Category: New Releases
The Angry Birds Movie: Mildly annoyed, not mad
by Matt Ward
“The Angry Birds Movie,” released in theaters nationwide last weekend, is a pretty blatant attempt to revitalize a fledgling video game franchise. Angry Birds, the first really big game to hit smartphones with universal appeal, saw players launching red, yellow, blue and black birds with a slingshot in an attempt to destroy the homes of green pigs who have taken all the birds’ eggs. … Read More The Angry Birds Movie: Mildly annoyed, not mad
Captain America Civil War: No spoilers edition
by Matt Ward
Perhaps the biggest flaw in blockbuster films, especially the superhero variety, is that they rarely account for all of the carnage, death and destruction left behind by all of the fight sequences and explosions audiences come to expect from these big-budget cinematic cash cows. “Captain America: Civil War” refuses to shy away from the consequences of war, making it the centerpiece of the entire … Read More Captain America Civil War: No spoilers edition
Captain America Civil War: An incredibly spoiler-filled review
by Matt Ward
This is a incredibly spoiler-filled review of Captain America: Civil War. Do not scroll past the trailer unless you have already seen the film. It may ruin the entire experience for you. Seriously. Don’t do it. There will be a spoiler-free review of this movie as well. This isn’t it. Also, nearly all of Cinematic Considerations is written in third person form. This column … Read More Captain America Civil War: An incredibly spoiler-filled review
Mother’s Day: Moms deserve better than subpar comedy tribute
by Matt Ward
Mother’s Day is a holiday celebrated annually to honor women have born, adopted or raised children with an emphasis on the mother-child relationship. “Mother’s Day” is a newly released movie directed by Garry Marshall that does pretty much none of that. Marshall’s film is a romantic comedy without any romance and lacking in comedy; it’s a family drama that doesn’t have much heart; and … Read More Mother’s Day: Moms deserve better than subpar comedy tribute
Eye In The Sky: Political thriller debates real-world issues
by Matt Ward
Conflicts in morality and ethical responsibility at the highest levels of government take center stage in the political thriller “Eye in the Sky,” now in wide release. Oscar winner Helen Mirren headlines an elite cast as a British colonel remotely leading a mission to capture international terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. When the mission ultimately changes from capture to kill by drone strike, the legal … Read More Eye In The Sky: Political thriller debates real-world issues
Demolition: Jake Gyllenhaal brings down the house
by Matt Ward
Following back-to-back successes with “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Wild,” director Jean-Marc Vallée hits another cinematic homerun with “Demolition,” now in select theaters. Jake Gyllenhaal beguiles audiences with one of his most compelling performances, taking what could have been a very ordinary performance and elevating it to an Oscar-nomination worthy effort. Gyllenhaal stars as Davis, a man struggling to cope with the death of his … Read More Demolition: Jake Gyllenhaal brings down the house
Hardcore Henry: You’re in the driver’s seat
by Matt Ward
Incredibly violent with not much of a plot to go on, “Hardcore Henry” plays out like a video game. Audiences aren’t really in control, however, as director Ilya Naishuller and his team of filmmakers take viewers on an insane, gore-filled ride for 90 minutes. The hook here is simple. Filmed with Go-Pro cameras, viewers see everything from the perspective of Henry, a once-dead human … Read More Hardcore Henry: You’re in the driver’s seat
God’s Not Dead 2: Religion stands trial in spiritual drama
by Matt Ward
Fans of the 2014 surprise box-office hit “God’s Not Dead” will surely be thrilled with its brand new sequel, the aptly-named “God’s Not Dead 2” which hit theaters on Friday. In the original film, the question of God’s existence was debated in college philosophy class, while the sequel swiftly moves out of the classroom and into the courtroom, where Christianity can more ceremoniously be … Read More God’s Not Dead 2: Religion stands trial in spiritual drama
The Divergent Series Allegiant: Sleepwalking through cinema
by Matt Ward
If you’ve ever wanted to take a long nap while watching a movie in theaters, there’s likely no better film to snooze through this year than “The Divergent Series: Allegiant.” No one will blame you, least of all the film’s cast and crew, who sleepwalk their way through “Allegiant,” the third in the teen dystopian film franchise based on the books by Veronica Roth. … Read More The Divergent Series Allegiant: Sleepwalking through cinema
Miracles From Heaven: The power of the message
by Matt Ward
Jennifer Garner’s terrific performance as a desperate mother searching for a way to save her dying daughter paces the uneven faith-based film “Miracles From Heaven,” now in theaters. Based on the true story of a Burleson family, “Miracles From Heaven” finds Garner as Christy Beam, mother of three and devoted Christian whose faith is tested as her middle daughter, Anna, struggles with a life-threatening … Read More Miracles From Heaven: The power of the message
10 Cloverfield Lane: Claustrophobia inducer a surprise hit
by Matt Ward
Eight years ago, a surprise hit film came out of nowhere to wow viewers with its unique found-footage style adaptation of the classic monster movie genre. The film, “Cloverfield,” had a grandiose, epic feeling that pervaded the movie from start to finish, while new release “10 Cloverfield Lane” – dubbed a “blood relative” to the 2008 monster movie by producer J.J. Abrams – couldn’t … Read More 10 Cloverfield Lane: Claustrophobia inducer a surprise hit
Zootopia: Animals live out loud in instant Disney classic
by Matt Ward
There’s something for everyone with Disney’s latest animated classic, “Zootopia,” which arrived in theaters Friday. The appeal for children should be obvious as kids will be drawn to the vibrant world of the film, where animals of all shapes and sizes co-exist in harmony, while behaving and working like human beings. Parents will get to revel in all of the subtle (and not so … Read More Zootopia: Animals live out loud in instant Disney classic
Cinematic Considerations 