Face/Off Gets A 4K Ultra HD Upgrade

John Woo’s classic 1997 action thriller, Face/Off, is now available on 4K Ultra HD by way of Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The film has been available on 4K UHD since December 12, 2023. What follows is my original review from last summer’s 25th anniversary: Face/Off, the John Woo action film starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, marks its 25th anniversary since its June 1997 release. I was too young to appreciate Nicolas Cage for his…

"Face/Off Gets A 4K Ultra HD Upgrade"

Amsterdam Has A David O. Russell Problem – Oscars Watch

On paper, Amsterdam has the right pedigree to be a serious Oscar contender but the film has a David O. Russell problem. Amsterdam is described as “a fascinating and richly intricate tale that brilliantly weaves historical fact with fiction for a timely, cinematic experience.” It is a “crime epic about three close friends who find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history.” 20th Century Studios released both…

"Amsterdam Has A David O. Russell Problem – Oscars Watch"

Face/Off: Action Film Marks 25th Anniversary

Face/Off, the John Woo action film starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, marks its 25th anniversary since its June 1997 release. I was too young to appreciate Nicolas Cage for his mannerisms when I first saw this film in 1997. In hindsight, I was probably a few years too young to see the movie, what with the R rating and all. But then again, I had already watched dinosaurs tear apart two different islands by…

"Face/Off: Action Film Marks 25th Anniversary"

Jurassic Park III: The Worst of the Franchise

Jurassic Park III manages to get even darker than the prior films but the sequel doesn’t quite capture the magic of the franchise. Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) heads to Isla Sorna under false pretenses.  Assistant Billy Brennan (Alessandro Nivola) joins the Jurassic Park veteran on the trip.  Paul (William H. Macy) and Amanda Kirby (Téa Leoni) offer Grant funding if he gives them an aerial tour of the island.  Sounds like a good idea,…

"Jurassic Park III: The Worst of the Franchise"

Selma Remains Just As Powerful in 2020

Selma takes us back to the heights of the Civil Rights movement by recreating the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. It’s been just over five years since the theatrical release and the film remains just as powerful.  The biggest injustice is that the Academy only gave the film two nominations.  That’s right.  The film only earned nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Song.  While I admit to actively rooting for Birdman that…

"Selma Remains Just As Powerful in 2020"

The Red Sea Diving Resort: A True Story

Chris Evans leads a cast of Mossad operatives in The Red Sea Diving Resort as they work to rescue Ethiopian Jews and bring them to Israel. I would imagine that more people know the story behind Operation Moses or Operation Solomon more so than Operation Brothers.  Regardless, this film is a good one to watch as things play out on screen.  Even though we have an idea of what is going to happen, there’s certainly…

"The Red Sea Diving Resort: A True Story"

The Art of Self-Defense: A Dark Comedy

The Art of Self-Defense takes a dark comedic look at toxic masculinity but does so while grounding it in the world of karate. Accountant Casey Davies (Jesse Eisenberg) is forced to sign up for karate classes after a he gets jumped by a motorcycle gang.  It’s only because there’s no more dog food.  Man’s best friend comes first, right?!?  Casey does the first logical thing he can think of when he leaves the hospital: buy…

"The Art of Self-Defense: A Dark Comedy"

Tribeca 2018: Disobedience: The Epic Orthodox Jewish Lesbian Romance

Based on the novel of the same name, Disobedience is the epic romance film that the Orthodox Jewish LGBTQ community has been waiting for. The film is the second consecutive film from director Sebastián Lelio to hit very close to home for this film critic–being both a transgender woman and a member of the Orthodox Jewish LGBTQ community.  Sebastián Lelio, who also directed A Fantastic Woman starring Daniela Vega, and Rebecca Lenkiewicz adapted Naomi Alderman’s award-winning…

"Tribeca 2018: Disobedience: The Epic Orthodox Jewish Lesbian Romance"

TIFF: Disobedience focuses on Lesbian Romance in Orthodox Jewish community

Disobedience is one of the many films to make its world premiere at next month’s Toronto International Film Festival.  It’s also one to hit close to home in that it is set within an Orthodox Jewish community involves a same-sex romance. Directed by Sebastián Lelio from a screenplay by Lelio and Rebecca Lenkiewicz, the film stars Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams and Alessandro Nivola.  The film is an adaptation of the award-winning novel of the same…

"TIFF: Disobedience focuses on Lesbian Romance in Orthodox Jewish community"