The Northman (***1/2) The Thread of Time
Written and Directed by Robert EggersBased on The legend of Amieth by Saxo GrammaticusStarring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk, Willem Dafoe There is a […]
The Card Counter (****) is solid Schrader
Schrader is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some of us like our tea as dark as the blackest coffee on a cold, bleak morning.
Spider-man: No Way Home (*****) is the magic number
It does the almost impossible task of bringing together everything we’ve seen and opens the door to everything else we might see in the future.
Nightmare Alley (***1/2) Life is a Carnival
There are no surprises. Just misery in waiting.
Let’s talk about Zack Snyder’s Justice League (***1/2)
We’ve lost many of this cast that could have been good for a few more films at least. Where do we go from here when this film makes us want to go back?
Motherless Brooklyn (***) is simple and reverent
“Overall it’s a good, not great effort. The film is enjoyable if predictable. Norton’s ability to show a clean, multi-layered view of the politics that went into creating the city he loves so dearly is entertaining.”
Aquaman (***1/2) has fun in the shallows
“As it stands, the film still should do quite well. It’s more fun than any DCEU film than Wonder Woman yet it still feels like something that matters at times. Not all that much, though. I hope WW, The Flash and Aquaman push their leads and the DCEU out of the mire. “
The Florida Project (*****) is the scariest movie ever
Moonie, her life is a fragile bubble that could pop at any time. Or she could learn to live like this, relying on the good will, mercy or silence of others to subsist in a life that is dishonest to us but just plain life to her.
I Don’t Have A Vote: The 90th Annual Oscars – Great Year for Film, Not Politics
“Hugh Jackman had a great year, with The Greatest Showman and Logan. On the latter film, he does the near impossible in creating an unbreakable character who is finally driven to the point of breaking. His work with Stewart is some of the best of both of their careers. He should have been rewarded for this.”
Murder on the Orient Express (***1/2) – It’s never about whodonit
Murder on the Orient Express – 2017 Director Kenneth Branagh Screenplay Michael Green based on the novel by Agatha Christie Starring Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, […]
Golden Sombrero: To Live And Die In L.A. (*) is just awful
To Live and Die in L.A. – 1985 Director William Friedkin Screenplay Friedkin & Gerald Petievich based on the novel by Petievich Starring Willem Dafoe, William L. Peterson, John Pankow, Debra Feuer, John Turturro, Darlanne […]
Death Note (***) is Pandora’s Box by another name
Director Adam Wingard Screenplay by Charles Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides, Jeremy Slater Starring Nat Wolff, Lakeith Stanfield, Margaret Qualley, Shea Whigham, Paul Nakauchi, Jason Liles, Willem Dafoe Before we go too far in any direction, this film is not great. […]
John Wick (***1/2): I’m thinking you don’t kill the dog
John Wick – 2014 Director Chad Stahelski, David Leitch Starring Keanu Reeves,Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Willem Dafoe Screenplay Derek Kolstad John Wick (Reeves) is a retired hitman / tough guy for […]
The Fault In Our Stars Extended Edition (****): So much depends…
The Fault In Our Stars – 2014 Director Josh Boone Starring Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Willem Dafoe Screenplay Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber based on the book by John Green There is one […]
The Grand Budapest Hotel: Having a story to tell can do wonders
Grand Budapest Hotel – 2014 Written and Directed by Wes Anderson Starring Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton, Mathieu Amalric, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Léa Seydoux, Jeff Goldblum, Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Tony Revolori Wes […]
Out of the Furnace The fire’s gone
Out of the Furnace – 2013 Director Scott Cooper Starring Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard Screenplay Brad Ingelsby and Cooper “He might be safer over in Iraq” It’s hard […]
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 