Category: 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.

Tags Alexander Payne, Coming of Age, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa, Dramedy, Paul Giamatti, R, Rated R, THe Holdovers

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.

Tags 2023, Brie Larson, Chloe Zhao, Eternals, Iman Vellani, Marvel, MCU, Nia DeCosta, PG-13, Rated PG-13, Samuel L. Jackson, Teyonah Parris, The Marvels, Zawe Ashton

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.

Tags Ari Cohen, Austin Butler, Baz Luhrman, Baz Luhrmann, Cailee Spaeny, Elvis, Jacob Elordi, Movie Reviews, PG-13, Priscilla, Rated PG-13, Sofia Coppola

2 Stars Movies

Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Post author By Mark A. Lester
Post date October 29, 2023
No Comments on 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.

Tags 2023, Elizabeth Lail, Five Nights at Freddy's, FNAF, Grant Feely, Josh Hutcherson, Mary Stuart Masterson, Matthew Lillard, PG-13, Piper Rubio, Rated PG-13

5 Stars Movies

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Post author By Mark A. Lester
Post date October 22, 2023
1 Comment on 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.

4 1/2 Stars Movies

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023)

Post author By Mark A. Lester
Post date October 15, 2023
No Comments on 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.)

Tags 2023, Concert Film, PG-13, Rated PG-13, Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, The Eras Tour

1 1/2 Stars Movies

The Exorcist: Believer (2023)

Post author By Mark A. Lester
Post date October 7, 2023
No Comments on 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.

Tags 2023, Ann Dowd, Believer, David Gordon Green, Ellen Burstyn, Horror, Jennifer Nettles, Leslie Odom Jr, Lidya Jewett, Linda Blair, Movie Reviews, Norbert Leo Butz, Olivia Marcum, R, Rated R, The Exorcist, The Exorcist Believer, William Friedkin

4 Stars Movies

The Creator (2023)

I’m not much of a proponent for AI, but I do admit it has positives I cannot deny (let us never underestimate what spell check has done for us, and iif it weren’t for a GPS, I would be disoriented on the road).

AI also has helped tremendously as a subject for film, dating back to its real starting point (in what is arguably still the greatest Sci-Fi film to date) with the HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Since then, AI has been somewhat over used in media, so one may even be excused to think some of what is shown in Gareth Edwards’ The Creator is cliche.

Tags Alison Janney, Denzel Washington, Gareth Edwards, Gemma Chan, John David Washington, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Movie Reviews, PG-13, Rated PG-13, Rogue One, Rogue One A Star Wars Story, Sci Fi, Science Fiction, The Creator

4 Stars Movies

Love at First Sight (2023)

The last decade or so of romance films have been really hit or miss for me, especially in the young adult genre.

1 Star Movies

Love Again (2023)

(The following is a lost ad from The Hallmark Channel)

LOST:

Recently, one of our vaults was raided and we lost access to a film. That film is Love Again. It came out earlier this year, but should be easy to spot, for how it is masquerading itself as a rom com.

Tags 2023, Celine Dion, Love Again, Nick Jonas, PG-13, Priyanka Chopra, Rated PG-13, Rom Com, Romantic Comedy, Sam Heughan