Category: New Releases
Pete’s Dragon: A refreshing family hit
by Matt Ward
Dragons might be an unusual choice for a childhood best friend, but the love between a young boy and his fire-breathing friend make for a captivating, heartwarming tale in the Disney remake “Pete’s Dragon.” Moviegoers needn’t worry about having seen the 1977 animated musical version of the film as nearly everything from the original version has been scrubbed over and re-written by Texas native … Read More Pete’s Dragon: A refreshing family hit
Suicide Squad: Roll with the punches
by Matt Ward
Bad guys you may or may not have ever heard of get coerced into fighting for good in the latest “superhero” film from Warner Brothers and DC Comics. “Suicide Squad” is a largely enjoyable mess of a movie where director David Ayer invites viewers on a nearly two-hour thrill ride, but moviegoers have to concede some things first. Sure, you’ve likely never heard of … Read More Suicide Squad: Roll with the punches
Jason Bourne: Return of a legend
by Matt Ward
Actions speak louder than words. Matt Damon doesn’t say a whole lot in “Jason Bourne,” his fourth turn as the amnesiac assassin out to find himself in a clandestine world. But he doesn’t need to either. The world around Bourne has changed dramatically since his last on-screen appearance nearly a decade ago in “The Bourne Ultimatum.” NSA contractor Edward Snowden’s releasing of classified documents … Read More Jason Bourne: Return of a legend
Star Trek Beyond: Boldly going where others have gone before
by Matt Ward
There might not be a more fun movie-going experience this summer than the sci-fi adventure film “Star Trek: Beyond,” which sees Chris Pine return for a third go-round as the iconic Captain James T. Kirk in a role made famous by William Shatner. Several years into a deep space mission, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise are tasked with rescuing the crew of a … Read More Star Trek Beyond: Boldly going where others have gone before
Ghostbusters: Sci-fi comedy remake plays it safe
by Matt Ward
Nothing about the recent all-female remake of “Ghostbusters” could accurately be described as original. But luckily for moviegoers, that isn’t a death knell for the film’s enjoyment prospects or even something to lament. The fact that nothing about the film does a disservice to the Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis penned series from director Ivan Reitman is by all means a good thing. The … Read More Ghostbusters: Sci-fi comedy remake plays it safe
Swiss Army Man: Don’t be afraid of a little gas
by Matt Ward
Eight out of 10 average moviegoers probably won’t like “Swiss Army Man,” the new independent dramedy starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe. This isn’t to say the Sundance Film Festival award-winning film for best direction isn’t visually breathtaking, layered and complex storytelling. “Swiss Army Man” certainly is all of those things and more. Simply put, too many potential moviegoers will likely be put off … Read More Swiss Army Man: Don’t be afraid of a little gas
The Legend of Tarzan: Welcome (back) to the jungle
by Matt Ward
Tarzan, classic vine-swinger and “lord of the jungle,” returns to theaters with a muddled, haphazard effort from Warner Brothers entitled “The Legend of Tarzan.” Unfortunately for moviegoers, nobody’s really sure what that legend truly is. Unlike previous incarnations of the Tarzan film series, “Legend of Tarzan” opens 10 years following Tarzan’s first meeting with Jane. They’re now happily married and living in a family … Read More The Legend of Tarzan: Welcome (back) to the jungle
The Shallows: MacGyver in a bikini
by Matt Ward
Blake Lively going toe-to-toe with a great white might sound more like the next installment of the “Sharknado” franchise than a surprise summer smash. But somehow, someway, “The Shallows” manages to defy the expectations and provide frightening, largely enjoyable material and the best shark movie since Steven Spielberg scared people out of the water for decades with 1975’s “Jaws.” The concept is simple. Lively … Read More The Shallows: MacGyver in a bikini
Finding Dory: Get lost once again
by Matt Ward
Rarely does a film sequel exceed high expectations, let alone surpass the original movie it is based on. “Finding Dory” is one of those sequels. More than a decade after the release of Pixar’s Oscar-winning “Finding Nemo,” the Disney-owned company returns with a nearly flawless follow-up and prove that oftentimes the best sequels are the ones that studios take the extra time to get … Read More Finding Dory: Get lost once again
All The Way: Capturing LBJ’s legacy
by Matt Ward
High level cinema isn’t being produced by only major Hollywood studios anymore. Internet based companies like Amazon and Netflix have both made major strides in creating and developing their own award-worthy films. Now HBO has re-entered the cinematic landscape as a producer of original film content with the transcendent docudrama “All The Way,” featuring a likely Emmy-winning effort from Bryan Cranston as legendary president … Read More All The Way: Capturing LBJ’s legacy
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Half-shelled heroes
by Matt Ward
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” was made for the 12-year-old boy in all of us. The one who loves gooey cheese pizza and ninja stars and beating up bad guys just because. After a recent film reboot, the self-proclaimed “heroes in a half-shell” from late 80s and early 90s Saturday morning cartoon lore are back to save New York City once … Read More Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Half-shelled heroes
X-Men Apocalypse: As the world ends
by Matt Ward
Superheroes once again battle to save the world from the end of days in “X-Men: Apocalypse,” sure to be one of the summer’s biggest films. Ripped straight out of one of Marvel Comics’ most celebrated storylines, the ninth film in the X-Men franchise follows a team of mutants as they battle Apocalypse, the world’s first mutant returned to Earth after centuries underground seeking to … Read More X-Men Apocalypse: As the world ends
Cinematic Considerations 