Sadly, people are debating about whether to release any movie smaller than “Transformers”-size in a theater at all. Some argue that small and mid-size movies will be seen by a wider audience if they just stream on various platforms or Video-On Demand, but to me that would basically symbolize the death of independent cinema and…
Category: Monday Morning Movie Reviewer
Movie Review: Why “Alien: Covenant” is a Step Backward for the Franchise
Even before “Alien: Covenant” opened to softer-than-expected box office, I was dubious it would really offer the creative goods. That’s why I placed it in the “I’m not so sure about” section of my summer movie preview, and watching the film didn’t really change anything. I still wish they had made a more direct sequel…
Movie Review: King Arthur
“King Arthur” holds the dubious distinction of being “Summer 2017’s First Big Flop.” Uhhh…congratulations? To celebrate, what do you get the movie who has nothing, including dismal reviews, bad box office, and its franchise hopes dashed? How about a mild Alabama Liberal review that points out what the movie does right? I’m just kidding, this…
Movie Review: “The Circle” When A Movie Can’t Properly Adapt A Great Book
A perfect example of why a movie reviewer should avoid reading the book a movie is based on–if they can–because I probably would’ve enjoyed this film (about an omnipotent tech company) much more if I hadn’t read the book. It’s true that when you really, really love a book that no movie can really adapt…
Movie Review: “The Fate of the Furious”…Does Charlize Theron Owe Back Taxes?
Life’s biggest questions: Is there a God?…What happens when you die?…What is the secret to life?…Why are “The Fast and the Furious” movies popular? Answers: Concepts of “God” are structured around an all-knowing and guiding being, and the creation of life (and millenniums of evolution) was probably much more random than that…I really doubt there…
Monday Morning Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy 2
The box office is huge, the reviews are ecstatic, and the Cinemascore grade from audiences is an “A.” So it’s safe to say nearly anyone will really love this movie, and even if I thought it was only good rather than great, that’s no small thing at all considering I haven’t truly loved any Marvel property…ever, and am just…
Movie Review: Logan Vs. King Kong Skull Island
In this landscape of Disney remakes, unasked for Power Rangers reboots, uncalled for Fast and Furious sequels, and even a–oh, what the fuck?–R-rated, kitchen-sink CHIPS remake it may look like Hollywood has officially run out of ideas. Even a technically new idea like the sci-fi thriller “Life” looks cobbled together out of 100 “astronauts run…
Monday Morning Movie Reviewer: John Wick Chapter 2
“John Wick Chapter 2” is thrillingly serialized so make sure you see the first one before heading into a theater. You’ll still probably be able to follow this movie—obviously, most scenes work on a visceral level and there’s not much to “get” about a guy killing his way out of a room—but the world-building is…
“Get Out” IS Racist, but Towards Interracial Couples
The buzz and controversy of “Get Out” is deafening, but the few–too few–criticisms the movie appears to be getting is that it’s anti-white or racist towards white people. I don’t really believe that, and there’s little in this movie that hasn’t been in “Machete” or Blaxploitation films, but the film is anti-interracial couples and in that way…
Why “Moonlight” is Really Good, but “La La Land” is Better
Quick Note About Last Night’s Oscars: I nailed literally all the big categories except Best Picture, correctly predicting Mahershala Ali, Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Casey Affleck, Moonlight’s Best Adapted Screenplay, Manchester by the Sea’s Best Original Screenplay, Zootopia, and Damien Chazelle’s Best Director win. So some of this post may be affected by “Moonlight” screwing up my prediction…
Movie Reviews: Nocturnal Animals, Manchester By the Sea, Hidden Figures, Fences, Jackie
Five big Oscar contenders that are all worth watching for different reasons… Nocturnal Animals…Tom Ford’s follow-up to “A Single Man” (still a great movie and all-time best performance from Colin Firth, if you haven’t seen it) isn’t as deep and doesn’t stay with you as long, but it’s still a fun head-game in the moment….
Movie Reviews: War Dogs, Snowden, Our Kind of Traitor
Three very different (but quality) 2016 films about espionage or the military industrial complex… Our Kind of Traitor…If you’ve ever read a John Le Carre novel (and this book is based on one of his most recent ones) then you know his spy tales will be more about slowly untangling suspense than wham-blam action set…
Movie Reviews: Pete’s Dragon, The Secret life of Pets, Sully
Three 2016 films that are family-appropriate (except “Sully” may bore some kids and may scare younger children during the plane crash sequences)… Sully…Listed as one of my “Best Films of 2016,” it’s so old-fashioned it’s practically new-school. Tom Hanks continues his winning streak, and even though some of the scenes suffer from Eastwood’s trademark stodginess,…