Movie Review: Legend
Legend is a film rooted in mediocrity that sadly fails to cash in on the mesmerizing double performance from Tom Hardy. Set in 1960s London, the film begins with Ronald Kray (Tom Hardy), incarcerated in a mental health facility. He has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic. Reginald Kray (also played by the stunning Tom Hardy) is walking the streets of London infuriating the police presence t...[Read More]
Movie Review: Burnt
Burnt is a classic story of redemption set amidst the cutthroat world of the culinary arts. That being the case, one can expect this review to be peppered with bad cooking metaphors and references. I apologize in advance. How do you make the perfect film about cooking? Add one dash of a magnetic Bradley Cooper. Stir in two ounces of lovable supporting characters. Drop in one measure of a love stor...[Read More]
Movie Review: Gone Girl
Every few years a book (yes, people still read) comes along and grabs the attention of what seems to be a nation. About five years ago it was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. And then Gone Girl (written by Gillian Flynn) seemed to take over in the same manner. Gone Girl was a rare page turning mystery novel that didn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table in terms of plot, but it was beauti...[Read More]
Movie Review: The Drop
The Drop is a movie comprised of “almost” moments. It is almost a compelling gangster thriller. It is almost a beautifully realized love story. And, it is almost great. Cousin Marv (James Gandolfini in his last role before his death) used to run a bar in his prime. He is now relegated to operating an establishment where gangsters make weekly drops in an attempt to launder money. Marv’s...[Read More]
Movie Review: As Above, So Below
As Above, So Below, is a new horror film that arrives during the dog days of summer. It uses the overly tired faux documentary/found footage style without lending anything new to the genre. The film is marketed as straight horror, yet it leaves the audience without a shred of suspense. Scarlett (played by the one note Perdita Weeks) is on a harrowing mission to find a secret rock her father also s...[Read More]
Movie Review: The Wolf of Wall Street
Leonardo DiCaprio is electric in The Wolf of Wall Street, Martin Scorsese’s epic tale of excess and greed that just falls short of being a masterpiece. The actor plays Jordan Belfort as the viewer follows him through his decadent rise to the top of the Wall Street game. The Wolf of Wall Street is admittedly slight on the rags part of Jordan’s story. After a brief stint as an errand boy with a coup...[Read More]
Hustlin’ His Way to the Top: The Films of David O. Russell
It’s a very exciting time to be a film junkie. Gone are the days when a film’s art house appeal meant it had to be subtitled. Now we have our very own cadre of American filmmakers all jockeying for the spot of top dog. David Fincher, Darren Aronofsky, Quentin Tarantino, the Coen Brothers, and P.T. Anderson are all in contention for the title of our generation’s greatest director. However, there is...[Read More]
The Five Best Martin Scorsese Films
Hollywood has always had a peculiar way of treating its artists. Usually after celebrating an initial spark of genius, the studios, media, or loyal fans often watch the once promising talent fizzle out with a bang, or more times, with a quiet whimper. Either way, it remains a difficult feat to stay relevant in Hollywood. Martin Scorsese is an example of the rare filmmaker who has been working for ...[Read More]
Movie Review: Charlie Countryman
Charlie Countryman is a beautifully photographed, masterfully acted, and completely frustrating mess of a film. After the death of his mother, Charlie (Shia LeBeouf), is told by the woman’s ghost that he should to go to Bucharest. The drug-addled, wayward youth jumps at the chance to follow his mother’s wishes and books a seat on a plane to a city he’s less than familiar with. Once on board, he be...[Read More]