The end of the first half of 2023 is upon us, so it’s time to reflect on the films and, in particular, the performances that have graced big and small screens in motion pictures over the past six months. Let’s break it down by category: In the Supporting Actor group, my favorite performance goes to […]
It’s not creepy or cooky, mysterious or spooky. The one word that sums-up the new CG animated version of “The Addams Family” is — bland. Creators of this latest rendition based on the classic Charles Addams New Yorker comics were hoping to attract those who loved the ’60s TV series (which only ran for two […]
Actress Isabelle Huppert is considered an icon in her native France. But it wasn’t until 2016 that most American audiences were introduced to her, with her Golden Globe-winning, Oscar nominated role in the bizarre “Elle”. Huppert’s performance as an assault victim determined to learn the identity of her attacker commanded the screen, the actress often […]
Returning stars Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Rose Byrne are joined by Chloë Grace Moretz for Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, the follow-up to 2014’s most popular original comedy. Nicholas Stoller again directs in a film that follows what happens when the will of parenthood goes against the bonds of sisterhood. Now that Mac (Rogen) and […]
“Neighbors” was Universal’s highest-grossing movie of 2014, so it’s no surprise that the studio decided to ring the doorbell again. Like “22 Jump Street”, “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” doesn’t hide the fact that it’s basically rehashing the same plot. The difference: Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill’s second go-around as undercover cops was consistently funny while […]
These are the 10 strongest performances by actors and actresses in 2014 that could have been deserving of Best Supporting Actor/Actress consideration if only their roles had been a little bit bigger: Carrie Coon is excellent as the emotional and honest Margo Dunne, sister to Nick Dunne (played by Ben Affleck) in “Gone Girl”. Viola […]
Two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington re-teams with “Training Day” director Antoine Fuqua to bring the 80s TV series “The Equalizer” to the big screen. It’s an action film with such over-the-top and unpredictable violence that it’s hard to imagine this version will ever make it onto broadcast TV. Sony is clearly counting on “The […]
“If I Stay” is the “End of Summer of 2014 Tween/Teen Romantic Tearjerker”. Based on the popular 2009 novel by Gayle Forman, Chloe Grace Moretz (“Kick-Ass”) stars as 17-year-old Mia. She lives with her parents and younger brother Teddy in Portland, Oregon. Mia’s love of music was inherited from her mom and dad, but they […]
Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese is best-known for making gritty adult crime dramas, thrillers and biopics. “Hugo” is both his first 3D film and his first family film. While “Hugo” continues to be promoted as a family adventure and two of it’s main characters are a pre-teen boy and girl, Scorsese’s new effort is […]