Cold War
Cold War is a clever title. Yes, it clearly refers to a time period. Pawel Pawlikowski’s love story begins in Poland in the aftermath of World War II. However, it could also refer to the chilly relationship at its center. Zula (Joanna Kulig) and Wiktor (Tomasz Kot) are musicians. They meet in 1949. Musical director […]
Stan & Ollie
This biopic is a somber reminiscence on the legendary comedic duo. Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly) first rose to fame through in a series of silent shorts during the 1920s, the early days of Hollywood. Their popularity would grow exponentially until they became one of the most acclaimed comedy duos […]
Destroyer
I respect Nicole Kidman as an accomplished thespian. I really do. As such, I hold the actress in high regard. Destroyer is a film highlighted by the transformation of its star. The tall, willowy blonde ditches her signature long tresses for a wispy dirty brown bob with bangs. Not only does her hair look filthy […]
On the Basis of Sex
The old adage states “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Admittedly, that’s a brutal way to begin a movie review that’s mildly indifferent. It is somewhat apropos though. On the Basis of Sex is the very definition of a well-intentioned drama. It’s adequate as a superficial biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The […]
If Beale Street Could Talk
Writer James Baldwin’s 1974 novel is lovingly adapted into a beautifully filmed love story about a Harlem couple in the 1970s. The last feature director Barry Jenkins made won the Oscar for Best Picture so expectations are understandably high. If Beale Street Could Talk is about Tish Rivers (KiKi Layne), newly engaged to her boyfriend Alonzo […]
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
How much Spider-Man do you need in your life? Sequels, reboots, so many origin stories – This is the 7th feature film to star the Marvel superhero since 2002 and the first animated movie in the franchise. That’s roughly a new release every 27 months. This chapter has certainly put the other entries in perspective. […]
Vice
I love a good transformation and there’s no other actor working today that can physically alter himself like Christian Bale. American Psycho, The Machinist, Batman Begins, The Fighter, and American Hustle are among the most dramatic. He looks like an entirely different person in each. Vice just may be Christian Bale’s most incredible because of […]