Tag: summer

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014) – Matt Reeves’ Spectacular 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

“Jurassic World” (2015) – Colin Trevorrow’s Remarkable Reboot of Jurassic Park

Writer/Director: Colin Trevorrow Co-writers: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Derek Connolly Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Irrfan Khan … More

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014) – Matt Reeves’ Spectacular 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

“The Way Way Back” (2013) – Nat Faxon’s Captivating Coming-of-Age Drama

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

“Pacific Rim” (2013) – Guillermo Del Toro’s Breathtaking Summer Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Guillermo del Toro Co-writer: Travis Beacham  Starring: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi ‘Exhilarating Entertainment’ Over the last … More

“Man of Steel” (2013) – Zach Snyder’s Soaring Superman Comic-Book Reboot

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

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1” (2023) – Tom Cruise’s Magnificent Mission Impossible Finale

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg                     … More

“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” (2015) – Tom Cruise’s Most Entertaining Mission

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Co-Writers: Drew Pearce and Bruce Geller Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson ‘A Mission Accomplished’ … More

“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) – Tom Cruise’s Soaring Top Gun Blockbuster

Director: Joseph Kosinski Writers: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller and Val Kilmer             … More

“Aftersun” (2022) – Charlotte Wells’ Mesmerizing Masterpiece About Fathers

Writer/Director: Charlotte Wells Starring: Frankie Corio, Paul Mescal                         … More

“In the Heights” (2021) – An Incredible Adaptation of a Beloved Broadway Play

Director: John M. Chu Writer: Quiara Alegria Hudes Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins and Melissa Barrera ‘A Marvelous Musical’  It … More

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1” (2023) – A Magnificent Mission Impossible Finale

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg                     … More

“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” (2018) – A Magnificent Mission Accomplished

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill and Rebecca Ferguson ‘A Mission Accomplished’ When it comes to the most … More

“Jurassic World” (2015) – A Wonderful Return to the World of Dinosaurs

Writer/Director: Colin Trevorrow Co-writers: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Derek Connolly Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Irrfan Khan … More

“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” (2015) – A Magnificent Mission Impossible Sequel

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Co-Writers: Drew Pearce and Bruce Geller Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson ‘A Mission Accomplished’ … More

“Jurassic World” (2015) – A Joyous Return to the World of Dinosaurs

Writer/Director: Colin Trevorrow Co-writers: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Derek Connolly Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Irrfan Khan … More

“22 Jump Street” (2014) – A Joyous Jump Street Sequel

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

“Southpaw” (2015) – Jake Gyllenhaal’s Breathtaking Boxing Drama

Director: Antoine Fuqua Writer: Kurt Sutter Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams and Forest Whitaker ‘Breathtaking Boxing Drama’ Is it just … More

“How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014) – A Soaring Animated Dragon Sequel

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

“The Wolverine” (2013) – A Wonderful Wolverine Blockbuster

 Director: James Mangold                                   … More

“Pacific Rim” (2013) – Guillermo Del Toro’s Breathtaking Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Guillermo del Toro Co-writer: Travis Beacham  Starring: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi ‘Exhilarating Entertainment’ Over the last … More

“Oz: the Great and the Powerful” (2013) – A Great Wizard of Oz Prequel

Director: Sam Raimi Writers: Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams, and Mila Kunis ‘Powerful Prequel’ I … More

“Iron Man 3” (2013) – A 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

“Elysium” (2013) – An Underrated Science-Fiction Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Neill Blomkamp Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley ‘Original Entertainment’ In a Summer that’s so far occupied … More

“Premium Rush” (2012) – A Breathtaking Thriller About Bicycling

Writer/Director: David Koepp Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dania Ramirez and Michael Shannon ‘Brilliant Bicycling Thriller’ “Premium Rush” is written and directed … More

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1” (2023) – Fantastic Mission Impossible Finale

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg                     … More

“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) – Incredible Mission Impossible Sequel

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Co-Writers: Drew Pearce and Bruce Geller Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson ‘A Mission Accomplished’ … 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

“Southside With You” (2016) – Riveting Obama Romantic Drama

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

“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” (2015) – A Magnificent Mission Accomplished

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Co-Writers: Drew Pearce and Bruce Geller Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson ‘A Mission Accomplished’ … More

“22 Jump Street” (2014) – Joyful Jump Street Sequel

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

“How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014) – Soaring Animated Dragon Sequel

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

“Pacific Rim” (2013) – Breathtaking Summer Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Guillermo del Toro Co-writer: Travis Beacham  Starring: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi ‘Exhilarating Entertainment’ Over the last … More

“Elysium” (2013) – Exhilarating Science-Fiction Entertainment

Writer/Director: Neill Blomkamp Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley ‘Original Entertainment’ In a Summer that’s so far occupied … More

“Despicable Me 2” (2013) – Dazzling Despicable Me Sequel

Director: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud Writers: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt ‘Spectacular … More

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021) – Spectacular Spider-Man Sequel

Directed by Jon Watts Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya and Benedict Cumberbatch ‘Spectacular Sequel’ It’s always necessitated battle-Garfield companies s-Parker-ling powers … More

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018) – Marvelous Ant-Man Sequel

Director: Peyton Reed Writers: Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly ‘Fun but Flawed … 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

“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” (2018) – Spectacular Mission Impossible Sequel

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill and Rebecca Ferguson ‘A Mission Accomplished’ When it comes to the most … More

“The Man From U.N.C.L.E” (2015) – Disappointing Spy Drama

Writer/Director: Guy Ritchie Co-writer: Lionel Wigram (based on TV show) Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander ‘A Time-Pass … More

“22 Jump Street” (2014) – Spectacular Jump Street Sequel

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

“2 Guns” (2013) – Disappointing Crime Comedy

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Blake Masters (based on graphic novel by Steve Grant) Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula … More

“The Wolverine” (2013) – Wonderful Wolverine Blockbuster

  Director: James Mangold                                   … More

“Red 2” (2013) – Bland Spies Sequel

Director: Dean Parisot Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker and John Malkovich ‘Forgettable Sequel’ By settling … More

“Pacific Rim” (2013) – Marvelous Monsters Blockbuster

Writer/Director: Guillermo del Toro Co-writer: Travis Beacham  Starring: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi ‘Exhilarating Entertainment’ Over the last … More

“Despicable Me 2” (2013) – Dazzling Animated Sequel

Director: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud Writers: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt ‘Spectacular … More

My Favorite Films of Summer 2023

Summer was an exhilarating time to be a movie-goer. During a period when the actor’s strike threw the film industry … More

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023) – Spectacular Animated Sequel

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

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Christopher McQuarrie Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg                     … More

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: James Mangold Starring: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen                      … More

“Solo: A Star Wars: Story” (2018) – Movie Review

Director: Ron Howard Writers: Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson and Donald Glover ‘Superb Solo Prequel’ When … More

“Ocean’s 8” (2018) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Gary Ross Co-writer: Olivia Milch Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway ‘Enjoyable Entertainment’ When it comes to … More

“Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) – Movie Review

Director: Anthony and Joe Russo Writers: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland … More

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” (2018) – Movie Review

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) – Movie Review

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

“Baby Driver” (2017) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Edgar Wright Starring: Ansel Elgort, Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey ‘A Thrilling Ride’ In a Summer filled with superhero … 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

“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

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

Directed by Travis Knight Written by Marc Haimes and Chris ButlerStarring Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey ‘Awe-Inspiring Animation’ … 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

“Spy” (2015) – Movie Review

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) – Movie Review

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

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – Analysis

Writer/Director: George Miller Co-writers: Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult ‘Madly Entertaining’ 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

“Ant-Man” (2015) – Movie Review

Director: Peyton Reed Writers: Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay and Paul Rudd Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, and Evangeline … 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

“2 Guns” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Baltasar Kormakur Writer: Blake Masters (based on graphic novels by Steve Grant) Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula … 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

“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

“Iron Man 3” (2013) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Shane Black Co-writer: Drew Pearce Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley ‘Starkly Superior Sequel’ Twists are … More

“Elysium” (2013) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Neill Blomkamp Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley ‘Original Entertainment’ In a Summer that’s so far occupied … More

“Despicable Me 2” (2013) – Movie Review

Director: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud Writers: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt ‘Spectacular … More

“Mirror Mirror” (2012) – Movie Review

Director: Tarsem Singh Starring: Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Lily Collins ‘Passable Entertainment’ “Mirror Mirror” is directed by Tarsem Singh. Its … More

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) – Revisited

Writer/Director: George Miller Co-writers: Brendan McCarthy and Nick Lathouris Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult ‘Madly Entertaining’ Is … 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