To Die For Gets Criterion Collection 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

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"

The Northman: Robert Eggers Does It Again

When it comes to Robert Eggers, you either love his films or you don’t but he’s outdone himself with the new Viking film, The Northman. You might think you’ve seen a Viking film but you’ve never seen anything like The Northman. Robert Eggers has a way with cinematic language unlike any other filmmaker working today. The nonstop action films coming from the likes of Marvel and Lucasfilm might be spoiling us but this one is…

"The Northman: Robert Eggers Does It Again"

Being The Ricardos: I Love Lucy But Not This Film

Being The Ricardos may try its best but the new film–written and directed by Aaron Sorkin–contains a host of problems. First and foremost, Javier Bardem is from Spain, not Cuba. To have better representation, the actor playing Desi Arnaz should be from Cuba. Depending on who you speak with, this is potentially a major problem. Sorkin’s opinion on the matter–see interview link below–is that “Spanish and Cuban aren’t actable.” He believes that the same also…

"Being The Ricardos: I Love Lucy But Not This Film"

Days of Thunder Gets Remastered In 4K Ultra HD

Days of Thunder, which is now available digitally in 4K Ultra HD, is the first of three films to star Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Cruise stars as race car driver Cole Trickle, who is the burning need to win.  Businessman Tim Daland (Randy Quaid) discovers him and teams him up with legendary crew chief/car builder Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall).  The goal is to race for the Winston Cup at the Daytona 500.  After a…

"Days of Thunder Gets Remastered In 4K Ultra HD"

Bombshell Features A Powerhouse Ensemble

Bombshell features a powerhouse ensemble of actors with some of the best performances to grace the big screen during the calendar year. We all know the story.  Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) sued Roger Ailes over sexual harassment and the dominoes started to fall.  Sure, Roger tried to get all of the Fox News women to rally behind him but not everyone was on board.  Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) had her own frustrating experiences with Ailes…

"Bombshell Features A Powerhouse Ensemble"

Batman Forever Is Not Quite There

Batman Forever is quite the downgrade from the first two films in the franchise despite performances from Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey. Michael Keaton likely saw the writing on the walls and made the best decision to leave the franchise.  Yeah, Batman Returns was a dark film but Batman is a dark character.  Where Batman Forever goes wrong is that the film returns to the campy tones of the television series.  This may have…

"Batman Forever Is Not Quite There"

The Upside Squanders So Much Potential

Despite the best efforts of Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston, The Upside squanders so much potential during a film that is otherwise a laugh riot. Phillip Lacasse (Bryan Cranston)–based on Phillippe Pozzo Di Borgo–is a quadriplegic billionaire as a result of a paragliding accident.  Dell Scott (Kevin Hart) is an ex-convict in need of a job.  In need of a signature to take to his parole officer, Dell’s attitude impresses Phillip to the point that he…

"The Upside Squanders So Much Potential"

Aquaman Rises From The Depths

It wouldn’t be unfair to say that Aquaman is a step up from Justice League because there are many films that could qualify as such. As far as the credits go, there’s a mid-credits scene but there’s no scene at the very end of the credits. We don’t immediately meet Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa).  We go back to the beginning when Atlanna (Nicole Kidman) washes ashore, where she’s rescued by Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison).  This leads…

"Aquaman Rises From The Depths"

TIFF 2018: Destroyer

Destroyer features a strong performance from actress Nicole Kidman but its storytelling decisions might prevent some from truly enjoying the film. LAPD detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) remains haunted by events from years earlier while working undercover.  One day while at the office, Bell becomes the recipient of mail containing dyed money.  She knows then and there that gangster Silas (Toby Kebbell) is back in town.  She’s hell-bent on finding him after what happened years earlier…

"TIFF 2018: Destroyer"

TIFF 2018: Boy Erased Adds to the Conversation

Boy Erased is able to broach conversion therapy with such sincerity, emotional drama, and gripping performances from its cast. The film starts as Jared Eamons (Lucas Hedges) is sent for a 12-day assessment at Love in Action after a college counselor calls his parents.  It’s not a choice he made in as much as his father, Baptist pastor Marshall Eamons (Russell Crowe), did. Russell Crowe is able to disappear into the role of the pastor to…

"TIFF 2018: Boy Erased Adds to the Conversation"