Month: August 2021
Annette: The boldest of strokes
by Matt Ward
There isn’t much of an audience for Annette, and rightfully so. Amazon’s latest major awards season endeavor comes from the minds of Russell and Ron Mael, also known as the obscure alt-pop-rock band The Sparks, who penned both the rambling screenplay and chaotically strange soundtrack of French auteur Leos Carax’s meandering rock operetta and English language debut. It’s a film where Adam Driver rants … Read More Annette: The boldest of strokes
Stillwater: Floating under the radar
by Matt Ward
One of the year’s best films can’t seem to find its audience. With an Oscar winner at the helm and box office draw Matt Damon delivering one of the finest performances of his career, Stillwater should have been a no-doubt buzzworthy feature that drove viewers to the theater for what was marketed as a high-stakes thriller. And yet, director/co-writer Tom McCarthy’s latest film and … Read More Stillwater: Floating under the radar
Free Guy: Take the glasses off
by Matt Ward
At a certain point, theater starved audiences are going to have to admit that they’ve got rose colored glasses on. Viewers who lived for years as their local movie house are finally starting to make their way back to the big screen on a once-a-month, every-other-week trip to the cinema. Because the movie-going experience feels new again, there’s an anticipation that builds up and … Read More Free Guy: Take the glasses off
The Suicide Squad: Second time’s the charm
by Matt Ward
After failing to generate a full-fledged spinoff franchise in 2016, Warner Brothers and DC Comics return to the villain-turned-reluctant-hero well for a second time with The Suicide Squad, a film that adds a word to the title and far brighter, more inventive filmmaking. Director James Gunn, who’s largely responsible for making an obscure Marvel comic book into its own successful movie series with Guardians … Read More The Suicide Squad: Second time’s the charm
Gunpowder Milkshake: Janey’s got a gun
by Matt Ward
Gunpowder Milkshake never had a chance at a theatrical run. The film’s biggest star is Karen Gillan, a talented actress with major ensemble roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as villainous half-robot Nebula and alongside Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in the Jumanji reboot films. A major studio eyeing box office success isn’t going to put their resources into a female-led action ensemble film … Read More Gunpowder Milkshake: Janey’s got a gun
Cinematic Considerations 