Doug Reviews: The Equalizer

equalizer_ver9_xlgFor what seems like years, I’ve heard about Denzel Washington’s adaptation of the CBS television show The Equalizer. The movie has finally arrived and Washington has reunited with his Training Day director, Antoine Fuqua to deliver a solid revenge thriller that could have been tightened here and there to make it one of the greats. Continue reading

Doug Reviews: This is Where I Leave You

this_is_where_i_leave_you_posterThis is Where I Leave You, Director Shawn Levy’s adaptation of Jonathan Tropper’s novel of the same name, is a funny, touching film with a knockout cast. However, a film adaptation might not have been the best way to tell the story. Continue reading

Doug Reviews: The Maze Runner

maze-runner-2014-posterIt seems like every week there is a new film adaptation of a young adult book series. Thanks to The Hunger Games, the majority of these films are future dystopias and The Maze Runner is no different. No really, it’s basically The Hunger Games crossed with Lord of the Flies. Continue reading

Doug’s Fall 2014 Movie Preview

CoverI compiled a list of films that I want to see for the last third of the year and came up with thirty-six titles. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the time to churn out an article of that size right now—self-publishing your first novel is a time-drain, kids. So instead, I selected thirteen films that I’m most looking forward to from September through December. As I’ve done with all my preview features in the past, I’ll list the titles in current release date order, but the one I’m most excited for rhymes with “winter cellar.” Continue reading

Doug Reviews: Frank

frank-poster-usDirector Lenny Abrahamson’s Frank is a delightfully weird, but melancholy film about a man who wears a giant fake head and makes strange pop music. The dark comedy will make you laugh and by the end, may make you cry. Continue reading

Doug Reviews: The Drop

hr_The_Drop_7The Drop, directed by Michaël R. Roskam with a screenplay by author Dennis Lehane, represents the final film performance of the late James Gandolfini. Does the film send him off in style, or does it drop the ball? (heh, heh) Continue reading

Doug Reviews: Calvary

calvaryCalvary wasn’t what I was expecting. The trailers sold it as a dark comedy with a bunch of weird, small town characters. The film is definitely funny in parts, but it is also deep and emotional as it plunges one man into darkness. Continue reading

Doug Reviews: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Sin City 2How long is an expiration date on a sequel? In the case of Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, sequel to 2005’s Sin City, the answer is, not very long. Continue reading