Lights Camera Jackson

Movie Reviews, Entertainment News and Views from Lights Camera Jackson

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‘Brian Banks’ Review

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“Brian Banks” is the latest “based on a true story” drama about a football player. But unlike with “Invincible”, “The Express” or even “The Blind Side”, football actually takes a major backseat. And that’s refreshing. This is the story of Brian Banks, the person. In 2002, at the age of 16, Banks was accused of […]
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‘The Farewell’ Review

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If a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness, should they be told? Or, should that secret be kept so the person can enjoy their final few months without the burden of the truth? What if that person is the beloved matriarch of a proud but fractured Chinese family? That’s the foundation of “The Farewell”, […]
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‘Avengers: Endgame’ Review

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It all comes down to this. After more than a decade, and 21 prior films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (partially) closes its doors with “Avengers: Endgame”. Like most respected critics, I will be following the protocol of Disney, Marvel, the cast and directors Joe & Anthony Russo: #DontSpoilTheEndgame. I’m not going to give away core […]
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‘The Highwaymen’ Review

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John Lee Hancock is one of my favorite directors. He chooses untold, true stories. And he allows his actors the space to deliver powerhouse performances, including Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”, Emma Thompson in “Saving Mr. Banks” and Michael Keaton in “The Founder”. Hancock’s latest is “The Highwaymen”. It features yet another heavyweight at […]
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‘Fighting with My Family’ Review

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“Fighting with My Family” is written and directed by British actor/comedian Stephen Merchant, who co-starred with the film’s producer, Dwayne Johnson, in 2010’s “Tooth Fairy”. Johnson actually plays himself in a few memorable scenes of “Fighting”. And that’s because this is based on the true story (and 2012 documentary) of WWE wrestler Paige. Born Saraya […]
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‘How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ Review

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THIS is how you end a trilogy. DreamWorks Animation wraps-up their fourth franchise with “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”. It’s also the studio’s first film under new distribution partner, Universal. Interestingly, the first “Dragon” (released in 2010) was distributed by Paramount. 2014’s “How to Train Your Dragon 2” was released by 20th […]
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‘On the Basis of Sex’ Review

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On the heels of the celebrated documentary “RBG” comes this dramatization of the early years of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legal career. Decades before becoming Supreme Court Justice, Ginsburg was a young wife and mother and an aspiring attorney. From those beginnings to the iconic status she enjoys today, she’s been able to teach and lead generations […]
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‘Cold War’ Review

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How far would you go to be with the love of your life? That’s the big question for the two main characters in “Cold War”. This is the latest film from director Pawel Pawlikowski. He helmed 2013’s “Ida”, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign-Language Film. “Cold War” is 2018’s Academy Award entry from Poland, […]
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‘Green Book’ Review

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It’s “Driving Miss Daisy” meets “Hidden Figures” with a touch of “Ray” and a splash of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”. “Green Book” is this year’s quintessential crowd-pleasing, feel-good, inspirational road trip movie that should become a holiday and awards season favorite. Director Peter Farrelly has taken a break from goofy comedies like “Dumb and Dumber” […]
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‘First Man’ Review

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At only 33, director Damien Chazelle already has three great movies on his resume. And they are three very different, distinct films. First was the heart-pounding two-character showdown drama (“Whiplash”). Then came the dynamic, full-blown romantic musical (“La La Land”). His latest is the most “conventional” of the three. Yet, it’s still bold and wildly inventive: a […]
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