Reviews Archives - Page 4 of 13

18 Dec

Spider-Man: No Way Home Review

Kolby Mac0 CommentsReviewsAlfred Molina, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, J.K. Simmons, Jacob Batalon, Jamie Foxx, Jon Favreau, Marisa Tomei, Rhys Ifans, Spider-Man, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Thomas Haden Church, Tom Holland, Tony Revolori, Willem Dafoe, Zendaya

“BECAUSE THATS NOT WHO HE IS…” - Aunt May If someone would’ve told me Spider-Man: No Way Home would have Avengers: Endgame level audience engagement I would have laughed hysterically and offensively at them. Well, guess who’s laughing now… not me. Marvel and Sony, however, are all the way to the bank, as No Way Home exceeds every expectation I ever imagined it could and is POSSIBLY the GREATEST COMIC BOOK FILM OF ALL TIME! Spider-Man perched atop a light in Columbia Pictures' SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME. Spider-Man: No Way Home is the exclamation point to one of, if not,…

17 Dec

Red Rocket Review | Sean Baker’s Best!

Hector Gonzalez0 CommentsReviewsBree Elrod, Red Rocket, Sean Baker, Simon Rex, Suzanna Son

Red Rocket is a hilarious yet purposefully ill-mannered character study of a former pornstar that has both Sean Baker and Simon Rex delivering their best work to date. “It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie baby, bye bye bye!” For some reason, most of Sean Baker’s works haven’t clicked with me. I haven’t figured out the exact reason why. The first film I saw of his was The Florida Project (2017), which left me a bit cold when the credits rolled, yet I admired the cinematography and performances, most notably Bria Vinaite. I then followed it up with…

14 Dec

West Side Story Review | A Unfortunate Waste of Time

Raul Navedo0 CommentsReviewsAnsel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Rita Moreno, Steven Spielberg, West Side Story

It saddens me to report that West Side Story is shallow, offensive, and toxic. At the risk of sounding inflammatory I’ll say that this is an outdated narrative that serves as a beautiful example of ego at its most extravagant. -Ouch- I know that’s harsh but, for those of you still here, allow me to elaborate. The Jets and the Sharks are rival street gangs who have been fighting over control of Upper West Side Manhattan for a handful of years. Just as things are coming to a breaking point Romeo-- I mean Tony, meets Maria--I mean Juliet-- I mean…

09 Dec

Licorice Pizza | Review

Hector Gonzalez0 CommentsReviewsAlana Haim, Bradley Cooper, Cooper Hoffman, Licorice Pizza, Paul Thomas Anderson, Skyler Gisondo, Tom Waits

With uproarious one-scene celebrity cameos, a revelatory magnetic lead duo, a great jukebox soundtrack, and a hilariously-sharp script that radiates nostalgia and warmth, Licorice Pizza is Paul Thomas Anderson’s most effervescent and quick-witted film since Punch Drunk Love. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times...” The late 60s and early 70s were tumultuous times for the rough rowdy crowds, flower power, music revolution, cultural change, technological invention, the insurrection of cinema, and the multitude of aching crises. Many films have captured the lifestyles of those decades from different perspectives and social statuses, for example, Beyond…

05 Dec

Nightmare Alley | Mesmerizing and Bold

Raul Navedo0 CommentsReviewsBradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Guillermo del Toro, Nightmare Alley, Rooney Mara, Searchlight Pictures, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe

Mesmerizing and bold, Nightmare Alley is a master class in cinematography. Guillermo del Toro once again delivers unmatched visuals that astonish and delight, taking us on a journey that, though not as strong as one would hope, manages to linger in the back of your mind. Unfortunately the narrative doesn’t land quite as strong managing to, somehow, leave us wondering when was the last time we fervently loved something that left us so disheartened. Bradley Cooper in the film NIGHTMARE ALLEY. Photo by Kerry Hayes. © 2021 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved A man with a dark past and…

01 Dec

Bruised | Review

Kolby Mac0 CommentsReviewsBruised, Halle Berry, Netflix

Bruised but not broken, Halle Berry’s directorial debut falls to the mat early and often at the hands of a clichéd and surface level screenplay. Thankfully, it’s her leading role that allows her to beat the count. Elevated by the Oscar Winner’s star power and deeply emotional heart wrenching performance, Halle’s Career behind the camera lives to fight on. Jackie Justice was at the top of the UFC ranks until her biggest fight to date alongside a life altering decision induced a crippling panic attack that led her to leave the sport behind entirely. Depression, Alcoholism, and the daily struggle…

30 Nov

Julia Review | Inspirational Legend

Raul Navedo0 CommentsReviews

Julia shines a lovely spotlight on the icon Julia Child. No surprise that I love food documentaries and this is no exception. A well directed, well paced doc with strong interviews and even stronger footage that give us a peek into the inspiring life of the mother of cooking shows. When Julia Child came on the scene she was unlike anyone people had seen on television. An unlikely star, if you will. She knew who she was and gave herself to the audience in a way that was undeniably genuine and warm. She was knowledgeable, funny, and business savvy. But,…

29 Nov

The Beatles: Get Back | Review

Hector Gonzalez0 CommentsReviewsDisney Plus, Disney+, The Beatles

Where to start with The Beatles, the reputed best band of all time? The 1960s, or the decade of musical reinvention where some of the best artists of all time inaugurated their legendary careers: The Rolling Stones, Big Brother, and the Holding Company who later introduced the world to Janis Joplin, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Monkees, etc. However, one band stood out amongst them all. The visionary quartet of John, George, Paul, and Ringo: The Beatles. Every single record is a classic well-cherished by many music fans worldwide-- Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, A Hard Day’s Night,…

26 Nov

Double Walker | Review

Hector Gonzalez0 CommentsReviewsColin West, Double Walker

Colin West’s Double Walker uses the concept of a ghost story in a captivating way by blending the themes of revenge, resolution, and existentialism. Not every decision West makes gels with one another, and the script needs some fine-tuning, but it is an interesting concept to see on-screen. I like films that deal with the aspects of “ghosts” or “wraiths” because they can go in many different directions. For example, Amenábar’s way of treating spirits in The Others (2001) is far more divergent than how Bayona handled his chiller The Orphanage (2007). Nevertheless, more and more directors are approaching a…

21 Nov

Ghostbusters: Afterlife Review | The Most Immersive Viewing Experience of the Year

Kolby Mac0 CommentsReviewsGhostbusters, Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Ghostbusters: Afterlife ironically breathes new life into the beloved franchise. I say ironically as the many swings and misses attempting to revive Classics from yesteryear over the past decade or so are too heavily reliant on nostalgia and stunt the potential in forging a new narrative capable of standing on its own. Lucky (Celeste O'Connor), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), Podcat (Logan Kim) and Phoebe (McKenna Grace) in Columbia Pictures' GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE. Afterlife finds a sweet spot that’s far from overbearing Easter eggs and Nostalgia porn and sets the stage for contemporary heroes just as cool as what we grew up on,…