Suicide Squad is now up to a $635 million worldwide haul on a reported $175 million budget. Without question, that's a financial success (unless we possibly take into account marketing costs). But as I saw the movie for a second time over the weekend, more and more issues jumped out at me. This column is... Continue Reading →
I've been a little hesitant to see War Dogs. I originally had planned to see it last weekend, but I loved Kubo and the Two Strings so much, I instead opted to see that one a second time. I like the cast and crew behind War Dogs (which is why I ultimately decided to go for it), but... Continue Reading →
Whew! I almost got through this block of ten movies without seeing any horror films! I'm glad I kept the streak up and I was pretty excited to see Don't Breathe. Rolling into theaters following an excellent marketing campaign and a lot of hype, Don't Breathe features a truly original concept (have you read my thoughts on original... Continue Reading →
Original US release date: October 17, 2003 Production budget: $9,500,000 Worldwide gross: $107,071,655 Almost 30 years after the original 1974 horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre came this shiny updated version from director Marcus Nispel and superstar it-girl Jessica Biel. Inspired by a true story (which is not the same thing as being "based on" a... Continue Reading →
The weekend of August 19-21, 2016, was a very telling one at the domestic box office. Going into its third weekend, Suicide Squad had performed very strongly over the course of its first week, before plunging over 67% when comparing its first and second weekend grosses. It was always going to come busting out of the... Continue Reading →
What's a year of 100 movies without Meryl Streep, right?! Truth be told, though, director Stephen Frears is the main attraction for me, here. That's not a knock on Meryl Streep. I enjoy her work as much as the next guy. It's just that Frears's Philomena was easily one of my favorite films of 2013... Continue Reading →
Here's a secret: I've never been crazy about Disney's original Pete's Dragon. Really, it was only because of Mickey Rooney's hammy performance. Even as a kid, I thought he was pretty awful in that movie. I hated his performance so much that I couldn't enjoy the rest of the film. So, finally, I have myself a Mickey-Rooney-free... Continue Reading →
This is what I love about the movies. I get absolutely ecstatic when some little film comes out of left field with virtually no warning and shows the whole world how movie-making is supposed to be done. It happens every year. Usually a few times. Kubo and the Two Strings is one of those instances... Continue Reading →
Original US release date: July 3, 2007 Production budget: $150,000,000 Worldwide gross: $709,709,780 Perhaps the easiest, laziest armchair movie critique comes in the form of, "Michael Bay sucks!" Never mind that most people who state this do so because that's what they hear from others. They can't back it up with any real insight or... Continue Reading →
Sausage Party is another great example of the power of intelligent marketing. Highlighting the unique premise from the minds of Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and Evan Goldberg, the trailers and TV spots successfully shined a spotlight on the movie's assets and shrouded its downsides, playing to audiences' desire to see something light but also twisted enough... Continue Reading →
The Movie March! 