LOGAN (2017) review
written by: Scott Frank, James Mangold and Michael Green
produced by: Hutch Parker, Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner
directed by: James Mangold
rating: R (for strong brutal violence and language throughout, and for brief nudity)
runtime: 135 min.
U.S. release date: March 3, 2017
Hugh Jackman deserves applause and appreciation. He’s been the best there is at what he does since 2000 and what he’s done is play Wolverine in six “X-Men” movies (some of which were simply cameos) and, now with “Logan”, three spin-off movies of the iconic character. He’s always played Wolverine wonderfully, in fact, he’s gotten better at it with age – pretty good for a character who’s mutant power is a healing factor that makes it a challenge to show his true age. Until now that is. James Mangold returns, after helming 2013’s “The Wolverine”, unleashing Logan, the character and the movie, in the ultraviolet R-rated territory the feral protector always deserved. The result is Jackman’s best work as the character yet and a surprisingly funny and poignant reflection on life and death as well. Read more…
ROCK DOG (2017) review
written by: Ash Brannon; story by Ash Brannon and Zheng Jun
produced by: Rob Feng, Joyce Lou, David B. Miller, Amber Wang
directed by: Ash Brannon
rated: PG (for action and language)
runtime: 80 min.
U.S. release date: February 24, 2017
“Eating food out of a dumpster? This is what he said would happen.”
As a film geek and a parent, the temptation is high to take my daughters to the movies any chance I get. The option to do so is almost always present thanks to films like “Rock Dog” that fill in the movie release calendar between the big animated event films. The problem with these films released by a company that’s not Disney, Dreamworks, LAIKA, etc. is that they are often of such poor quality that they become also-rans in a world with seemingly limitless options. For every “Finding Dory” and “Secret Life of Pets” last year, there was a “Norm of the North” and a “Ratchet & Clank,” subpar efforts designed to sucker parents like me into wasting money simply to keep my daughters quiet for the better part of ninety minutes. Read more…
DESERTED (2016) review
written by: Ashley Avis
produced by: Ashley Avis, Keith A. Fox, Larry Humnel & Edward Winters
directed by: Ashley Avis
rated: unrated
runtime: 97 min.
U.S. release date: February 28, 2016 (Amazon, FlixFling, iTunes & VOD)
I have a certain affinity for stories revolving around recently released convicts who try to figure out what their next step will be as well as survival stories that follow a group of characters who must test their mettle under harsh natural elements. These are usually subgenres of the dramatic/thriller variety and they happen to come together in “Deserted”, a film written and directed by Ashley Avis, which is being marketed as a psychological thriller. While it’s neither psychological or thrilling, it does have location going for it with Death Valley, California, becoming one of the more prominent characters in the film. Unfortunately, the wondrous and vast landscape is outnumbered by predominately annoying characters who wind up making this quite a pain-staking and tedious viewing experience. Read more…
The 89th Academy Award Winners….
Well, the most interesting, surprising and potentially disappointing event that occurred at the 89th Academy Awards telecast tonight at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles was when the Best Picture winner was announced. Holy cow! Details are still coming in, but when “Bonnie and Clyde” actors Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the winner as “La La Land”, it turns out the actual winner was “Moonlight”. Both films deserved it, but the most awkward and bizarre win took place after the makers of “La La Land” were on stage and made their acceptance speech…and then, that was interrupted by a “La La Land” producer announcing “Moonlight”, while holding up the card that clearly listed the movie directed by Barry Jenkins. Beatty apologized and host Jimmy Kimmel openly blamed himself, but regardless, it will go down as one of the more memorable moments in Oscar history. But, what else happened? Read more…
GET OUT (2017) review
written by: Jordon Peele
produced by: Jason Blum, Edward H. Hamm Jr and Sean McKittrick
directed by: Jordon Peele
rating: R (for violence, bloody images, and language including sexual references)
runtime: 103 min.
U.S. release date: February 24, 2017
Despite some progress, people haven’t really changed much in fifty years when it comes to race relations. If you disagree with that then you’re not aware what’s been going on in the States in recent years. Why do I mention fifty years? That’s how long it’s been since Stanley Kramer’s “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and that’s the movie that comes to mind when unpacking the shocking “Get Out” an unforgettable genre mashup. That’s because writer/director Jordan Peele’s white-parents-meet-their-daughter’s-black-boyfriend-for-the-first-time premise resembles that influencial 1967 classic, yet with a dose of “Twilight Zone” that holds a mirror up to where we’re at now when it comes to the acceptance of interracial couples in clever, humorous and unsettling, albeit truthful, ways. Read more…
BITTER HARVEST (2017) review
written by: Richard Bachynsky Hoover (story/screenplay) and George Mendeluk (screenplay)
produced by: Stuart Baird, Chad Barager, Jaye Gazeley, Ian Ihnatowycz & George Mendeluk
directed by: George Mendeluk
rated: R (for violence and disturbing images)
runtime: 103 min.
U.S. release date: February 24, 2017 (limited)
With all the epic television series in recent years that have covered compelling moments in history – especially ones involving war, oppression and resistance – any theatrical feature better be firing on all cylinders to make an impact and potentially rise above material that’s aptly suited for episodic drama. What “Bitter Harvest” does best is inform and educate, bringing to light a period in history seldom covered on screen. Although that is very interesting, it unfortunately doesn’t make for very compelling cinema here. This is a film that has it’s heart in the right place, but a formulaic screenplay and two miscast leads really don’t do director George Mendeluk’s film any favors. While historical dramas always have the potential to reflect on what we can learn from the past and not repeat the horrors others have lived through, here is a film that reminds us of so many other films that have come before it. Read more…
EVELYN (2002) blu-ray review
written by: Paul Pender
produced by: Pierce Brosnan, Michael Ohoven and Beau St. Clair
directed by: Bruce Beresford
rated: PG (for thematic material and language)
runtime: 93 min.
U.S. release date: December 13, 20102 (limited)
DVD/blu-ray release date: February 21, 2017
“Evelyn” is a film I’ve had in the back of my mind as one I’ve wanted to catch up with. I recall the Pierce Brosnan film receiving good reviews when it came out in 2002, a month after “Die Another Day”, his final bow as James Bond, and all I knew is that it was an inspiring drama about an Irish father and his family. Thanks to Olive Films, I was finally able to catch up with this lovely drama, due to its upcoming release on blu-ray. There’s much to respect in the straightforward approach to this Bruce Beresford-directed drama, which simply relies on classic storytelling and a phenomenal cast, in an emotional “based on a true story” tale about love, faith and family. It’s most likely an overlooked film that deserves to be revisited or discovered. Read more…
2017 Oscar-nominated Shorts: DOCUMENTARY
All five of these nominees gave me a lump in my throat and some even produced some major waterworks. That’s no surprise in the Documentary Short category, since recent years have elicited a similar response, proving that this category typically provides the most rewarding rewarding viewing experience out if all the nominees. Of the five nominees this year, three of them focus on the Syrian civil war and the plight of the refugees. The other two may be polar opposites, one dealing with the end of life and the other connecting and renewing lives, but they nevertheless are touching portraits of humanity. Every one of these shorts could’ve been expanded to feature-length documentaries. Regardless of length, I’m grateful these eye-opening docs are out there. Read more…
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO (2017) review
written by: Derek Kolstad
produced by: Basil Iwanyk and David Leitch
directed by: Chad Stahelski
rating: R (for strong violence throughout, some language and brief nudity)
runtime: 122 min.
U.S. release date: February 10, 2017
By all accounts, 2014’s “John Wick” shocked me. The plot synopsis sounded behind dumb, and the previews itself didn’t do much to pull me in. Well, three years later I’m still talking up the action-heavy, ridiculously cool Keanu Reeves vehicle. Naturally, I was a tad bit excited – full-in movie nerd excited – for its sequel,”John Wick: Chapter 2″. SPOILER alert….it’s really good. Read more…
2017 Oscar-nominated Shorts: LIVE ACTION
What I usually look forward to in the “Live Action” category of the Oscar-nominated Shorts are nominees outside the States. This is typically where we’ll get some great shorts from other countries and this year’s five nominees are no different. There are timely issues rising to the surface in these shorts, such as immigration and racism, there are common themes like loneliness and the desire to connect as well, and also the requisite precocious performances from some talented child actors. What’s bizarre with this year’s nominees is how I felt after watching all five….none of them stood out as “great” or Oscar-worthy. Read more…
