Month: March 2016
The Divergent Series Allegiant: Sleepwalking through cinema
by Matt Ward
If you’ve ever wanted to take a long nap while watching a movie in theaters, there’s likely no better film to snooze through this year than “The Divergent Series: Allegiant.” No one will blame you, least of all the film’s cast and crew, who sleepwalk their way through “Allegiant,” the third in the teen dystopian film franchise based on the books by Veronica Roth. … Read More The Divergent Series Allegiant: Sleepwalking through cinema
Miracles From Heaven: The power of the message
by Matt Ward
Jennifer Garner’s terrific performance as a desperate mother searching for a way to save her dying daughter paces the uneven faith-based film “Miracles From Heaven,” now in theaters. Based on the true story of a Burleson family, “Miracles From Heaven” finds Garner as Christy Beam, mother of three and devoted Christian whose faith is tested as her middle daughter, Anna, struggles with a life-threatening … Read More Miracles From Heaven: The power of the message
10 Cloverfield Lane: Claustrophobia inducer a surprise hit
by Matt Ward
Eight years ago, a surprise hit film came out of nowhere to wow viewers with its unique found-footage style adaptation of the classic monster movie genre. The film, “Cloverfield,” had a grandiose, epic feeling that pervaded the movie from start to finish, while new release “10 Cloverfield Lane” – dubbed a “blood relative” to the 2008 monster movie by producer J.J. Abrams – couldn’t … Read More 10 Cloverfield Lane: Claustrophobia inducer a surprise hit
Zootopia: Animals live out loud in instant Disney classic
by Matt Ward
There’s something for everyone with Disney’s latest animated classic, “Zootopia,” which arrived in theaters Friday. The appeal for children should be obvious as kids will be drawn to the vibrant world of the film, where animals of all shapes and sizes co-exist in harmony, while behaving and working like human beings. Parents will get to revel in all of the subtle (and not so … Read More Zootopia: Animals live out loud in instant Disney classic
Race: Inspirational biopic runs around in circles
by Matt Ward
There’s a terrific film out there somewhere about African-American sprinter Jesse Owens, who overcame racial prejudice in both America and Nazi Germany on his way to Olympic gold. Owens, a pioneer in the world of track and field as much for his courage and perseverance off the track as his athletic accomplishments, is a more than worthy candidate to be honored with a feature … Read More Race: Inspirational biopic runs around in circles
Cinematic Considerations 