Always: My Least Favorite Steven Spielberg Film

Always departs from the rest of Steven Spielberg’s 1980s filmography in that the film goes for sentimentality more than anything else. It’s not uncommon for Spielberg to release multiple films in the same year.  The summer saw Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  While there is some nice action in the aerial scenes in Always, the two films couldn’t be further apart.  Maybe this is why it has taken me until now to watch Always. …

"Always: My Least Favorite Steven Spielberg Film"

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: Another Spielberg Classic

Following Raiders, Steven Spielberg gets back to science fiction and gives us his most personal film in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. I have a confession to make.  It wasn’t until the late 1990s/early 2000s before I watched E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.  A lot of this is because I am prone to nightmares and like Mars, Inc. at the time, I thought E.T. was scary.  Let me tell you how wrong I am for this line of thinking.…

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: Another Spielberg Classic"

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: A Classic

In spite of the logistical challenges in putting the film together, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a Steven Spielberg classic. Much like George Lucas and Star Wars, Steven Spielberg also continued working on Close Encounters.  Ultimately, Spielberg kept working on it and gave us his ultimate version in 1998.  Most of the reason for the Special Edition is because the studio wanted to go inside of the ship.  In the end, Spielberg would…

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind: A Classic"

Thirteen Days Marks 20th Anniversary

Thirteen Days may have been critically acclaimed but the film takes some major dramatic licenses in revisiting the Cuban Missile Crisis. If we want to get technical with the anniversary, the wide release didn’t come until January 12, 2001.  But for the sake of Oscar qualification, New Line released the film on December 25, 2000.  There weren’t many critics groups giving the film many awards.  The Critics Choice Awards were among the few to honor…

"Thirteen Days Marks 20th Anniversary"

We Can Be Heroes: A Superhero Film With Heart

One can look at We Can Be Heroes as being a copycat of films like The Avengers (and with children) but this film is so much more. Perhaps what is the most surprising is that this is a stand-alone sequel to The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl.  Taylor Lautner does not reprise his role.  The film finds a way to hide this, of course.  While this may be a stand-alone sequel, the film makes…

"We Can Be Heroes: A Superhero Film With Heart"

Munich: Steven Spielberg Film Marks 15 Years

The Oscar-nominated Munich, one of two Steven Spielberg films released in 2005, marks its 15th anniversary since the theatrical release. After so many fun Spielberg films in the early 1990s, the latter half of the decade saw his return to serious dramas.  The beginning of the 2000s is no exception.  Much like 1993, Spielberg had room for sci-fi and a serious drama.  Though in this case, both films also deal with the subject of terrorism. …

"Munich: Steven Spielberg Film Marks 15 Years"

Wonder Woman 1984 Is Thrilling Entertainment

While Wonder Woman 1984 never quite lives up to its groundbreaking predecessor, it is still thrilling entertainment in its own right. Before I get started with the rest of my review: there is a mid-credits scene. Press screeners did not include any scene after the credits.  This is the most important thing to know going into the film. I want to get this out of the way right now: I am judging the film on…

"Wonder Woman 1984 Is Thrilling Entertainment"

News of the World: A New Classic Western

It may be hard to believe but News of the World marks the first time in his career in which actor Tom Hanks stars in a Western. Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks) travels around to read people the news.  One could also look at this as being old-school podcasting before podcasting was ever a thing.  To be fair, I think Tom Hanks made this reference when appearing on the late night circuit.  Perhaps it…

"News of the World: A New Classic Western"

Soul: One of The Best Pixar Films Ever Made

Soul is perhaps the best film to come from the world of Pixar as director/co-writer Pete Docter manages to best his earlier film, Inside Out. Before you read any further, you should know that there is a post-credits tag scene. It’s no surprise that Soul is one of the best films to come from 2020.  After all, Pete Docter is the same filmmaker behind Oscar winner Inside Out.  Going into this year, Inside Out was…

"Soul: One of The Best Pixar Films Ever Made"

The Big Short Marks 5 Years Since Wide Release

The Big Short, featuring a star-studded cast, explores the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis while weaving together humor and drama. The housing collapse led to one of the worst recessions in American history.  According to the film’s post-script, some $5 trillion was lost in pensions, real estate value, 401k, savings, and bonds.  Eight million people lost their jobs with six million losing their homes in the United States. If not for The Other Guys,…

"The Big Short Marks 5 Years Since Wide Release"