Monthly Archives: January 2016
Love & Mercy (2015) Movie Review: Pickin’ Up Good Vibrations
Love & Mercy (2015)
Director: Bill Pohlad
Cast: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti
Each year there’s a bunch of biopics vying for your attention. Some like Straight Outta Compton and Steve Jobs generated quite a bit of buzz. Love & Mercy about the Beach Boy’s Brian Wilson was also very well received, though the movie’s release was quieter.
The most striking choice director Bill Pohlad makes is in casting two very different actors to respectively play the young and older Brian Wilson. Surprisingly it’s not as jarring as I would have imagined. This choice helped to immediately differentiate between the two eras as the film cut back and forth in time. Love & Mercy is factual based but it’s more concerned with what’s going on inside Wilson’s head than what his facial features look like.
The X-Files Miniseries (2016) “My Struggle” Review
Here’s a quick review on the premiere episode of The X-Files Miniseries entitled “My Struggle”. No Spoilers.
After more than a decade the X-Files revival is now a reality. A lot of the key ingredients are in place to recapture why the X-Files was a highly influential, cult classic television series. You got the main cast returning. You got the promise of a mix between mythology and standalone episodes which the original series is known for. And this is a revival where the fan base are genuinely excited for. The times have changed over the years which the revival can tap into the current cultural anxieties and paranoia. Plus, that classic intro credit sequence and music is back! What could go wrong?
American Horror Story: Hotel – Season Review: Exploring the Darker Side of Human Nature
Is American Horror Story: Hotel Worth Checking Out?
Here’s a review on American Horror Story: Hotel, written in mind for people who are curious about this season. No major spoilers.
If there’s a rotten stench that’s coming from a stitched up hotel bed, you probably shouldn’t cut it open to see what’s inside. Unless of course, you’re in a scary movie or on FX’s American Horror Story: Hotel.
The fifth season of FX’s anthology horror series centers on the haunted, art-deco style Hotel Cortez where the residents range from murderous ghosts to bloodsucking fashionistas. The regular cast members include Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Denis O’Hare, Evan Peters, Chloë Sevigny, Lady Gaga, Wes Bentley, Matt Boomer and Cheyenne Jackson.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Spoiler Free Premiere Review
Review on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Season 1, Episode 1 “Pilot, Part 1”
As DC’s comic book movies are building towards an epic superhero team up, the television division has gotten to a head start in the form of Legends of Tomorrow which debuted Thursday night on the CW.
Legends of Tomorrow wants to be a bold adventurous sci-fi romp through time. It’s got the time-travelling part down, the rest is a work in progress. Read the rest of this entry
Watch Harley Quinn Steal the New “Suicide Squad” Trailer
The new “Suicide Squad” trailer has dropped! My lack of excitement for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice had been unfairly rubbing off on Suicide Squad. Funny how a trailer and some great posters can change my sentiment around. Consider me hyped!
“I can’t wait to show you my toys.” The trailer has a great balance between bits of dialogue, things exploding and showing off the crazy and freaky members of the squad.
How the Walkway Scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens could have been better (even if you love the movie)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Spoilers Discussion Ahead!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is breaking all kinds of records at the box office. It’s not just die-hard Star Wars fans who are giddy about Episode VII, critics love the movie too. The critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes is currently above 90% and The Force Awakens received a Best Picture nomination from the Critics Choice Awards.
This is all not to say that The Force Awakens is immune to criticism. It’s possible to be a fan of a film and at the same time be critical of parts of the movie which aren’t working as well as it could have.
Some believe that there are way too many similarities between The Force Awakens and A New Hope. On the other hand, some appreciate how Episode VII mirrored the original and reenergized the Star Wars universe for a new generation. While others draw the line at the Starkiller base being an unneeded retread of the Death Star.
Personally, The Force Awakens is deserving of a lot of praises yet there is one scene in particular, among a few, that took me out of the movie watching experience. This is the scene towards the end of the movie where Kylo Ren confronts a certain rebel on an open bridge. (Spoilers ahead, final warning)
The Most Anticipated Movies of 2016
Which Upcoming Movies This Year Are You Excited For?
2016 is a very promising year for movie fans. There’s something for everyone whether you are a die-hard fan of Martin Scorsese, looking forward to Disney/Pixar’s sequel to Finding Nemo or salivating over all the comic book movies that are about to drop. To get you pumped and primed, here’s a top ten list which includes a concise blurb on each pick for the most anticipated movies this year.
The 20 Best Movie Posters of 2015
Sidekick Reviews 