Downtown Owl – Tribeca 2023

Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater adapt Chuck Klosterman’s Reagan-era 1980s dark comedy, Downtown Owl, for the screen. The film, like Klosterman’s novel, takes place in a fictional North Dakota town. Funny enough, the Minneapolis area stands in for North Dakota in the adaptation. Anyway, the film takes place in 1984 just as a blizzard is about to hit the area. English teacher Julia Rabia (Lily Rabe) is one of Owl’s newest residents, having moved from…

"Downtown Owl – Tribeca 2023"

42: The Jackie Robinson Story

Chadwick Boseman delivers a strong performance as Jackie Robinson’s story comes to the screen in biopic form in 42: The Jackie Robinson Story. There are some biographical errors in 42 but I’m willing to let it slide because of how important this story is. Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier in 1947. In doing so, he became a hero to many people. Even now, watching the film in 2021, there’s still that heroic…

"42: The Jackie Robinson Story"

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"

Unicorn Store: Brie Larson’s Directorial Debut

Originally premiering in Toronto, Unicorn Store makes for an impressive debut for actress-turned-first-time filmmaker Brie Larson. If you’ve seen Captain Marvel, you already know that Larson commands great chemistry with Samuel L. Jackson.  When you see this film, you know why.  It’s as if the two have them have continued from where they left off.  Clearly, the two of them are not playing Carol Danvers and Nick Fury in this film.  Nor is this a…

"Unicorn Store: Brie Larson’s Directorial Debut"