MOVIE REVIEW: ON THE BASIS OF SEX

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a struggling attorney and new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the direction of her career and the way the courts view gender discrimination.

Director: Mimi Leder

Cast: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Jack Reynor, Cailee Spaeny, Sam Waterston, and Kathy Bates

Release Date: December 25, 2018

Genres: Biography, Drama 

Rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive content

Runtime: 2h 0min

Review:

On The Basis of Sex is an engaging if cliched bio pic that is elevated by it's direction and performances. Mimi Leder directs the film with a steady caring hand that treats it's characters with a gentle hand.  Leder moves the film at a steady pace but the film would have been better served focusing on a tighter timeline since it covers a fairly large portion of Ginsburg's life.  At the film's center is Felicity Jones who provides the story it's heart.  Jones turn as Ginsburg captures that intensity and drive that propelled her throughout her early years.  Sure her Brooklyn accent comes and in and out through the film but she does a fine job of carrying the film.  A swoon worthy Armie Hammer is excellent as Ginsburg's loving and ever supportive husband.  The supporting cast is made up of familiar faces along with a rare evil turn from Sam Waterston. There are a few missteps mostly due to the script which over does the schmaltz factor that makes certain sequences feel a bit too "Hollywood" which robs moments of authenticity.  Still it's a solid film enough biopic of an amazing woman who deserves this type of recognition.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.

Director: Barry Jenkins

Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry, Regina King

Release Date: December 25, 2018

Genres: Crime, Drama, Romance

Rated R for language and some sexual content 

Runtime: 1h 59 min

Review:

If Beale Street Could Talk is a fascinatingly dense film that tackles a bevy of themes while maintaining an incredible style and intimacy.  Barry Jenkins, adapting the book of the same name, delivers a ponderous film that asks for the audience’s patience while the cast unfurls the story.  KiKi Layne leads the film with an impressive performance that starts off full of innocence but slowly transforms over the course of the film.  She’s a capable and likeable lead, her and Stephen James shares believable chemistry together as the lovers whose story is beautifully tragic and real.  Its cinematography creates a sort of cinematic poetry that’s feels authentic even when it’s stylized.  Some might take issue with its methodical pace but ultimately it adds so much to the overall experience and it’s ruminations on race, love, gender politics and a handful of other topics.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FAVOURITE

In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Cast: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, James Smith, Mark Gatiss

Release Date: November 23, 2018

Genres: Biography, Comedy, Drama

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language.

Runtime: 1h 59 min

Review:

At some point during Yorgos Lanthimos cynically funny film, you might get the sensation that you are watching a mash up of Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon and Milo Foreman’s Amadeus.  That’s hardly a bad thing but as the film moves on its genuinely funny script and biting wit take hold, carried ably by the top notch cast.  The three leads share the sort of chemistry that’s rare to find.  It’s instantly recognizable and they make you care about these fairly terrible human beings.  Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are all in top form with each being given multiple moments to shine.  It’d be criminal not to mention Nicholas Hoult who finds a way to standout in supporting role.  The Favourite is truly a fun ride through and through filled with top notch performance and stellar camera work that’s sure to be iconic as the film ages. 

A

My Favorite Films from 2018

2018 is done and with it, time to reflect on some of my favorite films of the past years.

First on the docket, films that surprised me for one reason or another;

Pleasant Surprises:

A zombie, British, dramady musical…..it’s like they made this film just for me….

Anna and The Apocalypse

MOVIE REVIEW: ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE

MOVIE REVIEW: ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE A zombie apocalypse threatens the sleepy town of Little Haven - at Christmas - forcing Anna and...

I’m a diehard Transformers fan since I was a kid but even I knew it was time for Michael Bay to pass the torch, thank God he did.  Travis Knight made my 8 year old self weep with joy….

Bumblebee

MOVIE REVIEW: BUMBLEBEE

MOVIE REVIEW: BUMBLEBEE On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee the Autobot seeks refuge in a junkyard in a small Californ...

Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams make for a incredibly fun comedic duo in one of the funniest films of the year…

Game Night

MOVIE REVIEW: GAME NIGHT

MOVIE REVIEW: GAME NIGHT Max and Annie's weekly game night gets kicked up a notch when Max's brother Brooks arranges a murder...

I’d like to say I was expecting this to be great all along, I was very nervous but thankfully it didn’t disappoint…

Aquaman

MOVIE REVIEW: AQUAMAN

MOVIE REVIEW: AQUAMAN Once home to the most advanced civilization on Earth, the city of Atlantis is now an underwater ...

I’d originally believed this wasn’t anything more than a cash grab.  Honestly, that would have been the easy way out but instead we got a film even more heartfelt and fun than the original…

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

MOVIE REVIEW: MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN

MOVIE REVIEW: MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN In 1979 young Donna, Tanya and Rosie graduate from Oxford University -- leaving Donna free to e...

My top 10 Favorite movies of 2018

Now my 10 favorite films from 2018 in no particular order because I’m lazy….

Annihilation is a film that reminded me of classic sci-fi films of yester year, complex and thoughtful….

Annihilation

MOVIE REVIEW: ANNIHILATION

MOVIE REVIEW: ANNIHILATION Based on Jeff VanderMeer’s best-selling Southern Reach Trilogy, Annihilation stars Natalie Portma...

I’m a Wes Anderson fan through and through but Isle of Dogs just took everything up a notch, a real feast for the eyes…..

Isle of Dogs

MOVIE REVIEW: ISLE OF DOGS

MOVIE REVIEW: ISLE OF DOGS When, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dum...

I’ve never been a big Marvel fan mainly due the general blandness, Black Panther brought style and substantial representation to the forefront…..

Black Panther

MOVIE REVIEW: BLACK PANTHER

MOVIE REVIEW: BLACK PANTHER After the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his ...

Tom Cruise might kick cute kittens for fun but he sure can make a hellva action movie, he and McQuarrie make for a dream team…

Mission Impossible : Fallout

MOVIE REVIEW: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT

MOVIE REVIEW: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT Ethan Hunt and the IMF team join forces with CIA assassin August Walker to prevent a disaster of...

The Incredibles 2 is the sequel I’ve been waiting for and it didn’t disappoint even after the long layoff……

The Incredibles 2

MOVIE REVIEW: INCREDIBLES 2

MOVIE REVIEW: INCREDIBLES 2 Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in “Incredibles 2” – but this time Helen (voice...

Paul Feig has been making solid films for a long while now but this comedy thriller really showed off an impressive palette…..

A Simple Favor

MOVIE REVIEW: A SIMPLE FAVOR

MOVIE REVIEW: A SIMPLE FAVOR A SIMPLE FAVOR, directed by Paul Feig, centers around Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy vlogger w...

Tully is one of those films that came and went with little fanfare but if you haven’t seen this wonderful film, you really should…..

Tully

MOVIE REVIEW: TULLY

MOVIE REVIEW: TULLY Marlo, a mother of three, is gifted a night nanny by her brother. Hesitant to the extravagance at fi...

Hereditary, much like Annihilation, reminded me so much of classic horror films from the 60’s and 70’s, leaving you with a truly unsettling sensation….

Hereditary

MOVIE REVIEW: HEREDITARY

MOVIE REVIEW: HEREDITARY When Ellen passes away, her daughter's family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifyi...

Roma is a technical marvel but it’s also a film that speaks the hearts and souls of Mexican culture…..

Roma

MOVIE REVIEW: ROMA

MOVIE REVIEW: ROMA A story that chronicles a year in the life of a middle-class family's maid in Mexico City in th...

A Star is Born really could have been a disaster but it’s the exact opposite, delivering a moving, touching and heartbreaking experience…..

A Star is Born

MOVIE REVIEW: A STAR IS BORN

MOVIE REVIEW: A STAR IS BORN Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers -- and falls in love with -- struggling artist Ally. She has just abou...