The animated “Dora the Explorer” television series began after I was too old to be watching such a show. That said, as a good consumer of media, I am well aware of the show and the general structure of an… Read More ›
movies
Movie Review: “The Art of Racing in the Rain”
To say that a movie is “calculating” implies some sort of malevolence but of course, all movies attempt to elicit a response be it an emotional one, an intellectual one, or both. All movies are calculating. Words are often imperfect… Read More ›
Movie Review: “After the Wedding” (2019)
There is something magical about the start of “After the Wedding,” the new movie from writer-director Bart Freundlich (and based on the movie “Efter Bryllupet”). This is a movie with adults who happen to find themselves in a difficult situation,… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Corporate Animals”
More than anything else, the new film “Corporate Animals” resembles a particularly off-kilter episode of “The Office.” Directed by Patrick Brice with a script from Sam Bain the movie sees a dysfunctional CEO, Lucy (Demi Moore), bringing her peculiar group… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”
People will tell you that a preponderance of summer movies are big, loud, and stupid. Whether or not that’s the case, blockbusters don’t come much bigger, louder, or more stupid than this week’s “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.” … Read More ›
Movie Review: “The Operative” (2019)
Stories of undercover agents not following their handler’s orders are rather de rigueur. Stories of undercover agents following in love with someone they shouldn’t are none too fresh. Seeing the two types of issues crop up for an agent in… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Teacher” (2019)
Not all movies deal in subtlety. Some instead choose to beat the audience over the head with any message they have to offer. That is a decision that filmmakers can make, but it needs to fit in with the rest of… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Mike Wallace is Here”
There is no doubt that director Avi Belkin’s new documentary, “Mike Wallace is Here,” wishes to squarely place itself within the present day journalistic conversation, the conversation which includes the President of the United States and his White House abusing… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Cold Blood”
It can be dangerous for a movie to refuse to explain itself, for the movie to allow the viewer the time and latitude to work it all out for themselves. First and foremost, that which is shown immediately has to… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Spider-Man: Far From Home”
While “Avengers: Endgame” may have ended a storyline in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is still a whole lot of fallout to be dealt with from just how that close came about. Tales of what happens due to the events of… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Yesterday” (2019)
Some movies never get much beyond the great idea that spawns them. These sorts of films are often more disappointing than mediocre films which began without a great idea at their core. Something that is merely passable throughout somehow feels… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Shaft” (2019)
This is not your father’s Shaft. Well, no, that’s not quite right. This totally is your father’s Shaft. It’s also your Shaft and a younger Shaft thrown in for good measure (your relationship to them varies based upon your age). … Read More ›
Movie Review: “The Dead Don’t Die”
Ah, the zombie film. At this point, they’re a dime a dozen. They have to different in order to shine through. They have to be unique. They have to have a way of separating themselves out from the pack. Frankly, I think… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Dark Phoenix”
At one point in “Dark Phoenix,” the new X-Men movie, our heroes are being held captive on a train. The armed baddies holding them have patches on their shoulders that read “MCU.” Is this, like so much of the rest of… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Framing John DeLorean”
What exactly is “Framing John DeLorean?” It is a movie, certainly, but is it a documentary? Is it a biopic? Is it simply reenactments? Is it a “making of” movie? Is it a proof of concept for a larger film? … Read More ›
Movie Review: “Godzilla: King of the Monsters”
Although Godzilla has been around for decades, the current iteration of films here in the United States began in 2014 with the utterly mediocre “Godzilla.” The film is shot with a fetish for not showing the title creature himself and… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Ma” (2019)
There are people who will suggest that “Ma,” the Octavia Spencer-starring, Tate Taylor-directed pseudo-thriller film falls into the category of “so bad it’s good.” This critic vehemently disagrees. It is, instead, just plain bad. The tale focuses on Sue Ann, an adult… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Domino” (2019)
Brian De Palma has made some truly wonderful films. He has a talent for ratcheting up the tension and creating some very memorable sequences. His latest, the Nikolaj Coster-Waldau starring “Domino” may have an interesting moment or two, but it is… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Rocketman” (2019)
Last year audiences were treated to the story of Freddie Mercury (or a version of it) in “Bohemian Rhapsody.” As you may recall if you read my piece on the film, I liked it but also had real problems with… Read More ›
Movie Review: “Brightburn”
As you may have noticed, superheroes are all the rage today. You can’t go to a multiplex without having a superhero movie playing on multiple screens or trailers for several upcoming films or lobby cards or some combination thereof. It therefore… Read More ›
The TV and Film Guy's Reviews 