“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” is the fifth installment in a 20-year-old film franchise. Last time, for 2011’s “Ghost Protocol”, Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise risked his life (and pure sanity) by climbing the tallest building in the world. In the opening scene of “Rogue Nation”, he hangs onto an airplane for dear life. And, yes, […]
The first half an hour of director Judd Apatow’s latest comedy, “Trainwreck”, lives-up to its title. Emmy nominated Comedy Central star Amy Schumer plays Amy – a writer for a NYC men’s magazine. She’s into heavy drinking, partying and hooking-up with lots of men, with no relationship commitments. This section of the film is made […]
The indie drama “Dope” was one of the darlings of this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Open Road, best known for distributing the animated comedy “The Nut Job” and the excellent Jake Ghyllenhaal thriller “Nightcrawler”, won the multi-studio bidding war. Writer/director Rick Famuyiwa (“Our Family Wedding”) collaborated with the powerhouse production team of Pharrell Williams, Sean […]
Marvel’s superhero sequel “Avengers: Age of Ultron” kicks-off the Summer 2015 Movie Season. And while it’s sure to break box office records, this follow-up to 2012’s original is more grim and less entertaining on practically every level. “Age of Ultron” begins promisingly with a solid action scene. Returning director Joss Whedon stages the mighty heroes […]
“Run All Night” is the fourth action/thriller starring Liam Neeson to be released in the last 13 months. Jaume-Collet Serra directed Neeson 2011’s underrated gem “Unknown” and last year’s “Non-Stop”. Both of those films provided intrigue, suspense and engaging storylines worthy of your full attention from the first frame to the last. “Run All Night” […]
“Black or White” is inspired by true events and stars Kevin Costner as Elliot, a successful lawyer who works and lives in an affluent areas of Los Angeles. We learn in the opening scenes that his wife has just died in a car accident. The couple had custody of their young, African American granddaughter Eloise […]
After seeing 2014’s most controversial and talked-about movie (that almost wasn’t a 2014 movie), the R-rated Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy “The Interview”, it’s clear North Korea’s concerns about the film’s concept and content are justified. It’s uncertain if high-ranking officials or Kim Jong-un have actually seen the film, or if their outrage was simply triggered […]
If you dare go “Into the Woods”, there’s a lot you will find: A star-studded ensemble cast as fairy tale characters who have been raised to rhyme. A story entangled in intrigue, hope, joy and sadness. And more than 20 high-powered, often in-your-face, full throttle, Stephen Sondheim musical productions. Unfortunately, only a handful truly work. […]
“The Book of Life” is Reel FX Animation Studios’ follow-up to last year’s Thanksgiving-themed comedy “Free Birds”. Here the studio takes-on a different holiday with the help of producer Guillermo del Toro and visionary director Jorge Gutierrez, as “The Book of Life” breathes new life into the Mexican fiesta – The Day of the Dead. […]
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 […]