In Conclave, director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front, Jack) presents a tightly wound political thriller that feels both timeless and contemporary. Adapted from Robert Harris’s best-selling novel, the film immerses us in the secretive and insular world of the Vatican’s most powerful body—the Sacred College of Cardinals, tasked with choosing the next […]
Why 20th Century Studios is releasing the prequel “The King’s Man” amid the awards films and a dominating superhero film is anyone’s guess. Director Matthew Vaughn’s prequel to “Kingsman,” however, is quite impressive in the second half. Vaughn, who wrote the screenplay and directed the franchise’s previous films, assembles an impressive cast that includes Ralph
Quintessential Bond with the complex plot, hair-raising chases, pretty women, and lots of booze and gadgets. Bond (Craig)—who has “disappeared” after seeing that arch-enemy Blofeld (Waltz) is incarcerated—is found in Jamaica by his old friend, CIA officer Felix Leiter (Wright), after Bond has just unceremoniously put his girlfriend Madeleine (Seydoux) on the train because of his
Talking to the animals and having them respond back. This movie is surprisingly convincing in making you think it is possible. Dr. Dolittle (Downey) has been holed up in his house, not doing much of anything but talking to his animals after he lost his love Lili on her adventure at sea. He lives with these creatures, and
Gavin Hood (“Eye in the Sky,” “Enders Game“) might be a ‘hit or miss’ director, but his latest film exposes a story most Americans are unfamiliar with. “Official Secrets” centers around a whistleblower who leaked classified information during the War with Iraq. Why is a movie in 2019 looking so far back to something that’s
The humanization of Batman (Arnett) turns out to be very funny with glitzy animation and some substance to the message. As evidenced by audience reaction at the screening, those familiar with DC comics will get many references that fly past those of us who are uninformed. But even for those unfamiliar with all the Batman
What a perfect blend of visual beauty, creativity, magical stories, and delightful lessons for life! The American stop-motion animation studio Laika is well known for its quality work (Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls), and Kubo and the two Strings represents their best in my opinion. The visual beauty lies mostly in the sheets of paper that
Sometimes you just need a vacation from summer blockbusters and special effects. Rare is there a film that can offer sexy scenery and bodies combined with great performances and a compelling narrative. Yet, Italian film A Bigger Splash offers all that. Director Luca Guadagnino has worked with Oscar winner Swinton (Michael Clayton, Snowpiercer) many times,
The Coen Brothers latest film, “Hail, Caesar” is a really good B-movie. It’s always been hit and miss with the Oscar winning duo (No Country For Old Men), known for their work in writing as much as directing. You look at their filmography and it’s literally as if someone turns the light switch on and
Daniel Craig’s fourth round as James Bond opens with a wild helicopter sequence in Mexico City during The Day of the Dead. But we might as well be celebrating the death of the Craig collaboration with Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) because for its expansive budget, Spectre doesn’t have much