Showing Up: Kelly Reichardt Film Hurt By Slow Pace

Showing Up is a dreadfully slow film about an artist that reunites writer-director Kelly Reichardt with actress Michelle Williams. I initially put off my review after watching the film in March. One was because it wasn’t coming out for a month so I didn’t feel the need to rush things. Little did I know that the depression triggered one day earlier would not be an easy one to kick. Let me just add that I…

"Showing Up: Kelly Reichardt Film Hurt By Slow Pace"

The Fabelmans Arrives On 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD

The Fabelmans is the most personal Steven Spielberg masterpiece in years and audiences can bring it home on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD. It was previously released on Digital. To say that this is my favorite film of 2022 is not an understatement. Attending the world premiere in Toronto is one of the professional highlights of my career. If you have yet to watch the film, please rent it at your soonest convenience. Contrary to…

"The Fabelmans Arrives On 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD"

The Fabelmans – Toronto 2022

In bringing The Fabelmans to Toronto, Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg unveiled yet another masterpiece in cinema. Steven Spielberg has always had a way with the camera but what this film does is show audiences just how this love of filmmaking came to be. If you’ve watched Spielberg on HBO or read Joseph McBride’s book, you’re already at an advantage. It’s why none of the film came to me as a surprise because I was already…

"The Fabelmans – Toronto 2022"

Dick: Political Satire Holds Up 20 Years Later

Dick, the political satire starring Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams, manages to hold up twenty years after its theatrical release in 1999. The political comedy re-imagines the Watergate scandal through the lens of a pair of high school students. Not surprisingly, the film opens on the night of the break-in. On this night, Betsy Jobs (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene Lorenzo (Michelle Williams) are writing a letter. The duo hope to win a date with singer…

"Dick: Political Satire Holds Up 20 Years Later"

Sundance 2019: After The Wedding

After The Wedding features a breakout performance from actress Abby Quinn while exploring how a family reacts following a bombshell announcement. We first meet Isabel (Michelle Williams) where she runs the Home of Living Care orphanage in Calcutta.  She’s hesitant to leave these children but the only way to get funding means having to travel to New York.  It’s been well over twenty years since Isabel last stepped foot in New York City.  While she…

"Sundance 2019: After The Wedding"

Stand-alone Venom doesn’t work

Venom has long been considered to be a villain in Spider-Man canon and this is why Venom doesn’t quite work as a stand-alone film. There are various aspects of the film that stay true to the comics.  There are other aspects where the film does its own thing.  True to fashion, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) was run out of the Daily Globe in New York.  There’s no reference in the film to Peter Parker or Spider-Man…

"Stand-alone Venom doesn’t work"

I Feel Pretty doesn’t have laughs

In theory, I Feel Pretty should be a movie full of jokes and laughs.  It has anything in a comedy that one wants–a likeable lead with a solid crew of friends–but the script falls remarkably short with not knowing the direction in which to go. Renee Bennett (Amy Schumer) is holding herself back from being that woman who can take charge and control her own destiny.  She works in a basement office far from the Lily…

"I Feel Pretty doesn’t have laughs"

All the Money in the World helped by Recasting

Against all odds, All the Money in the World was locked on time prior to the December 22nd release date.  The film was pushed back to December 25th because of a crowded field at the box office leading up to the holiday weekend. Make no mistake, director Ridley Scott was quick to recast actor Kevin Spacey with Oscar winner Christopher Plummer, reshoot scenes with Plummer over the course of nine days, and still get the…

"All the Money in the World helped by Recasting"

FIRST LOOK: The Greatest Showman

The first trailer was released yesterday for The Greatest Showman, an upcoming musical due out this December. Directed by Michael Gracey from a screenplay written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, The Greatest Showman stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. This is Gracey’s feature debut.  The Australian filmmaker has previously served as a producer and creative designer for Will Young Live in London and worked on the visual effects for…

"FIRST LOOK: The Greatest Showman"