The western film genre is something of a rarity these days. Sure, we get the occasional gritty cowboy adventure but when it comes to modern-day westerns, that concept is something that quite often eludes us. The new crime thriller Hell or High Water is a fresh take on the genre and with a very strong cast, top notch direction, and a razor-sharp script, this is one movie you’re going to want to check out.
Category Archives: Review
Amateur Night
In 1999, comedic actor Jason Biggs made a name for himself having intercourse with pastry. American Pie paved the way for a new era of raunchy sex comedies and now, nearly two decades later, Biggs is still making the same type of movie. Typecast and hungry for cash, the (seemingly) one-note actor is back in yet another piece of mindless ribald fare. Amateur Night is Biggs’ latest and while it is a relatively uninspired romp, it will probably make you chuckle here and there while definitely evoking some deja vu. Ever since American Pie, movies like Amateur Night have made their way to late night cable and most likely to your Netflix queue.
Blu-ray Review: Hollywood in Vienna: The World of James Horner
On June 22, 2015, the film community lost a truly beautiful mind. James Roy Horner was and will always be remembered as one of Hollywood’s most influential film composers. The impact he has had on movies is nothing short of phenomenal and with blockbusters such as Avatar, Titanic, Braveheart, and Apollo 13, the man certainly left his mark and his legacy is truly, truly strong. Tragically, however, at the age of 61, Horner left this world when he died in a sudden and unfortunate plane crash. A true artist, Horner’s memory lives on with his diverse film scores and with a very special tribute Blu-ray set. Released one year after Horner lost his life, Hollywood in Vienna: The World of James Horner is the perfect way to honor this man and with his tremendous body of work being performed in front of him in Vienna in 2013, audiences, fans, family, and friends will always look back on Horner’s life as one full of triumph, tenderness, and utter beauty, much like the way his music invoked in all of us.
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New York Philharmonic – A John Williams Celebration Recap
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…. John Williams exploded into the film music world. He is the most famous living composer today and he is responsible for some of the most memorable themes and most successful movie franchises of all time. His work on Star Wars alone has made him a powerful figure in the film business and at 84 years of age, it doesn’t look like he’s planning on retiring anytime soon. The New York Philharmonic recently performed some of the Maestro’s works at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York and the results were simply out of this world.
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The Man Who Knew Infinity
For many, mathematics is a field that is not only captivating and sometimes amusing but has the potential to unlocking the secrets of the universe. It is a field that some individuals are experts in and in the new historical drama The Man Who Knew Infinity, we are presented with a heartfelt story of not only men who are geniuses in math but we see their friendship and bond develop in a very touching way. Starring Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, Chappie) and Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons, Infinity is a film that will keep you glued to your seat all during its 108-minute runtime and will be sure to resonate long after the end credits roll.
Elvis & Nixon
Throughout American history, there have been many odd moments. Stories that are so off the wall, that they simply seem like pure fiction. One such moment occurred at the White House on December 21, 1970 and it revolved around two of the nation’s most popular figures. Elvis & Nixon is the strangely mixed account of a meeting between two figures that one might never expect to meet. It is a fun dramedy that “depicts” the events leading up to and surrounding one of history’s most bizarre encounters. The brilliant Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey portray The King of Rock and Roll and 37th president of the United States respectively and the results aren’t just funny but rather deep and absorbing.
Blu-ray Review: Carol
Lesbianism is something very commonplace in today’s society. It isn’t something to fear or hide from. It is a normal aspect of the modern world and the beautiful film Carol spends a good amount of time attempting to dilute the stigma attached to it in the sexually-ignorant 1950s. The film explores lesbianism in a way that is both secretive and delicate. The main leads in the movie, played exquisitely by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, are the stuff of film legends. It is a quiet film that deals with a topic many, at the time, considered very taboo. In reality, Carol is an artful piece of cinema that is beautiful to look at, acted near perfectly, and addresses lesbianism in a refreshingly original way.
Lolo
The bond between a mother and son is a very special one. Love is at the forefront, of course, but there are limits. When a marriage ends, the child may feel a few things, one of which is fear and concern that he or she will “lose” their parent. Eventually, that parent will probably develop feelings for another and this might instill feelings of jealousy and resentment from the child. The new French film Lolo explores this conflict and while it feels a tad similar to more mainstream films like, say, Cyrus, it is a film with more heart and better comedic moments. Writer, director, and star Julie Delpy shows off her skills here and the results are actually rather moving.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Tina Fey has a proven track record of tickling many an audience’s funny bone. Not only is she a seasoned comedian but she is one who never shies away from controversial or awkward humor. Her newest film Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is a unique and entertaining adventure that places Fey’s character in a rather precarious situation: the war on terror. It is a fun and smart vehicle for the former SNL player and will appeal to most audiences, especially those who appreciate thought-provoking war comedies peppered with subtle humor and gritty action. Fans of Fey’s will eat this up and so will casual admirers of the gifted funny woman.
Triple 9
To make a successful crime thriller, you need a certain amount of ingredients to ensure its cinematic power. Said ingredients include a gifted director, a strong cast, and most importantly, a story that is gripping, full of twists, and will constantly keep you guessing. Triple 9 attempts to be one such film and while its story feels familiar, its direction and ensemble cast make it shine here and there. Code for “officer down”, 999 is obviously a very serious call that police dread every time they go to work. This film blurs the line between cop and criminal and with gritty action and some occasionally effective acting, it is a cinematic thrill ride that will suck you in occasionally and dazzle you with some really tense shoot ‘em up sequences. Sadly these scenes don’t make up for a rather dull actioner.
Unger the Radar 