Category: New Releases
Inferno: Hanks, Howard can’t bring the heat
by Matt Ward
It’s difficult to imagine a film called “Inferno” would be one to pull its punches. But aside from a few interesting moments early, Ron Howard’s adaptation of the Dan Brown novel by the same name goes out of its way to play it safe. This makes Tom Hanks’ third turn as expert symbologist Robert Langdon a largely flat, uninspiring jaunt around Europe on par … Read More Inferno: Hanks, Howard can’t bring the heat
Florence Foster Jenkins: Loving the un-pretty voices
by Matt Ward
Award season doesn’t hit for another several months, with major contenders typically not hitting theaters until mid-December. There’s usually one exception to this rule annually and in 2016, it comes in the form of Meryl Streep, an actress so synonymous with Academy Award nominations that her mere involvement in a feature vaults it to the top of prognosticators’ lists. Her latest film, the comedic … Read More Florence Foster Jenkins: Loving the un-pretty voices
The Birth Of A Nation: Personal conflict
by Matt Ward
It’s been nearly a week since I drove an hour away to see The Birth Of A Nation.
It was incredibly difficult for me to put my thoughts into words then while hammering away a few notes on my cell phone.
It’s incredibly difficult for me to write about this film now. And it shouldn’t have had to be.
The Accountant: Action, drama combine for largely successful thriller
by Matt Ward
There’s a scene early in Gavin O’Connor’s “The Accountant” where a young boy completes a complex 1,000-piece puzzle with the cardboard side up. It’s a scene meant to inform viewers how Christian Wolff (played in adult form by Academy Award winner Ben Affleck) handles his inherent duality as an exceptionally bright person who just so happens to have high-functioning autism. Instantly, it establishes the … Read More The Accountant: Action, drama combine for largely successful thriller
The Girl On The Train: Hell on wheels
by Matt Ward
Best selling books don’t usually translate all that well onto the big screen in major motion picture adaptations. It’s why the ones that work – like “Fight Club,” “The Godfather,” “The Wizard of Oz” and more – are widely heralded. Book to film is an inexact science, one that requires a deft hand at the director’s chair and especially in the screenplay adaptation. “The … Read More The Girl On The Train: Hell on wheels
Deepwater Horizon: Heroes amid disaster
by Matt Ward
You’ll probably leave the theater a little upset and pretty angry. That doesn’t mean audiences shouldn’t flock to the theater in droves to see “Deepwater Horizon,” the based-on-a-true-story disaster film from “Lone Survivor” director Peter Berg and star Mark Wahlberg. The new film follows veteran driller Mike Williams (Wahlberg) and assorted crew members of the offshore oil drilling unit Deepwater Horizon as they prepare … Read More Deepwater Horizon: Heroes amid disaster
The Magnificent Seven: Not your father’s western
by Matt Ward
“The Magnificent Seven” is a completely unnecessary remake. It’s not because the Denzel Washington led western isn’t a quality movie, but rather that the re-imagining of the 1960 film starring Yul Brenner and Steve McQueen doesn’t actually resemble the original film itself. In fact, the newest film from director Antoine Fuqua would probably be better served with a different title altogether as Fuqua’s movie … Read More The Magnificent Seven: Not your father’s western
Snowden: NSA surveillance for dummies
by Matt Ward
There’s an inevitable desire to start constantly looking over your shoulder and watching what you post on social media after screening the political drama “Snowden,” now in theaters. Oscar winner Oliver Stone’s paranoia-inducing image rehabilitation feature narrative on famed former NSA analyst and fugitive Edward Snowden hits heavy for those relatively uninformed about the titular character’s life and actions. However, for news-minded individuals, “Snowden” … Read More Snowden: NSA surveillance for dummies
Sully: Hanks soars once again
by Matt Ward
What happens to unlikely heroes after their miraculous deeds? Academy Award winning director Clint Eastwood seeks to answer this complex question with yet another introspective look at a recent American hero following 2014’s spectacular “American Sniper.” In “Sully,” Eastwood examines the “hero on the Hudson,” veteran U.S. Airways pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger as he constantly relives his 208-second flight from LaGuardia Airport which ended … Read More Sully: Hanks soars once again
The Light Between Oceans: Vikander, Fassbender put on acting clinic
by Matt Ward
Every year there’s a film that sneaks its way through theaters without much commercial fanfare and then makes a strong showing in Oscar nominations. In 2016 that film is assuredly “The Light Between Oceans,” a picturesque, romantic period drama featuring reigning Best Supporting Actress winner Alicia Vikander and Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender along with a terrific supporting performance from Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz. … Read More The Light Between Oceans: Vikander, Fassbender put on acting clinic
Hell or High Water: The best movie of the year
by Matt Ward
“Hell or High Water” is the best film you’ll see this year. This isn’t hyperbole or a statement made lightly, especially given the fact that there’s still four months and an entire season of Academy Award candidates yet to be released. Beautifully crafted and acted, the first major release film from director David Mackenzie stars Chris Pine and Ben Foster as brothers who resort … Read More Hell or High Water: The best movie of the year
War Dogs: Weapons of mass enjoyment
by Matt Ward
“War Dogs” seeks to answer a pretty simple question asked by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in the film’s trailer. “How did two 20-something young men land a $300 million Pentagon contract?” If you keep watching the rest of the trailer, the film attempts to highlight the exploits of Jewish-American gunrunners with the same comedic precision of “The Wolf of Wall Street.” It even extolls the … Read More War Dogs: Weapons of mass enjoyment
Cinematic Considerations 