Category: New Releases
Roma: Memories of a childhood
by Matt Ward
Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón returns with a stunning, yet melancholic film sure to dazzle audiences who catch his latest work, “Roma,” on the big screen. Dripping in contrast thanks to its harsh black-and-white cinematography, “Roma” is a rich and searing look into Cuarón’s mind through a portrait of his childhood, and yet, chances are you’re never going to get the full “Roma” experience. Purchased … Read More Roma: Memories of a childhood
Green Book: A beginner’s guide to overcoming racism
by Matt Ward
It’s sometimes easy to forget that #OscarsSoWhite was nearly three years ago, a time when no minority actors or actresses were nominated in back-to-back Academy Award ceremonies. Movies like the Best Picture winning “Moonlight,” “Black Panther” and “BlacKkKlansman” are proof that studios have begun empowering a wider array of filmmakers to examine new and old stories from fresh perspectives. The rise of Netflix as … Read More Green Book: A beginner’s guide to overcoming racism
Widows: A most complex crime
by Matt Ward
Don’t put “Widows” in a box. The latest film from Academy Award winner Steve McQueen isn’t just one type of movie, no matter how much it may seem to be a simple heist thriller at first glance. Chicago serves as the backdrop for the entire cinematic experience, and more than just a place for action to happen, “Widows” is a Chicago movie embedded with … Read More Widows: A most complex crime
Creed II: Pulling punches
by Matt Ward
Boxing has been the easiest, most translatable sport to dramatize for the big screen because of the beauty in the brutality, two worlds colliding head on in close quarters with a definitive winner and loser. This formula has given audiences Oscar winning dramas like “Raging Bull” and “Million Dollar Baby” and introduced audiences to a shy, down on his luck boxer from the streets … Read More Creed II: Pulling punches
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald: A magical interlude
by Matt Ward
Hollywood’s increased obsession with universes, miniseries and franchises has pretty much guaranteed that anything and everything can get a sequel. But often, studios find themselves milking an intellectual property for all its worth, stretching a story beyond its means at the expense of each chapter. Such is the case with “Fantastic Beasts,” a burgeoning series of films spun off from the iconic Harry Potter … Read More Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald: A magical interlude
Mid90s: Skate life imitating art
by Matt Ward
A movie about teens drinking, smoking pot and skateboarding is probably the unlikeliest of candidates to be the subject of a high-concept art film. But actor Jonah Hill’s first foray into writing and directing is nothing short of Grade-A, top shelf cinema regardless of how rebellious or controversial the subject matter might be. One of the best independent films this year, “Mid90s” is a … Read More Mid90s: Skate life imitating art
Bohemian Rhapsody: Lacking the opera of Galileos
by Matt Ward
Stomp your feet and clap your hands. It’s hard not to enjoy “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a new biopic about the engaging rock band Queen, at least on some basic level. With a soundtrack of catchy, interactive songs that have become karaoke staples and a magnetic lead performance, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a fun crowd-pleaser to say the least. But it’s so shallow that director Bryan Singer’s … Read More Bohemian Rhapsody: Lacking the opera of Galileos
The Old Man and The Gun: An outlaw rides away
by Matt Ward
Some films feel if they were made with a different era in mind. They use the modern bells and whistles, cinematic tricks of the trade, to evoke a sense of nostalgia within the audience. “The Old Man and The Gun,” reportedly Academy Award winner Robert Redford’s final film, goes much further than that. The latest from director David Lowery is ripped straight from the … Read More The Old Man and The Gun: An outlaw rides away
First Man: The man behind the legend
by Matt Ward
Neil Armstrong’s achievements are universally known. Notoriously humble and private, Armstrong the man is not known nearly as well. Oscar winner Damian Chazelle’s first foray into filmmaking after the massive success of 2016’s “La La Land” the teams the filmmaker with star Ryan Gosling, who peers into the soul of Armstrong. “First Man” begins several years before Armstrong’s famous walk on the Moon and … Read More First Man: The man behind the legend
22 July: Terrorism docudrama chillingly effective
by Matt Ward
Approaching real terrorism dramatically is difficult subject matter for filmmakers to handle properly. Whether it’s a faithful, authentic retelling like Clint Eastwood’s “The 15:17 To Paris” with the real heroes on screen or a more loose depiction like Peter Berg’s “Patriots Day,” there’s a great deal of care given to what and how the terror of catastrophic events and the terrorists who commit them … Read More 22 July: Terrorism docudrama chillingly effective
Venom: Dr. Hardy and Mr. Mediocre Movie
by Matt Ward
Tom Hardy deserves better. Watching the talented actor’s latest film, it’s easy to tell that no one on screen cares more about their performance or has thought about their character more than Hardy. Everything about his work is nuanced, with immense planning given to the affectation of each line, the physicality involved and the Jekyll and Hyde quality his work espouses. But stuck in … Read More Venom: Dr. Hardy and Mr. Mediocre Movie
A Star Is Born: Musical romance an instant classic
by Matt Ward
Audiences will be blown away by “A Star Is Born,” the remake of a remake of a remake from first time director Bradley Cooper. This isn’t to say that the 2018 version is flawless (though it arguably comes close). But “A Star Is Born” is a whirlwind of a film that will have audiences bracing for impact, blazing out of the gate with searing … Read More A Star Is Born: Musical romance an instant classic
Cinematic Considerations 