Tag: film review

Film Review: “Birds of Prey” (2020)

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“And that is why you should never partake in paying federal income taxes.”

An anarchic, fringe, Gotham Grungy team-up feature that has some of the finest practical (and practical-looking) fight choreography I’ve seen since whatever John Wick we’re on now and can just have fun and say “fuck” whenever it wants.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “I just wanted more of absolutely everything—especially the teaming up. Everyone is a kick-ass, leg breaking delight with great chemistry. I also want an egg sandwich.”

Film Review: “The Climb” (2019)

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“Do you remember the Blizzard of ’96?”

A buddy comedy exploring a common, toxic relationship between two guys that pulls in some Apatovian and mumblecore elements, adds a bit of genuine cinematic craft, and produces something that feels like an evolution of the genre.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “We saw this at a special Sundance premiere event in Philly, but they gave us a legit Sundance poster so in a few years I’m just going to go ahead and say we went to Sundance in 2020 and watch the jealousy roll in.”

Film Review: “Dark Waters” (2019)

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“We protect us. We do. Nobody else.”

A legal thriller that finds a Mark Ruffalo-shaped bottle of hope pushing back against the power of corporate behemoths that don’t care about us, our children, or even our beautiful, innocent cows. It feels as much like a call to action as it does a call on our Teflon covered telephone to tell us we’re probably powerless and screwed so we should just lay down on the floor.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “It actually looks and plays a little like an episode of the late 70s Incredible Hulk show, only without the fury of Lou Ferrigno to round out the hour. All we get is the righteous fury of Mark Ruffalo, which will have to do.”

Film Review: “Doctor Sleep” (2019)

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“Did anyone promise you would live forever?”

An excellent dark fantasy that stands on the shoulders of a horror masterpiece, reveling in its legacy and aesthetic while still creating something new, if not masterful.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “Spoilers, but Jacob Tremblay shows up and is almost immediately ritually murdered by being carved open and its one of the most effective ritual child murders I’ve seen because he is good at acting and really sells that he’s being ritually murdered.”

Film Review: “Ad Astra” (2019)

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“I should feel something.”

Rapturous. Splendid. Fathers. Sons. Made me want to go find my dad in deep space even though he died in 2005.

My VHS cover pull-quote: “Seriously, our dads are out there and we have to go reunite with them. Even if you think your dad/father figure/person whose image you think you’ve not lived up to is here on Earth, that’s probably not really them. So saddle up on a rocket, get some good tears going, and let’s go to Neptune to find them. I’ll bring snacks (feeding tubes to staple into our stomachs).”

Film Review: “Hustlers” (2019)

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“What, do you want to go back to minimum wage?”

A high-energy, slick as heck heist flick that explores the allure and pitfalls of power, capitalism, and drugging some grade-a assholes to steal their money.

My VHS cover pull-quote: at one point in this movie someone says “2007 was the fucking best!” I graduated from high school in 2007 and, while that was cool, I disagree that it made the year the fucking best year. Still a great movie though.”