Adolescence is difficult for a lot of reasons. It’s not just the physical or chemical changes that make things hard, but the social ones, too. Suddenly the things that didn’t seem to matter are all that matter in determining how… Read More ›
In Theaters
Expectations and perception collide in Mike Gan’s “Burn,” a provocative view into human nature and connection.
Looking at the catalogue of films writer/director Mike Gan has developed, each film appears to deal with the darker sides of humanity. This is not to say that there aren’t protagonists, but that they are muddied and never completely wholesome…. Read More ›
Generational conflicts play out as bloody mayhem in Richard Bates Jr.’s “Tone-Deaf”.
Probably for as long as there have been parents and children, there’s been a war waging between generations. Parents tend to think that the ones coming up have no regard for way things used to be and children think it’s… Read More ›
“Ready Or Not,” here comes the bride.
Every family has their traditions, the little things that they do in order to carry forward to the future the notions of the past. Where things tend to get tricky is when someone marries in. Suddenly it’s not about one… Read More ›
Manga adaptation “Kingdom” is not just for the fans, but for adventure-seekers everywhere.
For the uninitiated, watching the trailer for director Shinsuke Sato’s (Inuyashiki) Kingdom will be confusing and potentially befuddling. Frankly, it’s just a whirlwind of content as text lays out the plot amid rapid images from the film all while “Wasted… Read More ›
“The Bromley Boys” is a novel adaptation that will break through even the most cynical of hearts.
It’s hard to truly comprehend just how much of an institution soccer (or “football” literally anywhere else but here, to which I will be referring to it as) is beyond the American borders. Throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and… Read More ›
Director Alexandre Moratto crafts a personal portrait reflective of his experiences in “Socrates”.
From the opening shot of director Alexandre Moratto’s Brazilian coming-of-age drama, Socrates, audiences will recognize that they are in for a very personal, brutally honest, and unrelenting emotional journey following the life of a struggling young teen in São Paulo…. Read More ›
Mitch McLeod’s “Silhouette” packs big budget tension in a small budget film.
No matter the genre, the most compelling stories are the ones which tap into something primal in the audience. Fear, delight, rage, and joy are ingrained in us as a means of survival in an uncontrollable cosmos. A good writer… Read More ›
Sudeikis, Pace, and Greer make “Driven,” the somewhat true story of John DeLorean’s fall from grace, an emotional ride.
If you’re a child of the ‘80s, there’s one car that pops into your mind the moment you think about the era; a vehicle made famous by Robert Zemeckis’s Back to the Future series and infamous throughout automotive history. The… Read More ›
Documentary “ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas” wonderfully celebrates 50 years of Texas Rock n’ Blues.
Critically-acclaimed documentarian and International Emmy-winning filmmaker Sam Dunn takes the directorial reins in his latest project, ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s 1969 conception, this documentary tells the story of the… Read More ›
“Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” is Quentin Tarantino’s Storybook Tribute to the Hollywood of Old.
It is quite a challenging task to touch on every element that makes a Quentin Tarantino film work. It would not even be a stretch to say that one could write an entire dissertation essay on over a dozen individual… Read More ›
“Ode to Joy” is a rom-com that reminds how good the genre really can be.
Ode to Joy, Jason Winer’s return to the cinema screen after 2008’s Arthur remake, takes the traditional romantic comedy story arc and adds a genetic disease into the mix. Unlike films that came before it, the mix of a humorous… Read More ›
“The Kitchen” lays bare all of the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes with mob life in this DC Vertigo adaptation.
Ask virtually anyone and they’ll tell you that the only thing in the theaters these days are reboots, remakes, and superhero films. To a degree, that’s pretty spot on. Studios make more of what audiences pay to see and nostalgia… Read More ›
By shedding tropes, the genuine and heartfelt “The Peanut Butter Falcon” soars.
Often in cinema, acclaim comes to non-disabled performers telling the stories of members of the disabled community. Jon Voight in Coming Home, Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, and Sean Penn in I Am Sam are just a few which come… Read More ›
It may not yet offer justice for Han, but “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” brings all the popcorn-munching, adrenaline-fueled action you desire.
When it comes to the Fast & Furious films, the first thing you do is check your brain at the door. These aren’t films for intellectuals, but are pure popcorn-munching, adrenaline-fueled action spectaculars where the men and women are fierce… Read More ›
“Leo Da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa” is fun for the whole family.
With the LEGO films, a Secret Life sequel, an upcoming Playmobil film — not a joke — and all the other big studio animated films, it’s easy to miss out on the smaller films from less well-known studios. One such… Read More ›
Powerful documentary “The Queen” receives a loving 4K restoration and a return to theaters.
What’s the first thing you think of when you think of drag? I’d wager a bet to say that 95% of readers would say RuPaul, known for the worldwide phenomenon that is RuPaul’s Drag Race, a competition reality show having… Read More ›
Though predictable at times, “Astronaut” manages to hit escape velocity with its emotional moments.
Time has a way of putting things into perspective. In our youth, we think it a limitless resource. In old age, we think it precious. Often, the older we become, the less concerned we are for how things look or… Read More ›
“The Mountain” turns the camera on the darker aspects of 1950s America.
Art is, by and large, up to the individual to determine its value. What is beloved by one can be reviled by another. While some engage in heated debate, others forgo intellectual discourse for out-right verbal fisticuffs when others don’t… Read More ›
“Into the Ashes” is an engaging, introspective crime thriller.
Writer/director Aaron Harvey has a distinct thing for set-ups and betrayals. His last two features — Catch .44 and The Neighbor — deal distinctly in these aspects as characters don’t know who to trust at any given moment. Where those films… Read More ›