Even though my reviews typically discuss practically everything about whatever I’m reviewing at the time, I try to avoid spoiler territory by not posting a review immediately after something comes out. If you follow movies, you probably already know the big [insert your adjective here] twist in the third act of Last Christmas. If you don’t know about it, and don’t want me to spoil the surprise, stop reading now.
Continue reading “Last Christmas (2019)”
On paper, making a movie out of Stephen King’s sequel to The Shining probably sounded like an excellent idea. Both the original novel and the sequel were best-sellers. The movie (released in 1980) remains one of the most iconic adaptations of his books, alongside Carrie, The Dead Zone, Salem’s Lot, Cujo, Christine. King has long been on record as hating Stanley Kubrick’s interpretation of his novel, to the point where he approved a mini-series adaptation that was broadcast in 1997. While much more faithful to the novel, most people still tend to point to Kubrick’s version as the definitive version.
Continue reading “Doctor Sleep (2019)”
I believe that it’s easy to explain why a great movie is great. Explaining why a bad movie is bad or doesn’t work requires much more effort.
Continue reading “Happy Death Day 2U (2019)”
Will Smith is one of the most likeable actors I know. He’s confident, but not cocky.
Assured, but not full of himself. Funny, but not comical. Serious, but not intense. When he flashes his sly grin, you feel like he just filled you in on a crazy secret. As an action star, he’s a natural, going all the way back to Independence Day in 1996. Who can forget him punching an alien invader in the face and then taunting by saying, “Welcome to Earth!” In a way, his career is similar to that of Tom Cruise. Smith doesn’t approach his roles with Cruise’s jittery energy or maniacal sense of desperation, but like Cruise, he clearly is having fun.
Continue reading “Gemini Man (2019)”
A man reaps what he sows.
Watching Les Misérables is like watching a prophecy filmed a year ago about the social unrest in America today. The only difference is that the movie is located in France. The film’s no-frills direction, realistic acting and white-knuckle pacing made me feel like I was watching a documentary. The film won the 2019 Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize, and was nominated for Best International Feature for the 2019 Academy Awards.
Continue reading “Les Misérables (2019)”
Florence Pugh had what many actors would consider to be a career year in 2019. She starred in Midsommar and Little Women, earning an Oscar nomination for the latter. Her first movie out in 2019 was actually Fighting with My Family, and if I had seen that movie before the other two, I still would have been convinced she was a star in the making. Together, the three films showcase not just how nimbly she adapts to different genres (horror, period piece and comedy), but how convincingly she acted in each of them. If it weren’t for COVID, I’m sure we would all be talking about her role in Black Widow, but we’ll have to wait until November (at the earliest).
Continue reading “Fighting with My Family (2019)”
“The rich really are different.”
Continue reading “Ready or Not (2019)”
My wife and I waited a year to finally see this movie. We were just about to walk into the theater when we were texted of an emergency at home. We managed to get a refund just before the movie started and headed home. Fortunately, everything was all right at home. But we hadn’t taken the time seen this movie until the other day.
Continue reading “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”
A few weeks ago, Deb and I watched The Vast of Night on Amazon Prime. It was OK. If you have Amazon Prime already, it is free. And since the movie is only ninety minutes long, its a modest way to be entertained.
Continue reading “The Vast of Night”
Icky and creepy, in the same vein as Rosemary’s Baby. Recommended. Continue reading Midsommar
Detroit Cineaste 