Hope Springs Eternal isn’t the typical coming-of-age dramedy but the film manages to offer some learning lessons. High school isn’t an easy time for anyone. Hope Gracin (Mia Rose Frampton) goes through her junior year of high school while battling cancer. This earns her the nickname of “cancer girl.” Faced with a terminal diagnosis, Hope can either be depressed about it or embrace it while being comfortable with her fate. She makes the “practical” choice.…
"Hope Springs Eternal"Month: August 2018
While the film is set in the early 1970s, BlacKkKlansman isn’t shy when it comes to its sharp satirical commentary. All Ron Stallworth wanted to do since he was a child was to become a police officer. Typically, this would not appear to be a problem for someone wishing to join the force. There’s just one minor problem: he’s a person of color. The question asked of him by Chief Bridges (Robert John Burke) and…
"BlacKkKlansman Offers Sharp Commentary"
The Big Lebowski manages to hold up in viewing on the big screen some twenty years following its initial release in theaters. Avid bowler Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski arrived home one evening only to be assaulted in a case of mistaken identity. It turns out some fools were hired because Bunny, the wife of another Jeffrey Lebowski, owes money to a porn producer. One of them made the awful mistake of crossing The Dude by…
"The Big Lebowski Plays Quite Well At 20 Years"
After breaking box office records, Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War can finally be yours now that the film has arrived on Digital HD this past week. The 4K and Blu-ray/Digital release is set for August 14, 2018. Films like Avengers should be seen on the big screen but it holds up quite well on television. Those final 40-45 minutes are among the most intense and action-packed cinema this year. It’s amazing, really, to look back at…
"Avengers: Infinity War – Now on Home Video"
The fourth and final season of Star Wars Rebels brings the series to an epic finish leaving fans with a satisfying conclusion. Going into the series’ final season, we knew that Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger would likely die. Something would have to explain their missing from the Rebellion seen in the original trilogy. While Kanan does indeed die to save the crew of the Ghost, Ezra takes his sacrifice to the next level in…
"Star Wars Rebels: Season 4 on Blu-ray"
In Disney’s Christopher Robin, the titular character is finally allowed to grow up. But will he remember how to have fun? It’s post-war London and adult Christopher Robin now works as an efficiency manager for Winslow Luggage. While his wife, Evelyn (Haley Atwell), and daughter, Madeline (Bronte Carmichael), embark on a holiday to Sussex, Christopher stays home to finish a work project. His jerk of a boss, Giles Winslow (Mark Gatiss), orders him to work…
"Christopher Robin Finally Grows Up"
Lauren Miller Rogen’s charming feature comedy, Like Father, is elevated by the chemistry between Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer. The workaholic that she is, Rachel Hamilton (Kristen Bell) was nowhere near ready to walk down the aisle for her wedding. I don’t mean that in getting cold feet. Her phone almost never leaves her hands or ear because there’s always work to be done! When her fiance, Owen (Jon Foster), leaves her at the altar,…
"Like Father: A Charming Father-Daughter Comedy"
The Darkest Minds recycles the gist of what we’ve seen in prior YA dystopian adaptations while ripping off Marvel and others in the process. The film’s prologue, which complete wastes The West Wing alumnus Bradley Whitford’s President Gray, sets up the film. Children across the country are getting ill. This mysterious illness is referred to as IAAN (Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration). Despite claims to the contrary, not even the CDC can find a cure. Those…
"The Darkest Minds: We’ve Seen This Before"
The second wave of titles for TIFF 2018 were unveiled this morning with the announcement Canadian features and short films. The feature films follow below. “We’re especially proud to present such a diverse group of films,” said Steve Gravestock, Senior Programmer, TIFF. “Ranging from science fiction to fantasy, myth to documentary, and romance to a dystopic vision of our neighbours to the south, this year’s Canadian films come from every region in the country, stretching…
"TIFF 2018: Canadian Features Lineup Announced"
The genre-bending action comedy, The Spy Who Dumped Me, allows for Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon to take it to the next level. The film’s cold open sets the tone, introducing us to Audrey (Mila Kunis) and Morgan (Kate McKinnon) on the former’s birthday in Los Angeles while Drew (Justin Theroux) fights for his life in Vilnius. In addition to the cuts between the two, there’s the requisite flashbacks introducing us to their meet-cute. This also serves…
"The Spy Who Dumped Me is Kick-Ass Fun"