Category: CPE
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Traveller (****) is a deceptive lead for Paxton
If you have no patience, this film is not for you. Honestly, the first 3/4 of the film is almost a complete throwaway. The thing about that ending, though, is it brings you to the point where its all worth watching over again to see what it is you missed watching the first time. One…
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Forgotten Gems: Tequila Sunrise (***1/2) is a Recurring Dream
As a fan of Russell, Walsh and Juliá, this film has plenty going for it beyond Hall. It’s debatable that people these days understand the gravitas of Gibson and Pfeiffer from this film alone. That’s okay though. The Oscar nominated cinematography by Hall is worth the price of admission, too. Most people don’t live on the beautiful…
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Roman J. Israel, Esq. (***1/2) – We can’t have nice things
There’s virtually no shot at this film winning any awards, and perhaps it doesn’t truly deserve any. Washington’s about the only actor alive that can so eloquently display his faults as a virtue. He’s able to color a little outside the lines of his somewhat limited character, but he knows the point of his character…
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Justice League (**1/2) Gathered too soon
I want to see more films with this cast. They are likable and they have something to offer. A deliberate altering of the path needs to happen behind to make that talent come alive.
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Jigsaw (**) – Disposable Morality
It’s understandable that this franchise could go on forever and for no real reason other than people like to see mishaps with painful contraptions. If they really wanted to work as hard at scaring you, they’d work on your mind as much as the eyes.
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Brawl in Cell Block 99 (***1/2) – Grinds it out.
The brutality of this film almost demands that it be seen with friends who enjoy being shocked. There has not been this kind of mutilation in a film with this kind of acting in my life of watching film. The real prize is Vaughn, who shows complete trust in the words and storytelling of the…
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Kingsman: The Golden Circle (****) – Viva Las Vegan
There is no dip in quality or effort in this film. If you enjoyed the first one and can willingly suspend disbelief when it comes to characters that come and go, you should have no problems here. Vaughn’s sense of humor, understanding of visual flair and development of character is still on point here.
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Leatherface (*) is a product of diminishing returns…
It takes place mostly in the dark, as if they’re trying to hide that their slashed budget required they film in Bulgaria. I am not sure it would have helped to shed any light on it though. To say this series has gone far enough is pointless. They can keep going around in circles in…
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American Made (***1/2) Liman and Cruise in Scorsese mode
American Made – 2017 Director Doug Liman Screenplay Gary Spinelli Starring Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jayma Mays, Jesse Plemons, Caleb Landry Jones, Alejandro Edda, Mauicio Mejia, Connor Trinneer, Jed Rees Watching Tom Cruise move through the quick cuts of Doug Liman’s story about Barry Seals secret life of transporting weapons, taking pictures for the Feds and drugs for…
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Atomic Blonde (***) – John Wick for chicks
Atomic Blonde – 2017 Director David Leitch Screenplay Kurt Johnstad based on The Coldest City by Antony Johnston, Sam Hart Starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Toby Jones, Sofia Boutella, Til Schweigher, Eddie Marsan, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Bill Skarsgård, Sam Hargrave, Roland Møller There have been a few efforts to make Charlize Theron into an action star. Some of them good, like Mad Max…
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 