Writer/director John Carney knows how to make music shine in his movies. His breakthrough 2007 drama “Once” featured the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly”. Tunes performed by Keira Knightley and Adam Levine rocked in “Begin Again”. And “Sing Street” is one of my 20 favorite films of the past 10 years. So my expectations were high […]
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 […]
Quality investigative journalism films (“Nightcrawler”, “Spotlight”, “The Post”, “She Said”) have been headline grabbers over the past decade. “Boston Strangler” — a fascinating, deep-dive into the infamous serial killer spree that paralyzed Boston and surrounding areas in the early 1960s — is a triumphant addition to the genre. This movie boasts the best performances and […]
My only problem with “Misbehaviour” is that it should have been titled “Miss-behaviour”. That’s the one quibble I have with this surprising, based on a true story gem. The setting is 1970 London. Small but passionate groups of women are beginning to voice their displease with how women are (and always have been) treated in […]
This is one of those times when a generic title pairs perfectly with it’s generic movie. There’s a lot going on in the dramedy “Greed” — but none of it is worth an investment. Steve Coogan (with glowing pearly white teeth) plays British fashion mogul Sir Richard McCreadie. The aging egomaniac is turning 60. So […]
“The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is a tough sell. This is a new, slightly darker and more mysterious visionary tale loosely based on one of the most famous ballets and musical compositions in history. Disney has taken “Alice in Wonderland”, mushed it with “The Chronicles of Narnia” and sprinkled it with Sugar Plum Fairy […]
Helen Mirren has starred in movies for decades. But after winning the Best Actress Oscar for 2006’s “The Queen”, her career skyrocketed. Her latest film, “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”, opens next week. Here are Helen Mirren’s best recent movies since “The Queen”: “EYE IN THE SKY” This underrated 2016 drama featured Mirren, Aaron […]
Kevin Costner returns to TV this week on Paramount Network’s new drama series “Yellowstone”. Costner’s career was monstrous in the 80s and 90s, with films such as “Bull Durham”, “Field of Dreams”, “Dances with Wolves” (for which he won 2 Oscars), “JFK” and “The Bodyguard”. But after a string of critical and box office disappointments, […]
Wth 4 wins each, two star-studded true-story films lead The 2018 LCJ Movie Awards. “The Post” earns top honors, with Best Picture, Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Drama and Best Original Screenplay, and “I, Tonya” is the recipient of Best Actress (Margot Robbie), Best Supporting Actress (Allison Janney), Best Comedy and Best Film Editing. Sci-fi sequel “Blade […]
Sci-fi sequel “Blade Runner 2049”, true story drama “The Post” and family film “Wonder” lead The 2018 LCJ Movie Awards nominations, with 9 each, including Best Picture. Musical “The Greatest Showman” and sports biopic “I, Tonya” follow with 7 nominations each. For the first time in the 7-year history of The LCJ Movie Awards, there […]