Month: December 2015
Joy: Jennifer Lawrence makes Oscar contender work
by Matt Ward
You’re sitting at home on a Tuesday evening relaxing in front of the television and the trailer for “Joy” – one of seven new releases to come out over the Christmas holidays – came on. You probably had little to no idea what the hell you just saw. It’s a film with Jennifer Lawrence and she’s shooting a shotgun and for some reason there’s … Read More Joy: Jennifer Lawrence makes Oscar contender work
Star Wars The Force Awakens: Episode VII fulfills legacy of original trilogy
by Matt Ward
Heading in to the seventh installment in the famed science fiction franchise, it seemed almost certain that “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – which opened Thursday evening – would either bomb or blow viewers away. There didn’t really seem to be an in-between. Fans were right to be cautiously optimistic about the first true sequel in the series after being let down when a … Read More Star Wars The Force Awakens: Episode VII fulfills legacy of original trilogy
Spotlight: Journalism docudrama an instant classic
by Matt Ward
Every once in a while, a movie comes along that shows its viewers the power of no-frills, no-nonsense drama in a way that just smacks you in the face, shakes you awake and says “This is what good cinema is truly about.” “Spotlight” is one of those films. Tom McCarthy’s film, based on a script he co-wrote with Josh Singer, follows the four person … Read More Spotlight: Journalism docudrama an instant classic
Tangerine: Sundance darling sparkles in streaming release
by Matt Ward
In an era of selfies, Snapchats and Instagram videos, it’s hard to fathom why more young filmmakers haven’t emerged from behind their smartphones. Thousands upon thousands of smart, talented people from all walks of life are documenting their entire youth through bursts of short videos, but few have realized those clips into a fully formed, quality feature film. Inspiration for this YouTube generation has … Read More Tangerine: Sundance darling sparkles in streaming release
Creed: Coogler revitalizes a fallen franchise
by Matt Ward
Seven years ago, Steven Spielberg attempted to pass the torch of cinematic icon Indiana Jones from Harrison Ford to Shia LeBeouf in the disastrous “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” What resulted was a shoddy, poorly conceived disaster that has kept the franchise grounded in a movie-making era where anything and everything has been remade or rebooted in pursuit of the … Read More Creed: Coogler revitalizes a fallen franchise
Cinematic Considerations 