There’s no clever way to lead into this, so I’m just going to state it plainly: Collateral Beauty is a disaster in every possible way. Trying to explain why is a tall order, as I will have to disclose core plot details that were cleverly withheld from the misleading trailers. So if you consider that…
Sometimes a film comes along at the right moment, providing exactly the sort of inspiration one needs in difficult times. Such a film is A United Kingdom, the true story of Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo, “Queen of Katwe”) and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”), an African tribal prince and London office clerk who married…
A fairly long time ago, in a land not very far away (Hollywood, to be exact), the creator of a billion dollar movie and merchandising empire parceled off this gold mine to another group of moguls (Walt Disney Studios), yet still holds an almost mythic-like control over much of the material. In other words, the…
Oppression and fear stalk the environs of Babak Anvari’s superb Under the Shadow. Based on Anvari’s childhood experiences in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War, Under the Shadow brings subjugation, menace and a palatable sense of dread to the screen, with a political element that is constant but never overbearing. The film’s focus is domestic, portraying…
The new-look Spider-Man (Tom Holland) made a big splash in “Captain America: Civil War” and he is sure to do so in his latest rebooted effort, Spider-Man: Homecoming. I say this because Marvel is involved in the production to rub off some of the bad mojo Sony has dripped upon the franchise over the past…
Well, in case you were wondering, Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) is still a big buffoon who doesn’t understand nuance. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) still has the hots for Gamora (Zoe Saldana) who may finally be enjoying the attention. Rocket (Bradley Cooper) still has a hard-on for blowing things up, but mostly on display in…
One rule that definitely SHOULD apply for Rules Don’t Apply, “Thou shalt not let your main and most interesting character be overshadowed by two supporting actors that have neither the chemistry or the intrigue to carry a short feature, let alone a two-plus hour one.” But, like the moldy 1994 romcom, “I.Q.,” where Walter Matthau’s…
