When I first heard about “80 For Brady”, one thought crossed my mind (along with, as a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan, why would anyone want to make a movie about Tom Brady?): Is this concept based on a true story? And I learned the answer is Yes – sort of. Five Massachusetts women of a […]
It was Saturday March 14th, 2020. The world had shut down the day before. I was looking for something to do at home, so I watched “Stargirl”, which had dropped on Disney+ the day before. The feature film adaptation of the popular 2000 novel by Jerry Spinelli starred “America’s Got Talent” winner Grace VanderWaal in […]
There have now been three big screen Batmen in my lifetime. Four if you count LEGO Batman (and let’s be honest, he’s the G.O.A.T.). Nearly 10 years after Christian Bale stepped down, and 4 1/2 years after Ben Affleck’s second stint in “Justice League”, it’s Robert Pattinson’s turn as “The Batman”. Matt Reeves (who directed […]
Over the past year and a half I’ve screened five new films starring Amanda Seyfried. One of them, “Mank”, earned Seyfried her first Oscar nomination. Her latest picture reinforces her status as one of the most talented actresses working today, even if the material isn’t up to her standards. “A Mouthful of Air” is adapted […]
“Violet” is the narrative feature film directorial debut of “Family Ties” actress Justine Bateman. She also wrote the screenplay. The story centers around a mid-level, female Hollywood film executive in who’s yearning to push back against the naysayers in her life, including family members, colleagues and the destructive voice in her own head. The title […]
“Flora & Ulysses” is based on the Newbery award winning 2013 novel, “Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” by award-winning author Kate DiCamillo. She is one of the most talented and respected children’s fiction writers of our time. And she’s not unfamiliar with her work being adapted to the screen, including both “Because of Winn-Dixie” […]
“Ammonite” is the story of 19th century British fossil collector and paleontologist Mary Anning. She runs a tourist shop in Dorset, Southwest England, with her elderly mother. But her passion is searching for rare rocks and marine fossils in the cliffs along the English Channel. Her discoveries have made her famous in the collector community. […]
As a writer and director, Charlie Kaufman certainly plays by his own rules. He’s created such quirky, daring projects as “Being John Malkovich”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Anomalisa”. His latest directorial effort is his first since venturing into adult stop-motion animation. “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is based on the 2016 novel […]
I know what you’re probably thinking about “Tesla”, which stars Ethan Hawke in the title role: Here’s yet another straightforward “cradle to grave” historical biopic. Plus — wasn’t Nikola Tesla a key figure in another recent film? You’re right on that second point. Tesla was played by Nicholas Hoult in 2019’s criminally overlooked “The Current […]
“2 Minutes of Fame” is a comedy about comedy. Jay Pharoah (“Saturday Night Live”) stars as Deandre. He’s looking for his big break into the world of stand-up. For now, he’s working at a grocery store trying to help support nurse girlfriend Sky (Keke Palmer) and their young son. Dre also posts YouTube videos in […]