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"Tag: Daisy Ridley
Daisy Ridley returned to Sundance in a starring role in the feature-length adaptation of Sometimes I Think About Dying. It’s not often that a fellow Louisville native directs the first feature film I watch on the ground during Sundance but here we are. Lambert previously premiered her first narrative feature, In the Radiant City, in Toronto back in 2016. Anyway, Lambert’s newest film–a feature adaptation of Stefanie Abel Horowitz‘s short film–premiered on Sundance’s opening night…
"Sometimes I Think About Dying – Sundance 2023"
Chaos Walking might be pleasing for fans of the trilogy that it is based on but for other viewers, this film is a muddled mess. This film takes place in 2257 on a distant planet where Todd Hewitt (Tom Holland) encounters Viola (Daisy Ridley). It just so happens that Viola’s ship crashes on his planet. It’s a very strange sci-fi film. For one, all of the women have disappeared from the New World. The other…
"Chaos Walking Is A Muddled Mess"
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"
Ashley Eckstein took to the stage during Star Wars Celebration for Sisters of the Force to celebrate the women of the Star Wars universe. Almost as soon as the voice of Ahsoka Tano took to the stage for the Sisters of the Force panel, she told the mostly female audience that “Star Wars is for everyone.” The actress couldn’t be more right. All one has to do is look at the online vitriol. This has…
"Sisters of the Force: My Star Wars Story" 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 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 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"
The Daisy Ridley-starring Ophelia is unfortunately a bit of a letdown in the most recent adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play. What the film does is tell the classic Hamlet story from Ophelia’s (Daisy Ridley) point of view in the Denmark-set film. It’s an admirable attempt but I feel like there’s something missing. In switching the point of view, the film falls quite short in that regard. This is unfortunate because the premise had the potential…
"Ophelia: Hamlet Fanfiction Is A Letdown"
After so many author biopics in 2017, Peter Rabbit may seem like a breath of fresh air with bringing the children’s story to the big screen. It’s been over a decade since 2006 saw the release of the Renee Zellweger-starring Miss Potter. At the same time, there are so many comic gags in the film that it is over-bloated on that front. Filmmakers are clearly targeting the kids more so than their parents when it…
"Peter Rabbit: Domhnall Gleeson is a riot but film falls short"