Netflix’ Mank (****) – The wins of the father
If they had found a way to at least make the case for the opposition seem plausible, there might be less of a Smokey and the Bandit feel to it all.
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (***) but why, exactly?
James does the character a fair tribute. This film succeeds largely due to her great impression of Streep’s original interpretation. Like the best retracings of characters, though, she paints enough outside the lines so we get to enjoy some amount of growth, even if we know where her story leads. Lily James deserves better than a sequel like this, even if she helps to elevate it to an above average film.
Ted 2 (***1/2) shines for a while…
Wherever there are 2 guys who decide to spend a day off together, there is Ted. Where ever there is the friend that will tell you truths no one else will, Ted is there too. When ever there is a friend that will risk jail time with you because it makes the event funnier, and hence more memorable, that’s Ted, as well. The uncomfortable truth that most reviewers of the phenomenon that is this series is that everything about these films rings true to anyone who has ever had that buddy.
The Maze Runner (****) stays on a true course
The Maze Runner – 2014 Director Wes Ball Starring Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, Ki Hong Lee Screenplay Noah Oppenheim, Grant Pierce Myers, T.S. Nowlin based on the book by James Dashner Never having read […]
The Big Wedding: Win some, lose more
The Big Wedding – 2013 Written and Directed by Justin Zackham Starring Amanda Seyfried, Katherine Heigl, Robert DeNiro, Susan Sarandon, Diane Keaton, Robin Williams, Ben Barnes, Topher Grace, Christine Ebersole, David Rache, Patricia […]
CPE, Em & El: Not quite an Epic, but it’ll do
Epic – 2013 Director Chris Wedge Starring Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Colin Farrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Christoph Walz, Aziz Ansari, Chris O’Dowd, Pitbull, Jason Sudeikis, Steven Tyler Written by William Joyce based on his […]
Les Miserables thoughts of a not so miserable viewer
Les Miserables – 2012 Director Tom Hooper Starring Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, Isabelle Allen, Daniel Hufflestone, Colm Wilkinson, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha […]
Gone is a mediocre thriller, PG-13 style
Gone – 2012 Directed by Heitor Dhalia Starring Amanda Seyfried, Daniel Sunjata, Jennifer Carpenter, Wes Bentley, Sebastian Stan, Katherine Moenning, Michael Paré Screenplay by Allison Burnett Here’s for not being a victim. The protagonist from […]
In Time is Gattica with an eye on the clock
In Time – 2011 Written & Directed by Andrew Niccol Starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Olivia Wilde, Matt Bomer, Vincent Kartheiser, Alex Pettyfer So, if you’ve seen Gattica, […]
Red Riding Hood has a woman’s touch, but it ain’t enough
Red Riding Hood – 2011 Directed by Catherine Hardwicke Starring Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, Virginia Madsen, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Lukas Haas Written by David Johnson […]
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 