Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller Writers: Michael Bacall, Oren Uziel and Rodney Rothman Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and … More
Tag: smart
“Iron Man 3” (2013) – Shane Black’s Marvellous Iron Man Sequel
Writer/Director: Shane Black Co-writer: Drew Pearce Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley ‘Starkly Superior Sequel’ Twists are … More
“Strangers on a Train” (1951) – Alfred Hitchcock’s Spectacular Train Suspense Masterpiece
Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, Robert Walker ‘Hitchcock’s Entertaining Classic’ “Strangers on a Train” is directed by … More
“The Shining” (1980) – Stanley Kubrick’s Shining Horror Masterpiece About Isolation
Writer/Director: Stanley Kubrick Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd ‘A Shining Horror Masterpiece’ Before I begin this review, … More
“Analyze This” (1999) – Robert De Niro’s Captivating Gangster Comedy
Writer/Director: Harold Ramis Co-writer: Peter Tolan and Kenneth Lonergan Starring: Billy Crystal, Robert De Niro, and Lisa Kudrow ‘Captivating Comedy’ … More
“Bottoms” (2023) – Emma Seligman’s Captivating Comedy About Bullying
Writer/Director: Emma Seligman Starring: Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri and Ruby Cruz ‘Captivating Comedy’ Have you ever been treated with ridicule … More
“Air” (2023) – Ben Affleck’s Brilliant Business Biopic About Nike
Director: Ben Affleck Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis … More
“Black Widow” (2021) – Marvel’s Fantastic Feminist Black Widow Blockbuster
Director: Cate Shortland Writer: Eric Pearson Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh and David Harbour ‘A Satisfying Spin-off’ Strong superheroines that … More
“Yesterday” (2019) – A Breathtaking Musical Tribute to The Beatles
Director: Danny Boyle Writer: Richard Curtis Starring: Himesh Patel, Lily James and Ed Sheeran ‘Breathtaking Beatles Musical’ Imagine living in … More
“Spy” (2015) – A Spectacular Comedy About Spies
Writer/Director: Paul Feig Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham and Jude Law ‘A Spy-tacular Comedy’ You rarely ever come across comedies … More
“Looper” (2012) – Rian Johnson’s Spellbinding Time Travel Thriller
Writer/Director: Rian Johnson Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt ‘Original Entertainment’ “Looper” is written and directed by Rian … More
“Notorious” (1946) – Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious Classic
Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Louis Calhern ‘Unforgettable Hitchcock Classic’ “Notorious” is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It … More
“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) – A Spectacular Top Gun Sequel
Director: Joseph Kosinski Writers: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller and Val Kilmer … More
“Tenet” (2020) – Christopher Nolan’s Most Underrated Blockbuster
Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki ‘A Mind-Blowing Marvel’ Not many directors in Hollywood … More
“Nomadland” (2020) – A Mesmerizing Drama About Nomads
Writer/Director: Chloé Zhao Based on Jessica Bruder’s book Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathaim and Linda May ‘A Mesmerizing Docudrama’ Imagine … More
“Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018) – Marvel’s Most Underrated Blockbuster
Director: Peyton Reed Writers: Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly ‘Fun but Flawed … More
“The Big Sick” (2017) – Remarkable Multicultural Romantic Comedy
Director: Michael Showalter Writers: Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan and Holly Hunter ‘A Hilarious … More
“Baby Driver” (2017) – Captivating Crime Driving Thriller
Writer/Director: Edgar Wright Starring: Ansel Elgort, Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey ‘A Thrilling Ride’ In a Summer filled with superhero … More
“Arrival” (2016) – Awe-Inspiring Science-Fiction Adaptation
Director: Denis Villeneuve Writer: Eric Heisserer (based on short story) Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker ‘Spellbinding Science-Fiction’ … More
“Spy” (2015) – Captivating Spy Comedy
Writer/Director: Paul Feig Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham and Jude Law ‘A Spy-tacular Comedy’ You rarely ever come across comedies … More
“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (2015) – Heartwarming Coming of Age Drama
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Writer: Jesse Andrews (based on novel) Starring: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler and Olivia Cooke ‘A Breath of … More
“Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018) – Astonishing Ant-Man Sequel
Director: Peyton Reed Writers: Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly ‘Fun but Flawed … More
“Nightcrawler” (2014) – Captivating Night Criminal Thriller
Writer/Director: Dan Gilroy Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo and Riz Ahmed ‘Dazzling Directorial Debut’ A director’s first film is usually … More
“Edge of Tomorrow” (2014) – Tom Cruise at His Best
Director: Doug Liman Writers: Christopher McQuarrie and Jez Butterworth Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton ‘A Mind-Bending Marvel’ … More
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014) – Powerful Planet of the Apes Sequel
Director: Matt Reeves Writers: Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman ‘Spectacular … More
“Lawless” (2012) – Powerful Alcoholism Period Piece
Director: John Hillcoat Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jessica Chastain ‘Powerful Period Piece’ “Lawless” is directed by John Hillcoat. … More
“Strangers on a Train” (1951) – Hitchcock’s Most Entertaining Classic
Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, Robert Walker “Strangers on a Train” is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Its … More
“Shadow of a Doubt” (1943) – Hitchcock’s Masterpiece Without a Doubt
Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Henry Travers ‘A Classic Without a Doubt’ “Shadow of a Doubt” is … More
“Psycho” (1960) – Hitchcock’s Horror Masterpiece
Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Jante Leigh ‘Psychotic Masterpiece’ “Psycho” is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Its script … More
“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – Timeless Adventure Classic
Director: Steven Spielberg Writer: Lawrence Kasdan Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman ‘Timeless Classic’ “Indiana Jones and the Raiders … More
“The Suicide Squad” (2021) – Spectacular Supervillain Reboot
Writer/Director: James Gunn Starring: Idris Elba, John Cena and Margot Robbie ‘Sensational Supervillain Reboot’ Superhero movies that face excessive studio … More
“The Power of the Dog” (2021) – Wonderful LGBTQ Western
Writer/Director: Jane Campion Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee ‘Wonderful Western’ It’s hard to forgive a genre in … More
“The Green Knight” (2021) – Mesmerizing Medieval Epic
Writer/Director: David Lowery Starring: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander and Joel Edgerton ‘Mesmerizing Medieval Epic’ Racial representation is seldom seen in … More
“Promising Young Woman” (2020) – Spectacular Sexual Assault Satire
Writer/Director: Emerald Fennell Starring: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham and Alison Brie ‘Riveting Revenge Thriller’ Sexual assault is a sensitive subject … More
“Mangrove” (2020) – Captivating Racism Courtroom Drama
Writer/Director: Steve McQueen Starring: Shaun Parkes, Letitia Wright and Malachi Kirby ‘Captivating Courtroom Drama’ Peaceful black protestors beaten up by … More
“The Invisible Man” (2020) – Powerful Psychological Thriller
Writer/Director: Leigh Whannell Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Aldis Hodge ‘Terrifying Psychological Thriller’ Over the past decade or so, … More
“The Devil All the Time” (2020) – Terrific Crime Thriller
Writer/Director: Antonio Campos Co-writer: Paulo Campos (based on book by Donald Ray Pollock) Starring: Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Jason … More
“Yesterday” (2019) – Breathtaking Tribute to the Beatles
Director: Danny Boyle Writer: Richard Curtis Starring: Himesh Patel, Lily James and Ed Sheeran ‘Breathtaking Beatles Musical’ Imagine living in … More
“The Report” (2019) – Riveting Political Thriller
Writer/Director: Scott Z. Burns Starring: Adam Driver, Annette Bening and Jon Hamm ‘Powerful Political Thriller’ When it comes to the … More
“Parasite” (2019) – Magnificent Korean Masterpiece
Writer/Director: Bong Joon-ho Co-writer: Jin Won Han Starring: Song Kang-Ho, Choi Woo-shik and Park So-dam ‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ Foreign films … More
“Pain and Glory” (2019) – Glorious Autobiographical Drama
Writer/Director: Pedro Almodóvar Starring: Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia ‘A Glorious Achievement’ Few filmmakers from Spain have achieved … More
“Official Secrets” (2019) – Powerful Political Thriller
Writer/Director: Gavin Hood Co-writers: Gregory and Sara Bernstein Starring: Keira Knightley, Matt Smith and Ralph Fiennes ‘A Tense Political Thriller’ … More
“The Last Black Man in San Francisco” (2019) – Heartfelt Homeless Drama
Writer/Director: Joe Talbot Co-writer: Rob Richert Starring: Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors and Rob Morgan ‘Powerful Gentrification Drama’ Gentrification is a … More
“Another Round” (2019) – Amazing Alcohol Addiction Drama
Writer/Director: Thomas Vinterberg Co-writer: Tobias Lindholm Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen and Magnus Millang ‘Dazzling Drinking Drama’ Alcoholism is … More
“Ocean’s 8” (2018) – Fun Feminist Ocean’s Reboot
Writer/Director: Gary Ross Co-writer: Olivia Milch Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway ‘Enjoyable Entertainment’ When it comes to … More
“Leave No Trace” (2018) – Heartbreaking Homeless Drama
Writer/Director: Debra Granik Co-writer: Anne Rosellini Starring: Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie ‘Deeply Moving Drama’ Imagine living a life of … More
“Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017) – Soaring Spider-Man Reboot
Director: Jon Watts Writers: Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley Starring: Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Keaton ‘A … More
“Phantom Thread” (2017) – Powerful Fashion Period Piece
Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville ‘Powerful Period Piece’ Few filmmakers in the world … More
“The Big Sick” (2017) – Remarkable Romantic Comedy
Director: Michael Showalter Writers: Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan and Holly Hunter ‘A Hilarious … More
“Baby Driver” (2017) – Breathtaking Driving Thriller
Writer/Director: Edgar Wright Starring: Ansel Elgort, Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey ‘A Thrilling Ride’ In a Summer filled with superhero … More
“The Nice Guys” (2016) – Captivating Detective Comedy
Writer/Director: Shane Black Starring: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice ‘Captivating Comedy’ Few actors in Hollywood have built a career … More
“Star Trek: Into Darkness” (2013) – Spectacular Star Trek Sequel
Director: J.J. Abrams Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Benedict Cumberbatch ‘Spectacular … More
“Elysium” (2013) – Exhilarating Science-Fiction Epic
Writer/Director: Neill Blomkamp Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley ‘Original Entertainment’ In a Summer that’s so far occupied … More
“Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) – Fantastic Avengers Finale
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo Writers: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland … More
“Source Code” (2011) – Superb Science-Fiction Thriller
Director: Duncan Jones Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga ‘Spectacular Science-Fiction’ Over the past decade, the sci-fi genre has … More
“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” (2015) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Co-Writers: Drew Pearce and Bruce Geller Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson ‘A Mission Accomplished’ … More
“A Haunting in Venice” (2023) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Kenneth Branagh Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey … More
“The Banshees of Inisherin” (2022) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan … More
“The Suicide Squad” (2021) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: James Gunn Starring: Idris Elba, John Cena and Margot Robbie ‘Sensational Supervillain Reboot’ Superhero movies that face excessive studio … More
“No Time to Die” (2021) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Cary Fukunaga Starring: Daniel Craig, Lashana Lynch and Rami Malek ‘Satisfying Swansong’ Brawny beauties are seldom rewarded licenses to … More
“Tenet” (2020) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki ‘A Mind-Blowing Marvel’ Not many directors in Hollywood … More
“Soul” (2020) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Pete Docter Co-writers: Mike Jones and Kemp Powers Starring: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey and Graham Norton ‘Astonishing Animated Achievement’ … More
“1917” (2019) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Sam Mendes Co-writer: Krysty Wilson-Cairns Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman and Colin Firth ‘Wonderful War Drama’ Over the past … More
“The Report” (2019) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Scott Z. Burns Starring: Adam Driver, Annette Bening and Jon Hamm ‘Powerful Political Thriller’ When it comes to the … More
“Parasite” (2019) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Bong Joon-ho Co-writer: Jin Won Han Starring: Song Kang-Ho, Choi Woo-shik and Park So-dam ‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ Foreign films … 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
“War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Matt ReevesCo-writer: Mark BombackStarring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson and Steve Zahn ‘Fantastic Apes Finale’ Ever since it started in … More
“Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017) – Movie Review
Director: Jon Watts Writers: Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley Starring: Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Keaton ‘A … More
“The Nice Guys” (2016) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Shane Black Starring: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice ‘Captivating Comedy’ Few actors in Hollywood have built a career … 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
“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
“The Gift” (2015) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Joel Edgerton Starring: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Joel Edgerton ‘A Thought-Provoking Thriller’ About halfway through Joel Edgerton’s latest … 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
“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
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014) – Movie Review
Director: Matt Reeves Writers: Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman ‘Spectacular … More
“This is the End” (2013) – Movie Review
Writer/Directors: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco and Jonah Hill ‘Captivating Comedy’ Hollywood is … More
“Prisoners” (2013) – Movie Review
Director: Denis Villeneuve Writer: Aaron Guzikowski Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard ‘Powerful Abduction Thriller’ Movies rarely ever surprise … More
“About Time” (2013) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: Richard Curtis Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy ‘Remarkable … More
“The Amazing Spider-Man” (2012) – Movie Review
Director: Marc Webb Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Sally Field ‘Spectacular Reboot’ “The Amazing Spider-Man” is directed by Marc … More
“Margin Call” (2011) – Movie Review
Writer/Director: J.C. Chandor Starring: Kevin Spacey, Zachary Quinto and Paul Bettany ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ It’s one thing for a financial … 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
The Film Buff 