While Edward Berger’s Conclave brings an iconic cast of beloved actors, who deliver superb performances and offers thought-provoking themes, I do not believe it should be prioritized when asked for recommendations on recently released films. It is certainly worth watching, but not as soon as possible. So often when we think of the depiction of the Catholic …
Tag Archives: film review
A Complete Unknown
I am generally wary of biopics, as I think they are simply made for Oscar bait. Your team could definitely catch the attention of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences if you are seeking to recreate an aesthetic of a bygone era (be it costumes, set design, makeup, music, or even using production …
WICKED: Worth Everything
Twenty years ago, the Broadway musical, Wicked, took the world by storm as Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith gave audiences the backstory to the witches Elphaba and Glinda of Oz (respectively). While I never saw the play nor indulged in its soundtrack, its existence always seemed to follow me like a shadow that I had no …
Gladiator 2: Belly Flop
So how often do we think about the Roman Empire? The internet has been abuzz with this topic for the last few years. Normally I dislike engaging in trends, but I realize that I am bound by honor to participate due to one of my tattoo’s being a quote from the Aeneid by Virgil There are many …
The Importance of Cult Classics
Spooky season is upon us. In addition to decorating the neighborhoods with jack-o-lanterns, cobwebs, and headstones, scary movies are binged by cinephiles like myself. This includes the classics like The Shining, The Exorcist, Psycho, as well as classics from stars of the iconic Universal Monster movies (such as Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff). Outsiders would expect cinephiles to …
A Pivotal Moment in Cinema
Many years ago, I lamented that iconic filmmakers were distributing their newest movies through streaming services. Budgeting is a factor; I will concede that. It is easy to be romantic when you are not considering your resources and budget. I believed that movies were meant to be seen in a communal manner; a shared experience …
The Happy Endings of Stanley Kubrick
Darkness looms over the filmography of Stanley Kubrick. From the spacecraft run by the murderous artificial intelligence; dystopian London seeking to eradicate ultraviolence; the ruins of Vietnam; the isolated Overlook Hotel; or the War Room of the Pentagon; Kubrick was willing to explore what terrified others and has led many to despair about the future …
Inside Out 2: Hope for Sequels
Inside Out 2 is a warranted sequel. So often studios will crank out sequels for business reasons, despite the fact there is either no way to continue a story that has already been resolved; or that the sequel could not live up to the standard set by the original. Thankfully that is not the case, here. …
Poor Things: R-rated Barbie
When I first watched the coming-of-age teen comedy Superbad in 2008, I was immediately won over to Emma Stone as Jules, the object of Jonah Hill’s affection. As the years passed and she released hit after hit (Zomebieland, Easy A, and The Amazing Spider-Man), I knew she would have a successful career as the new “it” comedy girl ranking …
Dune: Part II
Dune: Part II exceeded my expectations and, like the first installment released in 2021 (which I also reviewed), deserves to be ranked among iconic science-fiction movies including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, Star Wars, and Blade Runner. I think the simplest way to summarize my feelings is that whichever way one screens it, be it at a theater or streaming …
The City of Cinema 