Author Archives
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“Twisters” is summer popcorn fun with its “if you feel it chase it” energy.
1996’s Twister, starring Bill Paxton (Near Dark; Weird Science) and Helen Hunt (As Good As It Gets), holds a place of nostalgia for many. That film has resonated with viewers, making it something they have continuously returned to years later…. Read More ›
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Grab your Tropical Fruit Bubblicious and Skittles buckle up for another ride with Mike and Marcus in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”
The Bad Boys franchise has become a staple in the “buddy cop” genre. The film delivered the expected goods, thanks to the banter of Martin Lawrence (Life) and Will Smith (Men in Black). Add in director Michael Bay (Armageddon) (the… Read More ›
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A lackluster extended cut can’t reduce the impact of “The Fall Guy” as a summer blockbuster.
The cinema has entered a weird stage in its history. Movies still arrive in theaters weekly but have shorter life spans. This means certain films have a quick turnaround on the home release market. While not yet on Blu-ray or… Read More ›
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The Criterion Collection adds Mikhail Kalatozov’s drama “I Am Cuba” into the collection.
Films can be more than just the latest sci-fi/superhero blockbuster or summer comedy. Some films aspire to teach audiences lessons and history. I Am Cuba (Soy Cuba), a 1964 political propaganda film, is one such story. Its historical richness and… Read More ›
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You’ll cheer for, cry for, fall in love with, but won’t forget “The Fall Guy.”
The summer movie season happens earlier and earlier every year. What once started in June has now begun as early as April. This has set a precedent for the summer movie season as a whole. No matter the film, it… Read More ›
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The home release of “Eileen” is skin and bones, unlike its lead performances.
Certain films slipped through the cracks in the heat of the 2023 awards season. Everything released at that time was not going for the gold. Those smaller films attempt to achieve other successes. Outside of the awards season rush, some… Read More ›
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New re-release of Dwayne Johnson’s “Faster” is an effective ‘70s action movie homage with a lack of behind-the-scenes insights.
Dwayne Johnson (Southland Tales) has become one of the biggest celebrities of our time. Johnson revitalized what it meant to be a modern-day action star. Before a career breakthrough in 2011’s Fast Five, he took on varying B-movie-esque roles. While… Read More ›
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“Bob Marley: One Love” fumbles its attempts to capture the icon’s life and legacy.
Musical biopics can deliver some rousing cinematic feats. Not only can they appease fans of classic artists, but they can also inform them about the artists’ lives. The finished results can be bountiful in the right films (Straight Outta Compton… Read More ›
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Matthew Vaughn’s spy actioner “Argylle” is a fun and zany spy adventure that delivers entertainingly mixed results.
Director Matthew Vaughn revitalized the spy-genre with the Kingsman franchise. Those films offered a different take on the typical James Bond-esque espionage story. The films were more brutal and bloody, reinvigorating the genre for audiences. After three Kingsman films, Vaughn… Read More ›
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“The Book of Clarence” is an entertaining and modernized homage to biblical epics.
Biblical epics are harder to find in cinemas nowadays. Classics like Ben-Hur (1959) and The Ten Commandments (1956) are theatrical landmarks. Hollywood has avoided these kinds of stories in recent years, until now. The Book of Clarence tells a different… Read More ›
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Director Blitz Bazawule’s “The Color Purple” is a melodramatic, phenomenally acted, and joyous musical.
1985’s The Color Purple is a film beloved by many over the years. Its themes of identity resonated with audiences over time. With the original being nominated for 11 Academy Awards, it was a matter of time before it was… Read More ›
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Jump into a viewer-friendly historical financial escapade immersed in humor with the home release of “Dumb Money.”
Movies about finance can be difficult to translate to the big screen. The complicated terminology and history can feel overwhelming to those unfamiliar with that world. The GameStop stock short-squeeze is a prime example of this very thing. It’s a… Read More ›
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On home video now, Emanuele Crialese’s “L’immensità” is a pure and genuine family love story.
Movies are designed to teach audiences about themselves and each other. In certain cases, that could be about something as simple as common interests. For others, it could be something more interpersonal, like relationships, or being able to find your… Read More ›
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Brett Morgen’s exciting and cerebral journey with the Star Man, David Bowie, “Moonage Daydream,” joins The Criterion Collection.
David Bowie was one of the music industry’s most eclectic voices. Songs such as “Life on Mars,” “Starman,” and the classic “Moonage Daydream,” let the musician craft a unique voice for himself. His unique style would prove challenging to adapt… Read More ›
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The Criterion Collection adds Nicolas Roeg’s “Don’t Look Now,” an affecting, spooky, and atmospheric meditation on grief.
The horror genre has had an interesting trajectory over the course of cinema. The 1970s was one of its most interesting periods. Films like Halloween (1978), The Wicker Man (1973), and The Exorcist (1973) helped define the genre. There was… Read More ›
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“Insidious: The Red Door” is a disappointing home release for a disappointing series conclusion.
The Insidious franchise was a surprise hit in 2010. It allowed director James Wan to make a name for himself as a maestro of horror. Insidious’s success has now spawned a franchise of five feature films. It includes a series… Read More ›
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Arrow Video adds a limited edition of Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” to their collection.
Martin Scorsese is one of the best directors working in the industry today. In his cavalcade of mature and grown-up films, there are not many for kids. His 2011 film Hugo was a unique piece of his overall filmography. The… Read More ›
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“No Hard Feelings” is a surface-level raunchy comedy with surprising amounts of heart, available on home video now.
No Hard Feelings was a welcome reminder of a story that does not get made anymore. Jennifer Lawrence (Causeway) stars as Maddie, a 32-year-old bartender and Uber driver in Montauk, New York. After having her car repossessed and facing bankruptcy,… Read More ›
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Explore Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City,” a film that is more than meets the eye, on home video now.
The stories of Wes Anderson’s films can be best compared to Russian nesting dolls. Throughout their running time, the layers and deeper meanings begin to present themselves. Films like Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), The Grand Budapest Hotel… Read More ›
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“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” brings the turtles back in a chaotic and hilarious adventure.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back with a new animated adventure after a rocky track record in live-action adaptations. The writing team of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Jeff Rowe attempts to deliver a new take with Teenage Mutant… Read More ›