Month: November 2014
The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1: Jennifer Lawrence proves critical to franchise success
by Matt Ward
Lionsgate got really lucky. The movie studio, hoping to leapfrog on the success of the “Twilight” film franchise, dove headfirst into the young adult book trilogy market, coming away with a violent dystopian world and needing a female lead to match Bella of “Twilight” fame. When they cast the girl from “The Bill Engvall Show,” they probably had no idea that she would become … Read More The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1: Jennifer Lawrence proves critical to franchise success
Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance): Keaton shines in superhero actor rebound
by Matt Ward
It isn’t quite fair to say Michael Keaton is back thanks to his often brilliant performance in “Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) because, despite his long absence, Keaton has never performed at this high a level. Fact melds well with fiction as Keaton’s struggles to overcome the shadow of his role as Batman parallel his character Riggan’s difficulty separating himself mentally from … Read More Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance): Keaton shines in superhero actor rebound
Whiplash: Strike up the band for visual jazz experience
by Matt Ward
How can you see jazz? It’s easy to hear and a delight to listen to, but how can one visualize jazz in pictures rather than sounds? Is it in a contrast of colors? Harsh browns and tans counterbalancing bright hues of blue? The dueling colors of black and white intermixing like yin and yang. The best independent film of our time — winner of … Read More Whiplash: Strike up the band for visual jazz experience
Dumb and Dumber To: The name says it all
by Matt Ward
“Dumb and Dumber To,” the sequel to the 1994 cult classic comedy starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, is one big, long gag. Unfortunately, the gag’s on the viewers. Unlike the also poor prequel “Dumb and Dumber: When Harry Met Lloyd,” this 2014 sequel brings back the original stars Carrey and Daniels in order to entice moviegoers into the theater. A moderate amount of … Read More Dumb and Dumber To: The name says it all
Interstellar: Christopher Nolan hits space odyssey out of the park
by Matt Ward
Epic. Everything about the space odyssey “Interstellar” crafted from the mind of director Christopher Nolan oozes with the grandiose brushstrokes of a supreme master of cinema. One of 2014’s best offerings, the film is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise lifeless year of filmmaking. Where most new movies lack creativity and originality, “Interstellar” bathes in it. There is no other movie like … Read More Interstellar: Christopher Nolan hits space odyssey out of the park
Big Hero 6: Disney pairs family friendly, superhero genres for success
by Matt Ward
There’s been a dearth of family-friendly films this year, and what limited selection there has been is underwhelming to say the least. Enter a fluffy white, lighthearted balloon robot with a “non-threatening, huggable design” named Baymax to save the day. Disney’s latest animated release “Big Hero 6,” loosely based on the 1990s Marvel comic book series is a heart-warming tale about love and loss, … Read More Big Hero 6: Disney pairs family friendly, superhero genres for success
Nightcrawler: Gyllenhaal dominates screen in mesmerizing performance
by Matt Ward
You’ll probably need more than one viewing to fully appreciate the incredibly cerebral “Nightcrawler,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a neurotic loner who stumbles into a career as a “nightcrawler” — a freelance television cameraman tasked with filming crime scenes and car accidents. Though its trailer focuses more on the action, “Nightcrawler” is a fairly “talky” film, with Gyllenhaal’s Lou getting most of the movie’s … Read More Nightcrawler: Gyllenhaal dominates screen in mesmerizing performance
St. Vincent: Indie dramedy a work of art for Bill Murray
by Matt Ward
“St. Vincent” doesn’t work without Bill Murray. The film, which centers around a crotchety old drunk gambler who takes care of his neighbor’s son to pay off gambling debts, could have been made with any number of other actors. However, it’s only “Saturday Night Live” vet Murray who can handle the humor required to make the majority of the film enjoyable enough to balance … Read More St. Vincent: Indie dramedy a work of art for Bill Murray
Cinematic Considerations 