It’s been four years since The Zellner Brothers delivered the oddity known as “Kumiko.” The filmmaking duo co-directed, wrote and star in their latest, “Damsel,” which is both a modern interpretation of and a spoof of the classic western. “Shitty in new and fascinating ways,” we hear in the opening sequence. “Damsel” is less of […]
There has probably not been a more committed public figure in defending children and voicing their needs than Fred Rogers, the man who brought the television show, “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” into American homes for 30 years to talk to children about everything. He could make children feel good about who they are, and be reassured about things
If you plan to see this film, make sure your menu plan for dinner does not include meat. This informative documentary by Christopher Dillon Quinn (21 Up America, God Grew Tired of Us) and narrated by Natalie Portman is based on a book by Jonathan Safran Foer who helped write the screenplay. All three are producers of
You can officially stop wondering or hoping if the modern “Jurassic Park” franchise will ever re-capture what audiences felt in 1993. These desperate sequels will never have the effect on a current generation that Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster did on ours. That said, Colin Trevorrow’s 2015 “Jurassic World” came close. “Fallen Kingdom” unfortunately lives up to
It doesn’t take much for actor Simon Baker’s directorial debut to sweep you off your feet. His vintage surf drama overwhelms the senses with sight and sound. Based on the novel of the same name, “Breath” is a coming of age story which uses the rugged Western Australian coast as a setting for bravery and
I am always partial to Brad Bird, and think that his production of Incredibles 2i s just that—impressive enough to be regarded as incredible, and a film that is likely to appeal to all ages. One of Bird’s strengths is in mixing lavish visual and special effects with an entertaining story of substance. Beyond the entertainment, values come
Apparently, you can make a movie about anything. “Tag” is the head scratching true story about childhood friends who played the “tag you’re it game” well into their 50’s. This movie negates the long-held fantasy that stories based on something true will be more dependable than fiction. It’s from the writer of similarly bland gimmick
“What the heck am I watching?!?” That’s the question I kept asking myself during most of “Superfly” a film by music video maker, Director X. “Superfly” manages to incorporate every negative Black male stereotype into a feature film that is so unoriginal it must rely on violence, nudity and comedy to keep the story intact.
You must certainly admire the pace at which Haifaa Al-Mansour has risen to become the first Saudi filmmaker to direct a Hollywood film. However, her direction of this well-known historical figure doesn’t turn out so well. The life of the woman behind Frankenstein is full of drama and tragedy. Elle Fanning does a good job
It’s been a good year for directorial debuts. Producer/writer turned director Drew Pearce creates an unusual futuristic world with Hotel Artemis. It’s a suspense thriller with cleverness and a superb cast. Jodie Foster is back on the screen for the first time since the disappointing Elysium (2013) and Pearce’s sense of humor and violence isn’t