Category: New Releases
Venom Let There Be Carnage: Let there be mild amusement
by Matt Ward
With originality dwindling in the blockbuster cinema marketplace, it’s often that viewers might feel like they’re watching the exact same film all over again. Three years ago, Sony broke through the comic book ranks with a quirky cult hit spin-off for a classic Spider-Man villain that had a unique charm with an awkward buddy comedy dynamic mixed in with Marvel lore. Returning to the … Read More Venom Let There Be Carnage: Let there be mild amusement
The Eyes of Tammy Faye: Open arms, open heart
by Matt Ward
When viewers are first introduced to Tammy Faye Bakker, it’s 1994. She’s caked in layers of makeup, some of which are permanently tattooed onto her face. Her cheeks are bloated as she sucks down a can of Diet Coke and her nasally, Betty Boop-esque voice pierces through like nails on a chalkboard. If this is a sign of things to come, things aren’t looking … Read More The Eyes of Tammy Faye: Open arms, open heart
Cry Macho: What it means to be strong
by Matt Ward
Clint Eastwood, one of the greatest actor/filmmakers of all time, doesn’t know how to quit. At 91, the two-time Academy Award winning director makes history by being the oldest person ever to star above the title in a movie with Cry Macho, which arrived in theaters and on HBO Max this past weekend 50 years after the debut of his directorial debut Play Misty … Read More Cry Macho: What it means to be strong
Last Night in Rozzie: Independent hit a solid double
by Matt Ward
One of Hill Country Film Festival’s greatest success stories makes its theatrical debut this weekend. Last Night in Rozzie, directed by Sean Gannet from a screenplay by Ryan McDonough, won both the Cinema Dulce (Best of Fest) and Best Feature Film award at the 12th annual festival this summer and will open in limited release on the big screen as well as premium video on … Read More Last Night in Rozzie: Independent hit a solid double
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Two-thirds of perfection
by Matt Ward
Marvel’s latest action-adventure comic book movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is groundbreaking in a number of ways. It’s the milestone 25th film in their cinematic universe to be released and the first to feature an Asian lead, predominantly Asian cast and an Asian director in Destin Daniel Cretton, a massive step forward for representation in American cinema. The film also comes … Read More Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Two-thirds of perfection
Annette: The boldest of strokes
by Matt Ward
There isn’t much of an audience for Annette, and rightfully so. Amazon’s latest major awards season endeavor comes from the minds of Russell and Ron Mael, also known as the obscure alt-pop-rock band The Sparks, who penned both the rambling screenplay and chaotically strange soundtrack of French auteur Leos Carax’s meandering rock operetta and English language debut. It’s a film where Adam Driver rants … Read More Annette: The boldest of strokes
Stillwater: Floating under the radar
by Matt Ward
One of the year’s best films can’t seem to find its audience. With an Oscar winner at the helm and box office draw Matt Damon delivering one of the finest performances of his career, Stillwater should have been a no-doubt buzzworthy feature that drove viewers to the theater for what was marketed as a high-stakes thriller. And yet, director/co-writer Tom McCarthy’s latest film and … Read More Stillwater: Floating under the radar
Free Guy: Take the glasses off
by Matt Ward
At a certain point, theater starved audiences are going to have to admit that they’ve got rose colored glasses on. Viewers who lived for years as their local movie house are finally starting to make their way back to the big screen on a once-a-month, every-other-week trip to the cinema. Because the movie-going experience feels new again, there’s an anticipation that builds up and … Read More Free Guy: Take the glasses off
The Suicide Squad: Second time’s the charm
by Matt Ward
After failing to generate a full-fledged spinoff franchise in 2016, Warner Brothers and DC Comics return to the villain-turned-reluctant-hero well for a second time with The Suicide Squad, a film that adds a word to the title and far brighter, more inventive filmmaking. Director James Gunn, who’s largely responsible for making an obscure Marvel comic book into its own successful movie series with Guardians … Read More The Suicide Squad: Second time’s the charm
Gunpowder Milkshake: Janey’s got a gun
by Matt Ward
Gunpowder Milkshake never had a chance at a theatrical run. The film’s biggest star is Karen Gillan, a talented actress with major ensemble roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as villainous half-robot Nebula and alongside Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in the Jumanji reboot films. A major studio eyeing box office success isn’t going to put their resources into a female-led action ensemble film … Read More Gunpowder Milkshake: Janey’s got a gun
Snake Eyes: Fighting with a dull blade
by Matt Ward
Henry Golding broke out in 2018 as the charming boyfriend in Jon M. Chu’s hit romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians. Since that time, the Malaysian actor has built a reputation for using his good looks and charisma with successful supporting turns in films like the thriller A Simple Favor, dramedy Last Christmas and crime dramedy The Gentlemen. His first major lead role is a … Read More Snake Eyes: Fighting with a dull blade
Space Jam A New Legacy: Not quite a slam dunk
by Matt Ward
Basketball superstar LeBron James showed a lot of promise for a post-playing career as an actor with a small, yet hysterical supporting turn as a caricature of himself in 2015’s Trainwreck. In the six years that have followed, “King James,” as he is known in NBA circles, has won championships with multiple teams and rivaled Michael Jordan for the unofficial title of greatest player … Read More Space Jam A New Legacy: Not quite a slam dunk
Cinematic Considerations 