“Monkey Man” marks Oscar-nominee Dev Patel‘s (“Lion,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) noteworthy debut as a feature film director, delivering a gripping action thriller that delves deep into themes of vengeance, justice, and perseverance. Inspired by the legendary figure of Hanuman, the Hindu deity known for his indomitable strength and unwavering courage, “Monkey Man” follows the journey of […]
If you’re looking for one last vacation before school starts, “Beast” takes the audience to South Africa on a treacherous adventure. Depending on your expectations, this made-for-TV movie delivers predictable thrills, and suspense and functions mostly like a watered-down “Jurassic Park.” Baltasar Kormákur is a hit-or-miss director, with surprising nuance in thrillers like “Adrift” (2018),
Joel Edgerton’s brother Nash is the director of Gringo, his sophomore effort behind the camera. Both Edgerton’s have found success in various roles of filmmaking, but Gringo doesn’t showcase either of their skills. The second consecutive miscast role for Joel Edgerton (Red Sparrow) who began as a poor man’s Aussie heartthrob but, but now quite
Ben Wheatley’s follow-up to High Rise is just as divisive. The entire movie takes place in a warehouse with a 90-minute shootout. Each of the characters, about 15 of them total, are split into two sides, like Battleship. We get brief introductions before they take sides and begin shooting at one another. The cast most
“You won’t know, until you get there, that you are ok.” That’s the most prolific phrase from a script by James C. Strouse (Grace is Gone) that can be applied to whatever the audience might be dealing with when they watch his new film. Comedian turned serious actor John Krasinski (13 Hours, Away We Go)
I’m often asked what types of films I like. I usually explain that there isn’t a type, but a quest for something original, unique, different, that’s what impresses me. However, here is an example where a far reaching first time filmmaker, Ilya Naishuller (called the next Tarantino) debuts an entirely innovative and unconventional presentation, and
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