Category: New Releases
Life Itself: Worlds collide
by Matt Ward
There are elements of a good movie in “Life Itself,” a deeply thoughtful melodrama from Emmy-winning “This Is Us” creator Dan Fogelman. Slowly, painfully over the course of two hours, this is all stripped away as viewers are consistently ripped apart emotionally with jarring, contrived twists of fate. It’s all in service of Fogelman’s overarching premise, that life itself is the ultimate unreliable narrator … Read More Life Itself: Worlds collide
The Wife: Close delivers career-best work layer by layer
by Matt Ward
“Behind every great man…” It’s a phrase used all too often to describe an underappreciated woman, yet the first word also expressly implies her place. A critical examination of this concept — both in its positive and negative suggestions — forms the basis of the latest Glenn Close film, a slow burning relationship drama that packs in the tension below layers of context and … Read More The Wife: Close delivers career-best work layer by layer
The Children Act: Impact of a choice
by Matt Ward
Religion, morality and the law play a large role in “The Children Act,” a very exacting, almost clinical British courtroom drama. But it’s in the interpersonal relationships of the main characters where the film shines in spite of the otherwise stuffy, cold narrative. A collaboration between a group of producers including BBC Films and indie-heavyweight A24, “The Children Act” takes audiences on the other … Read More The Children Act: Impact of a choice
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before: Bringing back the rom-com
by Matt Ward
Romantic comedies are making a comeback. Three decades after the now classic John Hughes movies and more than five years since “Silver Linings Playbook” was the last rom-com nominated for an Oscar, the genre is seeing a revival thanks to diversity in filmmaking and unlikely distributor support. Films like “Book Club,” “Love Simon” and “Crazy Rich Asians” have sprinkled into theaters in 2018, but … Read More To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before: Bringing back the rom-com
Operation Finale: Conventionally telling the unconventional
by Matt Ward
Spies executing covert missions on foreign soil to kidnap and extract prisoners is action thriller plot 101. “Operation Finale,” based on true accounts, opts to reflect on the emotional and mental tolls war, hatred and loss can inflict with the high-stakes machinations taking a relative backseat. L Director Chris Weitz’s latest feature is the smallest possible version of a film about a group of … Read More Operation Finale: Conventionally telling the unconventional
BlacKkKlansman: The present in the past
by Matt Ward
Black man infiltrates Ku Klux Klan. That’s the hook for the latest Spike Lee joint, a film incredibly of the moment in spite of its 1970s era setting. With “BlacKkKlansman,” Lee is back on the scene with his most powerful and important film since “Malcolm X,” delivering two hours of gripping, masterful drama, humor and social commentary in a way only the two-time Academy … Read More BlacKkKlansman: The present in the past
Blaze: Behind the music
by Matt Ward
Biopics are movies made about stars. Blaze Foley was never a star, simply a mythical folk hero who played with Townes Van Zandt and had his songs covered by the likes of John Prine, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. It’s fitting then that the independent film telling his story isn’t a traditional paint-by-numbers biopic. Filled with raw grittiness and passion, “Blaze” is a cinematic … Read More Blaze: Behind the music
Like Father: The perfect Netflix movie
by Matt Ward
Netflix has always been a great source for binge-watching television programs you need to catch up on or seeing a movie you missed in theaters. Their dive into original programming started with successful miniseries like “House of Cards” and “Orange Is The New Black,” shows that helped popularize the mantra, “Netflix and chill.” An initial foray into becoming a full-fledged movie studio resulted in … Read More Like Father: The perfect Netflix movie
Eighth Grade: The R-rated lives of teenage girls
by Matt Ward
Nine times out of 10, movies are for escapism, a chance to remove yourself from the cares, worries and needs of the day. To simply be transported elsewhere. “Eighth Grade” isn’t one of those films. From first time writer/director Bo Burnham, a 27-year-old stand-up comedian, this searing, unexpected tale of a 13-year-old girl’s final days in middle school is every bit of life in … Read More Eighth Grade: The R-rated lives of teenage girls
Mission: Impossible – Fallout: The last Blockbuster
by Matt Ward
Love him or hate him, there’s no denying Tom Cruise is a movie star. His latest film, “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” cements Cruise as the last true Movie Star in capital letters, someone whose talent and charisma transcends box office success, critical acclaim and award season notoriety. Cruise is a generational talent that has defined true stardom, that collaboration between cinema and celebrity people … Read More Mission: Impossible – Fallout: The last Blockbuster
Sorry To Bother You: Real life in comedic absurdity
by Matt Ward
A good movie trailer will entice you to watch a film and hopefully not spoil anything. A great one will get you in the theater and leave you baffled when the world of the film becomes so much deeper and unexpected. Such is the case with “Sorry To Bother You,” a hit film at this year’s Sundance Film Festival now making its way to … Read More Sorry To Bother You: Real life in comedic absurdity
Skyscraper: Hanging by a thread
by Matt Ward
“Skyscraper” is a film made in the wrong era. If it was made in the 1990s, “Skyscraper” would fit right in during the heyday of gloriously terrible action films that would pick up a second life on basic cable like “Dante’s Peak” or “Cliffhanger.” A clear homage to unfiltered, low-budget, high-octane thrill rides of the past, this is a movie every Steven Seagal and … Read More Skyscraper: Hanging by a thread
Cinematic Considerations 