Month: February 2015
What we talk about when we talk about Birdman
by Matt Ward
It shouldn’t come as a total shock that “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” — a very inside acting film — would continue the trend of movies like “The Artist” and “Argo,” winning the Best Picture prize at Sunday’s Academy Awards. Now three of the last five films to win the most prestigious award in Hollywood are about Hollywood, actors or some combination … Read More What we talk about when we talk about Birdman
McFarland USA: Disney offers heartwarming sports tale
by Matt Ward
January and February are usually the time of year where films the major studios aren’t real comfortable with get released and it’s often a wasteland of below-par cinema. Every once in a while, during this time of year, a film overcomes this stigma and becomes something worthwhile. Such is the case with the latest Disney release — “McFarland, USA” — starring the timeless Kevin … Read More McFarland USA: Disney offers heartwarming sports tale
Fifty Shades of Grey: Chemistry, quality missing in film adaptation
by Matt Ward
It takes two to tango — one to lead and one to follow — in the feature film adaptation of E.L. James’ best-selling erotic novel “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The follower, Dakota Johnson as the naïve and bookish Anastasia, is a breath of fresh air anytime she appears on screen and truly gives 110 percent of herself to every scene no matter how much … Read More Fifty Shades of Grey: Chemistry, quality missing in film adaptation
Kingsman The Secret Service: Firth steps out as action star
by Matt Ward
“Kingsman: The Secret Service,” an action adventure thrill ride from “X-Men: First Class” director Matthew Vaughn, gives viewers Colin Firth as he’s never been seen before — a fighter, not a lover. By far the most mainstream work in the long and celebrated filmography of the Academy Award-winner, Firth is charming and dynamic in this modern imagining of independent gentleman spies and everything you … Read More Kingsman The Secret Service: Firth steps out as action star
Jupiter Ascending: Sci-flop not worth your time
by Matt Ward
It’s unfortunate that “Jupiter Ascending,” the latest sci-fi adventure from the Wachowski directing team of “Matrix” fame, wasn’t released last summer like originally scheduled. The film, which believes itself to be the second coming of the original “Star Wars” trilogy, is more like the Jar Jar Binks of the sci-fi genre, heavily derided, over-animated and just not that good. It certainly doesn’t seem like … Read More Jupiter Ascending: Sci-flop not worth your time
A Most Violent Year: Quiet drama honors gangster genre
by Matt Ward
Hollywood is putting serious pocket change into remaking vintage films using modern technology for new audiences. It seems as though no film is beyond the grasp of remake-hungry directors, though there are still some movies that need to be left untouched. You just can’t remake “The Godfather.” “A Most Violent Year,” a little-seen film that the National Board of Review chose as the best … Read More A Most Violent Year: Quiet drama honors gangster genre
Cinematic Considerations 