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Showing posts from June, 2022

The Black Phone - Movie Review

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The Black Phone - Movie Review Critics Score - 7 of 10 General Audience Score - 8 of 10 With the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, many movie studios have added disclaimers to any films or TV shows that depict violence against children. The new season of Stranger Things 4 starts out with a disclaimer about the school shooting. I’m almost surprised that the new film from Universal, The Black Phone, was allowed to rollout on schedule, dropping into theaters less than one month after the previously mentioned tragedy. Not because it’s particularly bloody or overly violent, but the subject matter of violence, murder and kidnapping involving children is sure to touch a nerve with some audiences. The feeling of dread and the ominous tone the film carries through the first act may prove very unsettling for some and caution should be exercised by anyone sensitive to these elements. That being said, aside from the unnerving content, this film is engrossing. The way it’s able to sustain th...

Navalny - Movie Review

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Navalny - Movie Review Critics Score - 9 of 10 General Audience Score - 8 of 10 When it comes to spy thriller films, most minds probably drift towards the James Bond and Jason Bourne franchises. But there’s also the more subtle spy films with more mystery and espionage as the focus. I’m talking about movies such as Bridge Of Spies, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy or the wonderful but sadly overlooked film Breach (2007). The latest documentary film from the joint studios of CNN films and HBO is about the prominent Russian lawyer, opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny. It’s currently available to stream on HBO Max. This fascinating film plays out like a political drama but then morphs into a thriller and spy chase. The real world events that transpire are as entertaining as the best written screenplays from the films I previously mentioned. For those of us that are familiar with the character Alexei Navalny, there’s sure to be details in regards his stand against Vladim...

Lightyear - Movie Review

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Lightyear - Movie Review Critics Score - 4 of 10 General Audience Score - 5 of 10 Kids Score - 6 of 10 The Toy Story franchise has long been the baby of the leading animation studio, Pixar. Despite it’s four installments, you can feel the tender loving care that the studio has poured into each film, not allowing the franchise to become another cash grabbing arm of the Disney machine. But now the studio is releasing a prequel of sorts, Lightyear, a film that it explains is six year old Andy’s favorite movie from the first film. The reason Andy is so excited about the Buzz Lightyear toy he gets for his birthday stems from his love of this film. The beating heart of the Toy Story franchise has always been the characters, the journeys they go on together as well as the lessons and arcs the main characters experience. The beating heart of Lightyear is the action sequences the film incessantly throws at you in hopes of keeping you engaged. While kids can have a fine enough of a time, for man...