The Upside

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 / Tom / 8 Comments

Whoops, wrong poster. That's my fault. Here we go: Release: Friday, January 11, 2019 →Theater Written by: Jon Hartmere Directed by: Neil Burger I am an unapologetic fan of Kevin Hart. He's the reason I stood in the line that never was for The Upside, an update of a hugely successful French film from 2011 that goes by several … Continue reading The Upside

Queen of Katwe

October 5, 2016May 25, 2017 / Tom / 15 Comments

Release: Friday, September 23, 2016 (limited) [Theater] Written by: William Wheeler Directed by: Mira Nair Despite the illusion of diversity and the notion that films are now being tailor-made for niched audiences, director Mira Nair's latest feels like a rarity, one that's not only good for the soul, but good for Disney. Here is a work of substance … Continue reading Queen of Katwe

The Lady in the Van

March 6, 2016April 20, 2017 / Tom / 22 Comments

Release: Friday, December 4, 2015 (limited) [Theater] Written by: Alan Bennett Directed by: Nicholas Hytner The Lady in the Van is really good if you like watching movies about the elderly, the homeless and the incontinent. (Spoiler alert: I don't mind them.) Maggie Smith, who is the lady in the van, is a real piece of work in … Continue reading The Lady in the Van

Eddie the Eagle

March 3, 2016April 20, 2017 / Tom / 10 Comments

Release: Friday, February 26, 2016 [Theater] Written by: Sean Macauley; Simon Kelton Directed by: Dexter Fletcher Eddie the Eagle is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve, and good for it. It's the kind of movie you really want to stand up and cheer for -- and hey, maybe you even have. Did you throw some of … Continue reading Eddie the Eagle

A Very Murray Christmas

December 6, 2015April 13, 2017 / Tom / 4 Comments

Release: Friday, December 4, 2015 (Netflix) [Netflix] Written by: Sophia Coppola; Mitch Glazer; Bill Murray Directed by: Sophia Coppola A Very Murray Christmas is kind of an odd package. It's a fairly self-indulgent vanity project but only in the best way possible. I mean, how do you say 'no' to Bill Murray? It's a movie but not a … Continue reading A Very Murray Christmas

The Road Within

October 28, 2015April 12, 2017 / Tom / 4 Comments

Release: Friday, April 17, 2015 (limited) [Netflix] Written by: Gren Wells Directed by: Gren Wells The Road Within is far from a realistic take on how mental illness affects one's ability to socially interact but I'd be lying if I said it isn't incredibly uplifting and heartwarming. Gren Wells has created a wonderful pick-me-up and that's all you … Continue reading The Road Within

TBT: Starsky & Hutch (2004)

November 28, 2013January 28, 2017 / Tom / 8 Comments

Okay, so while I was unable to cook up a post today that would feature a certain bird that we, as Americans, are entitled to gorge ourselves on all day today, I hope that the little symbol thing on the ticket above will suffice for "theming" out this week's throwback. . . (And while we … Continue reading TBT: Starsky & Hutch (2004)

TBT: Anger Management (2003)

November 21, 2013January 27, 2017 / Tom / 20 Comments

Even though today's entry is indeed an Adam Sandler picture, this one retains a little bit of value. At least with me it does. Until I am being overthrown by another writer on this blog, Sandler has a decent chance of me actually sticking up for his antics. . . just this one time. Whatever … Continue reading TBT: Anger Management (2003)

TBT: I Love You, Man (2009)

November 14, 2013January 27, 2017 / Tom / 12 Comments

This may be pushing the limits that I sort-of (but not really at all) established about how recent a movie can be to qualify for this throwback feature, but darn it if today's entry doesn't qualify for one of the more memorable buddy-comedies. . . ever. It's a slight film, but it's also infectiously feel-good, … Continue reading TBT: I Love You, Man (2009)