The Sea Beast: An Epic Swashbuckling Adventure

The Sea Beast is an epic swashbuckling adventure that manages to push the boundaries of animation to where it meets live-action. Nothing against Walt Disney Animation Studios but one could never see Chris Williams making this at Disney. It’s very different from any animated film I’ve seen before. If anything, it’s one of those films that gives The Adventures of Tintin a run for its money in a world where animation runs very close to…

"The Sea Beast: An Epic Swashbuckling Adventure"

Blithe Spirit Offers Laughs For Viewers

Blithe Spirit is the type of screwball comedy that will offer laughs this deep into the pandemic even if characters aren’t that likeable. Noël Coward’s play comes to the big screen or small screen depending on how you’re watching.  I cannot compare the film to the play because I haven’t seen it.  Nor can I compare it to the 1945 film or the 1956 TV movie.  To be fair, I had no idea that the…

"Blithe Spirit Offers Laughs For Viewers"

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga completely wastes its talent in one of the worst films of the year heading into the midway point. This film was never going to be on Will Ferrell’s greatest hits.  It certainly will not be featured on the list of Rachel McAdams’ greatest roles.  The two reunite with their Wedding Crashers director but are unable to replicate on that film’s success. It’s not a good sign when…

"Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga"

The Call of the Wild: Buck Will Steal Your Heart

Buck will steal your heart as Jack London’s 1903 short novel, The Call of the Wild, comes to the big screen this weekend. Where prior adaptations have been from the human POV, this is very much Buck’s film.  The St. Bernard/Farm Collie mix, digitally created for the film by way of a St. Bernard/Shepherd mix named Buckley, steals the show regardless of the fact that he’s CGI.  This film takes us on his journey and…

"The Call of the Wild: Buck Will Steal Your Heart"

TIFF 2018: Her Smell

Actress Elisabeth Moss delivers what may be among her finest performances as alcoholic musician Becky Something in Alex Ross Perry’s Her Smell. Becky Something (Elisabeth Moss) made it big out of the 90s punk rock scene.  Her band, Something She, isn’t anywhere near the glory that they used to be.  The trio, including drummer Ali van der Wolff (Gayle Rankin) and guitarist Mari (Agyness Deyn), can no longer sell out arenas so they stick with more…

"TIFF 2018: Her Smell"

Permission: Dan Stevens Can’t Save This Troubled Rom-Com

Dan Stevens may be one of the hardest working people in show business but the talented actor isn’t enough to save predictable romantic comedy Permission. Written and directed by Brian Crano, the cast includes Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens, Gina Gershon, Francois Arnaud, David Joseph Craig, Morgan Spector, and Jason Sudeikis. How far is a couple willing to go to sow that they are committed to each other?  Would it make sense to risk their monogamous relationship by opening…

"Permission: Dan Stevens Can’t Save This Troubled Rom-Com"

Colossal, An Underrated Sci-Fi Comedy, Now On Blu-Ray

Colossal, the underrated sci-fi comedy released this past April is now available on Blu-ray and Digital HD. Written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo, the indie film stars Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens, Austin Stowell, and Tim Blake Nelson. Produced on a budget of $15 million, the film did not do anywhere near where it should at the box office as it only brought in $4.3 million.  The comedy is one of my favorites this…

"Colossal, An Underrated Sci-Fi Comedy, Now On Blu-Ray"

Kill Switch: Video Game Style doesn’t work

Kill Switch, not to be confused with the 2008 film of the same name, is another example of why video game-style films don’t make the best of movies–because they simply aren’t good. Directed by Tim Smit from a screenplay written by Omid Nooshin and C. Kindinger, Kill Switch stars Dan Stevens, Bérénice Marlohe, Tygo Gernandt, and Charity Wakefield. In the feature debut from Smit, we follow Will Porter in his battle to save Earth after…

"Kill Switch: Video Game Style doesn’t work"