Living up to its subtitle to venture into a higher level of solidarity, The Fantastic Four: First Steps presents the proper elevated level of accountability and character connection that comes with family. From that genealogical bedrock, all of the other emerging drama and tension is granted extra ounces, pounds, and tons of importance. By addressing and including such emphasis, this new foray succeeds mightily where previous cinematic interpretations have failed.
Read MoreFinally Dawn hinges on the collision between fandom and stardom. Even being set far before today’s times of social media-driven celebrity access and a massive cycle of multi-pronged tabloid coverage, the matinee stars of cinema still carried a hold over awestruck commoners. Their mere public presence added to their legend. Finally Dawn grants a fan a night with her idols, a scenario that radiates with potential dream fulfillment.
Read MoreThe preposterous worst of people and actions emerge and threatens to undercut the message movie ambition of Ari Aster and his quality compilation of intermingled buzz points, especially when a lengthy coda of weary comeuppance tries to hammer them home one last time. You may, like the surviving characters, be left asking how did we get here and is it all worth it.
Read MoreWhen done well, the emotional catharsis of human stories within peril can be just as impactful as the escapism and heroics, all without sacrificing the heady science fiction of the premise. The Danish film Eternal, enjoying a limited theatrical release after a run on the festival circuit, has this particular sort of ambitious aim.
Read MoreThe hypothetical consideration of time traveling for love, even in this medically induced manner of Daniela Forever, carries an instant appeal. That commonality of challenging the human condition of mortality in favor of romance has tickled our brains and pulled our heartstrings before in movies, big and small.
Read MoreEven greater than his proficiency as a blockbuster filmmaker to make a movie that pops off an IMAX screen and surges through speakers, James Gunn genuflects prudently to show his respect for the Superman character and universe. That’s where success for Superman matters the most. The level of care he demonstrates in the vital areas of principles, tone, attitude, politics, legacy, and a host of other qualities is encouraging and passionate.
Read MoreThe strongest redeeming quality of Jurassic World Rebirth is the hiring of director Gareth Edwards. While being a proven wizard for action and injecting all kinds of geothermal mist in this movie to mask the stalking threats, he has also become an expert at bringing forward human characters and extracting palpable emotions within spectacles of blockbuster and otherworldly proportions. T
Read MoreHomage was clearly the goal of Danny Turkiewicz with Stealing Pulp Fiction. Matching Tarantino, our two leads of Rudnitsky and Soni are a mismatched pair of buddies with loser exteriors and ambitious interiors with their own acronym-filled lingo and hangout vibe. Jonathan and Steve are a pair classic QT chatty Cathys who incessantly talk and finish each other’s sentence. Choosing some easy traits to match, the movie is edited into several titled chapter sections, includes similar musical cues, and emulates some of the framing and slow-motion camera moves of Quentin’s motifs and techniques.
Read MoreRight on down to frequent fireworks that reach a Blow Out level of enveloping, spectacular dazzle, the athletic and moviemaking muscles are flexing in tandem to a stupendous degree in F1: The Movie. Goodness gracious, you could bottle this movie’s testosterone and outsell Nugenix and burn the publishing presses of Men’s Health to the ground with its vigor. Through it all, there Brad Pitt is, glowing like a lithe, tanned, and tattooed demigod putting everyone else to shame.
Read MoreFilming for Familiar Touch was done in collaboration with the residents and staff of Villa Gardens Continuing Care Retirement Community in New York. Backed by casting agent Betsy Fippinger (Eighth Grade and Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret), 67 residents, 13 staff members, and 12 caregiving and geriatrician consultants were credited for their involvement in making the movie, granting a tangible and uplifting authenticity that we’re being shown a positive standard of care and not an entirely sugarcoated movie version, just to perk up a plot with conflict.
Read MoreJoining 2021’s Luca and forgotten old classics like The Fox and the Hound, Elio carves a formative path with a more careful attitude for youths to observe and absorb that could not be more essential and relevant, especially with pre-teen boys. This is one for them, and the effort is welcome.
Read MoreMaybe the animated one was training wheels for the day this human-rich one could be made with advanced technology. The inevitable comparisons will be divisive for some and a coin toss of preference for others. Either way, both movies are solid enough to stoke that fiery and spirit-stirring excitement for audiences new or old. Let’s show our own mercy and have both.
Read More
