The Campaign: Election Satire Brings The Laughs

The Campaign marks its 10th anniversary since the election satire starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis opened in theaters in 2012. “War has rules, mud wrestling has rules…Politics has no rules.” Ross Perot, Presidential Candidate 1988. The main problem with the film’s opening quote is that Perot didn’t run for president in 1988. This is something that should have been fixed for the home video release. Instead, it is still there ten years later! Cam…

"The Campaign: Election Satire Brings The Laughs"

The Muppets Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Life’s a happy song when there’s someone by your side to sing along as The Muppets marks its tenth anniversary since the 2011 release. Films like The Muppets are exactly why the Academy Awards needs a Best Comedy category. We’re long overdue and this is certainly one of the best comedies in 2011. Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller deliver a crowd-pleasing script, beautifully directed by James Bobin. And the set pieces, oh my! There are…

"The Muppets Celebrates 10th Anniversary"

Ron’s Gone Wrong A Film About Friendship

A seventh grade middle school student and a B*Bot become strange pals in Locksmith Animation’s new film, Ron’s Gone Wrong. As Barney Pudowski (Jack Dylan Grazer) returns to Nonsuch Middle School for the new school year, he lacks what everyone else has: a B*Bot. He’s not the most popular kid in school and not owning a B*Bot makes him the outcast of the crowd. His dad, Graham (Ed Helms) knows how much he wants one…

"Ron’s Gone Wrong A Film About Friendship"

Up in the Air: One of 2009’s Best Films

Over a decade following its theatrical release, Up in the Air remains one of the best films to have been released in 2009. With the exception of 2014’s Men, Women, and Children, Jason Reitman can do no wrong. Heading into Up in the Air, Reitman was hitting home run after home run.  This was his third feature following both Thank You for Smoking and Juno.  Basing the film on Walter Kirn’s 2001 novel of the…

"Up in the Air: One of 2009’s Best Films"

Birdman: Oscar Winner Benefits From Unique Style

When it comes to filmmaking, the Michael Keaton-starring Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a unique achievement in cinema. The film, featuring a star-studded cast, is Michael Keaton’s comeback so to speak.  Did he ever go away?  Well, probably not.  Regardless, Keaton turns in one of the greatest performances of his career. Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) used to portray the iconic Birdman.  While battling his alter-ego, the actor now mounts a Broadway play…

"Birdman: Oscar Winner Benefits From Unique Style"

Between Two Ferns: The Movie Doesn’t Hit The Mark

Between Two Ferns: The Movie stretches out the Funny or Die series into a feature-length film while losing most of the humor in the process. Listen, it gives me no happiness to pan Between Two Ferns: The Movie.  Trust me–panning this film is like a huge punch in the gut.  I have nothing but the greatest respect for all those involved in the production.  Between Two Ferns worked so well online because the interviews were…

"Between Two Ferns: The Movie Doesn’t Hit The Mark"

Missing Link: A Sasquatch Cartoon

Missing Link is the newest addition to the Sasquatch Cinematic Universe and finds our west coast friend feeling lonely and wanting more. After a mission to find proof of the Loch Ness monster goes spectacularly awful, Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) finds himself on a new quest.  This one comes as a response to a letter from someone.  This someone believes that they know where to find the Sasquatch.  Or as we otherwise know them:…

"Missing Link: A Sasquatch Cartoon"

Sundance 2019: The Sunlit Night

The Sunlit Night frustratingly blends together two very different stories that don’t quite work together for taking place in a single feature film. Frances (Jenny Slate) could have had an excellent painter’s residency.  Unfortunately for her, she passes up the opportunity in order to travel with her boyfriend, Robert, to Japan.  Her plans soon become moot when Robert breaks up with her on vacation.  Forced back home without a choice, it becomes a comedy of…

"Sundance 2019: The Sunlit Night"

A Wrinkle In Time: Let Ava DuVernay Direct Everything

Based on classic novel, A Wrinkle In Time may break the time-space continuum but there’s a lot of important life lessons at hand–none more important than to win against fear. Middle school student Meg Murry  (Storm Reid) is struggling in school.  This isn’t so much because of her school work but because her father, Mr. Murry (Chris Pine) has been missing for four years now.  Nobody knows why he disappeared as he just vanished one…

"A Wrinkle In Time: Let Ava DuVernay Direct Everything"