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Movies, Movies/TV

The Life of Chuck Looks Death in the Face

Finding Both Logic and Artistry in Life “Do I contradict myself? Very well, then, I contradict myself; I am large- I contain multitudes.” Walt Whitman’s famous lines in the “Song of Myself” section of Leaves of Grass take on both new and literal meaning in The Life of Chuck. This Stephen King adaptation arrives with a magical and fantastical bent all its own. The Life of Chuck beats the metaphorical drum … Continue reading The Life of Chuck Looks Death in the Face

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How to Train Your Dragon Pales in Comparison to Animation

By the Numbers Carbon Copy I haven’t seen the animated version of How to Train Your Dragon for quite a while. So, before heading to the theatres to review this one, I decided to revisit the original. I saw that, yes, the first How to Train Your Dragon (HTTYD for short) is a great example of an animated film done right. Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), Gerard Butler (Stoick), and Craig Ferguson … Continue reading How to Train Your Dragon Pales in Comparison to Animation

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Elio Reminds Us That We’re Not Alone

Pixar’s Best Since Inside Out Have you ever felt alone? Unwanted? Odds are you have. These emotions are an integral part of the human condition. Most, if not all of us, have experienced them at one time or another. For Elio (Yonas Kibreab), these feelings are all too common. Left in a world without his parents, he yearns for an escape, an alien kidnapping. Strangely … Continue reading Elio Reminds Us That We’re Not Alone

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F1 is Formulaic

Great Action, but Overly Long I don’t particularly enjoy sports. Nor do I enjoy sports movies. Not unless there’s some kind of underlying drama pushing forth the action and engaging me with the characters and themes. Most films do have this, sure. However, there’s a difference between a well-done drama such as The Wrestler and an inspiring been there, done that movie like Remember the Titans. Both films … Continue reading F1 is Formulaic

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James Gunn’s Superman is a Balm of Kindness

Showing Goodness to Everyone Recently, Fox News featured a story about how Superman has suddenly gone woke. James Gunn, the director of the Superman film, stated before the movie’s release that “Superman is the story of America. An immigrant who came from other places and populated the country, but for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value, and it is something we have … Continue reading James Gunn’s Superman is a Balm of Kindness

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps Comes off Flat

There Are Small Steps Here Coming on the back of the excellent Thunderbolts*, I wondered if The Fantastic Four: First Steps could replicate the former film’s success. After watching the movie, my fellow movie goers and I all agreed: While The Fantastic Four managed to tell a successful story in its own right, it didn’t quite manage to reach the heights of the previous MCU film. We mulled our ideas around … Continue reading The Fantastic Four: First Steps Comes off Flat

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Nobody 2 is One Badass Vacation

Don’t Intrude on His Family Time Who would have thought that Bob Odenkirk would be our next favorite bad-ass action hero? Well, after Nobody 2, he’s once again proved that he has the chops to carry such a film. While the stunts don’t quite match up to Keanu Reeves’ John Wick films, there’s still enough bite and comedy to the proceedings to heavily entertain. Nobody 2 improves upon the first … Continue reading Nobody 2 is One Badass Vacation

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Americana is an Engaging, Befuddling Western Tale

Get That Ghost Shirt Sometimes you see a film that, while engaging, makes you wonder just what theme the creators are attempting to get across. This was my, as well as my fellow movie-goers’ initial reaction to Americana, Sydney Sweeney’s latest big film. The movie has some impressive acting, is fun to follow, and features a western-style shootout. However, it struggles to settle on one overall … Continue reading Americana is an Engaging, Befuddling Western Tale

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Caught Stealing Succeeds as Aronofsky’s First Dark Comedy

No More Running When I first saw the trailer for Darren Aronofsky’s newest film, Caught Stealing, I was a bit thrown off guard. See, Aronofsky is one of my favorite directors. I’ve seen every one of his films, minus the ending of The Whale. Each of his movies is exceedingly dark and depressing, albeit genius in their execution. But Caught Stealing seemed to differentiate itself from the pack. Was this a … Continue reading Caught Stealing Succeeds as Aronofsky’s First Dark Comedy

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The Long Walk is Brutally Saddening, yet Humane

Friends Make the Walk Worthwhile I’m a Stephen King Fan. Although I’m relatively new to his works, I’ve loved just about every one of his stories. And while, yes, they are known to be horrifying and dark, there is another aspect to his writing that encourages me to continually come back to his work: his humanity. Whether it be the innocence of children overcoming societal … Continue reading The Long Walk is Brutally Saddening, yet Humane

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‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’ is Too Sugary Sweet

Performing to Reach Healing I’m a big softie at heart. Couple that with the fact that I love Romantic philosophy and magical realism, and the movie A Big Bold Beautiful Journey should be just the film for me. Its characters live in a world where the unexplainable happens, and they are barely phased. Their penchant for blocking themselves off from relationships is explored, and they learn to … Continue reading ‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’ is Too Sugary Sweet

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‘One Battle After Another’ Draws the Battle Lines Clearly

P.T. Anderson filmed Magnolia, my favorite movie of all time, so seeing One Battle After Another was a non-option for me. In short, this new film from one of the greatest directors of our time impresses in every way possible. It speaks to our current political climate by making clear just what kind of a road we may be on. On top of that, it nails entertainment in a … Continue reading ‘One Battle After Another’ Draws the Battle Lines Clearly

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‘Tron: Ares’ is a Solid Action Sci-Fi, Despite Shallow Characters

It’s been quite a while since Tron: Legacy premiered in theatres (15 years, to be exact).  It’s been even longer since the original Tron in 1982. To prepare for Tron: Ares, the third installment in this slow-going series, I read up on the Wikipedia synopses of the first two films. I thought that I would need a refresher on what came before. Turns out, all I really needed to know was … Continue reading ‘Tron: Ares’ is a Solid Action Sci-Fi, Despite Shallow Characters

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‘Bugonia’ Stings on Conspiracies and Ecology

Mother Earth is In Trouble! Yorgos Lanthimos directs some weird kinds of films, even arguably stranger than David Lynch himself. I can’t say I am a fan of Lanthimos’ works, although I have seen a few of his movies (The Lobster, Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Poor Things). I have been impressed by these entries enough to make me want to watch his newest film, Bugonia. Bugonia is … Continue reading ‘Bugonia’ Stings on Conspiracies and Ecology

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Wicked: For Good Dips Slightly in Quality

The Darker Half of the Story It’s already been a year since the release of Wicked: Part One, and hype is stronger than ever for the conclusion to the mega-hit two act musical. While the novel will sadly never get a direct adaptation (see my upcoming article on book vs. musical to see why), act 2 of the film should be more than enough to tide … Continue reading Wicked: For Good Dips Slightly in Quality

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