Month: August 2016
Hell or High Water: The best movie of the year
by Matt Ward
“Hell or High Water” is the best film you’ll see this year. This isn’t hyperbole or a statement made lightly, especially given the fact that there’s still four months and an entire season of Academy Award candidates yet to be released. Beautifully crafted and acted, the first major release film from director David Mackenzie stars Chris Pine and Ben Foster as brothers who resort … Read More Hell or High Water: The best movie of the year
War Dogs: Weapons of mass enjoyment
by Matt Ward
“War Dogs” seeks to answer a pretty simple question asked by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in the film’s trailer. “How did two 20-something young men land a $300 million Pentagon contract?” If you keep watching the rest of the trailer, the film attempts to highlight the exploits of Jewish-American gunrunners with the same comedic precision of “The Wolf of Wall Street.” It even extolls the … Read More War Dogs: Weapons of mass enjoyment
Pete’s Dragon: A refreshing family hit
by Matt Ward
Dragons might be an unusual choice for a childhood best friend, but the love between a young boy and his fire-breathing friend make for a captivating, heartwarming tale in the Disney remake “Pete’s Dragon.” Moviegoers needn’t worry about having seen the 1977 animated musical version of the film as nearly everything from the original version has been scrubbed over and re-written by Texas native … Read More Pete’s Dragon: A refreshing family hit
Suicide Squad: Roll with the punches
by Matt Ward
Bad guys you may or may not have ever heard of get coerced into fighting for good in the latest “superhero” film from Warner Brothers and DC Comics. “Suicide Squad” is a largely enjoyable mess of a movie where director David Ayer invites viewers on a nearly two-hour thrill ride, but moviegoers have to concede some things first. Sure, you’ve likely never heard of … Read More Suicide Squad: Roll with the punches
Jason Bourne: Return of a legend
by Matt Ward
Actions speak louder than words. Matt Damon doesn’t say a whole lot in “Jason Bourne,” his fourth turn as the amnesiac assassin out to find himself in a clandestine world. But he doesn’t need to either. The world around Bourne has changed dramatically since his last on-screen appearance nearly a decade ago in “The Bourne Ultimatum.” NSA contractor Edward Snowden’s releasing of classified documents … Read More Jason Bourne: Return of a legend
Cinematic Considerations 