Month: May 2019
Aladdin: Same old song and dance
by Matt Ward
Underwhelming. Uninspired. Unnecessary. Rather than develop new voices in fresh stories, Disney has dumped millions upon millions of dollars into reimagined live action versions of their animated classics. If it feels like a studio resting on their laurels because they have no competition, that’s probably because it’s true. Such is the case once again with “Aladdin,” an extended reboot that doesn’t bring enough to … Read More Aladdin: Same old song and dance
John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum: Emissary of death
by Matt Ward
Someone stole his car and killed his dog. Many characters in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” lament the inciting incident of the titular assassin’s revenge tour that racked up over 75 deaths in the first installment and more than 125 bodies piling up in the second. The calling card of these Keanu Reeves films is indiscriminate, callous violence and “Parabellum” maintains the course … Read More John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum: Emissary of death
The Hustle: Remake robs audience of classic comedy
by Matt Ward
Reboot: the act of taking an original property and reimagining it in a different context. Remake: taking an original property and making the same film over again with minor alterations. It’s important to clarify the difference between reboot and remake at the outset because these two words seem like synonyms, but the distance between them could not be vaster. Take for example movies like … Read More The Hustle: Remake robs audience of classic comedy
The River and The Wall: Politics in perspective
by Matt Ward
Why build a physical wall when nature provides a beautiful, scenic barrier already? It’s one of many questions raised by director Ben Masters’ new documentary, “The River and The Wall,” an up-close, intoxicating feature about border security along the Rio Grande river in south Texas. Winner of the Louis Black “Lone Star” Award at the 2019 South by Southwest Film Festival and Best Documentary … Read More The River and The Wall: Politics in perspective
Long Shot: A presidential balancing act
by Matt Ward
The new Seth Rogen comedy tries to be two things at once. There’s “Flarsky,” the film’s initial concept about yet another out of his depth stoner miscreant who shockingly lands a perfect 10 woman. This movie is filled with raunchy set pieces involving self-pleasure and gratuitous drug use, a typical Rogen premise. And then there’s “Long Shot,” a witty political comedy about a career-oriented … Read More Long Shot: A presidential balancing act
Knock Down The House: Celebrating the outsiders
by Matt Ward
Documentaries change in the minds of viewers when they know the outcome before it happens on screen. Usually it’s the ends justifying the means, the result giving audiences a reason to watch a journey. Director Rachel Lears didn’t know that the 18 months spent chronicling the lives of four women running as outsider candidates in Democratic primary elections would turn into a Sundance and … Read More Knock Down The House: Celebrating the outsiders
Cinematic Considerations 