The Real Thing is about a soldier father and a transgender daughter but it may very well be the best short film that anyone will see all year long. I’ve seen a lot of short films this year starting with my coverage of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival in January. Some are important in their own ways and some of them will never have their cinematic shots recreated without the use of CGI. When it comes…
"The Real Thing: Transgender Short Has Me In Tears"Category: Movie Reviews
While there may be a deeper meaning behind Burning, the script has a serious problem with the treatment of women in the film. Burning focuses on aspiring fiction writer Jongsu (Ah-in Yoo). His life isn’t really interesting to say the least. His father’s troubles with the law have led him to move back to the Paju home in order to take care of the farm. Needing financial income, he picks up jobs here and there. …
"Burning Treats Women Like Sexual Fantasy"
Three-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe is magnificent in his portrayal of late painter Vincent van Gogh in At Eternity’s Gate. Vincent van Gogh (Willem Dafoe) is an interesting art figure. While he made his mark as a painter in the Post-Impressionism movement, he wouldn’t see fame during his lifetime. Even though his fame came after his death, there’s something fascinating about seeing his story play out on the screen. This story comes through largely on…
"At Eternity’s Gate: Willem Dafoe is Magnificent"
Denial tells the story of Christine Hallquist on two different fronts as she becomes the first transgender CEO to transition in America. Life has a funny way of happening. When Derek Hallquist started to direct this film, he was covering his father’s battle in transforming the Energy Industry. While following his father around, the biggest bombshell was dropped that nobody would have foreseen. When Christine Hallquist comes out as transgender, it changes the direction of…
"Denial tells Christine Hallquist’s story"
The Show’s The Thing: The Legendary Promoters of Rock pays tribute to the great concert promoters who helped pave the way for new territory in rock and roll music. What we know today as the rock concert is not what it was during the 1950s and 1960s. Things more or less started to change in the 1960s. This was when Bill Graham and Frank Barsalona entered the picture. Frank Barsalona, who later started Premiere Talent Agency…
"DOC NYC 2018: The Show’s The Thing"
The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story is a documentary that takes us back in time to the glory years of the Nickelodeon network. It’s no surprise to see Adam F. Goldberg attached to the documentary as an executive producer. If his ABC series, The Goldbergs, is any indication, the man has a serious love for everything pop culture. But enough about Adam, this film isn’t about him. No, it’s about the slime–I mean, Nickelodeon. Nick…
"DOC NYC 2018: The Orange Years"
While Darrell Hammond grew his fame from appearing on Saturday Night Live, Cracked Up shows a darker side of the comedian. Darrell Hammond grew up with some sense of being surrounded by evil. He was a victim of child abuse. No child should go through what Hammond experienced. By opening up in the documentary, maybe Hammond will inspire others with similar experience to do the same. To those who decide to watch the documentary thinking…
"Cracked Up: The Darker Side of Darrell Hammond"
Both heartwarming and inspiring, Instant Family is a family comedy that displays the importance that comes with being a foster parent. When one learns about Sean Anders’ history as a father, Instant Family comes off as a passion project. It’s quite a different film than Daddy’s Home despite the casting of Mark Wahlberg. This is their third film together and much better than the last one released a year ago. It’s Anders’ most personal film…
"Instant Family: Heartwarming and Inspiring"
Ralph Breaks the Internet takes advantage of the corporate Disney synergy in this awesome, fun, and magnificent sequel to Wreck-It Ralph. It’s been since years since Ralph (John C. Reilly) had a complete meltdown and left his game. Since this time, Vanellope Von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) have grown to become best friends. Because she’s been looking for new challenges, Ralph decides to change things in her game. This is good and all but when those…
"Ralph Breaks the Internet is Awesome"
Because of its approach to racism in the early 1960s, Green Book may offer light-hearted moments but it’s one of the must-watch films of 2018. Bronx native Frank Anthony “Tony Lip” Vallelonga (Mortensen) works as a bouncer for Copacabana but is forced to find work while the club undergoes repairs. He learns that Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) is looking for a driver so he applies for the job. What Tony doesn’t know until meeting…
"Green Book: A Must-Watch Film"