Another new movie experience and another lesson learned. The one we have to talk about this month has become something of a cult classic since its release nearly two decades ago. I can see how it has earned that reputation. It's a very well-made movie, a realistic take on teen alienation that comes with a prickly … Continue reading The Scarlett Johansson Project — #5
#indie
Harpoon
Release: Friday, October 4, 2019 (limited) →Showtime Written by: Rob Grant; Mike Kovac Directed by: Rob Grant Harpoon is a horror-comedy set at sea that is bizarrely compelling considering what actually happens in 80 short minutes. It's a vicious little social experiment concocted by writer/director Rob Grant, who quite brilliantly uses little more than the bare essentials … Continue reading Harpoon
Villains
Release: Friday, September 20, 2019 →Hulu Written by: Dan Berk; Robert Olsen Directed by: Dan Berk; Robert Olsen In terms of competence, small-time criminals Mickey (Bill Skarsgård) and Jules (Maika Monroe) are closer to the Harry and Marv end of the spectrum than they are the Bonnie and Clyde side. These impetuous twenty-somethings are not very good at … Continue reading Villains
When a Song Gets Bigger than the Movie: Walking on a String
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a17sJFSSds 'Walking on a String' -- a collaboration between The National frontman Matt Berninger and solo singer/songwriter Phoebe Bridgers. This song is featured in the Zach Galifianakis comedy Between Two Ferns: The Movie. It plays during a short scene where Team Two Ferns gathers at a bar. I have been a fan of The National for … Continue reading When a Song Gets Bigger than the Movie: Walking on a String
Short, Sweet and Screamy: “Huluween” Reviews
There's no denying short films have gotten short shrift on Thomas J. I've got a few stashed away here and there (and here, too) but the overwhelming majority of my total output has been focused on feature-length productions. And why not? It's very difficult to review a short film and not spoil it! I've been … Continue reading Short, Sweet and Screamy: “Huluween” Reviews
The Peanut Butter Falcon
Release: Friday, August 23, 2019 →Theater Written by: Tyler Nilson; Michael Schwartz Directed by: Tyler Nilson; Michael Schwartz Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz make their narrative feature début with what could be the year's most Googled movie title, The Peanut Butter Falcon. Previously known for their short films and documentaries, the duo are now behind this year's biggest … Continue reading The Peanut Butter Falcon
Paddleton
Release: Friday, February 22, 2019 (Netflix) →Netflix Written by: Mark Duplass; Alex Lehmann Directed by: Alex Lehmann It's not often that the Duplass brothers make a heavy movie. Darting in and out of the so-called mumblecore scene and playing with time in pleasantly nostalgic trips down memory lane (Blue Jay) or lurching ahead into the future with spirited … Continue reading Paddleton
The Marvelous Brie Larson — #4
Welcome back to another edition of my latest Actor Profile, The Marvelous Brie Larson, a monthly series revolving around the silver screen performances of one of my favorite actresses. If you are a newcomer to this series, the idea behind this feature is to bring attention to a specific performer and their skill sets and … Continue reading The Marvelous Brie Larson — #4
Unicorn Store
Release: Friday, April 5, 2019 (Netflix) →Netflix Written by: Samantha MacIntyre Directed by: Brie Larson Very much like a unicorn the directorial début of Brie Larson is a colorful curiosity. Unicorn Store reunites her with her Captain Marvel co-star, Samuel L. Jackson, albeit under entirely different circumstances. Instead of trying to prevent intergalactic war here we're dealing with a … Continue reading Unicorn Store
The Marvelous Brie Larson — #1
And here we go! Welcome to a brand new edition of Actor Profiles -- with a slight twist. Whereas my previous features focused on well-established actors, this time I am drawing attention to a star on the rise -- the marvelous Brie Larson. I suppose you could make the argument she has already arrived, having … Continue reading The Marvelous Brie Larson — #1
