The U.S. and the Holocaust is an essential documentary on the Shoah and the documentary’s 2022 airing is as timely and relevant as ever. Every viewer is going to respond differently to this film. The imagery can be graphic at times but this was what life was like for Jews under Nazi rule. The recent rise of antisemitism–and especially from celebrities of late–is a reason why people should watch this film. We now live in…
"The U.S. and the Holocaust: Essential, Timely, and Relevant"Tag: Liam Neeson
Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi follows Ahsoka Tano and Dooku as the anthology series fills in some of the gaps in Star Wars history. There are a few phrases that I throw around every now and then: either in Dave Filoni I trust or in Kevin Feige I trust. When it comes to Filoni, he’s basically George Lucas’s hand-picked successor when it comes to Star Wars storytelling. What I love about these six episodes…
"Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Fills In Missing History"
Over eight years after its theatrical release, The LEGO Movie is a beautifully animated film that remains one of the best films of 2014. This film should have been nominated by the Academy for Best Animated Feature. Unfortunately, the Academy voters will have to live with this–among others–mistake. I love everything about this film from the humor to the music to the casting. What I love about the film is that it’s able to transcend…
"The LEGO Movie: The Best Animated Film of 2014"
The Ice Road offers a nice change of pace and thrills for action star Liam Neeson in this solid B movie now streaming on Netflix. Widows and Ordinary Love aside, it feels like a lot of Liam Neeson films of late are Taken or something not far from the formula. That’s why this film, which offers no shortage of thrills, is such a breath of fresh air. Sure, Netflix keeps churning films out but this…
"The Ice Road: A Change Of Page for Liam Neeson"
Ordinary Love is about a couple dealing with a cancer diagnosis years into their marriage and the tensions that come with it. Cancer is something that hits close to home for many families. If your own immediate family hasn’t faced the challenge, there’s a high chance that it’s been faced by a cousin, aunt, or uncle. Maybe even a grandparent. The BRCA gene is one that runs high in the Jewish community. It’s one of…
"Ordinary Love Is A Tough Watch"
Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace takes us all the way back to the start of Anakin Skywalker’s story as the saga begins. Long before there was ever a Darth Vader to taunt the galaxy, there was a young kid named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) living in the Outer Rim territories on Tatooine. All young Anakin wanted to do was to escape this planet and become a pilot. Life isn’t easy, my young…
"Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace"
Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins had a lot riding on it nearly a decade after Batman and Robin practically killed the franchise in theaters. The Batman origin story that we’ve been waiting for! The film starts with Bruce Wayne and childhood friend Rachel Dawes fighting over an arrowhead, only to end up with Bruce being attacked by a swarm of bats when he falls down a well. We then play witness to one of the tragic…
"Batman Begins: The Start Of A New Era"
Men in Black: International ups the ante just a little bit as MIB takes the fun across the pond in order to protect the universe. It’s been known since Tomorrowland that the Eiffel Tower was a bridge to another dimension. While the former film saw Gustav Eiffel as a founder of Plus Ultra, this film sees him as one of MIB’s earliest agents. In fact, the Great Migration was really aliens coming to Earth. But…
"Men in Black: International goes Across The Pond"
Schindler’s List isn’t only Steven Spielberg’s epic masterpiece but the film is what cemented his legacy as both a filmmaker and human. Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) rescued the lives of approximately 1,200 Jews despite being a member of the Nazi party. He took over an enamelware plant and this plant is soon populated by the Jews living in the Kraków Ghetto. Under accountant Itzhak Stern’s (Ben Kingsley) management, a countless number of Jews would find…
"Schindler’s List: Steven Spielberg’s Epic Masterpiece"
Taking us back to the days of the Old West, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is another classic from the minds of the Coen Brothers. The Western is one of the oldest genres in the book but it always makes for interesting material. Even when we think that every possible scenario has been exhausted, someone comes about with a fresh take. This is what the Coens do and they do it so well, I must…
"The Ballad of Buster Scruggs: Another Coen Classic"