(R) Dir. Kevin Costner The first in Costner’s planned four-part Western saga is a massive prologue that fails as a standalone film, but might be the start of a tremendous culmination (2.5 / 5.0) The ‘Western’ – as a genre – has twice had its heyday: during the ‘Golden era’ of the 40s and […]
There is a good movie in “Antebellum” somewhere, with social commentary and a twist that could knock your socks off. Unfortunately, writers/directors Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz whose experience with short films and music videos isn’t enough to make this one work. Musician turned actress Janelle Monae (“Moonlight,” “Hidden Figures”) is completely committed in her role, which is the only reason this
Emilio Estevez follows up his 2010 project “The Way” with another informative, social drama called “The Public.” Written, directed, and staring Estevez, his story reminds us of the saying “no good deed goes unpunished.” In this case, he takes a really impressive cast and wraps them around a story of social injustice, politics and what’s
To say that fashion designer Tom Ford has grown as a filmmaker since A Single Man (2009) would be a dangerous understatement. Ford delivers a masterful thriller, adapting Austin Wright’s Tony & Susan into not just one of the best films of the year but an infectious presentation of art and noir. Nocturnal Animals is many
Is director Nicholas Winding Refn a one hit wonder? He charmed the socks off fanboys, critics, and audiences with Drive in 2011, but has failed to sustain that momentum. A look into his early work showed promise, especially with Bronson (2008) where he gave Tom Hardy his first big leading role. The Danish director is
What began as an exciting and gripping film series back in 2012 has slowly lost its “fire” as the three-part book series / four-part film spectacles come to an anticlimactic close in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. “Glad it’s over,” was the general response, as the series that helped launch Oscar winner Jennifer
Writer/director Owen Moverman helped Woody Harrelson reinvent his career with films The Messenger and Rampart. Now Moverman has created a unique and cinematic experience with Richard Gere. Experimental in nature, Time out of Mind follows a mentally unbalanced, alcoholic, homeless New York man as he wanders the streets. Moverman has Gere at the focus
Most people either love or hate Paul Thomas Anderson’s movies; Boogie Nights and Magnolia were both Oscar nominated films. Anderson’s work evolved with the debut of Punch Drunk Love (showcasing Adam Sandler in his first serious role) and then again with the best picture nominee There Will Be Blood, earning Daniel Day Lewis a second
The rumor was that 20 people walked out of the premiere for The Wait at SXSW. I can’t attest to that, but at the final screening I witnessed five people leave before the end. The Wait isn’t a good movie by any argument, but certainly not the worst at SXSW. However, this is the second