Release: Friday, October 4, 2019 (limited) →Netflix Written by: Scott Alexander; Larry Karaszewski Directed by: Craig Brewer The way Craig Brewer captures the response to Dolemite, the movie-within-his-movie and at least part of its raison d'être, is so warm and uplifting. Yet it's also quaint if considering today's cinematic landscape. Cynics like me are tempted to dismiss the ending as … Continue reading Dolemite is My Name
#ensemblecast
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Release: Friday, May 31, 2019 →Theater Written by: Zach Shields; Michael Dougherty Directed by: Michael Dougherty The sequel to Gareth Edwards' Godzilla (2014) is undeniably a different beast, dispensing with its predecessor's drip-fed action and methodical pacing for more direct, adrenaline-spiking payoff. Edwards had his chance to thrill us and apparently he botched it so in steps Michael Dougherty, the … Continue reading Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Velvet Buzzsaw
Release: Friday, February 1, 2019 (Netflix) →Netflix Written by: Dan Gilroy Directed by: Dan Gilroy Beauty is in the eye of the soon-to-be-murdered in Velvet Buzzsaw, the new film from writer/director Dan Gilroy, who made his mark back in 2014 with the sensationally gripping Nightcrawler. His third directorial feature following 2017's collaboration with Denzel Washington on Roman J. Israel, Esq., Velvet … Continue reading Velvet Buzzsaw
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Release: Friday, November 9, 2018 (limited) →Netflix Written by: Joel Coen; Ethan Coen Directed by: Ethan Coen; Joel Coen For a fleeting moment The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, the new Coen brothers film -- a big shiny red apple waiting to be plucked from the ever-growing Netflix tree -- was also available for more traditional consumption in theaters. But who … Continue reading The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Month in Review: October ’18
To encourage a bit more variety in my blogging posts and to help distance this site from the one of old, I’m installing this monthly post where I summarize the previous month’s activity in a wraparound that will hopefully give people the chance to go back and find stuff they might have missed, as well … Continue reading Month in Review: October ’18
Operation Finale
Release: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 →Theater Written by: Matthew Orton Directed by: Chris Weitz Operation Finale takes audiences on a top secret mission into the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, following a group of Israeli spies as they attempt to capture a high-ranking Nazi officer who fled Europe at the end of the war to seemingly escape without … Continue reading Operation Finale
Isle of Dogs
Release: Friday, April 13, 2018 →Theater Written by: Wes Anderson Directed by: Wes Anderson When it comes to Wes Anderson, 'more of the same' is absolutely a compliment. I don't find myself saying that about many other filmmakers. Now nine films deep into a career that has netted him an ever-growing, passionate and devoted fanbase it is clear … Continue reading Isle of Dogs
Kong: Skull Island
Release: Friday, March 10, 2017 [Theater] Written by: Dan Gilroy; Max Borenstein; Derek Connolly Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts becomes the latest to cash in on the recent trend of indie directors gone Hollywood, going from The Kings of Summer to a blockbuster that reimagines the king of the apes in all its primal glory in Kong: … Continue reading Kong: Skull Island
The Accountant
Release: Friday, October 14, 2016 [Theater] Written by: Bill Dubuque Directed by: Gavin O'Connor In Gavin O'Connor's new film Ben Affleck plays a small-town certified public accountant with a keen interest in some very private accounts. Sure, he's good with numbers but he's even better with bullets (and belts, seemingly). This is a guy who doesn't sleep with … Continue reading The Accountant
The Magnificent Seven
Release: Friday, September 23, 2016 [Theater] Written by: Richard Wenk; Nic Pizzolatto Directed by: Antoine Fuqua Try as they might, Antoine Fuqua continues falling well short of the benchmark set by his 2001 smash hit Training Day and Chris Pratt can't quite make this the Guardians of the Galaxy of the ole wild west. Despite bear-dressing-like-people jokes he is merely one … Continue reading The Magnificent Seven
