Cory Finley gets a gentleman’s C for his new film “Bad Education”. It debuted at The Toronto International Film Festival back in September to a mediocre reception, including my own. The film wasn’t picked up by any Hollywood studio, but then made a deal with HBO to be released as a movie on their channel. […]
Laika Entertainment Production Company is developing a notable reputation for its production design and animation that enliven well-conceived stories and get the viewers’ rapt attention. Writer/director Chris Butler (Kubo and the Two Strings, Coraline, ParaNorman) and production designer Lou Romano wow us again with artistically drawn images and sets and with a tale full of suspense
I had hoped that Jason Reitman would steer his new political satire in the direction of “Wag the Dog” or “Primary Colors.” Surprisingly it’s closer to last years “The Post” (with quite a few scenes at Washington Post), and that’s a problem. “The Front Runner” (already taking flack for being “anything but”) is an exhaustively talkative movie that
Despite being nominated for three Golden Globe awards (Picture comedy, actor comedy, song), The Greatest Showman isn’t the spectacle it thinks it is. Following in the wake of La La Land, this musical history of PT Barnum lacks large set pieces and emotional punch found within the genre. While Jackman is electric on screen, The
Aside from that embarrassing Cruise/Diaz action flop Knight & Day, director James Mangold has a solid track record working with actors. Both Angelina Jolie (Girl Interrupted) and Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) won Academy Awards under his direction. Mangold was the ideal choice to close out the Wolverine saga, ending with Hugh Jackman playing the
With back to back films focusing on unconventional sports journey’s to the Olympics, “Eddie the Eagle” stands out, not only because of its whimsical British charm, but focusing on a misfit or underdog. Following his introductive turn last year as an action star in “Kingsman: The Secret Service”, 26-year-old Taron Egerton is making all the
Since he first flexed the strength of his directing skill on “Pride & Prejudice” (2005), Joe Wright nearly became an overnight sensation. “Pride & Prejudice” not only earned its leading lady Keira Knightley her first Oscar nomination, but the film received a total of four Oscar nods. His follow-up “Atonement” (2008), also starring Knightley would
His second bust in a row, South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp exploded onto the scene in 2009 with District 9. Nominated for best picture that year, Blomkamp became the guy to watch. His second feature Elysium took him away from the small budget workings and put him in summer movie territory, where he delivered a