Gus Van Sant’s 1995 satirical black comedy, To Die For, is now available on 4K Ultra HD by way of the Criterion Collection. To Die For is also available separately on Blu-ray. The release is thanks to a new 4K digital restoration approved by director Gus Van Sant and cinematographer Eric Alan Edwards. The film features a 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio Soundtrack. As tends to be the case with many Criterion releases, a 4K…
"To Die For Gets Criterion Collection 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray"Tag: Joaquin Phoenix
The Oscar-winning Her remains a beautiful masterpiece as the film reached the tenth anniversary of its theatrical release. Her falls under sci-fi but just barely. It’s more of a romantic drama if you ask me, much in the same way that Star Wars is a Space Western. The only thing that’s sci-fi about it is if someone were to fall in love with their phone’s operating system. Siri, Alexa, are you listening?!? Regardless, filmmaker Spike…
"Her Is Still A Beautiful Masterpiece"
Ridley Scott’s newest film, Napoleon, suffers in its storytelling from the many historical inaccuracies that plague the picture. Napoleon is the latest film from Scott to be a miss for this film critic, joining both House of Gucci and The Last Duel. I missed my screening in mid-November because of last-minute scheduling conflicts in the nation’s capital. While I had an opportunity to attend a FYC screening during Thanksgiving weekend, my sinuses had other plans…
"Napoleon Is Not Helped By Historical Inaccuracies"
Mike Mills finds a way to deliver two films in one with his newest drama, C’mon C’mon, switching between family and documentary. This is one of those films where it’s a mix of two different films. Writer-director Mike Mills finds a way to weave the stories together. It’s a case where there are two solid films in one. Part of me, however, would like to see more in terms of the documentary side where radio…
"C’mon C’mon: Mike Mills Delivers Two Films In One"
Gladiator, the Oscar-winning film starring Russell Crowe, celebrates its 20th anniversary with a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release from Paramount Pictures. The new release, available in a limited edition steelbook, includes both the theatrical and extended editions. With the steelbook, there is also access to a digital copy. The film tells the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a brave Roman general who ended up forced into slavery when the corrupt prince, Commodus (Joaquin…
"Gladiator: 4K Ultra HD Release for 20th Anniversary"
Joker presents a new retelling of the character’s origins as a villain but the film fails so horribly on just about every single level. SPOILER ALERT: I apologize in advance for any spoilers but when it comes to reviews, please read at your own risk. There are so many problems with this film. First of all, the Joker is a straight-out villain in the comics. In prior movies, he has never once been presented in…
"Toronto 2019: Joker"
While not entirely a comedy, The Sisters Brothers certainly provides an interesting take on the Western genre during the height of the Gold Rush. Set in 1851, Charlie and Eli Sisters (Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly) are a pair of fascinating figures. Working for The Commodore (Rutger Hauer), the duo follow scout John Morris (Jake Gyllenhaal) in the hunt to capture a chemist on the run, Hermann Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed). Warm is a gold prospector…
"TIFF 2018: The Sisters Brothers"
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot is carried largely on the heels of actor Joaquin Phoenix. The new film from writer-director Gus Van Sant tells the story of Portland cartoonist John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix). The way the film tells Callahan’s story is alright but it could certainly have been improved. One moment, we’ll see him addressing a huge crowd. The next minute, he’s walking or bedridden in a hospital. I wouldn’t have minded…
"Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot"
Led by a career-best performance from actor Joaquin Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here shows that writer/director Lynne Ramsay is certainly here without a doubt. The performance from Phoenix is one that is so mesmerizing and captivating. The performance is truly unforgettable. His character has a remarkable back story. A former US soldier, he became an FBI agent on a sex-trafficking task force before later becoming a man who devotes all of his time to…
"You Were Never Really Here: An Awards Contender"