Tag: film review

Film Review: ‘Cruella’: A Metaphor for the Dangers of Social Media Culture

‘Cruella’ 2021 PG-13 2h 14min Well—I didn’t wanna like it; this, this, this “Cruella.” “Cruella” is a movie for girl tween-agers about fashion. I prefer a movie where guys punch each other in the face. I’m not exactly a couture aficionado. Here’s who I think does fashion well: Jason Momoa. He wears Harley-Davidson t-shirts; that’s about…


Film Review of ‘A Quiet Place Part II’: Lightning Strikes Twice for Filmmaker John Krasinski

PG-13 | 1h 37min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller | 28 May 2021 (USA) When released in April of 2018, “A Quiet Place” came with no high commercial or critical expectations. The studio (Paramount) was reasonably sure it could recoup the modest $20 million budget, yet didn’t screen it for the press until the Wednesday prior to opening day—a time too late…


Film Review of ‘The Father’: An Unflinchingly Realistic Look at Dementia

PG-13 | 1h 37min | Drama | 26 February 2021 (USA) There are some basic issues that we all think about from time to time: our own mortality, the meaning of our existence, what happens after death, and so on. But many of us have also thought about the mortality and decline of the elders…


Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘Up in the Air’: Technology and Modernization Aren’t Always Positive

R | 1h 49min | Comedy, Drama, Romance | 23 December 2009 (USA) In the United States, we seem to have a renewed sense of hope—a light at the end of the tunnel after the recent turbulence of dark and dreary days. But many tend to forget that we’ve been through some challenging times before,…


Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story,’ a True Journey of Self-Discovery and Accomplishing Dreams

Not Rated | 1h 26min | Biography, Drama | TV Movie 7 February 2009 As my review of “The Ron Clark Story” just last week revealed, inspirational films based on real people are much more effective. They are a lens into exceptional lives that we can all learn from, no matter what our own hindrances…


Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Sergeant York’: A Rousing Biopic About a Real American Hero

Not Rated| 2h 14min | Biography, Drama, History | 27 September 1941 (USA) There are many heroes who initially don’t seem destined for greatness. This certainly is the case with Alvin York, a real-life American hero who went above and beyond the call of duty during World War I. York’s heroics are retold in director…


Film Review: ‘The Little Things’: Maybe Wait for Bigger Things

R | 2h 7min | Crime, Drama, Thriller | 29 January 2021 (USA) This review of “The Little Things” checks a couple of boxes. Firstly, it’s our first review since the beginning of the pandemic to more or less coincide with the movie’s release date. Secondly, it’s a classic January movie, meaning it’s mildly meh,…


Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Fearless’: A Rousing Drama for Today

R | 2h 2min | Drama, Thriller | 5 November 1993 (USA) When I first recalled director Peter Weir’s 1993 film “Fearless,” I must have subconsciously known how timely it is. And after watching it for the first time in probably over a decade, I see parallels to many of the recent tumultuous events. In…