2022
"Judas and the Black Messiah" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Shaka King Co-written by Will Berson Starring Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield and Jesse Plemon ‘A Powerful Historical Biopic’ Racism has always been pervasive in American history. Arguably, there isn’t a time when America was as fraught with racial tensions as the Black Panther Movement of the 1960’s. During this turbulent period,…
"The White Tiger" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Ramin Bahrani Starring Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Rajkummar Rao ‘A Captivating Class Satire’ Few countries across the world have been as poorly portrayed in movies as India. Hollywood has always been criticized for glorifying the impoverishment of modern India. Western filmmakers tend to emphasize the country’s poverty rather than…
"The Dig" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Simon Stone Written by Moira Buffini (Based on John Preston’s book) Starring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes and Lily James ‘An Astonishing Period Piece’ Few archaeological artifacts in English history are as highly regarded today as the Sutton Hoo. Ever since it was first uncovered by archaeologists in 1939 England, the Sutton Hoo has…
"The Mauritanian" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Kevin Macdonald Written by M.B. Traven, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Based on memoir) Starring Tahar Rahim, Jodie Foster and Benedict Cumberbatch ‘A Tense Political Thriller’ Torture is a controversial tactic that has always been confidentially covered up in U.S. history. The CIA has long been accused of torturing innocent individuals for their…
"In the Heights" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by John M. Chu Written by Quiara Alegria Hudes Starring Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins and Melissa Barrera ‘A Marvelous Musical’ It isn’t easy to adapt a theatrical Broadway musical on the big-screen. In order to craft a successful stage adaptation, filmmakers must pay careful attention to the storytelling, characters, and dance numbers of the…
"Cruella" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Craig Gillepsie Written by Dana Fox and Tony McNamara Starring Emma Stone, Emma Thompson and Paul Walter Hauser ‘A Delightful Remake’ Is it just me or has Disney lost its magic by running out of ideas for movies? Over this recent decade, the company has developed a problematic tendency of adapting animated cartoons…
"A Quiet Place Part II" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by John Krasinski Starring Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Cillian Murphy ‘A Spectacular Sequel’ The hushed-up stories of deaf communities are rarely ever heard in horror movies. Over this recent decade, Hollywood has developed a terrible reputation for casting non-disabled actors in hearing-impaired roles. This has put deaf communities at a disadvantage…
"Black Widow" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Cate Shortland Written by Eric Pearson Starring Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh and David Harbour ‘A Satisfying Spin-off’ Strong superheroines that aren’t sexualized are scarcely seen in Marvel’s male-dominated movies. Following its 2010 launch of Black Widow, the company has developed a misogynistic trend for objectifying heroines through the male gaze. With…
"Bo Burnham: Inside" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Bo Burnham Starring Bo Burnham ‘Captivating Stand-up Special’ Never has it been more challenging for comedians with hectic routines to manage their mental hygiene than amidst quarantine. Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, stand-up comics have struggled to keep their passion for art alive as their mental health has taken a nosedive. While…
"Pig" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Michael Sarnoski Starring Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff and Adam Arkin ‘Riveting Revenge Thriller’ Few movie-stars in Hollywood once regarded inspirational icons are as rarely treated seriously today as Nicolas Cage. No longer national treasure movie-goers were once moonstruck with, Cage has gone in 60 seconds from being one of Hollywood’s greatest…
"The Suicide Squad" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by James Gunn Starring Idris Elba, John Cena and Margot Robbie ‘Sensational Supervillain Reboot’ Superhero movies that face excessive studio interventions seldom surpass fans’ sky-high expectations. After 2016’s “Suicide Squad”, Warner Bros. has acquired terrible tendencies for interfering with filmmakers’ creative visions in comic-book movies. Like suicide notes foreshadowing comic-book genre’s passing,…
"The Green Knight" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by David Lowery Starring Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander and Joel Edgerton ‘Mesmerizing Medieval Epic’ Racial representation is seldom seen in fantasy films set during fictional medieval centuries. Like haggard wands that’ve lost severe magic, fantastical movies have perpetuated fallacies about Middle Age centuries as white-controlled populations without diversity. For instance, HBO’s series…
"CODA" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Sian Heder Starring Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin ‘Powerful Disability Drama’ Silenced stories of celebrities without hearing capabilities denied opportunities due to disabilities are seldom heard in movies. Despite loud movies indicating hearing-impaired actors can survive silent apocalypse, Hollywood has always declined deaf communities quiet place in industry. For…
"Annette" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Leos Carax Co-written by Sparks Brothers Starring Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard and Simon Helberg ‘Magnificent Musical’ Is it just me or have musicals lost sounds of music in time by greasy declines? Barring scarce note-perfect symphonies (ex. Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land”), musicals aren’t magical nannies with practically perfect melodies anymore…
"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton Starring Simu Liu, Awkwafina and Tony Leung ‘Marvel-ous Martial-Arts Epic’ Crazy rich abilities of Asian communities are scarcely appreciated in Marvel’s white-dominated comic-book movies. Despite wealthy movies claiming poor Asian-American families secure prosperity in capitalist societies, Marvel has frequently denied Chinese celebrities opportunities using whitewashing. For instance, Scott…
"The Power of the Dog" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Jane Campion Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Kodi Smit-McPhee ‘Wonderful Western’ It’s hard to forgive a genre in as unforgivable stigma by encouraging truly gritty homophobia as the western. Following prejudiced ideologies, westerns are no longer ledger-ndary celebrities that broke barriers by bouldering mountains for LGBTQ communities. For example, James…
"No Time to Die" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Cary Fukunaga Starring Daniel Craig, Lashana Lynch and Rami Malek ‘Satisfying Swansong’ Brawny beauties are seldom rewarded licenses to kill casino royalties in James Bond’s male-commanded movies. Owing to old-fashioned predilection towards shaken misogyny over stirred martini, Bond isn’t anymore Connery-stone hero whose goldeneyes pierced movie-goers in distant memory. For instance,…
"Dune" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Denis Villeneuve Co-written by Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth Starring Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Oscar Isaac ‘Spectacular Sci-fi’ Few countries are as lukewarmingly labeled as in-vader-ing enemies in science-fiction movies as Middle East. Despite cruising films cherishing majesty of metropolitan rogue nation countries, it’s become impossible mission for Hollywood not…
"The Last Duel" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Ridley Scott Starring Jodie Comer, Matt Damon and Adam Driver ‘Mesmerizing Medieval’ Testimonies of bravehearted women that jousted gladiator misogyny in medieval centuries are scarcely di-spartacus-sed in movies. Owing to misogyny over chivalry, medieval…
"Spencer" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Pablo Larraín Written by Steven Knight Starring Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall and Sally Hawkins ‘Dazzling Biopic’ It isn’t simple to personify a famous family diva battling bulimia with persona as…
"House of Gucci" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Ridley Scott Starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver and Al Pacino ‘Giorgio-eus Biopic’ Versace fashion-designer families Scarfaced by Goodfellas criminal activities are scarcely dressed to impress Godfather adversaries. Despite Dis-money-making animations and fashionable professions’ 101 Dalmatian differences, Hollywood’s often villainized fashion-designers through darkening eye-liners in Cruella puppy-killers’ de-Vil-ish manners. For instance, FX’s program “The…
"West Side Story" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Steven Spielberg Starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler and Rita Moreno ‘Maria-velous Musical’ Latino-American communities scarcely…
"Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021)- Movie Review
Directed by Jon Watts Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya and Benedict Cumberbatch ‘Spectacular Sequel’ It’s always necessitated battle-Garfield companies s-Parker-ling powers to portray web-slinging superheroes with great responsibilities Mag-acquired…
"The Tragedy of Macbeth" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Joel Coen Starring Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand and Kathryn Hunter …
"Death on the Nile" (2022)- Movie Review
Directed by Kenneth Branagh Starring Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot and Armie Hammer ‘Marple-velous Mystery’ Murder mystery monarchies are seldom investigated by 12-Angry-Men juries with Hercule responsibilities punishing racist felonies. If C-Hannibal-istic psychopathic killers interrogated Agatha Christie’s literatures’ weaknesses, her condemnations of peoples-of-color as silenced sacrificial lambs Foster fearful feminist police-officers. For considerations, Kenneth Branagh’s Ratchett…
"Belfast" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Kenneth Branagh Starring Jude Hill, Jamie Dornan and Judi Dench …
"The Batman" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Matt Reeves Starring Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz and Paul Dano …
"Licorice Pizza" (2021)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson Starring Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman and Bradley Cooper ‘Astonishing Romance’ American-Beauty couples’ segregated with The-Graduate ages-gaps…
"Nightmare Alley" (2021)- Movie Review
Written/Directed Guillermo Del Toro Starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara ‘Riveting Remake’ It’s commonly…
"Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" (2022)- Movie Review
Director: David Yates Writers: J.K. Rowling/Steve Kloves Starring Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne, Mads Mikkelsen ‘Fantastic Sequel’ LGBTQ communities seldom participate Order-of-the-Phoenix organizations Eye-Rowling authors experiencing Prisoner-of-Azkaban incarcerations. If Malfoy-unctioning Slytherins sneer “Enemies-of-the-Heir-Beware” warnings requested assess J.K. Rowling career, sno-Dobby treatment queers Mudblood spark Chamber-of-Secrets fears. Rowling’s Deathly-Hallows powers blossoming Lily flowers “Always” neglected Potter-y-mouthed followers. Like…
"Elvis" (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Baz Luhrmann Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks and Olivia DeJonge …
"Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Taika Waititi Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Christian Bale ‘Thor-oughly Entertaining’ Wonder-Woman beauties rarely wield hammers belong bo-Thor-some superheroes wear Black-Panther armor. If foreb-Odin-g The-Dark-World majesty judge why son hammer stumbles, exhibiting Loki disapprovals women stating “she-does-not-belong-here-in-Asgard-anymore-than-goat-belongs-banquet-tables” unworthy king title. Off see wonderful Wizard-of-Oz, childhood lead cause refuse Wicked-Witch women applause. Raised without…
"Nope" (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Jordan Peele Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun ‘Spectacular Sci-fi’ Horror movies seldom eye Peele-d black minorities Get-Out discrimination Us-vs.-them relation hotel suffer The-Shining superstitions. If mothers protecting families from lookalike burglars assessed why Jordan Peele’s stabbed scissors Tethered doppelgangers, build Us against them boundaries races outraged Black-Lives-Matter. Nurtured families mixed heritages (Looper,…
"Bullet Train" (2022)- Movie Review
Director: David Leitch Starring Brad Pitt, Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Joey King ‘Thrilling Train-Ride’ Asian-Americans seldom participate Fight-Club organizations Pitt-iful actors face Mr.-and-Mrs.-Smith marriage tensions. If Quentin war-leader evaluated Brad Pitt’s career, following dictators order Inglourious-Basterds anger. Xenophobia formed childhood seldom spend Seven-Years-in-Tibet Dalai Lama. Born Once-Upon-a-Time-in-Hollywood, witnessing st-Cliff stunt-doubles push Asian athletes set stage acting…
"Laal Singh Chaddha" (2022)- Movie Review
Director: Advait Chandan Starring: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Mona Singh …
"The Woman King" (2022)- Movie Review
Director: Gina Prince-Blythewood Starring: Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch and John Boyega …
"Goodfellas" (1990)- Classic Movie Review
Writer/Director: Martin Scorsese Starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci ‘Mobster Masterpiece’ Few figures fascinate filmmakers as much as gangsters. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always believed Hollywood loves Goodfellas gangsters. Since The-Godfather dominate headline news 1970s, witnessing gangster abuse authorities been offer moviegoers can’t refuse. Fascinations gangs traced American history…
"Ticket to Paradise" (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Ol Parker Starring Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Kaitlyn Dever ‘Captivating Rom-Com’ Divorce is time-consuming process incite Kramer Vs. Kramer distress rarely depicted movies with success. Like fathers dressing as Mrs. Doubtfire housekeepers child custody ties, Hollywood has tendencies trivialize divorce. Audiences love listening fairytale You’ve-Got-Mail over romance that fail. Appetite stories vampires whose skins shine…
"Enola Holmes 2" (2022)- Movie Review
Director: Harry Bradbeer Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill and Louise Partridge …
"The Fabelmans" (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano ‘Mesmerizing…
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022)- Movie Review"
Writer/Director: Ryan Coogler Starring Letitia Wright, Angela Basset, Lupita N’yongo ‘Spectacular Sequel’ It’s easier said than done when processing the loss of a cinematic icon as commemorated as Chadwick Boseman. Following his star-making turns in 2018’s “Black Panther”, Boseman appeared destined to a Marvel-ous future. He seemed to have everything actors need to succeed in…
“Joyland” (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Saim SadiqStarring: Ali Junejo, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq ‘Joyous Achievement’ Pakistan has built an image of being an orthodox country that expresses outrage towards same-sex marriage. Unlike America, queer people in Pakistan face stigma. Coming out of the closet is easier said than done in a nation following strict Islamic religion. LGBTQ stories are…
The Best Movies of 2022
The Best Movies of 2022 Let’s face the facts: 2022 was a fantastic year for filmmaking. During a dire time when the world was falling sick amidst a problematic pandemic, the general public felt a greater need than ever for movie magic. Whether it’s joy of watching Tom Cruise fly to soaring heights…
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Rian Johnson Starring: Daniel Craig, Janelle Monae, Edward Norton …
“Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: James Cameron Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver …
“A Man Called Otto” (2022)- Movie Review
Director: Marc Foster Starring: Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevino, Truman Hanks …
“Babylon” (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Damien Chazelle Starring: Diego Calva, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt …
“The Whale” (2022)- Movie Review
Director: Darren Aronofsky Starring: Brendan Fraser, Hong Chau and Sadie Sink …
“The Banshees of Inisherin” (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan …
“Aftersun” (2022)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Charlotte Wells Starring: Frankie Corio, Paul Mescal …
“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” (2023)- Movie Review
Writer/Director: Kelly Fremon Craig Starring: Abby Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie …
2020
"Enola Holmes" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Harry Bradbeer Written by Jack Thorne (based on book by Nancy Springer) Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill and Sam Claflin ‘A Delightful Period Piece’ Few figures in English literature have been as frequently portrayed in films as Sherlock Holmes. Ever since he was first introduced in 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary…
"Mulan" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Niki Caro Written by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver Starring Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen and Tzi Ma ‘An Enthralling Live-Action Remake’…
"Tenet" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Christopher Nolan Starring John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki ‘A Mind-Blowing Marvel’ Not many directors in Hollywood have the ability to attract audiences to theaters like Christopher Nolan. Ever since he launched his career with “Memento” in 2000, Nolan has proven to be an advocate of the theatrical experience.…
"Hamilton" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Thomas Kail Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda Starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. and Jonathan Groff ‘A Must-See Musical’ Broadway musicals are rarely ever recorded live on film. It is not easy to capture a live recording of a beloved stage musical. It’s a challenging task that requires filmmakers to recreate the original stage…
"Greyhound" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Aaron Schneider Written by Tom Hanks (based on book by C.S. Forester) Starring Tom Hanks, Stephen Graham and Rob Morgan ‘A Tense WWII Thriller’ Over the past decade or so, the war movie genre hasn’t fared so well. With their loud battle sequences, shallow characters and formulaic stories, modern war movies have become…
"Da 5 Bloods" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Spike Lee Co-written by Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo and Kevin Willmott Starring Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors and Clarke Peters ‘A Powerful War Epic’ Few filmmakers in the world have established a trademark style as recognizable as Spike Lee. Ever since he launched his career with “Do the Right Thing” in…
"Emma" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Autumn de Wilde Written by Eleanor Catton (based on the book by Jane Austen) Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn and Bill Nighy ‘An Astonishing Austen Adaptation’ When it comes to the most beloved authors of the 19th Century, nobody beats Jane Austen. Ever since she rose to prominence in the 1800’s, Austen has…
"The Invisible Man" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Leigh Whannell Starring Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Aldis Hodge ‘A Terrifying Psychological Thriller’ Over the past decade or so, the horror movie genre has suffered from a dearth of strong female characters. Modern horror movies rely on certain conventions to appeal to mainstream audiences. With their creepy jump scares, supernatural…
"The Trial of the Chicago 7" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Aaron Sorkin Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne and Mark Rylance ‘A Captivating Courtroom Drama’ Few court cases in American history have remained as relevant today as the trial of the Chicago 7. In 1969 Chicago, eight American protesters were charged with initiating violent riots by the government. Known as…
"Rebecca" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Ben Wheatley Written by Jane Goldman, Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse Starring Lily James, Armie Hammer…
"The Devil All the Time" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Antonio Campos Co-written by Paulo Campos (based on book by Donald Ray Pollock) Starring Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Jason Clarke ‘A Gripping Southern Gothic’ Religious violence is a sensitive topic that is rarely depicted in films. Hollywood has long shied away from the stories of…
"The Disciple" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane Starring Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid and Sumitra Bhave ‘A Mesmerizing Music Drama’ Over the past decade or so, the Indian film industry hasn’t fared so well. Indian Cinema has long become an easy target for criticism. With their melodramatic love stories, mindless musical numbers and over-the-top theatrics, Bollywood movies…
"Hillbilly Elegy" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Ron Howard Written by Vanessa Taylor (based on book by J.D. Vance) Starring Amy Adams, Glenn Close and Gabriel Basso ‘A Mediocre Family Melodrama’ It is not easy to adapt a celebrated memoir on the big-screen. Due to their portrayal of real-life people, memoirs often pose obstacles for filmmakers. In order to create…
"Mank" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by David Fincher Written by Jack Fincher Starring Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins ‘Filmmaking at its Finest’ When discussing the greatest movies ever made, a conversation is incomplete without “Citizen Kane”. Ever since Orson Welles’ feature hit theaters nearly 80 years ago, the film has stood the test of time as a…
"Sound of Metal" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Darius Marder Co-written by Abraham Marder Starring Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke and Paul Raci ‘A Powerful Disability Drama’ Hearing impairment is a debilitating disability that is rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has long been criticized for upholding negative perceptions of deaf communities. It is not easy to create an authentic depiction…
"Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by George C. Wolfe Written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson (based on August Wilson’s play) Starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman and Colman Domingo ‘A Marvelous Musical Adaptation’ Few superstars that died in 2020 left behind a legacy as indelible as Chadwick Boseman. Ever since his star-making turn in 2018’s “Black Panther”, Boseman appeared to be a…
"Mangrove" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Steve McQueen Starring Shaun Parkes, Letitia Wright and Malachi Kirby ‘A Captivating Courtroom Drama’ Peaceful black protestors beaten up by police in a riot. Do these news headlines ring a bell? Audiences that closely follow latest U.S. news may recognize these headlines from the Black Lives Matter Movement. Systemic racism has…
"Minari" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Lee Isaac Chung Starring Steven Yeun, Alan Kim and Youn Yuh-jung ‘A Marvelous Masterpiece’ Foreign films are rarely rewarded in Hollywood. The Academy Awards have long held a tradition of awarding foreign-language films the international feature prize rather than Best Picture. However, last year the Academy broke tradition when it awarded…
"Pieces of a Woman" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Kornél Mundruczó Written by Kata Webér Starring Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf and Ellen Burstyn ‘A Heartbreaking Homebirth Drama’ It is never easy to come to terms with the loss of a child. As any expecting couple would be able to attest, there is nothing more disturbing in the world than losing a newborn…
"Promising Young Woman" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Emerald Fennell Starring Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham and Alison Brie ‘A Riveting Rape-Revenge Thriller’ Sexual assault is a sensitive subject that is rarely depicted in films. Hollywood has long shied away from the experiences of sexual abuse survivors. When telling the stories of rape victims, filmmakers tend to fall prey to…
"One Night in Miami" (2020)- Movie Review
Directed by Regina King Written by Kemp Powers (based on stage play) Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Leslie Odom Jr. and Eli Goree ‘A Spectacular Stage Adaptation’ Imagine eavesdropping on a meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown. What would these legends discuss? It is not easy to recreate a meeting between legendary…
"The Father" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Florian Zeller Co-written by Christopher Hampton Starring Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman and Mark Gatiss ‘A Powerful Dementia Drama’ Dementia is a devastating disease that is rarely depicted realistically in movies. When telling stories of Alzheimer’s patients, Hollywood tends to fall prey to the outsider perspective. Films about the disease are often…
"Nomadland" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Chloé Zhao Based on Jessica Bruder’s book Starring Frances McDormand, David Strathaim and Linda May ‘A Mesmerizing Docudrama’ Imagine living life on the road as a modern-day nomad. In the aftereffects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, rising unemployment rates have caused millions of senior Americans to consider nomadic living. Nomads are van-dwelling…
"News of the World" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Paul Greengrass Co-written by Luke Davies (Based on Paulette Jiles’ book) Starring Tom Hanks, Helena Zengel and Ray McKinnon ‘A Well-Made Western’ Not many movie-stars in Hollywood have established a screen persona as distinct as Tom Hanks. With his undeniable charisma, leading-man looks and larger-than-life presence, Tom Hanks has always embodied…
"Another Round" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Thomas Vinterberg Co-written by Tobias Lindholm Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen and Magnus Millang ‘A Dazzling Drinking Drama’ Alcoholism is an agonizing addiction with disastrous consequences that are often downplayed in movies. Hollywood has long been criticized for celebrating alcohol consumption. Films about substance abuse often focus on its positive…
"Never Rarely Sometimes Always" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Eliza Hittman Starring Sidney Flanigan, Talia Ryder and Théodore Pellerin ‘A Powerful Pregnancy Drama’ Abortion is a misunderstood medical process with detrimental effects that are extremely exaggerated in movies. Following recent abortion bans in America, Hollywood has been criticized for overstating the procedure’s risks. Research suggests that abortion is shown as…
"Soul" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Pete Docter Co-written by Mike Jones And Kemp Powers Starring Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey and Graham Norton ‘Astonishing Animated Achievement’ People of color are rarely ever rightfully represented in Pixar’s animated films. Following its…
2019
"Pain and Glory" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Pedro Almodóvar Starring Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia ‘A Powerful Autobiographical Memoir’ Few filmmakers from Spain have achieved the international recognition of Pedro Almodóvar. Ever since he gained worldwide attention with “All About My Mother” in 1999, Almodóvar has proven to be a fantastic Spanish filmmaker. You immediately know…
"Richard Jewell" (2019)- Movie Review
Directed by Clint Eastwood Written by Billy Ray (based on article by Marie Brenner) Starring Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell and Kathy Bates ‘A Captivating Crime Drama’ When it comes to the most heroic security guards in American history, Richard Jewell is definitely one of them. In 1996, Jewell made front-page headlines when he saved…
"The Personal History of David Copperfield" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Armando Iannucci Co-written by Simon Blackwell (based on book by Charles Dickens) Starring Dev Patel, Hugh Laurie and Tilda Swinton ‘A Delightful Dickens Adaptation’ When it comes to the most celebrated novelists of the 19th Century, nobody beats Charles Dickens. Ever since he rose to prominence in the 1800’s, Dickens has…
"Da 5 Bloods" (2020)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Spike Lee Co-written by Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo and Kevin Willmott Starring Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors and Clarke Peters ‘A Powerful War Epic’ Few filmmakers in the world have established a trademark style as recognizable as Spike Lee. Ever since he launched his career with “Do the Right Thing” in…
"The Lighthouse" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Robert Eggers Co-written by Max Eggers Starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe ‘A Tense Psychological Thriller’ Imagine being stranded on an isolated island in the 19th Century. In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic, we’ve become accustomed to a life of social distancing. Let’s ponder for a moment, though, what it…
"Bad Education" (2019)- Movie Review
Directed by Cory Finley Written by Mike Makowsky (Based on article by Robert Kolker) Starring Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney and Geraldine Viswanathan ‘A Captivating Crime Satire’ When it comes to the most shocking school scandals in American history, nothing surpasses the Roslyn District embezzlement. In 2004, New York’s Roslyn High School made front-page headlines when…
"The Last Black Man in San Francisco" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Joe Talbot Co-written by Rob Richert Starring Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors and Rob Morgan ‘A Powerful Gentrification Drama’ Gentrification is a sensitive topic that is rarely depicted in films. Hollywood has long shied away from stories of gentrified neighborhoods. It is not easy to create an authentic portrait of a homeless…
"Official Secrets" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Gavin Hood Co-written by Gregory and Sara Bernstein Starring Keira Knightley, Matt Smith and Ralph Fiennes ‘A Tense Political Thriller’ When it comes to the most heroic whistleblowers in Britain’s history, Katharine Gun is definitely one of them. In 2003, Gun made worldwide headlines when she leaked a confidential memo to…
"Judy" (2019)- Movie Review
Directed by Rupert Goold Written by Tom Edge (based on stage play “End of the Rainbow” by Peter Quilter) Starring Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley and Finn Wittrock ‘A Gorgeous Garland Tribute’ When it comes to the greatest stage performers of all-time, nobody beats Judy Garland. Ever since she rose to prominence in the 1930’s, Garland…
"Dark Waters" (2019)- Movie Review
Directed by Todd Haynes Written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan Starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway and Tim Robbins ‘A Gripping Legal Thriller’ Few lawsuits against corporations have attracted as much controversy as the DuPont case. In 1998, corporate defense lawyer Robert Bilott discovered that DuPont had poisoned the local community of West Virginia.…
"Honey Boy" (2019)- Movie Review
Directed by Alma Har’el Written by Shia LaBeouf Starring Noah Jupe, Shia LaBeouf and Lucas Hedges ‘A Powerful Cinematic Memoir’ Few actors in Hollywood have had a childhood as painful as Shia LaBeouf. A former child star, LaBeouf had a troubled upbringing that nearly damaged his career. Raised by an abusive father, he was constantly…
"The Report" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Scott Z. Burns Starring Adam Driver, Annette Bening and Jon Hamm ‘A Riveting Political Thriller’ When it comes to the most shocking documents ever written in American history, nothing beats the torture report. A top-secret document, it detailed the CIA’s use of torture during the war on terror. Following 9/11, the…
"Harriet" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Kasi Lemmons Co-written by Gregory Allen Howard Starring Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Janelle Monáe ‘A Rousing Historical Biopic’ When it comes to the most inspiring freedom fighters in American history, Harriet Tubman is definitely one of them. A renowned African-American abolitionist, Tubman dedicated her life to rescuing slaves in…
"Waves" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Trey Edward Shults Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr., Sterling K. Brown and Taylor Russell ‘A Powerful Family Drama’ Family tragedy is a sensitive subject that is rarely depicted in films. Hollywood has long held a tradition of ignoring the stories of mourning families. It is not easy to create an…
"Portrait of a Lady on Fire" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Céline Sciamma Starring Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel and Valeria Golino ‘A Gorgeous Period Piece’ Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted in films. Hollywood has long held a tradition of ignoring the stories of queer women. It is not easy to create a realistic lesbian romance that appeals towards mainstream audiences. It’s…
"Parasite" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Bong Joon-ho Co-written by Jin Won Han Starring Song Kang-Ho, Choi Woo-shik and Park So-dam ‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’ Foreign films are rarely recognized in Hollywood. The Academy Awards have long held a tradition of giving foreign films an international feature prize rather than best picture. However, two weeks ago, this all…
"Uncut Gems" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie Co-written by Ronald Bronstein Starring Adam Sandler, Lakeith Stanfield and Kevin Garnett ‘A Captivating Crime Thriller’ Few actors in the world have had a career as controversial as Adam Sandler. Ever since he rose to stardom in the 1990’s, Sandler has proven to be a comedic genius.…
"Jojo Rabbit" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Taika Waititi Based on the book “Caging Skies” by Christine Leunens Starring Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell ‘A Hilarious Anti-Hate Satire’ It is not easy to infuse humor into a subject as serious as the Holocaust. Humor is a risky way to remind movie-goers of the greatest mass…
"Just Mercy" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton Co-written by Andrew Lanham (based on book by Bryan Stevenson) Starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson ‘An Inspiring True Story’ When it comes to the most inspiring individuals in the world, Bryan Stevenson is definitely one of them. A renowned civil rights defense attorney, Stevenson…
"1917" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Sam Mendes Co-written by Krysty Wilson-Cairns Starring George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman and Colin Firth ‘A Breathtaking Achievement’ Over the past decade or so, the war movie genre hasn’t fared so well. War films have long become a genre of the past. Not since 1998’s “Saving Private Ryan”, has a war film…
"Little Women" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Greta Gerwig Starring Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Laura Dern ‘An Astonishing Adaptation’ When it comes to the most beloved books ever written about women, nothing beats “Little Women”. Ever since it was first published in 1868, Louisa Mary Alcott’s story has become a cherished literary classic. With its timeless themes…
"Cats" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Tom Hooper Co-written by Lee Hall Starring Francesca Hayward, Jennifer Hudson and Judi Dench ‘A Catastrophic Musical’ It is not easy to adapt a beloved stage musical to the big-screen. Broadway musicals are by definition the polar opposite of movies. In other words, what works in stage productions doesn’t always work…
"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by J.J. Abrams Co-written by Chris Terrio Starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and John Boyega ‘A Satisfactory Finale’ When it comes to the most beloved franchise of all-time, nothing beats Star Wars. Ever since George Lucas launched the franchise 42 years ago, it has shown no signs of losing steam. With their…
"Marriage Story" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Noah Baumbach Starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Laura Dern ‘A Heartbreaking Divorce Drama’ It is always hard to move on from the awful aftermath of divorce. As any divorced person would be able to attest, breaking up with someone you love is a painful process. First of all, spouses must…
"Toy Story 4" (2019)- Movie Review
Directed by Josh Cooley Written by Andrew Stanton and Stephany Folsom Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Keanu Reeves ‘Fun Family Entertainment’ When it comes to the greatest animated movies ever made, nothing tops “Toy Story”. Ever since the first film hit theaters in 1995, it has become the most beloved animated series in the…
"Blinded by the Light" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Gurinder Chada Co-written by Paul Mayeda Berges and Sarfraz Manzoor Starring Viveik Kalra, Kulvinder Ghir and Hayley Atwell ‘A Marvelous Musical’ When it comes to the greatest rock musicians of all-time, Bruce Springsteen is definitely one of them. Ever since he rose to fame in the 1970’s, Springsteen has become one…
"The Farewell" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Lulu Wang Starring Awkwafina, Tzi Ma and Diana Lin ‘A Heartfelt Family Drama’ It is always hard to come to terms with the death of a loved one. Whether it is a family member or close friend, learning that someone you love is going to die is a painful experience. However,…
"Yesterday" (2019)- Movie Review
Directed by Danny Boyle Written by Richard Curtis (based on story by Jack Barth) Starring Himesh Patel, Lily James and Ed Sheeran ‘A Joyous Jukebox Musical’ Imagine living in a world without the Beatles. Arguably the greatest rock band of all-time, the Beatles forever changed the music industry. It is almost impossible to imagine a…
"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie ‘An Unforgettable Trip to Los Angeles’ Few filmmakers in the world have established a trademark style as unique as Quentin Tarantino. Ever since he launched his career with 1994’s “Pulp Fiction”, Tarantino has proven to have a distinct style of making…
"Avengers: Endgame" (2019)- Movie Review
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo Written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth ‘A Marvelous Finale’ When it comes to the most entertaining superhero films ever made, nothing beats “The Avengers”. Ever since the world’s most beloved superheroes teamed up in 2012, they took the world…
2018
"Mary Poppins Returns" (2018)- Movie Review
Directed by Rob Marshall Written by David Magee Starring Emily Blunt, Lin Manuel-Miranda and Ben Whishaw ‘A Marvelous Musical’ Before I begin this review, I must admit that I’m not a fan of musicals. For some reason, I’ve never gravitated towards movies in which people suddenly break into song and dance. With their exaggerated characters,…
"BlacKkKlansman" (2018)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Spike Lee Co-written by Charlie Watchel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott Starring John David Washington, Adam Driver and Topher Grace ‘Enlightening Entertainment’ Racism has long been a part of American history. Whether we like to admit it or not, there has always been tension between blacks and whites in society. When…
"Mission: Impossible- Fallout" (2018)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Christopher McQuarrie Starring Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill and Rebecca Ferguson ‘Exhilarating Entertainment’ When it comes to the most entertaining film franchise in the world, nothing beats “Mission: Impossible”. Ever since Tom Cruise lit the fuse over 20 years ago, this franchise has gone on to become highly successful. With their jaw-dropping…
"Ant-Man and the Wasp" (2018)- Movie Review
Directed by Peyton Reed Written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers Starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly ‘A Fun but Flawed Sequel’ One of the most surprising superhero films in recent years is “Ant-Man”. When it was first released in 2015, this small scale superhero film took everyone by surprise. It’s a film…
"Black Panther" (2018)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Ryan Coogler Co-written by Joe Robert Cole Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o ‘A Marvelous Achievement’ Over the past decade or so, comic-book films have followed a familiar formula. Aimed towards fans of the comic-book genre, these films have focused on white male heroes saving the world. If…
"A Quiet Place" (2018)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by John Krasinski Co-written by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck Starring John Krasinski, Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds ‘An Intense Thriller’ Imagine living in a world in utter silence. You cannot speak, engage in a conversation or let out a scream. If you make a single sound, you are in danger of…
"Hereditary" (2018)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Ari Aster Starring Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro and Gabriel Byrne ‘A Terrifying Thriller’ Before I begin this review, I must admit that I am not a fan of horror movies. For some reason, I have never gravitated towards films that attempt to scare the viewer. With their stereotypical characters, bloody violence…
"Incredibles 2" (2018)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Brad Bird Starring Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter and Samuel L. Jackson ‘A Spectacular Sequel’ When it comes to the most beloved animated films of all-time, “The Incredibles” is definitely one of them. Ever since it was first released in 2004, the film captured the hearts of movie-goers around the world.…
"Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" (2018)- Movie Review
Directed by J.A. Bayona Written by Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and Jeff Goldblum ‘Entertaining but Short of Expectations’ Do you remember the first time that you saw dinosaurs on the big-screen? For most movie-goers, this moment occurred when they first saw “Jurassic Park” in 1993. Steven Spielberg’s beloved…
"Ocean’s 8" (2018)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Gary Ross Co-written by Olivia Milch Starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway ‘A Fun Heist Flick’ When it comes to the most enjoyable heist films of all-time, “Ocean’s 11” is definitely one of them. Ever since it was…
2017
"Phantom Thread" (2017)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville ‘A Captivating Love Story’ Few filmmakers in the world have established a trademark style as unique as Paul Thomas Anderson. Ever since he rose to fame in the 1990’s, Anderson has proven to be one of the finest filmmakers of…
"The Shape of Water" (2017)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Guillermo Del Toro Co-written by Vanessa Taylor Starring Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer and Michael Shannon ‘A Breathtaking Achievement’ So far, 2017 has proven to be a lackluster year for movies. It has offered disappointing superhero movies, unnecessary sequels and an overload of remakes. With the exception of a few out-of-the-ordinary films,…
"Detroit" (2017)- Movie Review
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow Written by Mark Boal Starring John Boyega, Anthony Mackie and Will Poulter ‘A Nerve-wracking Thriller’ Racism has long been a part of American history. Whether we would like to admit it or not, there has always been tension between blacks and whites. Through the course of history, many events have demonstrated…
"Baby Driver" (2017)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Edgar Wright Starring Ansel Elgort, Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey ‘A Thrilling Ride’ In a Summer filled with superhero sequels, monster movies and mindless entertainment, Edgar Wright’s “Baby Driver” stands out. However, it’s not because of it’s strange and offbeat title. Neither is it because of it’s star-studded cast. On the…
"Call Me By Your Name" (2017)- Movie Review
Directed by Luca Guadagnino Written by James Ivory (based on novel by Andre Aciman) Starring Timothee Chalamet, Armie Hammer and Michael Stuhlbarg ‘An Unforgettable Gay Romance’ Over the past decade or so, films about gay romance have become a rarity in Hollywood. For some reason or another, few films have been made about gay love…
2016
"La La Land" (2016)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and J.K. Simmons ‘A Must-See Musical’ Before I begin this review, I must admit that I’m not a fan of musicals. For some reason, I have never gravitated towards movies in which people suddenly break into song and dance. Although visually appealing, these movies…
"Suicide Squad" (2016)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by David Ayer Starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto ‘A Huge Let Down’ Have you ever been let down by a film that you’ve been wanting to see for so long? If you’re a movie-goer, chances are that you’ve probably encountered this situation often. When a big, anticipated film is…
"Arrival" (2016)- Movie Review
Directed by Denis Villeneuve Written by Eric Heisserer (based on short story by Ted Chiang) Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker ‘A Spellbinding Spectacle’ So far, 2016 has proven to be a disappointing year for movies. Although it has had it’s high points, for the most part it has proven that Hollywood is…
"Moonlight" (2016)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Barry Jenkins Based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney Starring Mahershala Ali, Ashton Sanders and Naomi Harris ‘A Moving Masterwork’ Growing up is a tough but ultimately rewarding experience. It is often a time of confusion, self-discovery and identity formation. Although we often take it for granted, the experiences we…
"The Jungle Book" (2016)- Movie Review
Directed by Jon Favreau Written by Justin Marks (based off the novel by Rudyard Kipling) Starring Neel Sethi, Bill Murray and Sir Ben Kingsley ‘A Marvelous Achievement’ Over the last few years, movies have lost a sense of originality. In the industry of Hollywood, original ideas have long become a…
2015
"Spotlight" (2015)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Tom McCarthy Co-written by Josh Singer Starring Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams ‘Filmmaking at it’s Finest’ It is not easy to make a movie out of a subject that people are not interested in. Nowadays, most movies are made for one purpose only: to entertain. In order to attract…
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (2015)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by J.J. Abrams Co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt Starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Harrison Ford ‘A Dream Come True’ Before I begin this review, I must admit that I’m not a huge Star Wars fan. Although this may be hard to believe, I didn’t grow up with George Lucas’…
"Room" (2015)- Movie Review
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson Written by Emma Donoghue (based off acclaimed novel) Starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay and William H. Macy ‘Absolutely Unforgettable’ It is always so hard to move on from a traumatic experience in life. Whether it is abuse early on in childhood or the loss of a loved one, once they occur…
"The Gift" (2015)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Joel Edgerton Starring Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Joel Edgerton ‘A Thought-Provoking Thriller’ About halfway through Joel Edgerton’s latest thriller “The Gift”, I completely lost track of time. As if a magical spell had been woven on me, I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. It was an experience that…
"The Man from U.N.C.L.E" (2015)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Guy Ritchie Co-written by Lionel Wigram (based off the 1960’s t.v. show by Sam Rolfe) Starring Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander ‘A Time-Pass at Best’ Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer have charming chemistry that explodes on screen like fireworks, however, they cannot save “The Man from U.N.C.L.E”, a film…
"Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation" (2015)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Christopher McQuarrie Co-Written by Drew Pearce and Bruce Geller Starring Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson ‘Highly Exciting Entertainment’ If you’re looking for fun pop-corn entertainment this Summer Season, “Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation” is as good as it gets. Exciting, gripping and packed with thrills from start to finish, this…
"Jurassic World" (2015)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Colin Trevorrow Co-written by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Derek Connolly Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Irrfan Khan ‘Fun but Slightly Forgettable’ Before I begin this review, I must admit that I’ve neither seen the original “Jurassic Park” series nor do I take an interest in dinosaurs. Surprisingly, however,…
"Inside Out" (2015)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen Co-written by Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley Starring Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, and Lewis Black ‘The Work of a Genius’ Whoever came up with the idea for “Inside Out”, Pixar’s latest animation film, may be a genius. No kidding. This may seem like an exaggeration,…
"Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" (2015)- Movie Review
Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Written by Jesse Andrews (based off the acclaimed novel by Jesse Andrews) Starring Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler and Olivia Cooke ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ In a Summer that has so far offered big-budget blockbusters, slapstick comedies and mindless action movies, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” stands out like…
"Southpaw" (2015)- Movie Review
Directed by Antoine Fuqua Written by Kurt Sutter Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams and Forest Whitaker ‘A Powerful but Predictable Boxing Drama’ Is it just me or is the talented Jake Gyllenhaal not getting the recognition he deserves? Lately, this actor has been on a winning streak. From playing a man with a double identity…
"Steve Jobs" (2015)- Movie Review
Directed by Danny Boyle Written by Aaron Sorkin (based off novel by Walter Isaacson) Starring Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen ‘An Insightful Look at the Life of a Genius’ When it comes to the most influential people of the 21st Century, a list would be incomplete without Steve Jobs. The late co-founder of…
2014
"Nightcrawler" (2014)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Dan Gilroy Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo and Riz Ahmed ‘A Fantastic Directorial Debut’ A director’s first film is usually not his best. Although this may only seem like an opinion, when you take into consideration most directorial debuts it is true. If you examine the careers of renowned filmmakers such…
"Life Itself" (2014)- Movie Review
Directed by Steve James Based on the best-selling novel and memoir by Roger Ebert Starring Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert and Gene Siskel ‘A Must-See for Movie-Buffs’ As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved watching movies. Ever since I was a young child, my favorite hobby was- and still is today- the joyous…
"Boyhood" (2014)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Richard Linklater Starring Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette ‘Absolutely Unforgettable’ About halfway through Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood”, there’s a scene which everyone can relate to in a way. Taking place in a classroom, it follows the daily routine of middle-school students. When a young boy enters the class on his…
"Captain America: The Winter Solider" (2014)- Movie Review
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo Written by Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely and Ed Brubaker Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson ‘A Marvelous Superhero Sequel’ Superhero movies live or die based on the quality of their villains. Whether it’s a physically intimidating antagonist or a smart genius that uses brains to trick…
2013
"Her" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Spike Jonze Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson and Amy Adams ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ You rarely ever see movies that are original. Most borrow ideas from better films, but offer no surprises for audiences. Others are ruined by predictable events or a story that you’ve always been familiar with. Normally…
"Dallas Buyers Club" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Jean-Marc Valee Written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner ‘A Movie with a Life-Affirming Message’ You rarely ever see movies that connect with you on an emotional level. Most leave your mind as soon as you walk out of the theater only satisfied by entertainment.…
"American Hustle" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by David O. Russell Co-written by Eric Warren Singer Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper ‘The Definition of Fun’ In an awards season filled with movies about serious subjects, intense edge-of-the-seat thrillers and dark comedies, “American Hustle” stands out like a bright light-bulb. Yet neither because of the stylish time-period…
"About Time" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Richard Curtis Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy ‘A Wonderful Surprise’ Romantic comedies are almost always predictable. Many assemble highly talented actors on screen, yet can’t find a way to use them without making a joke out of…
"12 Years a Slave" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Steve McQueen Written by John Ridley (based on true story of Solomon Northup) Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and Paul Dano ‘Hauntingly Hypnotic’ Movies rarely ever deliver clear messages. Most pile themselves with several topics but end up being confused as to what they should say about them. Others are immediately forgotten…
"The Counselor" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Ridley Scott Written by Cormac McCarthy Starring Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz ‘A Shameful Waste of Talent’ Glamorous style overrides any substance in “The Counselor”, a film of shamefully wasted talent, poor storytelling and characters you couldn’t care less for. If you relish the bizarre experience of watching a…
"Captain Phillips" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Paul Greengrass Written by Billy Ray Starring Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi ‘A Compelling Hijacking Thriller’ “Captain Phillips” is the most intense movie-going experience I’ve had in years, maybe even decades. Paul Greengrass’ harrowing, white-knuckle suspenseful thriller, which revolves around a desperate hijacking, bravely tackles topics that movies of this age tend to…
"Gravity" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Alfonso Cauron Co-written by Jonas Cauron Starring Sandra Bullock, George Clooney and Ed Harris ‘A Groundbreaking Achievement’ How often do movies live up to your expectations? For me, unfortunately it’s almost never. Whenever films receive unimaginable praise from highly prestigious websites, or are advertised through stylishly ambitious trailers, my expectations are…
"Prisoners" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Denis Villeneuve Written by Aaron Guzikowski Starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Terrence Howard ‘Mind-Boggling Complexity’ Movies rarely ever surprise these days. Whether it’s a cash-grabbing blockbuster that refuses to take bold routes, or a predictable romantic comedy, most films have the same purpose: to purely entertain. Yet when they’re made…
"The Spectacular Now" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by James Ponsoldt Written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (based off novel by Tim Tharp) Starring Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley and Brie Larson ‘Delved in Realism’ If you thought the romantic genre had completely resorted to producing glossy and predictable movies, this year’s coming-of-age tale “The Spectacular Now” may change your mind.…
"The World’s End" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Edgar Wright Co-written by Simon Pegg …
"Jobs" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Joshua Michael Stern Written by Matt Whiteley Starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad and J.K. Simmons ‘More Entertaining than Enlightening’ One of the more overlooked, underrated and unfairly abandoned movies of this Summer season is “Jobs”. A small-in-size, yet tremendously entertaining biopic on the world-famous innovator, it’s been panned by critics worldwide: currently holding…
"Lee Daniels’ The Butler" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Lee Daniels Written by Danny Strong (based off article by Wil Haygood) Starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey and Alex Pettyfer ‘Marvelous Acting’ Few movies this year will be generating buzz for their actors as much as Lee Daniels’ “The Butler”. An absorbing, profound and breathtakingly sweeping drama about the life of a White…
"Planes" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Klay Hall Written by Jeffrey M. Howard Starring Dane Cook, Stacy Keach and Priyanka Chopra ‘A Time Pass at Best’ If there’s any film that’ll divide the opinions of kids and adults this year, it’s Disney’s “Planes”. An unwieldy mix of rehashed ideas and familiar characters, it’s an uninspired effort to grab money…
"Elysium" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp Starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley ‘Breakthrough Originality’ In a Summer that’s so far occupied by passable superhero entertainment, a mixed-bag of animation fare, and hit-or-miss action caterers, Neill Blomkamp’s “Elysium” brightly stands out. Not because it’s the first sci-fi offering of the year, or one of…
"2 Guns" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Baltasar Kormakur Written by Blake Masters (based off graphic novels by Steve Grant) Starring Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, and Paula Patton ‘Messy Storytelling’ Too many characters, subplots, and painfully flat jokes collide in a film that could have done much better without them: “2 Guns”. Like every Summer blockbuster, it’s main goal is…
"Blue Jasmine" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Woody Allen Starring Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin and Sally Hawkins ‘An Unexpected Spiral Downwards’ For a reasonable hour or so, Woody Allen’s latest offering “Blue Jasmine” flirts with greatness. In the middle of the witty, energetically delivered dialogue, interestingly crafted characters and adorable acting, there’s charm. A charm so irresistible and…
"The Way Way Back" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash Staring Liam James, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell and Maya Rudolph ‘Simplicity at it’s finest’ We’re all familiar with what makes up a great Summer: the fresh whiff of air outside, chance to reunite with friends, freedom to pursue hobbies on a regular basis and most importantly,…
"Red 2" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Dean Parisot Written by Jon and Erich Hoeber Starring Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker and John Malkovich ‘As Bland as Sequels Get’ By settling in a vast ocean of laziness and boredom in it’s first few minutes, “Red 2” (the follow-up to 2010’s highly entertaining ride) has established itself as an unnecessary, dull sequel.…
"Pacific Rim" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Guillermo del Toro Also written by Travis Beacham Starring Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi ‘Exhilarating Entertainment’ Over the last decade or so, the action movie genre hasn’t fared too well. Quite obviously, it’s products have succeeded in terms of money-making, gaining popularity as well as generating aspirations for big-budget…
"The Lone Ranger" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Gore Verbinski Written by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio Starring Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and William Fichtner WARNING: Minor Spoilers ahead ‘Mindless Entertainment’ Don’t you hate it when a movie is unnecessarily lengthy? When it drags on for much longer than it needs to, yet for no understandable reason at all?…
"Man of Steel" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Zach Snyder Written by David S. Goyer (based off story by Christopher Nolan) Starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon ‘Solid but short of expectations’ Anticipation produces ridiculously high expectations. Especially for movies. When a great trailer, or even a nice looking poster is released, people get hyped up due to the…
"Monsters University" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Dan Scanlon Written by Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird and Dan Scanlon Starring Billy Crytal, John Goodman and Helen Mirren ‘A Delightful Surprise’ Pixar has always been a company associated with high expectations. While not all of it’s films have lived up to the expectations of movie-goers, it still remains one of the…
"This is the End" (2013)- Movie Review
Written/Directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen Starring Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco and Jonah Hill ‘Inventive Humor’ Hollywood is an industry with immense scope and glamour. Its made up of talented and determined film stars that work together to create entertainment for mass audiences. Yet, one question has haunted me for most of…
"The Reluctant Fundamentalist" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Mira Nair Written by William Wheeler (based of Mohsin Hamid’s novel) Starring Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson and Liev Schreiber ‘Riveting Storytelling’ Visualize yourself reaching your goals or dreams in life. A cheerful lifestyle might await you; consisting of important relationships, a luxurious status and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove your talents to the…
"Star Trek Into Darkness" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by J.J. Abrams Written by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Benedict Cumberbatch ‘A Distinct Blockbuster’ Characters are important assets of stories. Present in books, as well as movies, they are the people that an audience gets accustomed to. While not every character is significant in a…
"World War Z" (2013)- Movie Review
Directed by Marc Forster Written by Drew Goddard, Matthew Carnahan and Damon Lindelof Starring Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and Fana Mokoena ‘Familiar Hollywood’ Unoriginality has always been present in Hollywood. Over the last few years, it has become more prominent than ever, taking away the potential of summer blockbusters and even acclaimed films. The demanding…
"Iron Man 3" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Shane Black Also written by Drew Pearce Starring Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley ‘A Unique Twist’ Twists are risky ways of surprising an audience by doing something out-of-the-ordinary. In the world of film, they are used on rare occasions due to the sheer problems that they can cause.…
"The Place Beyond the Pines" (2013)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Derek Cianfrance Also written by Ben Coccio and Darius Marder Starring Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes and Bradley Cooper ‘A Multi-Generational Masterpiece’ Ambition is one of the rarest things in the filmmaking industry. To be honest, one seldom ever finds it in latest movies. While it is more common in other fields…
2012
"Zero Dark Thirty" (2012)- Movie Review
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow Written by Mark Boal Starring Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, and Kyle Chandler “One hell of a hunt” From what I saw, Hollywood did not produce many detailed movies in 2012. There were several money-making blockbusters and on occasion, heartfelt films, but no interesting ones. “Zero Dark Thirty” is a solid film…
"Les Miserables" (2012)- Movie Review
Directed by Tom Hooper Written by William Nicholson (based off novel by Victor Hugo) Lyrics for songs by Herbert Kretzmer Starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russel Crowe ‘A grand and unforgettable experience’ One rarely sees ambitious films these days. They get released once in a while, but not always. Occasionally, there is a movie that…
"Django Unchained" (2012)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino Starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Samuel L. Jackson ‘A bloody great time’ You don’t always see long movies that are thoroughly entertaining. Some have fantastic first hours but eventually drag down to the last minute. Others are ruined by slow pacing or a lack of…
"Silver Linings Playbook" (2012)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by David O. Russel Based off novel by Matthew Quick …
Spoiler Analysis of "The Dark Knight Rises"
Talking about movies you’ve seen, while trying not to spoil anything is a difficult job. Most movies contain massive spoilers that people do no want to hear about. “The Dark Knight Rises” is definitely one of them. The third installment in Christopher Nolan’s magnificent Batman trilogy, its a movie that I could talk about…
2011
"A Separation" (2011)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Asghar Farhadi Starring Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, and Sareh Bayat ‘Landmark Filmmaking’ Certain decisions are difficult to make. Especially when one doesn’t know if there are consequences associated with them. Take into account when people are forced to make a choice that could shape the rest of their future, or even…
"Drive" (2011)- Movie Review
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn Written by Hossein Amini (based off book by James Sallis) Starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, and Albert Brooks ‘The Man Without a Name’ When people hear of a movie called “Drive”, I wouldn’t be surprised if they dismiss it as a typical Hollywood mainstream film. And I can understand why. As…
2010
"Dhobi Ghat" (2010)- Movie Review
Written and directed by Kiran Rao Starring Aamir Khan, Prateik, and Monica Dogra ‘Beautifully Revealed Society’ A person’s life, for the better or worse, can be affected by the society that they live in. It may be a town with a restricted caste-system that emphasizes distinction between the rich and poor, or even a city…
Classic Movie Reviews
"North by Northwest" (1959)- Movie Review
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Written by Ernest Lehman Starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and Jessie Royce Landis ‘A Timeless Hitchcock Classic’ You rarely ever see actors that are hard to replace in movies. Most of the time, you can easily imagine another performer improving on their role while in other situations, you…
"Monsoon Wedding" (2001)- Movie Review
Directed by Mira Nair Written by Sabrina Dhawan Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey and Vijay Raaz ‘An Indian Masterpiece’ It is always so hard to move on with life when you suffer from a troubled past. If a traumatic event leaves you scarred early on in your childhood, it often comes back to haunt you…
"Fight Club" (1999)- Movie Review
Directed by David Fincher Written by Jim Uhls (based off screenplay by Chuck Palahniuk) Starring Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter ‘Inventive Storytelling’ Movies tend to be highly predictable these days. Taking familiar routes and ending on a bulls-eye expected note has become one of Hollywood’s most common, irritating trademarks. It’s present in…
"Reservoir Dogs" (1992)- Movie Review
Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino Starring Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen and Tim Roth ‘Glimpses of a Genius’ Few directors around the world have established as clear of a trademark style as Quentin Tarantino. As opposed to filmmakers, such as Steven Spielberg and even Robert Zemeckis (who have an undeniable tendency to explore various genres)…
"The Color Purple" (1985)- Movie Review
Directed by Steven Spielberg Written by Menno Meyjes (based off novel by Alice Walker) Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, and Oprah Winfrey ‘Spielberg at His Finest’ Adapting books into movies can be an extremely challenging job. Filmmakers have to be able to get across the message of the novel in a sufficient running time that…
"Pulp Fiction" (1994)- Movie Review
WARNING: Significant Spoilers in review Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino Also written by Roger Avary Starring Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, and Tim Roth ‘Masterful Storytelling’ There is an unforgettable scene in Quentin…
The Film Buff 