“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, […]
As the son of loving husband and father Clark W. Griswold (who, in the previous “Vacation” movies, may have looked like he did everything wrong, but actually did everything right), Ed Helms is the grown-up version of Rusty in this modern version of “Vacation”, which is just as zany and uneven as the original. Jonathan […]
“Paper Towns” is based on the 2008 YA novel by “The Fault in Our Stars” author John Green. That book came out in 2012, and the 2014 film adaptation featured a nomination-worthy performance from Shailene Woodley – the centerpiece of an emotionally moving story about teen troubles and love. Don’t worry about having tissues handy […]
“Southpaw” is about a down-on-his-luck boxer trying to make a comeback. Sound familiar? There are a few unique elements to this story, but ultimately, “Southpaw” relies on its knockout performances to carry you through a solid, but predictable, two-hour melodrama. Jake Gyllenhaal continues his winning streak, following excellent work in “Prisoners” and “Nightcrawler”. Here he […]
“Pixels” is one of the most original and enjoyable movies of the year, as the all-star lineup of Adam Sandler, the red-hot Josh Gad (“Frozen”), Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan (“Source Code”) and Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”) battle aliens in the form of giant classic video game characters. Director Chris Columbus (“Mrs. Doubtfire”, “Harry Potter […]
Woody Allen continues to prove that he may just be the most prolific director working today. Every year, without fail, we get a new Allen creation. His 2015 offering is “Irrational Man”, and it’s one of the most engrossing movies of the year. About a half-hour into the film, after Allen establishes his standard, complicated […]
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 […]
“Ant-Man” is the 12th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise that began with 2008’s “Iron Man”. And out of those dozen films, grossing billions of dollars at the box office, “Ant-Man” is, in my mind, without question, the weakest. Paul Rudd (from “Anchorman”) and director Peyton Reed (whose previous film was “Yes Man”) are […]
The documentary “Amy” powerfully chronicles the successful and sad life of singer Amy Winehouse, who died in 2011. The Grammy-winning Jazz artist from England rose to fame with her “Back to Black” album and hit songs such as “Rehab” and “I Heard Love Is Blind”. However, her personal life was more often in the spotlight […]
After seeing 2010’s “Despicable Me” the first of several times, I knew that supervillain turned Superdad Gru’s little yellow assistants, the Minions, were destined to star in their own movie. Five years later, “Minions” puts the title characters front and center. Unfortunately, the film falls short on the fun meter. “Minions” is a prequel to […]