Category: New Releases
13 Hours: Check politics at the door
by Matt Ward
Politics will likely play a large role in how audiences respond to Michael Bay’s latest action adventure film “13 Hours” because with a subtitle like “The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” it’s going to prove nearly impossible to check preconceived notions at the door. There’s no politicians in “13 Hours” – from President Barack Obama to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton all the way on … Read More 13 Hours: Check politics at the door
The Revenant: DiCaprio’s lead performance Oscar-worthy
by Matt Ward
As you’re sitting in the theater watching Leonardo DiCaprio eating raw bison liver, it’s hard not to wonder to what lengths perhaps the greatest actor never to win an Academy Award will go in pursuit of his art. Once you’ve seen “The Revenant” – the closest thing to an absolute lock for a Best Picture Oscar Hollywood produced in 2015 – go online and … Read More The Revenant: DiCaprio’s lead performance Oscar-worthy
The Hateful Eight: Frontier western offers best, worst of cinema
by Matt Ward
Quentin Tarantino just isn’t for everyone. His most ardent fans – ones who’ve seen “Reservoir Dogs” and “Pulp Fiction” countless times and can quote “True Romance” by heart even though Tarantino just wrote the script – would argue that the director is a cinematic icon and leading provocateur for this generation of filmmakers. Others would argue that Tarantino’s movies overtly glamorize violence to the … Read More The Hateful Eight: Frontier western offers best, worst of cinema
Joy: Jennifer Lawrence makes Oscar contender work
by Matt Ward
You’re sitting at home on a Tuesday evening relaxing in front of the television and the trailer for “Joy” – one of seven new releases to come out over the Christmas holidays – came on. You probably had little to no idea what the hell you just saw. It’s a film with Jennifer Lawrence and she’s shooting a shotgun and for some reason there’s … Read More Joy: Jennifer Lawrence makes Oscar contender work
Star Wars The Force Awakens: Episode VII fulfills legacy of original trilogy
by Matt Ward
Heading in to the seventh installment in the famed science fiction franchise, it seemed almost certain that “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – which opened Thursday evening – would either bomb or blow viewers away. There didn’t really seem to be an in-between. Fans were right to be cautiously optimistic about the first true sequel in the series after being let down when a … Read More Star Wars The Force Awakens: Episode VII fulfills legacy of original trilogy
Spotlight: Journalism docudrama an instant classic
by Matt Ward
Every once in a while, a movie comes along that shows its viewers the power of no-frills, no-nonsense drama in a way that just smacks you in the face, shakes you awake and says “This is what good cinema is truly about.” “Spotlight” is one of those films. Tom McCarthy’s film, based on a script he co-wrote with Josh Singer, follows the four person … Read More Spotlight: Journalism docudrama an instant classic
Tangerine: Sundance darling sparkles in streaming release
by Matt Ward
In an era of selfies, Snapchats and Instagram videos, it’s hard to fathom why more young filmmakers haven’t emerged from behind their smartphones. Thousands upon thousands of smart, talented people from all walks of life are documenting their entire youth through bursts of short videos, but few have realized those clips into a fully formed, quality feature film. Inspiration for this YouTube generation has … Read More Tangerine: Sundance darling sparkles in streaming release
Creed: Coogler revitalizes a fallen franchise
by Matt Ward
Seven years ago, Steven Spielberg attempted to pass the torch of cinematic icon Indiana Jones from Harrison Ford to Shia LeBeouf in the disastrous “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” What resulted was a shoddy, poorly conceived disaster that has kept the franchise grounded in a movie-making era where anything and everything has been remade or rebooted in pursuit of the … Read More Creed: Coogler revitalizes a fallen franchise
Mockingjay Part 2: Final Hunger Games film disappoints
by Matt Ward
The violence is finally over. After four feature-length films about the ravages of state-sponsored murder and outright civil war, today’s premiere young adult movie franchise has come to a close with the release of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2,” based on the latter half of the third novel in the series written by Suzanne Collins. What makes this franchise stand apart from its … Read More Mockingjay Part 2: Final Hunger Games film disappoints
Love The Coopers: Christmas dramedy stumbles
by Matt Ward
Thanksgiving is still more than a week away, but that hasn’t stopped Hollywood from looking ahead to Christmas as yet another home for the holidays film hit theaters Friday. “Love, The Coopers” assembles a talented cast of all ages – from Alan Arkin to Diane Keaton and Marisa Tomei to Amanda Seyfried and Ed Helms – for a holiday themed family dramedy that finds … Read More Love The Coopers: Christmas dramedy stumbles
The Peanuts Movie: Family-friendly tale worth a trip to theaters
by Matt Ward
A true staple of holiday entertainment, Charlie Brown and his gang of misfit elementary school students stormed the big screen last weekend after nearly a 40 year break from theaters. Created by “Ice Age” and “Rio” filmmakers Blue Sky Studios, “The Peanuts Movie” is by far the most visually impressive iteration of the classic comic strip penned by Charles Schulz, released on the 50th … Read More The Peanuts Movie: Family-friendly tale worth a trip to theaters
Spectre: A love letter to James Bond
by Matt Ward
For all of the explosions, near death experiences and high speed car chases in the blockbuster smash hit “Spectre,” Daniel Craig’s fourth performance in the longest running film franchise in history is — at the end of the day – a love letter to James Bond. There’s the iconic hand-to-hand combat scene on a train lifted from “From Russia With Love,” gadget-rigged luxury sports … Read More Spectre: A love letter to James Bond
Cinematic Considerations 