Release: Friday, April 24, 2020 (Netflix) →Netflix Written by: Joe Russo Directed by: Sam Hargrave The more cynical takeaway here is that Extraction exists for no other purpose than to prove that the three -- er, make it four -- Marvel Cinematic Universe alums who have made it possible are capable of more hard-hitting, violent movies. The marketing … Continue reading Extraction
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Terminator: Dark Fate
Release: Friday, November 1, 2019 →On Demand Written by: David Goyer; Justin Rhodes; Billy Ray Directed by: Tim Miller Terminator: Dark Fate is the best installment in the series since Judgment Day and it's not even close. That said, having never been a die-hard I have gotten along pretty well with most* of the sequels, even the mind-bendingly-complex-and-not-in-a-good-way Terminator Genisys, … Continue reading Terminator: Dark Fate
Uncut Gems
Release: Christmas Day 2019 →Theater Written by: Ronald Bronstein; Josh and Benny Safdie Directed by: Josh and Benny Safdie If they have proven anything in their last two movies it's that few filmmakers stress you out quite like the New York born-and-bred Safdie brothers. Uncut Gems is, in a word, intense. This is a very aggressive mood piece that … Continue reading Uncut Gems
Dolemite is My Name
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
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 Mule
Release: Friday, December 14, 2018 →Theater Written by: Sam Dolnick; Nick Schenk Directed by: Clint Eastwood The Mule marks the 37th time Clint Eastwood has directed a movie. Remember that the next time you go out for Trivia Night. From The Eiger Sanction (1975) to his Best Picture-winning western Unforgiven (1992); Mystic River (2003) to Gran Torino (2008), the man has … Continue reading The Mule
Widows
Release: Friday, November 16, 2018 →Theater Written by: Gillian Flynn; Steve McQueen Directed by: Steve McQueen Steve McQueen, master of the discomforting drama, is back at it again with Widows, an uncommonly menacing heist thriller that makes room for trenchant social commentary in between fits of short-lived but significant action. Given his past films, I guess I understand … Continue reading Widows
mother!
Release: Friday, September 15, 2017 →Theater Written by: Darren Aronofsky Directed by: Darren Aronofsky No one makes movies like Darren Aronofsky. Then again, does anyone dare? With mother! the enfant terrible of modern Hollywood has produced quite possibly his most polarizing and interpretive work yet. That does take into consideration his previous effort, the controversial Noah epic. And I … Continue reading mother!
Logan
Release: Friday, March 3, 2017 [Theater] Written by: James Mangold; Scott Frank; Michael Green Directed by: James Mangold Logan is a robust superhero film and probably the most violent one we have encountered since Deadpool. (Lest we forget that that movie was more than a comedy.) But even in the context of superhero films that have been slapped with … Continue reading Logan
Why Him?
Release: Friday, December 23, 2016 [Theater] Written by: John Hamburg; Ian Helfer Directed by: John Hamburg My biggest gripe with Why Him? It's actually not that it represents yet another painfully unfunny Christmas comedy. Well, it kind of is. I'm dismayed more because it is a painfully unfunny Christmas comedy starring James Franco and Bryan Cranston. Bryan Cranston! Also … Continue reading Why Him?
