Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer star as a pair of mismatched superheroes in Thunder Force, the newest Netflix original. A comic book panel style montage sets the scene for what’s happening in the film. In March 1983, a massive explosion of interstellar cosmic-rays hit Earth. This led to select humans undergoing a genetic transformation. Unfortunately, the powers were only unlocked in those people predisposed to be a sociopath. Because mutants and meta-humans were already taken…
"Thunder Force: Good Takes On Evil in Chicago"Tag: Octavia Spencer
Disney’s Oscar-winning Zootopia remains a classic over four years following its theatrical release and holds up in viewing on Disney+. In Zootopia, you can be anything you want to be. Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) moves from Bunnyburrow for the chance at becoming a police officer. Even though she’s the best in her class, the Zootopia Police Department assigns her traffic cop duties. It’s not the most glamorous position for the first rabbit ever in the ZPD…
"Zootopia: Oscar Winner Remains A Classic"
Dolittle, the latest incarnation of everybody’s favorite doctor to talk to pets, is now available for audiences to purchase on Digital/VOD. Hugh Lofting published 14 books about Dr. Dolittle between 1920-1952. There have been a few feature films about the character but Dolittle is based on the 1922 book, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle. Robert Downey Jr. leads the star-studded cast as the famous doctor who can understand and talk to animals. For all of…
"Dolittle Is Now Available On Home Video"
Onward takes viewers on an emotional journey by way of the Lightfoot brothers in a world where magic has been long forgotten. Pixar has a way of making magic. Sometimes, this magic comes by way of a world that’s long forgotten how to use it. In this case, Ian and Barley Lightfoot (Tom Holland and Chris Pratt)–a pair of elves–attempt to bring their father, Wilden Lightfoot (Kyle Bornheimer), back if only for a day. Unfortunately,…
"Onward: An Emotional And Magical Journey"
Luce is one of those films that comes along at just the right point in time in which the country needs it in order to spark an important conversation. From the outside looking in, Luce (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.) is the smartest person in the school. He has it going for him in every which direction. When he’s not in class, he’ll be doing his duties as either the debate-team captain or participating in track. In other words,…
"Sundance 2019: Luce"
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"
A Kid Like Jake is a film that ought to add to the conversation about gender identity among young children. The roots of A Kid Like Jake in the theater become very clear in the final act through the performances of Claire Danes and Jim Parsons. Through Silas Howard’s direction and the camera framing of cinematographer Steven Capitano Calitri, the performances come off as theatrical rather than cinematic. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While…
"A Kid Like Jake explores Gender Identity" A Kid Like Jake is a film that ought to add to the conversation about gender identity among young children. The roots of A Kid Like Jake as a play becomes clear in the final act of the film through the performances of Claire Danes and Jim Parsons in particular. Through Silas Howard’s direction and the camera framing of cinematographer Steven Capitano Calitri, the performances come off as theatrical rather than cinematic. Danes and Parsons…
"CCFF 2018: A Kid Like Jake"
The Shape of Water is perhaps the finest film ever to be directed by Guillermo del Toro and actress Sally Hawkins delivers a top-notch performance in the Cold War-set film. With a screenplay co-written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor, the film stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg and Octavia Spencer. Set in 1962, a classified asset is brought into a government laboratory in Baltimore where Strickland (Shannon) is hellbent…
"Chicago Film Festival: The Shape of Water"