Leon Vitale could have had a solid career working as an actor. Instead, the young actor would go on to become Stanley Kubrick’s right hand man. His story is told in Filmworker. One role in a film can make a big difference in a career. In the case of Leon Vitali’s career, this couldn’t be more true. Director Stanley Kubrick selected the British television actor to play the part of Lord Bullingdon in Barry Lyndon. The…
"Filmworker: A Tribute to Stanley Kubrick"
Taking place almost immediately after the first film, The Incredibles 2 may just be the best Pixar sequel ever. When The Incredibles first came out in November 2004, the superhero genre was not as saturated as it is now. To bring the family of superheroes back some fourteen years later meant that writer-director Brad Bird had to deliver, what with the current market being what it is. This is a good problem to have. It…
"The Incredibles 2 May Be The Best Pixar Sequel"
The Year of Spectacular Men is a charming romantic comedy bringing the women in the Deutch family together in one film. Lea Thompson directs from a screenplay that is written by her older daughter, Madelyn Deutch. Madelyn stars along side her younger sister, Zoey, and their mom. Because of having a lifetime of chemistry, none of it feels forced. It feels so natural watching the three of them behave together as they do. Madelyn doesn’t…
"The Year of Spectacular Men: A Deutch Family Affair"
Led by some of the biggest names in comedy at the time, 1941 is Steven Spielberg’s most underrated film of all time. Following the success of National Lampoon’s Animal House in 1978, filmmakers were looking to capitalize on the success. Why wouldn’t they? The film brought in a lot of money! Some of the comedies that would follow in 1980 included Caddyshack, The Blues Brothers, and the joke-a-minute Airplane. One film that didn’t quite hit…
"1941: Steven Spielberg’s War Spoof Full of Hysterics"
In his feature directorial debut, Black Cop, writer/director Cory Bowles uses unapologetic satire to explore the racial tensions within the police force and communities. As a result of Trailer Park Boys, Bowles has quite the social media following and deals with a number of trolls. As such, this is a film that is best viewed through the right lens. Otherwise, it’s going to come off as nothing but absurd. For one cop, who is known…
"Black Cop: A Scathing Satire"
Based on an inspiring true story of a woman who rescued an elephant from the Belfast Zoo, Zoo showcases bravery in Belfast 1941. Tom Hall (Art Parkinson) has to step it up when his zookeeper father, George Hall (O’Hare) decides to enlist in World War 2. Tom is only twelve-years-old so this is asking a lot of him. It’s just Tom and his mother, Emily Hall (Amy Huberman) with George now overseas. Emily works as…
"Colin McIvor’s Zoo: Bravery On Display"
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is a documentary about Fred Rogers and viewers should be expected to be wildly emotional by the time the film ends. In 1967, Fred Rogers was quoted on camera as saying one of his jobs was “to help children through the difficult modulations in life.” Oh, did he ever. It’s from here that Morgan Neville’s brilliant documentary goes straight into the theme song of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. This is where…
"Won’t You Be My Neighbor? – A Look at Fred Rogers"
American Animals uses a narrative/documentary hybrid approach in telling the absurd but true story of the Transylvania University library heist. Flashback to the fall of 2003 if you will. Spencer Reinhard (Barry Keoghan) is touring the Special Collections archive at the Transylvania University library. The freshman finds himself intrigued and fascinated by the artwork of John James Audubon. Admiring the artwork, Spencer starts to get these absurd idea to steal the rare collection. He manages to…
"American Animals: A Crazy True-Crime Story"
A film that mixes different genres, Hotel Artemis is a film that depicts a bleak future in Los Angeles. While 2028 doesn’t seem so long into the future, it appears to be very bleak for Los Angeles for a few days in June. Thanks to the Clearwater Corporation shutting off water to the general public, the city is rioting in full force. It’s been a full three days of rioting and the police are just…
"Hotel Artemis: Check Out Any Time You Want"
Ocean’s 8 is just entertaining enough to pull off a heist but the film doesn’t really up the stakes in the franchise. Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) has been planning the Met Gala heist for five years, eight months, and twelve days. Or so she says. Pulling it off won’t be easy. It’s going to require the aid of her partner, Lou Miller (Cate Blanchett). By Debbie’s math, it’s going to take seven people to pull…
"Ocean’s 8 doesn’t change Status Quo"