.
Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges lead the cast in the psychological drama K-PAX. The story follows a psychiatric patient named Prot who believes that he’s an alien from the planet K-PAX, and despite his psychiatrist’s best efforts Prot proves to be remarkably convincing. Both Spacey and Bridges deliver excellent performances and have great chemistry together. And, the film does an especially good job at keeping the story ambiguous, allowing for several different interpretations. Additionally, the score’s mystical and surreal tones complements the material extraordinarily well. Full of mystery and intrigue, K-PAX is a smart and compelling film.
Girl, Interrupted is a compelling psychological drama based on the memoir by Susana Kaysen. After a suicide attempt a troubled young girl finds herself committed to a psychiatric hospital and must find her way back to sanity through her madness. Both Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie give brilliant, captivating performances, and are backed by a strong supporting cast that includes Brittany Murphy, Clea DuVall, and Whoopi Goldberg. Also, the directing is exceptionally well-done and enhances the psychological themes of the film. And, the soundtrack perfectly complements the tone and setting. A fascinating look at the struggles of mental illness, Girl, Interrupted is an extraordinarily powerful and moving film.
Incredibly disappointing, 47 Meters Down: Uncaged has none of the intensity or terror of the original. When four high school girls explore an underwater cavern they end up getting trapped inside with several sharks. The plot is extremely contrived and just gets more outlandish as it goes on. None of the actors are very good, and it’s hard to distinguish who’s who among all the scuba gear and screaming. And the shark attacks are just ridiculous (feeling more like a slasher villain that randomly pops out of nowhere). 47 Meters Down: Uncaged is a cheesy, low-budget horror film that doesn’t deliver any scares.
Hysterically funny, Not Another Teen Movie is a brilliant sendup of the teen genre. Parodying She’s All That, American Pie, Cruel Intentions, Jawbreaker, Pretty in Pink, Bring It On, and many, many others, the film does a great job at covering the major hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s. And the satire is incredibly well-done, and uses the clichés and stereotypes of the genre in fun, clever ways. Starring Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans, Jaime Pressly, Mia Kirshner, Lacey Chabert, and Eric Christian Olsen, the casting is especially good, and they do an excellent job at playing to the character archetypes of teen films. Yet while the comedy’s broad enough to work for a general audience, to really appreciate Not Another Teen Movie and what it’s doing you have to know the material it’s spoofing.
Black Christmas isn’t so much a horror movie as it’s a “toxic masculinity” allegory. After pulling a prank on the AKO fraternity the girls of the MKE sorority find themselves being picked off and hunted by mysterious men in black cloaks and masks. Featuring Imogen Poots and Carl Elwes, the cast isn’t too bad, but they’re stuck playing rather cliché stereotypes. And the film just won’t let up on the Me Too politics. It fact, it seems to forget that it’s a horror film; as most of the kills take place off-screen or are cut away from – denying the audience the blood and gore that they’ve come for. Incredibly disappointing, Black Christmas is a jumbled mess that’s more concerned with knocking the patriarchy than delivering scares.
Rocky Balboa is a wonderful conclusion to one of the greatest film sagas in American cinema. Writer/director Sylvester Stallone takes the series back to its roots, crafting a great story about the triumph of the human spirit. Experiencing difficulties with accepting retirement and the passing of his wife, Adrian, Rocky returns to the ring for an exhibition match against the current world heavyweight champion in an attempt to go the distance one last time. This final chapter returns the series to a character drama that focuses on Rocky’s struggles and his personal journey. Rocky Balboa is a lovely epilogue to the Rocky saga, and gives the character a fitting and uplifting sent off that’s truly inspirational.
Dracula is a classic Universal Monster Movie that brought Bram Stoker’s horrific tale to the silver screen. Bela Lugosi dons the cape and gives an iconic performance as Count Dracula. And, the sets and matte paintings are quite impressive and still hold up; creating a surreal and nightmarish atmosphere. However, the story has been streamlined to make it more of a battle between Dracula and Van Helsing. For the 1930s, Dracula is a strong and frightening film that’s especially well-crafted.
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride is a morbidly whimsical animated film with a unique visual style. The story follows a reluctant groom who’s arranged to be married, but is whisked away to the underworld by the Corpse Bride; a young woman who was murdered while eloping and continued to look for a groom throughout her afterlife. The plot’s rather weak and doesn’t have a clear focus or fully developed characters. However, the performances by Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Emily Watson are fairly good. And, the stop-motion animation is quite impressive, and is full of interesting character designs. Danny Elfman’s score is also especially well-done, though the songs are rather mediocre and unmemorable. A dark and surreal comedy, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride is entertaining but ends up being more style than substance.
Tomorrow Never Dies delivers one of the most explosive and action packed Bond adventures. A media mogul attempts to push Britain and China into a world war, and it's up to James Bond to uncover the plot and save the day. Pierce Brosnan is in top form and takes Bond to the next level. Additionally, the Bond girls, Michelle Yeoh and Teri Hatcher, give strong, engaging performances that really work well. But the villain is weak, and a bit too cartoonish (even for Bond). However, the action sequences are some of the best choreographed of the series. From start to finish Tomorrow Never Dies is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat adventure.
From writer/director Quentin Tarantino comes the cult classic Pulp Fiction. The film tells an anthology of interconnected stories surrounding an LA gangster. John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, and Ving Rhames make up an all-star cast who all give excellent performances. And, Tarantino does a brilliant job using nonlinear storytelling, and writing clever, witty dialog. However, the stories go to some bizarre places and often lingers a bit too long on minutiae. Even though it has a few drawbacks, Pulp Fiction is an immensely entertaining and fascinating film.
Matt Reeves explores the detective side of Batman in DC’s latest relaunch of the franchise, The Batman. Batman finds himself drawn into a serial killer case when the killer leaves riddles addressed to him at the crime scenes. Starring Robert Pattinson, Jeffrey Wright, Zoë Kravitz, Colin Farrell, and Andy Serkis, the film has a strong cast; though Pattinson isn’t a particularly compelling Batman. And neither is the story for that matter. In fact, it’s needlessly convoluted. Also, the film’s near 3-hour length and slow pacing doesn’t help either. However, the fight scenes and chases are intense and exciting, and there are some interesting changes to the Batman mythology. Additionally, the score by Michael Giacchino is quite good, and helps to set a dark, noir-ish tone. The Batman is one of the weaker takes on the DC property, but is still entertaining.
The games continue in Escape Room: Tournament of Champions. Six survivors of previous Minos escape room games are brought together for another series of deadly games. Unfortunately none of the new characters seem like champions, never displaying the intelligence or skill of a gamesman. Nor do the games themselves seem all that clever or inventive. Although, some of this could be explained by the final reveal. Nevertheless, there’s still a fair amount of intrigue to the games and a couple of exciting action sequences. Plot issues aside, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions is a fairly entertaining film that delivers some good thrills.
A Boy Called Christmas is a magical holiday film based on the bestselling children’s book. The story follows a young boy who goes in search of his father and discovers the mythical city of Elfhelm. The film has a solid cast that delivers good performances, and it uses an interesting storyteller narrative that adds a surreal quality. Also, the special effects are especially well-done. However, the plot itself is rather weak and isn’t a particularly compelling Santa Claus/Christmas origin story. Yet while it has a few problems, A Boy Called Christmas is an entertaining film that the whole family can enjoy.
Happy Life Day. Worse than you could ever imagine, The Star Wars Holiday Special lives up to its reputation. Unbearable to watch, it’s just amazing how atrocious Star Wars can be in the wrong hands.
Kevin McCallister turns into Damien in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. No longer content with stirring-up mischief at home, Kevin goes to New York City to terrorize a 5 star hotel; and when that doesn’t satisfy him, he tracks down the Wet Bandits and flat out attempts to murder them. The film tries to pass off the same shtick in a new setting, but it doesn’t work. All of the innocence and charm that the first film had is gone now that Kevin is seeking out trouble, and he appears not to have learned any lessons from losing his family the first time. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is violent, humorless schlock tied in a bow.
Resident Evil: Retribution is an atrociously awful piece of garbage that even zombies would find unwatchable. There really is no plot to speak of; instead it plays out as a first-person shooter video game. And the acting is god-awful...in facts it’s even worse than that. The series is completely bereft of ideas, and is running completely on empty. Offensive in how little effort it puts forth, there’s nothing engaging or thrilling about the action or the characters in Resident Evil: Retribution.
A bizarre mystery thriller (maybe?), Paradise Hills is an incoherent mess. The story follows a group of young women who are sent to a therapy resort but soon become suspicious of the “therapy” and begin to plan an escape. Featuring Emma Roberts, Eiza González, and Milla Jovovich, the cast isn’t too bad; though their performances are a bit wanting. And the plot is hard to follow, setting itself in a dystopian future or alternate reality, mixing sci-fi and fantasy. Still, the set and costume designs are rather interesting and makes for a number of visually stunning scenes. Somewhere in all of this there’s a message about conformity and power structures, but it’s muddled. Paradise Hills is just a poorly made film that puts too much emphasis on artistic style and not enough on storytelling.
Fun with Dick and Jane is a subpar comedy that tries to be clever but falls flat. After getting promoted to Vice President and setup as the fall guy for his company’s imminent collapse, Dick Harper finds himself unemployable and resorts to a life of crime, along with his wife, to stop from losing their house. Starring Jim Carrey, Téa Leoni, Alec Baldwin, and Richard Jenkins, the film has a strong cast, but their performances are pretty weak (particularly Carrey who plays up the slap-stick to the extreme). However the script doesn’t help any, as the characters are all written as broad caricatures and the political commentary couldn’t be more heavy-handed. Still, some of the jokes work and the soundtrack does a good job at complimenting the tone of the film. Yet while it has its entertaining moments, Fun with Dick and Jane is a convoluted mess.
Max is off to the country in The Secret Life of Pets 2, a fun animated family film. When Max’s owner and her husband go to visit their uncle’s farm Max meets a sheepdog named Rooster who shows him the ropes of farm life; meanwhile Gidget loses Max’s favorite toy and has to infiltrate an apartment full of cats to get it back. Featuring the voice talents of Patton Oswalt, Harrison Ford, Kevin Hart, Dana Carvey, Ellie Kemper, and Jenny Slate, the film has a solid cast that delivers great performances. And the animation is especially good; with bright, crisp colors. Also, the humor is incredibly funny and does a great job at satirizing the eccentricities of pets and the human-pet relationship. Clever and entertaining, The Secret Life of Pets 2 is a comedy that all ages can enjoy.
A confounding maze of garbage, The Matrix Reloaded is full of bad code. Taking the series in a completely new direction, the story picks up with Zion, the last human city, preparing for a massive assault by the machine army: meanwhile Morpheus carries out a daring mission within the Matrix to end the war by getting Neo into the Source. The writing is rather weak, with cryptic, nonsensical dialog that sounds extremely pretentious. And the CGI is incredibly bad, looking more like video game graphics. The fight choreography is also remarkably poor and fake looking; as it’s over reliant on the conceit that the laws of physicals can be bent within the Matrix. Still, the slick visual style is extraordinarily impressive and is incredibly imaginative. While there are a lot of interesting things going on in The Matrix Reloaded, it’s just too out-of-control to really enjoy.
