US – 4K UHD Review!
The horror genre is something sacred and entertaining. It can be whatever you’d like it to be from something of a masked killer on the loose slashing their way through unsuspecting teenage victims to a literal hell unleashing in space to something much more quiet and unnerving like family being torn apart by a demonic entity and everything in between. Jordan Peele has crafted his own horror universe and elements and is 2/2 (so far) in drilling the nail into that horror membrane with precision and accuracy. His latest film simply titled ‘US‘ is much more than a straight out horror film, but something that makes us think about our past, present and ultimate future with each other. I’m happy to say that ‘US‘ is a true masterpiece in horror.
read comments (0)Midsommar: Film Review #2!
I saw Midsommar and have been racking my brain on how to even begin the review. I’m still not sure how to properly discuss the movie without spoiling the major plot points and trying to break them down. There are other reviewers on here who have a far better understanding of the horror genre and can break it down in that regard for you. I decided that I won’t spoil anything and will just give what resonated with me the most walking out. Midsommar is the most disturbing and uncomfortable break up movie I’ve ever seen.
Batman 30th Anniversary – 4K UHD Review!
In 1989, the birth of summer blockbusters became real with Tim Burton’s Batman. Before that, the superhero genre was not the behemoth it was today with A-list actors, 9-figure budgets, and compelling dramatic tones. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Us comic books fans had to settle for slapstick one-liners in low budget sets and costumes to get our favorite heroes on screen. It wasn’t until that summer where everything changed and paved the way for films like X-Men, the MCU, and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight franchise. It was a strange decision too, but Warner Bros. and DC Comics decided on the young filmmaker Tim Burton to take on the large budget and big named comic book adaptation of Batman. Until then, Burton had only done Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure and Beetlejuice.
Pet Sematary 4K UHD Review!
‘Pet Sematary‘ comes back to life with a brand new 2160p 4K UHD image with Dolby Vision and looks and sounds excellent. It’s like watching the film all over again. Stephen King’s excellent novel was adapted in 1989 by director Mary Lambert that focuses on the Creed family moving to the country for a better life where loss, death and family all play a gruesome and horrific part. There are new bonus features as well as some vintage extras imported over here. What an amazing release. Highly Recommended!
‘Glass’ – Blu-ray Review!
Finally, we got the conclusion to M. Night Shyamalan’s superhero opus with Glass, which was the third film in his amazing trilogy that was preceded by Unbreakable and Split. This new film brings back pretty much every single character from each film for the ultimate showdown and twist and Shyamalan did it perfectly. The 1080p HD video is wonderful and the killer Dolby Atmos track is something special. There is a ton of bonus features, but zero commentary tracks. This is a MUST-OWN Blu-ray!
‘Shazam!’ – Film Review!
“Finally! DC has made a fun movie!”
It’s easy to see that the executives at Warner Bros. and DC Comics have been listening to the fans in wanting funnier and more light-hearted superhero films after the super dark and very adult previous films. With ‘Aquaman‘, they literally threw in everything and the kitchen sink into that film to bring a wild, chaotic affair that was silly, yet fun in a “so bad it’s good” kind of way. There is much more of a balance with ‘Shazam!‘ and dare I say it in my most impressive imitation of WWE’s The Rock – “Finally! DC has made a fun movie!” I stand by that statement too as odd choice in director David S. Sandberg (‘Lights Out‘ and ‘Annabelle: Creation‘) took his cues from Tom Hanks‘ 1980s film ‘Big‘ and made a large budget superhero movie out of it, set in the universe of The Justice League. Everyone in the film looks to be having a great time on screen with their respective characters and it transfers to smiles and laughs in its audience.
‘The Mule’ – 4K UHD Review!
THE FILM
For the first time in more than a decade, Clint Eastwood is back starring in his own directorial effort called ‘The Mule‘, which is based on a true story about a man named Leo Sharp, who was a down-on-his luck elder man who became a very successful drug runner for the Mexican cartel. It’s a rather interesting story that had some trouble being made into a film. At one point, Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) was attached to write and direct the film, but over the course of a year or so – Clint Eastwood became involved and the rest is history. Fletcher is still credited as Executive Producer here. Eastwood tells this story with a very subtle sense of suspense. There was never any point where I felt his character was in danger or something bad was going to happen. It’s the opposite of something like ‘Breaking Bad‘ in the suspense department. Still, there is an elegant quality to Eastwood’s filmmaking that makes this story worth your while.
‘Dumbo’ (2019) – Film Review!
“This is the worst film of the year or at least most disappointing.”
In 1941, Disney wasn’t doing too well financially. It was the success of a short 64 minute animated movie about an elephant who could fly that would launch Disney back into the successful realm of cinema. Since then, this film called ‘Dumbo‘ has brightened our days throughout the years, made us sing along to its original and amazing songs, and fall in love over and over with each viewing with the titular character ‘Dumbo‘. It was a simple story about a newborn elephant with large ears. All of the other animals and humans at the circus made fun of Dumbo, which caused his mother to protect him, thus forcing her to leave Dumbo and be locked up because she became “dangerous”. Turns out, Dumbo could fly with the help of his mouse friend and became the star of the circus, eventually living a life of luxury and reuniting with his mother. It’s a beautiful story for sure with a couple of thought-out, well designed characters.
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ – 4K UHD Review!
THE FILM
(Film Review Portion Written By Audrey Evans)
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is back, but this time he has a fellowship of web-warriors from other dimensions to save the day. In a market currently flooded with Marvel, one might scoff at the idea that ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse‘ has anything new to offer, but prepare for a fresh spin on this radioactive world. This ‘Spider-Man‘ is hilarious, bold and inclusive. It not only reflects diversity in its artistic approach, but also in its cast of characters – and above anything else, the animation is absolutely unparalleled!
‘Green Book’ – 4K UHD Review!
THE FILM
(Film Review Portion Written by Beka Perlstein)
Green Book is a dramedy based on the real-life friendship between the most unusual of friends. Donald Shirley (Mahershala Ali), of The Don Shirley Trio, and “Tony Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), a bouncer from the Copa, embark on a concert tour through the South with Vallelonga as Shirley’s driver. The name of the film is taken from the pamphlet that was published during the 1960s that informed black people of establishments that were safe for them to stay in, eat at, or stop at while traveling. That was a foreign concept to me, as well as Vallelonga in the movie, as the only time Green Book is explained is when he is made aware that there will be times the two can’t stay at the same hotels and he is provided with the book.
‘Suspiria’ – Blu-ray Review!
THE FILM
(Film Review Portion Written by Dan Moran)
The general plot of Suspiria is that Suzy, an American ballerina, enrolls in a Berlin dance academy which is actually a front for a coven of witches. Dakota Johnson plays Suzy and is a revelation in the part since my big dumb brain still associates her with her lifeless performance in 50 Shades of Grey. Tilda Swinton (as usual) puts in some great work as Madame Blanc as just caring enough yet always with an ominous undercurrent to all of her lines. Swinton also dons a ton of makeup to play a Doctor who becomes interested in the coven after one of the academy’s dance members tells him of the evil there before she disappears.
‘Escape Room’ – Film Review!
Hello Everyone, Janet W. here…
Puzzles are amazing. They push you to think and not just any ole thinking. You have to see through, around, up and down, probably why I love being a critic. Anyway, locks slide and toggles click as the screen fades in from black. Escape Room opens with a chessboard followed by a pan around an overloaded study, foretelling much. The sounds did not match the image that appeared. I wanted to like Escape Room… Read the rest of this entry »
Dan Moran’s Holiday Movie Guide!
Bohemian Rhapsody
Imagine if someone made a Beatles movie but Ringo was the one who had the final say in every plot point? That’s what you get here. Surviving band members doing everything they can to make sure you recognize it wasn’t just Freddie Mercury in Queen. Guess what? We know that bu we don’t care.
Film Review: ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’!
Who would have thought that some 22 years later, we would still be getting ‘Mission: Impossible‘ films with Tom Cruise as the go-to guy in saving the world time and time again? I definitely didn’t expect this, but I’m thrilled Tom Cruise and company continue to make these electrifying films that seem to up the ante and get better with each installment. Tom Cruise is 56 years old, which is 5 years older than Wilford Brimley was in the movie ‘Cocoon‘. Let that sit with you for a minute. What I’m trying to say is that Cruise doesn’t look nor does he act like a 56-year-old man. Instead, he looks and acts like a 25-year-old youngster with a death wish and penchant for the extreme and I believe every second of it, especially in this sixth film ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout‘.
Why you need Need ‘Texas Star Burlesque’ in your life!
I believe Axl Rose said it best back in 1987 – “Take me down to Paradise City where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.” This is what I think of when a burlesque shows heads into town. However, you receive so much more, especially with the brand new show ‘Texas Star Burlesque‘ had their first extravaganza in the historic Deep Ellum neighborhood of Downtown Dallas on July Saturday the 14th at Trees. Not only are the people devastatingly beautiful, and while there wasn’t green grass inside of Trees, you can sense the paradise and glistening stage and lights that amplified these talented performers. When the music hit the sold-out crowd, the cheers were turned up to 11, and the lights were as bright as they could be, you could feel the sense of joy wonder and excitement between everyone in attendance. It was truly a Paradise City.
