Charlotte – Toronto 2021

Charlotte may be a beautifully animated film but given the setting before and during the Holocaust, this film is emotionally intense. Please stay through the end of the credits. Charlotte Salomon (Keira Knightley in English, Marion Cotillard in French) is a German-Jewish artist with the unfortunate luck of growing up during World War II. Referred to as Lotte by her father and step-mother, she grew up in Berlin with dreams of being an artist. Against…

"Charlotte – Toronto 2021"

Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection Arrives on 4K UHD

The Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection arrives in 4K Ultra HD just in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark. On June 12, 1981, movie goers were introduced to a new hero of the screen when Harrison Ford donned the fedora and whip. It’s funny though. The character only came about because Steven Spielberg wanted to direct a James Bond film. Alas, James Bond would not be in the cards for…

"Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection Arrives on 4K UHD"

Gangs of New York Is A Flawed Epic

Gangs of New York may have a lot to enjoy about the film but at the end of the day, it is a flawed epic and well short of being a masterpiece. In many ways, this is the history of New York City according to Martin Scorsese.  The script itself is based on Herbert Asbury’s The Gangs of New York.  However, it gets an original screenplay nomination because they drift so far from the book’s…

"Gangs of New York Is A Flawed Epic"

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the long-awaited fourth film, takes the iconic hero well into the Cold War years. The film moves forward almost in real time after an 18-year layoff.  It’s 1957 and given the Cold War at hand, the KGB also replaces Nazis as the villains.  Leading this particular group of villains is Soviet agent Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett).  Spalko kidnaps Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and George “Mac”” Micale…

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

Dolittle Is Now Available On Home Video

Dolittle, the latest incarnation of everybody’s favorite doctor to talk to pets, is now available for audiences to purchase on Digital/VOD. Hugh Lofting published 14 books about Dr. Dolittle between 1920-1952.  There have been a few feature films about the character but Dolittle is based on the 1922 book, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.  Robert Downey Jr. leads the star-studded cast as the famous doctor who can understand and talk to animals.  For all of…

"Dolittle Is Now Available On Home Video"

Brooklyn: Saoirse Ronan is Phenomenal

Phenomenal performances from Saoirse Ronan and Emory Cohen help to elevate 1950s romantic drama Brooklyn in the 2015 adaptation. Irish immigrant Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) finds herself in quite the predicament following her arrival to the United States in 1951.  Thanks to her sister’s help, Father Flood (Jim Broadbent) arranges for Ellis to stay at a boarding house in Brooklyn.  Finding work at a department store doesn’t really lead to happiness and Ellis begins to…

"Brooklyn: Saoirse Ronan is Phenomenal"

Black 47: An Irish Western Falls Short

Black 47 offers a Western vibe as the film takes us back to 1847 when the country of Ireland was two years into their battle with the Great Famine. Feeney (James Frecheville) returns to his home in Ireland after deciding to leave the British Army.  Nothing prepares him for the horrible conditions he’s about to face.  Despite having seen the conditions that war provides, the famine provides for some sights he wasn’t ready for.  Feeney discovers…

"Black 47: An Irish Western Falls Short"

TIFF 2018: Black 47 – An Irish Western

Black 47 offers a Western vibe as the film takes us back to 1847 when the country of Ireland was two years into their battle with the Great Famine. Feeney (James Frecheville) returns to his home in Ireland after deciding to leave the British Army.  Nothing prepares him for the horrible conditions he’s about to face.  Despite having seen the conditions that war provides, the famine provides for some sights he wasn’t ready for.  Feeney discovers…

"TIFF 2018: Black 47 – An Irish Western"

Paddington 2 is A Must-Own Film

With the life lessons it offers, Paddington 2 is a film that should probably belong in every movie collection. With Paddington’s Aunt Lucy marking her 100th birthday, he wants to get her the best present possible.  This comes in the form of a pop-up book discovered in Mr. Gruber’s shop.  In order to afford it, Paddington takes on a series of jobs to get the money…or at least tries to, anyway.  It’s only when Phoenix…

"Paddington 2 is A Must-Own Film"