The Spectacular Now, a coming-of-age romantic drama, marked the tenth anniversary of its theatrical release this past summer. “I don’t live in the past. I live in the now because that’s what it’s all about.” – Tommy Keely (Kyle Chandler) This is the sort of movie that just shows what it means to be a teenager in the moment. It feels very different from other films in the coming-of-age genre and 2013 had plenty to…
"The Spectacular Now Is Raw, Honest, and Authentic"Tag: Jennifer Jason Leigh
The Woman in the Window is finally launching on Netflix over a year and a half after it was supposed to open in theaters. When it comes to movies about windows, Rear Window is the gold standard. This isn’t about to change anytime soon. When it comes to the film’s release delays, people will likely think about Tulip Fever. Just me? Okay. Both The Woman in the Window and Tulip Fever have books for their…
"The Woman in the Window Can’t Be Saved"
QT8: The First Eight is a feature-length documentary paying tribute to Oscar-nominated filmmaker and cinephile Quentin Tarantino. Everything started with Reservoir Dogs in 1992. After its midnight premiere during Cannes, history would forever change. This was the breakthrough. Michael Madsen shares some interesting insight into the film’s wardrobe especially with the all-black clothing. The film is told in three distinct chapters: The Revolution, Badass Women and Genre Play, and Justice. It’s a reminder of the…
"QT8: The First Eight Honors Quentin Tarantino"
Taking place during Detroit in the 1980s, White Boy Rick tells the story it wants but only to an extent. The biggest thing that I felt could have been explored better were the unjust treatments towards Rick Wershe, Jr. (Richie Merritt). This is someone who became the youngest person to ever serve as an FBI informant. The fact that the FBI turned their backs on a deal is wildly upsetting. It isn’t unfair to say…
"TIFF 2018: White Boy Rick"
Despite the amazing visuals, Annihilation might be a trippy ride but it’s a ride that needs to be experienced for oneself. Given that he was the mind behind Ex Machina, it’s no surprise that Alex Garland was chosen to adapt Annihilation for the big screen. Despite the fascinating sci-fi ideas behind the first novel in Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach trilogy, the film is not without some controversy. Lena (Natalie Portman) left the Army in order…
"Annihilation: A Trippy Ride"
LBJ is a film that is wholly unnecessary because it’s already been done by way of the 2016 HBO movie, All the Way, starring Bryan Cranston. Woody Harrelson’s performance as Lyndon Johnson is strong, but there’s no way around comparing the two. It has been well over a year since the premiere of director Rob Reiner’s film at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival but it’s just as well that the film was held until…
"LBJ Is An Unnecessary Biopic"
In watching Good Time, you forget that actor Robert Pattinson was ever involved with the Twilight franchise with what is the best performance of his career. Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie from a screenplay written by Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein, the crime thriller stars Robert Pattinson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Benny Safdie, Barkhad Abdi, Taliah Webster, Peter Verby, and Buddy Duress. Good Time takes us to the streets of New York and follows the…
"Good Time: Robert Pattinson makes you forget Twilight"