Comedy

Don’t Look Up (2021)

A hilariously satirical disaster epic that pokes fun at the media, government incompetence, and capitalist excess. Don’t Look Up is a satirical, science-fiction disaster movie where two scientists discover a comet, a “planet killer”, that will directly hit Earth and destroy all of human civilization. Their efforts to warn and save humanity are hindered by politics, […]

Don’t Look Up (2021)

Drama

Dear Jane Campion,

Benedict Cumberbatch has an excellent shot at an Oscar nomination/win. I wanted to thank you for adapting Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel and directing The Power of the Dog (2021). Your films feel like good books that beg to be analyzed. Take The Piano (1993), for instance, your signature film for the past thirty years. I […]

Dear Jane Campion,

Amazon Prime Video

Encounter

There’s few things more annoying than the cinematic bait and switch; setting up the idea of one movie in the minds of an audience, then delivering something else. Sometimes it’s because film-makers or studios change their minds, or sometimes the product doesn’t fit the marketplace; delivering a trailer for Sweeney Todd that provided no hint…

Encounter

Crime

THE UNFORGIVABLE (2021): The Things I Liked…

I’m glad that Sandra Bullock said yes to The Unforgivable, a well-executed tale of one woman’s journey to reconnect with her sister after finishing a twenty-year prison sentence. Directed by Nora Fingscheidt, what stood out immediately, in addition to the excellent performances, is how engaging the story is. I cared about Bullock’s character and couldn’t wait for […]

THE UNFORGIVABLE (2021): The Things I Liked…

Crime

The Forever Prisoner (2021): It was torture indeed

HBO documentary “The Forever Prisoner” is often sobering and chilling in its calm but blistering presentation on what the US government allowed to happen in the name of War on Terror. While it did not surprise or shock you much if you are familiar with its main subjects, the documentary is still captivating as providing […]

The Forever Prisoner (2021) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): It was torture indeed

Action

DUNE – A Cinematic and Momentous Sci-Fi Epic

Denis Villeneuve delivers with a rich, dense, and layered adaption—executed with incredible performances throughout. With mythology and world-building on par with The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, Dune is cinematic and momentous. Considered among many circles as one of the hardest stories to adapt, Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic has been attempted in the past. None, however, come […]

DUNE – A Cinematic and Momentous Sci-Fi Epic

Action

The Matrix Resurrections – Review

The Matrix Resurrections is a strong, meta-driven return to the iconic franchise. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss effortlessly return their roles while Lana Wachowski brings a bold artistic vision. The fourth film in the Matrix franchise, The Matrix Resurrections brings back many familiar faces. Reeves and Moss are back as Neo and Trinity, while Yahya […]

The Matrix Resurrections – Review

Comedy

Billy Wilder’s “Kiss Me, Stupid (1964)”

There’ve been a few attempts, over the decades, to rewrite the history of Billy Wilder’s 1964 clunker “Kiss Me, Stupid.” It’s “underrated” thanks to a winning Dean Martin as “Dino” (Dean Martin) performance, worth re-assessing because of a risque late scene Wilder was forced to edit out, somehow worthy of elevation because of its satiric […]

Classic Film Review: Billy Wilder’s “Kiss Me, Stupid (1964)” reconsidered

Disney Hulu

Dopesick. A Bingeworthy Addiction

Riveting. Provocative. Addictive. Dopesick is Hulu’s newest mini-series, documenting the Opioid crisis through captivating storylines which intersect and send the audience on a brilliant and emotional journey. Based on Beth Macy’s book of the same name, Dopesick follows the Opioid crisis from a multitude of perspectives: patients, abusers, doctors, law enforcement, prosecutors, and pharmaceutical…

Dopesick. A Bingeworthy Addiction

Drama

The Dope

Still working our way through season three of Succession, which continues great. Every now and then a sense of burnout looms, what with all the characters being nasty pieces of work/shit, but then it reinvigorates itself miraculously — episode 5 was incredible. And episode 6 implies that the series could eventually get a bit serious. […]

The Dope

Drama

Holiday Classics: “Penny Serenade” (1941)

When I first became interested in classic film, I’d stalk the forums on tcm.com in an attempt to seek out movies to watch. Anytime the subject of tearjerkers came up, it seemed like the first and most discussed movie was a film that would likely have otherwise flown under my radar: the 1941 drama “Penny Serenade,” directed […]

Holiday Classics: “Penny Serenade” (1941)

Netflix

7 New Netflix Shows in December and the Best Reasons to Watch

1. “The Witcher” Season 2 (available December 17) Why Should I Watch? It’s been two years since Henry Cavill cast his spell on the world, and the titular Witcher’s long-awaited return to Netflix is finally upon us. I’m going to be honest: I do not remember much about this show. Twenty-four months — especially these…

7 New Netflix Shows in December and the Best Reasons to Watch