Category: Emotional Rantings
Taken 3: Leave Liam Neeson’s family alone
by Matt Ward
Enough already. There’s no more story to explore in the now-tired “Taken” franchise which saw a former CIA operative (Liam Neeson) rescue his kidnapped daughter in the first installment, then save himself and his ex-wife in the sequel. There’s no one left Neeson’s character cares about to kidnap, so obviously the solution is to frame him for the murder of the ex-wife he just … Read More Taken 3: Leave Liam Neeson’s family alone
Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas: Feature film needs direct to DVD release
by Matt Ward
The message of “Saving Christmas,” featuring “Growing Pains” star Kirk Cameron, is that celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ can be found hidden inside some of the traditional imagery of Christmas — Santa Claus and decorated trees, for example. The film, which celebrates “the reason for the season” and does a pretty good job explaining the relationship between the secular and religious aspects … Read More Kirk Cameron’s Saving Christmas: Feature film needs direct to DVD release
John Wick: Keep expectations low and enjoy the ride
by Matt Ward
Nothing much is surprising about the latest action thriller “John Wick,” except for the fact that it isn’t completely terrible. The plot is raw and unoriginal — vengeful assassin Keanu Reeves takes out a lot of bad people after they steal his car and kill his dog, a final present from his dying wife. Every indication points in the direction of an absolute bust … Read More John Wick: Keep expectations low and enjoy the ride
The Judge: Even Downey Jr., Duvall can’t figure out poor script
by Matt Ward
“The Judge” has a fantastic cast led by Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall along with wonderful cinematography, so why is it so underwhelming? The fatal flaw in “The Judge” is in an uneven script from Nick Schenk and Bill Dubuque, the sum of which isn’t as good as its individual parts. A film about relationships blanketed within a courtroom drama, each element of … Read More The Judge: Even Downey Jr., Duvall can’t figure out poor script
Cinematic Considerations 