Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert – CSO at the Movies

David Newman is conducting Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert over the course of three nights at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This was my first time getting to see a film at the CSO, let alone watch the CSO in action. It was a fun experience–anytime I get to watch a Star Wars film on the big screen is always a good time. The last time I saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens on…

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert – CSO at the Movies"

65: Adam Driver Fights Dinosaurs In Laughable Sci-Fi Thriller

65 might sound like a good idea for a high-concept sci-fi thriller but the end result is laughable and gets so much of it wrong. The film is now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital. It’ll make its way to Netflix when the film’s Pay 1 window begins this year. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend it–watch something else instead. No, seriously. Maybe if you have absolutely zero movies or TV series to watch.…

"65: Adam Driver Fights Dinosaurs In Laughable Sci-Fi Thriller"

White Noise: This Satire Is Relevant As Ever

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Noah Baumbach takes a break from original works in adapting White Noise for the screen. For the first time in his filmmaker career, Baumbach wasn’t sure what he would film after the release of Marriage Story. As we all know, most of the world went into lockdown shortly after the Academy Awards ceremony in early 2020. During this time, Baumbach decided to revisit Don DeLillo’s novel and it spoke to him in…

"White Noise: This Satire Is Relevant As Ever"

House of Gucci: The House of Boredom

Ridley Scott is two for two with misses this year as House of Gucci takes the cake for one of the most boring films of the year. House of Boredom. House of good G-d, how is this film not over yet?!? I think this is a nice way of summing up my experience with House of Gucci. This is a film where I found myself checking my watch what felt like every half hour or…

"House of Gucci: The House of Boredom"

The Last Duel Features Rape Twice On Screen

Not only does The Last Duel feature a rape in the film but audiences have to see it happening on screen twice from different perspectives. Yes, the film is based on historical events. However, the point still stands that this film doesn’t sit well with me. At the same time, it should not have depicted the same rape twice on screen. The script is based on a book by Eric Jager but drawing on real-life…

"The Last Duel Features Rape Twice On Screen"

Annette: Sparks Musical Requires A Trigger Warning

The new Sparks musical film, Annette, requires a trigger warning because Adam Driver portrays an emotionally abusive comedian. The gist of the film is that Henry McHenry (Adam Driver) falls in love with a renowned opera singer, Ann Defrasnoux (Marion Cotillard). The two of them tie the knot and have a kid, Annette. Annette’s birth changes everything–Henry starts to crash and burn while Ann keeps flying high. If there’s a dictionary definition for odd couples,…

"Annette: Sparks Musical Requires A Trigger Warning"

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Hits Home Video

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the ninth and final installment of the Skywalker saga, is now available for fans to buy on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray. In addition to the above options, eight previous films in the saga are being made available on 4K Ultra HD for the first time.  Both Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Solo were previously available on 4K UItra HD. Bonus features include*: The Skywalker Legacy – The…

"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Hits Home Video"

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – A Saga Ends

Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker isn’t only the ninth Star Wars installment but the ultimate conclusion to a franchise started in 1977. It goes without saying that for fear of even the most mild of spoilers, I ask that you please do not read any further until after seeing the film. If you’re anything like me, go into the film knowing as little as possible. The saga ends as it begins on the…

"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – A Saga Ends"

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Road to IX

Star Wars: The Last Jedi may or may not be the best film in the franchise but writer-director Rian Johnson delivers the goods in the eighth installment. What follows below the asterisks is the bulk of my original review–first published in 2017.  My feelings on this film have not changed in two years.  In fact, the film only improves with time.  Rian Johnson would turn out to be the perfect filmmaker to take on the…

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Road to IX"

Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Road to IX

Star Wars: The Force Awakens features the long-awaited return of fan favorites while introducing us to a new generation of characters. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) are back but Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) has gone missing.  The Resistance has a new band of heroes leading the way for a younger generation.  Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and BB-8 are certain to take Star Wars into the…

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Road to IX"