Operation Finale: The Capture of Adolf Eichmann

Operation Finale takes audiences on a thrilling ride back to the 1960s when Mossad hunted down one of the chief architects of the Final Solution. When World War 2 came to an end in 1945, those in Nazi leadership had choices to make.  They could kill themselves to avoid capture or try to seek refuge in a country that would allow them to do so.  Hitler, Himmler, and Goebbels had all killed themselves but others…

"Operation Finale: The Capture of Adolf Eichmann"

The Wife: Sexism at Play

While depicting the sexism of the 1960s, The Wife proves to be a compelling film purely on the basis of Glenn Close’s performance. To most people, Joan Castleman (Glenn Close) is the wife of her prolific author husband, Joe Castleman (Jonathan Pryce).  The two couldn’t be more different.  This shows not just during the present day (1992) or the flashbacks to Smith College in 1958 or Connecticut in the 1960s.  When the Castlemans learn that…

"The Wife: Sexism at Play"

Papillon Drags On Longer Than Necessary

Papillon drags on a half hour longer than necessary but will inevitably draw people to compare the film to the 1973 original if they’ve seen it. We’re transported back in time to 1931 Paris where Henri “Papillon” Charrière (Charlie Hunnam) has stolen a number of diamonds for mobster Castili (Christopher Fairbank).  He makes one pivotal mistake and the filmmakers really stress this through the camera framing.  He hands a diamond necklace to his girlfriend, Nenette (Eve Hewson).  So…

"Papillon Drags On Longer Than Necessary"

The Fugitive celebrates 25 years

Earlier this month, The Fugitive marked its 25th anniversary since its theatrical release in 1993. The critically acclaimed film manages to hold up so many years later. The three main players are Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), and one-armed man Fredrick Sykes (Andreas Katsulas). Aside from some minor changes, the film mostly plays out like the television series it’s based on. Kimble, a cardiovascular surgeon, is wrongfully accused…

"The Fugitive celebrates 25 years"

Blue Iguana: Solid Acting Doesn’t Save Comedy

Blue Iguana mixes up the genres while offering an 80s vibe in both visuals and soundtrack.  Unfortunately, it isn’t enough. Eddie (Sam Rockwell) and Paul (Ben Schwartz) spend their days working at a New York diner because a condition of their parole is that they maintain employment.    The two are polar opposites but they are able to mesh well because of their personalities.  In spite of it all, they are perfectly okay with working…

"Blue Iguana: Solid Acting Doesn’t Save Comedy"

Arizona: The Housing Recession Gets Bloody

The wildly outrageous Arizona is the result of what happens when a disgruntled client takes matters into his own hands during the housing crisis. Real estate agent Cassie (Rosemarie DeWitt) is working to make ends meet while raising her daughter, Morgan (Lolli Sorenson).  It’s among the worst times in modern history to be a real estate agent but somebody has to do the job.  She shares custody with her ex-husband, Scott (Luke Wilson).  He’s since…

"Arizona: The Housing Recession Gets Bloody"

Support the Girls: Regina Hall Lifts Up Film

Support the Girls is a surprisingly relevant film with an exceptionally strong performance from Regina Hall. Lisa (Regina Hall) is the general manager of Double Whammies.  Double Whammies labeled as a “sports bar with curves.”  With the first glance of their skimpy uniforms, it’s only natural to assume that the sports bar is a stand-in for Hooters but it’s so much more.  In spite of the clientele and everything, Lisa loves working there.  She takes…

"Support the Girls: Regina Hall Lifts Up Film"

Mile 22: An Intense Action Thriller

Mile 22 doesn’t shy away from the clichéd thriller tropes but the film’s humor plays to the strengths of Mark Wahlberg and Lauren Cohan. A quick prologue at a Russian safe house paves way for the ultimate action in Indocarr in Southeast Asia.  This is where a CIA team led by a super-focused James “Jimmy” Silva (Mark Wahlberg) is now stationed.  They are in charge of making sure an asset, Indocarr Special Forces officer Li…

"Mile 22: An Intense Action Thriller"

Alpha: The Battle for Survival

Alpha may be about man’s best friend but because of the plot at hand, the film is going to draw well-deserved comparisons to The Black Stallion. There are some great visuals in this story set 20,000 years ago but they don’t play so well in 3D.  I had no issue in watching this film play out on the IMAX screen but it doesn’t need to be in 3D.  The were no big fights or anything…

"Alpha: The Battle for Survival"

Minding the Gap: A Coming-Of-Age Documentary

Minding the Gap starts down one path while the cinema verite documentary heads toward an entirely different goal altogether. Set in Rockford, Ill., filmmaker Bing Liu’s first feature documentary seeks to examine the past.  Liu follows a few young men from his hometown, Zack and Keire, in hopes of seeking answers from his own past.  The filmmaker had grown up in the same town but escaped to Chicago in search of a better life.  This…

"Minding the Gap: A Coming-Of-Age Documentary"