Category: New Releases
2017: A cinematic year in review
by Matt Ward
There’s little doubt that 2017 will go down in history books for far different reasons than its cinema. Films that changed the landscape of moviemaking as we know it were few and far between this year, but several – three to be exact – made game-changing impact on the possibilities big screen theatrical releases could become moving forward. Despite emerging sexual harassment and abuse … Read More 2017: A cinematic year in review
I, Tonya: Comedy in mild tragedy
by Matt Ward
Why make a shiny, glimmer-y sports redemption film about Olympic silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan when the source material is so much richer with the comedically tragic tale I’ve disgraced former figure skater Tonya Harding? Born from a pair of highly contradictory interviews, director Craig Gillespie’s outlandish tale from the wrong side of the tracks who just wants to figure skate has unsurprisingly become one … Read More I, Tonya: Comedy in mild tragedy
The Post: Defending a free press
by Matt Ward
Give the greatest filmmaker of our generation a pair of Oscar winners performing one of the year’s most topical scripts and you’ve got yourself a practically surefire recipe for success. For as much cavalcade and fanfare as Steven Spielberg’s “The Post” rightfully earns on paper, the end result is an above-average film that somehow doesn’t live up to all the promise. This is a … Read More The Post: Defending a free press
The Shape of Water: A fairytale love
by Matt Ward
It feels counterintuitive to suggest that a dark, melancholy monster movie could turn into a landmark piece of cinema. But in the hands of Mexican auteur Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water” elevates beyond genre expectations and transforms hearts and minds of cynical moviegoers with an unexpected, deeply personal adventure that will captivate any audience willing to give it a chance. This avant … Read More The Shape of Water: A fairytale love
All The Money In The World: What’s the real cost?
by Matt Ward
Ten days and 10 million dollars was all it took to make cinematic history. Recasting parts during the production of a movie isn’t unheard of by any means, but completely starting from scratch after a picture is already locked never happens. Almost. When sexual misconduct allegations came out against Kevin Spacey during post-production for the new film “All The Money In The World,” director … Read More All The Money In The World: What’s the real cost?
The Greatest Showman: Give ’em the ol’ razzle dazzle
by Matt Ward
Style far exceeds substance in Hugh Jackman’s latest film, a biopic of famed circus founder PT Barnum that’s more Broadway musical than anything else. It’s unlikely you’ll find anything quite like “The Greatest Showman” in theaters this winter. Director Michael Gracey delivers a cinematic experience that becomes almost one over-extended music video with bits of dialogue in between as opposed to a musically enhanced … Read More The Greatest Showman: Give ’em the ol’ razzle dazzle
The Last Jedi: Star Wars for everyone and no one
by Matt Ward
Millions upon millions of eyes will scrutinize every single frame, nuance, bit of dialogue or perceived misstep in writer/director Rian Johnson’s new film. Granted, you’ve probably never heard of the 44-year-old director unless you’re an ardent fan of his indie noir feature “Brick” or his time-traveling, action adventure “Looper.” But moviegoers everywhere are familiar with Johnson’s latest work, the long-awaited eighth episode in George … Read More The Last Jedi: Star Wars for everyone and no one
Lady Bird: Drama in ‘reel’ life
by Matt Ward
It’s easy to pen “Lady Bird” into a corner, especially given the fact that the indie romantic comedy/drama currently stands as the best reviewed film in the history of Rotten Tomatoes. But “Lady Bird” is more than just an universally beloved film. It represents something more dynamic and changing within modern filmmaking, a new pinnacle for female-led and female driven cinema that transcends genre … Read More Lady Bird: Drama in ‘reel’ life
Mudbound: Lives of quiet desperation
by Matt Ward
Unless you were looking for it, odds are good that you might never stumble across a film like “Mudbound,” a small, intimate drama that snuck its way onto Netflix last week. The tale of two families – the McAllens, a moderately affluent white family transplanted to farming country, and the Jacksons, poor African-American sharecroppers seeking out land to call their own – is in … Read More Mudbound: Lives of quiet desperation
Justice League: Super friends team-up
by Matt Ward
Putting Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and The Flash on screen together should be a pretty exciting, slam-dunk of a movie. But then why does “Justice League,” the latest DC Comics film from director Zack Snyder, feel so much like a rollercoaster ride? There’s a lot of ups over the course of two hours, but a lot of wild left turns and some heavy downs … Read More Justice League: Super friends team-up
The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected): Modern family
by Matt Ward
There’s nothing like a little perspective to let you know that things could always be worse. Such is the case with the new Netflix original film “The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected).” Writer/director Noah Baumbach’s latest film allows audiences to feel better about their own family dramas by shining a light on a much more troubled clan of moody, prima donna artists and free … Read More The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected): Modern family
Thor: Ragnarok: Hammering home the comedy
by Matt Ward
Superheroes to the rescue! After a lackluster summer at the box office, Hollywood hit back in a big way as Disney sent a film to the big screen for the first time since June with “Thor: Ragnarok.” The latest in the ever popular Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise brought home $121 million nationally, giving moviegoers their first slam dunk reason to head to theaters since … Read More Thor: Ragnarok: Hammering home the comedy
Cinematic Considerations 