Author: Mark A. Lester

Categories
4 1/2 Stars Movies

May December (2023)

There is not as much shame as there used to be when I would admit to going into a movie thinking it was bad and it ends up being good (or vice versa).

 I had more of a “mistaken identity” when watching May December. I’m not sure where I read it (or where I thought I did) but I went into the film thinking that the two main actresses, Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, were a married couple. Regardless of how I came to this false conclusion, it is not the case the new film by Todd Haynes, but that does not at all take away from the true film, with one of the more unique and admittedly disturbing premises in recent memory.

Continue reading “May December (2023)”
Categories
3 1/2 Stars Movies

Wish (2023)

Just as I was a few minutes away from the theater to see Wish (the 62nd animated feature from the company), I thought to myself: How many times has that word been used in their past films?

Songs that came to mind include “I’m Wishing” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), “A Dream is a Wish your Heart makes” from Cinderella (1950), and, of course, the king of all Disney songs, “When you wish upon a star” from Pinocchio (1940). If one were to make a word cloud of the dialogue (and songs) in Disney films, “Wish” would most likely turn up more than any other word (with the possible exception of “Dream”). With that logic, it seemed a movie like Wish would be inevitable to be released on the centennial of the most known movie studio in history.

Continue reading “Wish (2023)”
Categories
3 Stars Movies

Napoleon (2023)

Try as I might, my prior knowledge of Napoleon Bonaparte heading into the latest movie based on him is considerably less than normal (I was going to make a height joke here, but couldn’t think of one).

Aside from knowing him as one of the greatest generals in history, being considered short, and having a complex named after him, I knew nothing more (unless you count him being a fan of water slides thanks to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure). Even still, it seems to make sense that director Ridley Scott, equally as fearless as Bonaparte (and in his mid 80s, no less) would make a film about the historical figure, which results in the film Napoleon.

Continue reading “Napoleon (2023)”
Categories
4 1/2 Stars Movies

The Holdovers (2023)

There is a strong argument that can be made that we have been undervaluing Paul Giamatti. 

My earliest recollection of him must have been his small parts in 1998’s Dr. Dolittle with Eddie Murphy and the war classic Saving Private Ryan (the same year). It was then in 2003 he got deserved claim in American Splendor and then his big break a year later in Sideways (two movies I have needed to revisit for some time now).

For some baffling reason, the only Oscar nomination of his career came in 2005 with Cinderella Man. Of course, he has been in his bad share of movies, but (at least from the ones I have seen) has yet to give a bad performance. 

Continue reading “The Holdovers (2023)”
Categories
2 Stars Movies

The Marvels (2023)

The increasing gaps between film releases in the MCU is becoming apparent.

This can be due to many factors, including the now (thankfully) ended SAG-Aftra strike. Yet the quality in the films (not to mention most of the TV shows) in the MCU have been dipping in the last year or two. True, the last movie we had, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, had its moments, but that was back in May. Since then, the only true good thing we have gotten was a second season of Loki, which arrived the same time as the newest film, The Marvels. It should be no wonder why the only MCU film to be released next year will be the long awaited Deadpool 3.

Continue reading “The Marvels (2023)”
Categories
3 1/2 Stars Movies

Priscilla (2023)

It’s been a little less than a year and a half since we got Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic with Austin Butler.

At first glance, one could easily assume it is poor timing to have another film about the king of rock n roll, but that is not the situation. The title of the film itself should prove that the film is not about Elvis, but his wife Priscilla.

Continue reading “Priscilla (2023)”
Categories
2 Stars Movies

Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

When it comes to prior knowledge of the subject matter before seeing a movie, it is all situational. 

Case in point, I have yet to play any of the Five Night at Freddy’s games (or “FNAF” as I know it to be called), but I knew just enough about it in a sense going in thanks to the trailer and the expert of the games going with me named Sean, a friend’s son.

Continue reading “Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)”
Categories
5 Stars Movies

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

It should be obvious, but it is nigh impossible to call oneself a cinephile and dislike the films of Martin Scorsese (or at least not appreciate them).

His name is on par with directing giants of the past: Hitchcock, Ford, Ozu, Welles, Kurosawa, Kubrick, Fellini. He has been in the twilight of his career for a little over a decade now, but has never lost his unique cinematic eye. For those like him working into his 80s (it should be noted before this film, I saw two trailers for up coming films from two octogenarian filmmakers: Michael Mann and Ridley Scott), it is not easy to bring about something fresh as well as ones old tricks. 

Continue reading “Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)”
Categories
4 1/2 Stars Movies

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)

Yesterday was my first time back at my local Six Flags Theme Park in many years.

It was refreshing, knowing that, in my mid thirties, I am still able to stomach (most of) the rides, both new and classic (not to mention all the walking).

All of that was a cake walk to the previous night, when I went to see Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.

(It should now me stated that this is not so much a review of a film as it is of an experience.)

Continue reading “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)”
Categories
1 1/2 Stars Movies

The Exorcist: Believer (2023)

I was allowed to see most R rated movies growing up in my pre-teen/teen years, with the sole exception of 1973’s The Exorcist. My mom was so convinced she could be possessed that she was against me seeing it until she would be able to watch it with me, and pause before every scary part. 

Even after a half century of sequels and (truly) countless rip offs, The Exorcist has still retained it’s immortality on the Mt. Rushmore of horror films. It is hard to argue its impact. From that view point, it is easy to see why director David Gordon Green, who just finished a trilogy of Halloween sequels (which I have yet to see), would want to use the same approach and make a direct sequel to the late great William Friedkin directed masterpiece. The result, The Exorcist: Believer, is a true let down.

Continue reading “The Exorcist: Believer (2023)”