GLADIATOR II contains all the grand spectacle bloodshed and adrenaline-pumping action you’d expect from a sequel to Ridley Scott’s Best Picture-winning historical epic. It’s impressive to see Scott still operating on such a large scale well into his eighties. However the story lacks the original’s heart and soul desperately trying to recapture its former glory in what often feels like a pale imitation. The moments where it deviates and attempts to do its own thing is when it’s at its…
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Fly Me to the Moon 2024
FLY ME TO THE MOON is a typical romance that relies heavily on the star power of its cast. The political commentary often feels forced compared to the snappy one-liners the characters often exchange. Jim Rash elicits the most laughs as a flamboyant director while Scarlett Johansson exudes confidence and charm in both her comedic and dramatic moments. Despite its unnecessary length, the film remains an easy watch provided you don’t think too hard about the absurdity of its plot.
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Young Woman and the Sea 2024
The story of competitive swimmer Trudy Ederle who in 1926 was the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel.
Daisy Ridley steps into this important figure’s swim cap with determination and charm. An inspiring tale that reminds all that no one should ever be underestimated just because of their gender. An emotionally stirring score. 👏🎩
I found it more enjoyable than "Nyad".
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Challengers 2024
CHALLENGERS sizzles as Luca Guadagnino tells a non-linear, sexy, and entertaining sports story of how the game is won on and off the tennis court. Riveting and dynamic, with just the right amount of artistic flair. Zendaya, Josh O'Connor & Mike Faist keep the adrenaline flowing and the heart pounding with their magnetic work.
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Poor Things 2023
POOR THINGS is the most technically dazzling film Yorgos Lanthimos has constructed. A sexually liberating, imaginative tale of reawakening & discovery featuring the best performance of Emma Stone’s career. Mark Ruffalo has never been funnier. The production and costume design is exemplary while Tony McNamara’s screenplay contains so much foul-mouthed and ingenious wordplay I want to watch it again just to catch all the lines I missed from laughing. A sensational triumph all around.
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Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom 2023
AQUAMAN AND THE LOST SCREENPLAY. Everyone seems to be going through the motions here. Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson have lively chemistry & James Wan again goes hard for the film’s action scenes with some dynamic camerawork but this was trite, bland & visually ugly to look at.
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Maestro 2023
MAESTRO marks a tremendous leap forward for Bradley Cooper as an artist. Really digs into the soul of Leonard Bernstein in a way that’s sometimes breathtaking to witness. Magnificent work from him both in front & behind the camera. There are some truly astonishing scenes with stunning cinematography & grand sound design, especially while Leonard Bernstein is conducting. Unfortunately, the screenplay mainly struggles to tie these memorable scenes together into something more cohesive. Carey Mulligan is outstanding throughout. However, she completely runs…
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Dumb Money 2023
DUMB MONEY is a crowd pleasing financial film for the little guy that explores one of the biggest revolutions in Wall Street’s history with clarity & humor. Solid work from the entire ensemble. Less kinetic than Craig Gillespie’s latest movies but still entertaining & illuminating. It’s nowhere near as good as Moneyball or The Social Network or even The Big Short but to take a line from Keith Gill..
I just like the film. 💎🙌🏼 -
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 2023
THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES expands on its dark dystopian world with rich costumes. stunning art direction. an epic score & a sense of scale & scope that’s fitting for this prequel about the rise of President Snow. Rachel Zegler is captivating (and gets to show off her incredible singing voice multiple times) & Tom Blyth sells Snow’s moral decay but Viola Davis is the scene stealer. Overlong & the unbalanced story provides more questions than answers but it’s at least better than the Mockingjay films.
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The Creator 2023
I really admire the scale and behind-the-scenes production of THE CREATOR. But flawed execution renders it a disappointingly typical sci-fi action film with impressive VFX and a shockingly unmemorable Hans Zimmer score. Came so close to hitting the mark for me on multiple occasions but kept barely missing. Pulls from many different inspirations making it feel original but how the story plays out is anything but. Madeleine Yuna Voyles is a wonderful find & the heart of the movie.
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One Life 2023
ONE LIFE is a stirring emotional triumph. A powerful true story of an ordinary man performing an extraordinary act that saved hundreds. Anthony Hopkins continues to remind us why he’s one of the greatest actors of all time. And for those wondering…yes, the two popes do reunite but it’s for only one scene. The approach by James Hawes isn’t anything you haven’t seen before but he does it all very well, hitting every necessary note and giving ample time to…