Tag: meaningful

“Little Women” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Greta Gerwig Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Laura Dern ‘An Astonishing Adaptation’ When it comes to the most … More

“Just Mercy” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Destin Daniel Cretton Co-writer: Andrew Lanham (based on book) Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson ‘Captivating … More

“The Farewell” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Lulu Wang Starring: Awkwafina, Tzi Ma and Diana Lin ‘Fantastic Family Drama’ It is always hard to come to … More

“Avengers: Endgame” (2019) – Movie Review

Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo Writers: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely Starring” Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth … More

“A Quiet Place” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: John Krasinski Co-writers: Bryan Woods and Scott Beck Starring: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds ‘An Intense Thriller’ … More

“Leave No Trace” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Debra Granik Co-writer: Anne Rosellini Starring: Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie ‘Deeply Moving Drama’ Imagine living a life of … More

“Hereditary” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Ari Aster Starring: Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro and Gabriel Byrne ‘A Terrifying Thriller’ Before I begin this review, I … More

“Eighth Grade” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Bo Burnham Starring: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton and Emily Robinson ‘Astonishing Adolescence Drama’ Perhaps, no time in a person’s … More

“Ben is Back” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Peter Hedges Starring: Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges and Courtney B. Vance ‘Powerful Drug-Addiction Drama’ Imagine being the mother of … More

“BlacKkKlansman” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Spike Lee Co-writers: Charlie Watchel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott Starring: John David Washington, Adam Driver and Topher Grace … More

“Wonder Woman” (2017) – Movie Review

Director: Patty Jenkins Writers: Allan Heinberg, Zach Snyder and Jason Fuchs Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine and Connie Nielson ‘Wonderful … More

“The Shape of Water” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Guillermo Del Toro Co-writer: Vanessa Taylor Starring: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer and Michael Shannon ‘Fantastic Fantasy Epic’ So far, … More

“Phantom Thread” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Few filmmakers in the world … More

“Lady Bird” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Greta Gerwig Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf and Lucas Hedges ‘Captivating Coming-of-Age Drama’ There is no time in a … More

“The Glass Castle” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Destin Daniel Cretton Co-writer: Andrew Lanham Starring: Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson and Naomi Watts ‘Astonishing Adaptation’ When it comes … More

“Dunkirk” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy ‘Wonderful War Drama’ War is a difficult subject to … More

“Call Me By Your Name” (2017) – Movie Review

Director: Luca Guadagnino Writer: James Ivory (based on novel by Andre Aciman) Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Armie Hammer and Michael Stuhlbarg … More

“The Big Sick” (2017) – Movie Review

Director: Michael Showalter Writers: Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan and Holly Hunter ‘A Hilarious … More

“Southside With You” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Richard Tanne Starring: Tika Sumpter and Parker Sawyers ‘Remarkable Romantic Drama’ Let me start off by saying that I’m … More

“Moonlight” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Barry Jenkins Based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney Starring: Mahershala Ali, Ashton Sanders and Naomi Harris ‘Magnificent … More

“Lion” (2016) – Movie Review

Director: Garth Davis Writer: Luke Davies (based off novel by Saroo Brierley) Starring: Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara … More

“The Light Between Oceans” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Derek Cianfrance Based on the best-selling novel by M.L. Stedman Starring: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz ‘Powerful … More

“La La Land” (2016) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Damien Chazelle Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and J.K. Simmons ‘A Musical Masterpiece’ Before I begin this review, I … More

“The Jungle Book” (2016) – Movie Review

Director: Jon Favreau Writer: Justin Marks (based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling) Starring: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray and Sir … More

“Arrival” (2016) – Movie Review

Director: Denis Villeneuve Writer: Eric Heisserer (based on short story) Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker ‘Spellbinding Science-Fiction’ … More

“Spotlight” (2015) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Tom McCarthy Co-writer: Josh Singer Starring: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ It is … More

“Room” (2015) – Movie Review

Director: Lenny Abrahamson Writer: Emma Donoghue (based on novel) Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay and William H. Macy ‘A Moving … More

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (2015) – Movie Review

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Writer: Jesse Andrews (based on novel) Starring: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler and Olivia Cooke ‘A Breath of … More

“Irrational Man” (2015) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Woody Allen Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone and Parker Posey ‘An Overlooked Gem’ Few actors in the world have … More

“Inside Out” (2015) – An Animation Masterpiece

Writer/Director: Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen Co-writers: Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley Starring: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, and Lewis … More

“22 Jump Street” (2014) – Movie Review

Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller Writers: Michael Bacall, Oren Uziel and Rodney Rothman Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and … More

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” (2014) – Movie Review

Director: Lasse Hallstrom Written by Steven Knight (based off novel by Richard C. Morais) Starring Helen Mirren, Om Puri and … More

“How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Dean DeBlois Co-writer: Cressida Cowell Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett and Djimon Hounsou ‘A Soaring Sequel’ If there’s any … More

“Edge of Tomorrow” (2014) – Movie Review

Director: Doug Liman Writers: Christopher McQuarrie and Jez Butterworth Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton ‘A Mind-Bending Marvel’ … More

“Boyhood” (2014) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Richard Linklater Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette ‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’ About halfway through Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood”, … More

“The Way Way Back” (2013) – Movie Review

Writers/Directors: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash Starring: Liam James, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell and Maya Rudolph ‘Captivating Coming-of-Age Drama’ We’re … More

“The Wolverine” (2013) – Movie Review

   Director: James Mangold                                 … More

“Inside Out 2” (2024) – Movie Review

Director: Kelsey Mann Starring: Amy Poehler, Lewis Black and Maya Hawke                   … More

“The World’s End” (2013) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Edgar Wright Co-writer: Simon Pegg Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Martin Freeman ‘Captivating Comedy’ Halfway through Edgar Wright’s … More

“The Spectacular Now” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: James Ponsoldt Writer: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley and Brie Larson ‘Spectacular Romantic … More

“The Reluctant Fundamentalist” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Mira Nair Writer: William Wheeler (based on Mohsin Hamid’s novel) Starring: Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson and Liev Schreiber ‘Riveting … More

“Man of Steel” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Zack Snyder Writer: David S. Goyer (based off story by Christopher Nolan) Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Michael … More

“Her” (2013) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Spike Jonze Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson and Amy Adams ‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ You rarely ever see movies that … More

“Gravity” (2013) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Alfonso Cauron Co-writer: Jonas Cauron Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney and Ed Harris ‘A Groundbreaking Achievement’ How often do … More

“Dallas Buyers Club” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Jean-Marc Valee Writers: Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner ‘Powerful AIDS Drama’ You … More

“American Hustle” (2013) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: David O. Russell Co-writer: Eric Warren Singer Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper ‘Powerful Period Piece’ In … More

“About Time” (2013) – Movie Review

                 Writer/Director: Richard Curtis Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy ‘Remarkable … More

“Wreck it Ralph” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Rich Moore Writer: Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer ‘Astonishing Animation’ Animated … More

“Silver Linings Playbook” (2012) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: David O. Russell Based on novel by Matthew Quick Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro ‘Magnificent Masterpiece’ It’s … More

“Looper” (2012) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Rian Johnson Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt ‘Original Entertainment’ “Looper” is written and directed by Rian … More

“Lincoln” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Tony Kushner (based off novel by Doris Kearns Goodwin)               … More

“Life of Pi” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Ang Lee Writer: David Magee (based off novel by Yann Martel) Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu ‘Beautiful Book … More

“The Hunger Games” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Gary Ross Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth ‘Astonishing Adaptation’ “The Hunger Games” is directed by Gary Ross. … More

“The Avengers” (2012) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Joss Whedon Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo ‘Marvel-ous Entertainment’ “The Avengers” is written and directed … More

“Argo” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Ben Affleck Starring: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin and John Goodman ‘Captivating CIA Thriller’ “Argo” is directed by Ben Affleck. … More

“My Week with Marilyn” (2011) – Movie Review

Director: Simon Curtis Starring Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh ‘Magnificent Monroe Biopic’ “My Week with Marilyn” is directed by … More

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” (2011) – Movie Review

Director: David Yates Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson ‘Fantastic Franchise Finale’ Few characters in English literature are as … More

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2011) – Movie Review

Directed by John Madden Written by Ol Parker Starring Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Maggie Smith ‘A Charming Comedy’ Sometimes … More

“Arthur Christmas” (2011) – Movie Review

Directors: Sarah Smith and Barry Cook Starring: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Billy Nighy ‘Astonishing Animation’ “Arthur Christmas” is directed by … More

“A Separation” (2011) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Asghar Farhadi Starring: Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, and Sareh Bayat ‘Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ Certain decisions are difficult to make. Especially … More

“Furiosa” (2024) – Powerful Mad Max Prequel

Writer/Director: George Miller Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke                     … More

“Challengers” (2024) – A Sports Classic

Director: Luca Guadagnino Starring: Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O’ Connor                     … More

“Dune: Part Two” (2024) – Revisited

Writer/Director: Denis Villeneuve  Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson                       … More

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023) – Movie Review

Director: Joaquim Dos Santos Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson                   … More

Why “Past Lives” was the Best Movie of 2023

Do you remember the time when you fell in love with your first crush?  Memories of crushes have shaped my … More

“Dune” (2021) – Revisited

Writer/Director: Denis Villeneuve Co-writer: Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Oscar Isaac ‘Spectacular Sci-fi’ Few … More

“Marriage Story” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Noah Baumbach Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Laura Dern ‘Mesmerizing Marriage Masterpiece’ It is always hard to move … More

“The Last Black Man in San Francisco” (2019) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Joe Talbot Co-writer: Rob Richert Starring: Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors and Rob Morgan ‘Powerful Gentrification Drama’ Gentrification is a … More

“Kubo and the Two Strings” (2016) – Movie Review

Directed by Travis Knight Written by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler Starring Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey ‘Awe-Inspiring … More

“Inside Out” (2015) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen Co-writers: Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley Starring: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, and Lewis … More

“Captain America: The Winter Solider” (2014) – Movie Review

Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely and Ed Brubaker Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel … More

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: George Miller Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke                     … More

“The Holdovers” (2023) – Movie Review

Director: Alexander Payne Starring: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da’ Vine Joy Randolph                 … More

“American Fiction” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Cord Jefferson Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown                   … More