4.5 Stars – Page 2

Micro Review (Re-watch) – Cast Away

Posted on September 16, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

Man, Cast Away is legit. Also, can't believe I never really realized that it was "Cast Away." Not "Castaway." Sure, Tom Hanks plays a castaway, but he's literally cast...away. For some reason that never really clicked. Anyway, Great movie. Hanks was robbed at the Oscars. 4.5 out of 5 stars

Review – Isle of Dogs

Posted on August 20, 2018February 18, 2019 by Adam

There are very few directors I trust enough to risk buying a movie I have not seen. Wes Anderson is one of those directors. Isle of Dogs was on sale for $10 bucks on Amazon recently. I clicked that Purchase button without even thinking. It's not Wes Anderson's best movie. But who expected it to be? I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and will undoubtedly watch this movie a few mor...

Micro Review (Re-watch) – The Post

Posted on May 17, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

This was even better the second time. I feel like I remember it being a slow movie the first time I saw it. But I don't necessarily think it's that slow after seeing it again. It's compelling and low-key riveting throughout most of its run. And the end was emotional and inspiring. Great film. 4.5 out of 5 stars

Micro Review (Re-watch) – The Master

Posted on April 15, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

I read that The Master is a combination of a few different things that Paul Thomas Anderson molded together (aside from being inspired by L Ron Hubbard and Scientology, it also has parts from an early draft of There Will Be Blood, old navy war stories from Jason Robards, and elements of John Steinbeck's life). And that's not surprising. The film feels like a bunch of different ...

Micro Review – Inherent Vice

Posted on April 5, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

A stoner-noir film starring an entire cast of people I enjoy, and directed by one of my favorite directors. Hell, it's even narrated by Joanna Newsom. I was destined to like this movie. Yes, it's often incoherent, and meandering, and seems to get stuck in places. But this isn't necessarily a movie you watch to get to the end. Yes, you want to know what happens. But more importa...

Micro Review – Room

Posted on March 29, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

A heartbreaking film, with incredible performances from Brie Larsen and young Jacob Tremblay. So many emotions when watching Room. Joy, terror, sadness, excitement, dread. I have a daughter that's Jack's age, so this hit extra hard for me. This is a great film. 4.5 out of 5 stars

Micro Review – Lady Bird

Posted on February 28, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

There's so much right about Lady Bird. It's hilarious, first of all. Much more so than I expected. I laughed out loud multiple times while watching it. And it's a quick-witted movie too, but not in an unrealistic Aaron Sorkin way (not to knock Sorkin). The comparison that comes to mind is Juno. Both are about quirky high school girls who talk fast and get into self-made awkward...

Review – mother!

Posted on February 26, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

Dare I say it? This is a movie about…everything. About life, and death; creation and the apocalypse. About our world, and the destruction of nature as a result of humanity’s greed. It’s about inspiration, and God, and obsession, and art, and the darkness and goodness of humanity. It’s about war. It’s about healing. It’s about the possibility of burning everything ...

Micro Review – The Shape of Water

Posted on February 7, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

This shouldn’t work. But it does. It’s a movie about a mute woman who meets an amphibious/man creature. I’m not a huge Del Toro fan, but The Shape of Water is charming, it’s relevant. It’s strange, and magical, and romantic. The musical score is fantastical and lovely. I think part of what makes this movie feel magical – like a messed up fairy tale – is the way it...

Micro Review – Blade Runner 2049

Posted on January 29, 2018October 17, 2018 by Adam

What a visually stunning movie. One of the best-looking movies I’ve seen recently. It somehow manages to retain the feel of the original film while also staying cutting edge and gritty. It’s probably a bit too long. And the plot feels convoluted at times, mostly because it’s trying to be abstract. If there’s not another sequel in the works, I’d question some of the story el...