Author: coolpapae
-
The VVitch (****1/2) stares back at you
It’s a raw film that feels every bit of the gravity of living and more.
-
In The Heart of the Sea (*1/2) is doldrums
It’d be nice if he could find some way to get himself back into storytelling mode. Something similar to what Reiner has found with low budget gems like Flipped or anything that Jeff Nichols has done. It seems like he thinks he’s reached a status of auteur. These things happen when you make hack commercials…
-
Daddy’s Home (***1/2) two are better than none
My teenage daughter and I spent much of the last 20 minutes laughing. Sometimes for the same reason. This is rare. If you like comedies, this will stand out. If you are suspicious of them, this will not win any awards, but it just might make you smile a time or two. You might even…
-
The Good Dinosaur (***) is very average
How can Pixar release a film that is so average in the same year they release one of their best films? We don’t know either…
-
Midnight Special (****) has a familiar shine
Nichols succeeds with this story, but not to the level of his previous work. The pace works, and the effects are in keeping with the rest of the story up until that big reveal. If you loved what Nichols has done before, you will like this one. That it’s not the groundbreaking work one would…
-
Forgotten Gem: Starman (****1/2) is better than Dutch Apple Pie
John Carpenter’s Starman – 1984 Director John Carpenter Screenplay by Bruce A. Evans & Raynold Gideon Starring Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel, Robert Phalen, Dirk Blocker, M.C. Gainey In my mind’s eye, Starman is a big hit that was seen by everyone in the 1980’s. When Jeff Bridges was nominated for an Oscar as…
-
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (**) – Why build a miracle at all?
It’s not that I hate this film. It’s got some good, albeit disconnected moments. The task of entering the DC Universe mid-step means it will necessarily be different than the origin story heavy Marvel Universe. A used universe is fine with this reviewer. It just shouldn’t have to require one to watch Blade Runner to…
-
The 5th Wave (**) is low impact repetition
There is nothing here distinguishing this film from any of those other stories. The only appeal it can possibly have is if you are young enough to have not been inundated by the other examples and still think that it’s pluck that wins out over experience.
-
The Hunger Games 4, Mockingjay 2 (***) is grim and joyless
So if you are looking for things to blow up, expectant surprises to pop out or just plain misery to abound, you may like this film. If you want the same thing, but you want your daughter to feel like she can be a hero, better stick to The Force Awakens.
-
Black Mass (**) is not moving
Someone messes up, they go for a car ride, they get whacked. Someone gets arrested, they talk (or don’t) they go for a car ride…you know.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 