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
If you have had consciousness since 2009, you know the story of Sully. So, why make a movie about it? Continue reading
Wait, wait, wait, let me get this straight, Hollywood allowed a movie to be made about Wall Street, written and directed by and starring WOMEN??? Well, is Equity any good? Continue reading
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
Based on the novel of the same name, Blood Father is a pulpy chase movie with some nice sequences and and plenty of cringe-worthy dialogue. However, the only question on anyone’s mind is: Is this Mel Gibson‘s comeback? Continue reading
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
In preparation for the film adaptation being released in October, I decided to read the 2015 bestseller The Girl on the Train from author Paula Hawkins. Is this the next Gone Girl or is it just a weak knockoff? Continue reading
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
Several years ago on a Saturday Night Live episode hosted by Jerry Seinfeld, there was a game show sketch called “Stand Up and Win.” Adam Sandler was one of the contestants and answered almost every question with, “Who are the ad wizards who came up with this one?” That line pretty much sums up Director Timur Bekmambetov‘s remake of Ben-Hur. Continue reading
Based on the novel by Philip Roth and Written and Directed by James Schamus, Indignation is a period drama with some very heavy subject matter. Does it overcome its serious nature enough to entertain? Continue reading
The Hodgepodge Podcast 