Movies – Page 5

Micro Review – Creed II

Posted on November 28, 2018December 4, 2018 by Adam

For a sports drama that relies pretty heavily on inspiration, this was pretty...well...uninspired. There's nothing really unique or interesting about the story, or most of the characters. There are some bright spots in here, don't get me wrong. It's not a bad movie. But it just feels very formulaic and predictable. There's nothing that really comes as a surprise. Before eve...

Micro Review – It’s A Wonderful Life

Posted on November 24, 2018December 4, 2018 by Adam

It's easy to forget how intense and potentially innovating It's a Wonderful Life really was. It's part of the Holiday Canon. It's a universally accepted member of the "Best Christmas movies" discussion. For those of us who still maintain a cable subscription, we'll often catch a scene or two when it's on between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But it's mostly just a "remembered...

Review – In the Mood for Love

Posted on November 23, 2018December 4, 2018 by Adam

Everything about In The Mood For Love is perfectly crafted to make you fall into these characters’ lives. To feel the feelings they feel. The cinematography is tightly framed and deliberate. The slim-fitted, high-necked dresses Maggie Cheung wears are gorgeous, but it seems that her character hides herself in her wardrobe. Tony Leung's performance is both heartbre...

Review – First Reformed

Posted on November 19, 2018November 19, 2018 by Adam

If you didn't look at the credits for this film, it would still be obvious that the filmmaker behind First Reformed has vast experience, unshakeable confidence, and a wealth of talent. Director/writer Paul Schrader may not be a household name, but the movies he’s been involved in are part of a legendary cinematic canon. Among his writing credits are Taxi Driver, R...

Review – The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Posted on November 16, 2018November 19, 2018 by Adam

I don’t know why I thought I wouldn’t love this. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is only the first of six short films featured in this anthology. Each short film stands on its own. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. And when watched consecutively, there is no particular cohesion that ties the stories together. But they still work so well when watched back to ba...

Micro Review – Enemy

Posted on November 15, 2018November 19, 2018 by Adam

You may need to do some work after watching this film. You might need to watch some explanatory YouTube videos, or research the gigantic Ontarian arachnid sculpture Mother, or you might need to just sit and think for a while. Bury yourself deep in your subconscious and ruminate on what it means to have control, or to lose it, to commit, or to self destruct, to lov...

Review – BlacKkKlansman

Posted on November 14, 2018November 19, 2018 by Adam

Spike Lee has always made bold movies. But sometimes he has a tendency to over-stylize his films, OR to let the heavy themes outshine the story. That's not necessarily always bad thing. He has a distinct visual and thematic style - one that has been groundbreaking and highly relevant throughout the course of his career. But his talents, vision, and purpose all see...

Micro Review – Outlaw King

Posted on November 12, 2018November 19, 2018 by Adam

I don't think this movie wants to be an appendage to Braveheart. But that's what it is. It picks up where Braveheart left off, following Robert the Bruce in his morally questionable journey to unite Scotland and free it from British rule (the goal is not morally questionable, but the actions he takes to achieve this goal certainly are). I keep going back and forth...

Micro Review – Focus

Posted on November 7, 2018November 19, 2018 by Adam

I watched this movie while vacationing in Mexico, when there were only a couple channels in English. I missed the beginning. But I saw enough to know how I feel about it. I still love my girl Margot Robbie, and Will Smith is still a straight up superstar. There were brief elements of fun and entertainment. And it's a slick-looking movie and all. But this mostly felt like it was...

Review – American Made

Posted on October 30, 2018November 2, 2018 by Adam

There’s been this new drama/action thriller genre over the past couple decards. I’ve come to think of these movies as Icarus Movies. They’re “Based on a True Story” movies, where an American risk-taker gets sucked into an international criminal enterprise, gets caught up in the lavish lifestyle, flies too close to the sun, and then ultimately gets caught. Sometime...