Doug Reviews: Snowden (2016)

Director Oliver Stone returns to the political arena with Snowden, a dramatized telling of nine years in the life of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. Does the film give a balanced take on Snowden’s history and actions, or does it fall too heavily on one side of the story? Continue reading

Doug’s 2016 Fall Movie Preview!

It’s that time of year again—actually, it’s PAST that time of year again, but I was on vacation—time for my Fall Movie Preview! The Oscar Race begins here as a ton of prestige films try to get out before the end of the year, while some last minute blockbusters try to make a few bucks in a release schedule that is less top-heavy than what we saw in the summer. As usual, I’ll be running down the films that I’ll most be looking forward to that will be released over the next four months. Be warned, though, Fall Films are notorious for shifting release dates as studios jockey for the best Oscar position and many of the dates listed here are initial dates for when these films launch in limited release—you may not see them in your area until January. Take a gander! Continue reading

Doug Reviews: The Light Between Oceans (2016)

Written and Directed by Derek Cianfrance and adapted from the bestseller by M.L. Stedman, The Light Between Oceans features a knockout cast in a story about love and loss. However, does the film hit all the right notes or is it too schmaltzy for today’s audiences? Continue reading

Doug Reviews: Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

For over two decades, Pixar has dominated the animation realm with their fantastic films that appeal to both kids and adults. Every other animation studio, including Disney’s own in-house studio, has played catch-up trying to match Pixar’s success in both computer animation and storytelling. Then there’s Laika, the animation studio that does things a little bit differently. Laika’s stock and trade is in stop-motion animation as opposed to computer animation. Their films have been well-received by critics, but have never matched the commercial muscle of Pixar. Their latest, Kubo and the Two Strings, is their first wholly original story and is easily the best film of the summer. Continue reading