I had absolutely no interest in seeing Paddington 2. None. I saw the first film, just a week or two ago, and didn't love it. It wasn't poorly made, or anything. It just wasn't made for me. The humor and presentation were squarely aimed at kids, with little for adults to enjoy. And there's nothing wrong... Continue Reading →
Oh, the Razzies. Every year, the night before the Academy Awards, the Golden Raspberry Awards are held to ostensibly "honor" the worst in film from the previous year. Such delight is taken in tearing down the work of others and doing so in a way that is not the slightest bit constructive, but rather mean-spirited... Continue Reading →
Original US release date: December 25, 2008 Production budget: $60,000,000 Worldwide gross: $242,717,113 Ah, the joys of pet ownership. There have been many, many films about the bond between animal and human throughout the years. Few seem to have resonated as much or left the same lasting impression upon viewing audiences as David Frankel's 2008... Continue Reading →
Today is the day when so many on your Facebook feed likes to pretend they've seen all the recent movies as they band together to vocally dispute the Academy Award nominations. In reality, most have seen four or five movies from the previous year in total, and maybe one - two, if they're lucky -... Continue Reading →
Original US release date: March 20, 2009 Production budget: Unknown Worldwide gross: $900,689 The Great Buck Howard is a bit of a mystery. Not the film, itself, but the circumstances surrounding the film. The low-budget production, distributed by Magnolia Pictures, never really reached an audience. Despite its charming narrative and characters and its brand-name cast,... Continue Reading →
(Don't miss the previous 2017 Year in Review columns: 2017's Top Five Horror Movies, 2017’s Five Coolest Characters, and 2017’s Five Best Villains!) Any business venture is a risk, and that doesn't preclude the movie industry. There are virtually no guarantees that any one particular film will be a financial success. Generally speaking, most people assume that if... Continue Reading →
Has anyone played the same exact character archetype with the regularity and consistency of Liam Neeson? This time, he reunites with director Jaume Collet-Serra (who won me over entirely with this underrated 2016 gem) as they are joined by The Conjuring alumnae Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson for The Commuter, an action-thriller set upon a commuter train. ... Continue Reading →
Insidious: The Last Key is hitting at a poor time for me as I'm trying to catch all of the prestige films that are swamping theaters and also balancing work and family. It's tough and this film, though I liked the earlier installments well enough, hasn't exactly been the top priority on my list. Nonetheless,... Continue Reading →
I've said it numerous times before, but I'll state, once again, that Tom Hanks is my all-time favorite actor. There's absolutely no way I would miss any of his films in the theater, but team him up with Steven Spielberg and Meryl Streep and I don't see how anyone with decent taste could resist. If that... Continue Reading →
Original US release date: October 27, 1995 Production budget: $9,500,000 Worldwide gross: $30,862,156 Another Thursday, another throwback! This time, from director-writer Victor Salva (Jeepers Creepers and a whole bunch of personal issues that will not be delved into here) comes science-fiction drama Powder. The film tells the story of genius albino teenager Jeremy (Sean Patrick Flannery)... Continue Reading →
The Movie March! 