Create a film about a man who has to relive the same day over and over again, and people will inevitably start to compare it to the movie “Groundhog Day.” Here, it is often used for comic effect, as a way to relieve some of the film’s tenser moments. Tom Cruise, with his goofy grin, and Emily Blunt with her deadpan stare, make for a great onscreen duo, and their performances help to raise the film above some of its flaws. Though I didn’t know what to initially expect from “Edge of Tomorrow,” I could see it easily becoming one of the summer’s surprise hits. Continue Reading »

People may still be sour about the still-recent reboot of “Spider-Man,” of which the first in this new series came out only ten years after Toby Maguire first graced the screen. The original Sam Raimi series, (except for the 3rd), are often seen as groundbreaking in the way that they bring the famous comic book character to life. Yet, there is something that the original series never truly had: chemistry. Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst always seemed an awkward fit, and their story was riddled with clumsy dialogue. In this new film, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are the clear centerpiece, and though not perfect overall, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is a fun summer film. Continue Reading »

The big-budget, special-effects driven monster movie is sure to be successful in this day and age. People who may have loved the older versions, despite lackluster visuals, will find much to enjoy with the new one, if the film is done right. And the latest update of “Godzilla” is sure to please both new and older fans of the classic movie monster. Continue Reading »

Recently, I heard someone say that you had to be in the right mood to watch a Wes Anderson movie. It’s an understandable attitude, as his films can be frustratingly strange, especially if you don’t know what to expect. But I liken his movies more to a life-sized Impressionistic painting. If you look at an individual scene, it may seem muddled and unnatural. But step back, and look at the movie as a whole. The smaller pieces form a grand, colorful pattern, and it is something to be admired. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” may not be my personal favorite of his (that probably goes to “Rushmore” or “The Royal Tenenbaums”). But it definitely ranks among his best. Continue Reading »

Though I may not be very familiar with the comics from which they are based, I have, for the most part, enjoyed the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. From “The Avengers,” to the more recent “Iron Man 3” and “Thor 2,” the films are consistently fun, and rarely a dull experience. And somehow, Marvel has outdone itself once more with “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” creating possibly their most thrilling film to date, with the possible exception of “The Avengers.” It is the start of what should be a promising summer for movies. Continue Reading »

You may be inclined to immediately compare “Divergent” to another hugely successful young adult franchise, that of the Jennifer Lawrence-led “Hunger Games.” Both series feature a lead female protagonist, are set in a dystopian future, and contain a strong, overpowering central government. Yet, “Divergent,” written by Veronica Roth, deserves to be seen as its own work as well. The film version may be missing some of the inspired elements of the novel. But there is just enough potential here that I am optimistic for the series as a whole. Continue Reading »

In just a few hours, the 86th Academy Awards will premiere. So, as usual, I am posting my predictions for the major awards. I have excluded the Short Film Live Action, the Short Film Animated, the Documentary Short Subject, and the Foreign Language Film, since I have not seen or really know about any of the films in those categories. Remember, these are my predictions for the winners in each category, not necessarily what I personally feel should win. So let’s get started. Continue Reading »

Yes, I know that it is almost the end of January. But I didn’t feel that I should post a top ten list until I had seen all of the essentials, many of which did not even have a premiere date until early this month. And it’s a good thing I waited, because several of those films managed to make it to the list.

2013 was definitely one of my favorite recent years for movies, and as a result, it was hard to limit my list down to just ten. This year had it all; from thrillers, to comedies, to historical dramas, to romance, to science fiction. So, after many long hours of debating, I finally came up with the following films. Continue Reading »

The Coen Brothers have proven, time and time again, that they are able to create films from nearly every genre, including thrillers, westerns, and comedies (see “No Country For Old Men,” “True Grit,” and “The Big Lebowski,” respectively). I never would have guessed that musical would be next on their list. “Inside Llewyn Davis” is not your typical musical, though, which would usually consist of spontaneous acts of singing or elaborate theater dance routines. This is a very simple story, and it is at times, a very dark one too. Continue Reading »

“American Hustle” is a film that aches to be enjoyed. It has all the markings of a great movie – from the directing, to acting, to music, to cinematography; yet, when blending these elements into one substance, the color pales. It is, however, still a moderately enjoyable film, and is at least worth seeing for fans of director David O. Russell. Continue Reading »