In Tyler Perry’s latest film A Fall From Grace, there is murder, sex, and family drama, all wrapped up in a crime mystery. Perry tosses aside his iconic Madea costume to deliver his first original film on Netflix. More interesting than the plot is the fact the Atlanta filmmaker shot the film in five days. […]
The last decent Michael Bay movie was Transformers (2007). Since then the action director has delivered a buffet of discardable sequels and ornamental Wal-Mart shelf one-offs. Up to now, everything was done under the studio system, and while it’s true the 2013 Pain & Gain (based on a very violent true story) was an attempt
It’s getting personal this awards season. Noah Baumbach is the latest filmmaker to project his own personal life story onto the big screen. Specifically his divorce from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh. Baumbach might have just created one of the most imperative films about divorce ever committed to cinema. Marriage Story is about everything from falling
You can appreciate Martin Scorsese’s accomplishments and his lasting legacy in cinema without really loving his films. His latest “The Irishman” is a Netflix-funded mob flick that harkens back to his “Casino” or “Goodfellas” days, with a spattering of familiar cast. Given free rein by Netflix, the only studio who would (or could) give him
Steven Soderbergh makes any subject or genre interesting. More so than most he can find unusual hooks into stories that most filmmakers wouldn’t be able to transform into compelling cinema. His latest is derived from a novel based on the Panama Papers scandal. Taking cues from “The Big Short,” Soderberg uses actors from his previous
While documentary turned feature film director Joe Berlinger’s latest Ted Bundy film doesn’t have much new to say about the notorious serial killer, it does take the stance that all women were stupid in the 1970’s. Efron, has built a career around toned abs and killer smiles, and on the one hand the beefy actor
From the looks of “The Highwaymen,” you might think it a dated “Dad’s movie” as it’s been dubbed, or just another cops and robbers movie. John Lee Hancock has found success with movies set in Texas like “The Rookie,” and “The Blind Side” (which was actually shot in Georgia, because Texas does not offer the
It’s usually a bad sign when half of Hollywood’s A-list actors circle a project and then drop out. Everyone from Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Casey Affleck, and Mahershala Ali were at once attached to “Triple Frontier.” Writer/director J.C. Chandor has made 4 movies, 3 of them have been about the corruption caused by greed. This
Take a trip to Africa to revel in the scenery, the music, the costumes, and the culture. Talented actor Chiwetel Ejiofor’s first venture in directing a feature film should assure him of a promising future in this aspect of moviemaking. His selection of story, timing of plot progression, and, in partnership with the producers, assembling a team
There are many films that Americans would never see or even hear about with the Oscar race I call the “Awards Game.” I call it a game because just like the World Series, the World Cup, and the Super Bowl, there are those who are excited to see who is the best of the year