Only the Brave

Director Joseph Kosinski

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly

Rating PG-13

Release Date October 20th, 2017

“A drama based on the elite crew of firemen from Prescott, Arizona who battled a wildfire in Yarnell, AZ in June 2013, claiming the lives of 19 of their members.”

Only the Brave tells the true story of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots, an elite group of firefighters from Prescott, Arizona and the first ever municipal group of firefighters to become Hot Shots. Hot Shots are the firefighters who are sent to face the fires head on and are considered to be the best of the best. The film honors the memory of the 19 out of 20 men who lost their lives battling the unpredictable Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. The film is based on the GQ article about the men who lost their lives entitled "No Exit", written by Sean Flynn. The cast includes Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, and Jennifer Connelly. 

Easily the most gut wrenching film of 2017, Only the Brave tells a powerful story that will stay with you long after the credits roll. A film like this goes well beyond the entertainment value it provides, offering viewers an intimate portrayal of a tight knit group of firefighters. The Granite Mountain Hot Shots were more than just firefighters, they were husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. They were men that did a very dangerous job each and every day, and they did it for the right reasons. The small details of the lives of these brave men will stick with you, and my guess is it will remind you just how precious human lives really are. The emotional weight of Only the Brave is absolutely incredible, and I'm having a difficult time recalling a moment in a movie that hit as hard as one of the final scenes. A movie like this is supposed to hit viewers like a freight train and it does. I really enjoyed Only the Brave and as sad and tragic as this event was I'm glad the story is being told.

The cast in Only the Brave is absolutely spot on from top to bottom. I am a huge Miles Teller fan and I feel like he is painfully underrated as an actor. Teller plays a very crucial role and he was, without question, the man for the job. I am a big Taylor Kitsch fan as well and I really enjoyed the chemistry he shared with Teller. You couldn't help but smile about the relationship that develops between the two men who started out disliking each other. As usual Josh Brolin dominated a role where he is in a position of power. Brolin is a fantastic actor and I think he took full advantage of his opportunities with this role. Jennifer Connelly is solid in her role as Brolin's wife especially considering the level of emotional investment required by her character. Jeff Bridges was great as well and I always enjoy seeing him on the big screen. Each and every actor playing one of these brave men took on their respective roles with great pride and the level of comradery amongst the cast was infectious. 

Only the Brave is funny, moving, and unforgettable. This is a story of heroism as much as it is an appreciation of life. I feel for all of these men and their families, and their stories will stay with me. Even though I went in to the theater knowing the outcome of this tragic story, I still wasn’t prepared for it. Only the Brave is an example of a movie that people need to see, not just because it will provide genuine entertainment and help to boost the stock for Kleenex, but because you will be a better person for having taken the time to get to know these men in some small way. Highly recommended.

The Foreigner

Director Martin Campbell

Genre Action | Thriller

Cast Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Charlie Murphy, Rory Fleck Byrne

Rating R

Release Date October 13th, 2017

“A humble businessman with a buried past seeks justice when his daughter is killed in an act of terrorism. A cat-and-mouse conflict ensues with a government official, whose past may hold clues to the killers’ identities.”

The Foreigner is a tense thriller from New Zealand born director Martin Campbell, the man behind Goldeneye, The Mask of Zorro, Casino Royale, and Edge of Darkness. The film is based on the 1992 novel The Chinaman, written by British author Stephen Leather. The cast includes Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Charlie Murphy, Rory Fleck Byrne, and Katie Leung.

Blending aspects of Jason Bourne and John Wick, Jackie Chan's The Foreigner is an extremely clever and absolutely brutal revenge thriller. Scrap anything you think you know about Jackie Chan as an actor, more specifically his character in the Rush Hour films. This is a new breed of Jackie Chan, hell bent on revenge, and boy is he a blast to watch. I had fairly high expectations for The Foreigner considering early feedback as well as Chan's undeniable commitment to martial arts, not to mention his willingness to commit 100% to the authenticity of this type of role. This is the story of a man who has endured the greatest pain life can inflict on a human being, and unfortunately this is not the first time. The only thing more dangerous than an angry man with nothing to lose is an angry man with nothing to lose who also has a Special Forces background. I mentioned before how smart of a film this was and I can't stress that enough. The backstory behind the events that set the plot in motion go much deeper than I expected and I felt like that helped to add more weight to the film. The Foreigner is never predictable, and from the opening scene it justifies the R rating, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats right up until the film’s credits. The bombing scene is especially brutal, similar to Patriots Day, so if you have a difficult time with graphic scenes like that you may have to look away. Considering the subject matter, which is dark to say the least, The Foreigner has a few feel good moments that I think audiences will really appreciate. I mentioned the Jason Bourne comparison and Chan's character has a similar badass presence to him, but I also felt like the score resembled the Bourne films, utilizing a dramatic clip of music during powerful scenes and more specifically the conclusion of the film. To me that was always a staple of the Bourne films that I really enjoyed. From top to bottom The Foreigner is a very well rounded thriller.

The cast in The Foreigner is nothing short of phenomenal, lead by veteran actors Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan, both playing characters with dark pasts. I would be hard pressed to think of a better all around performance from Jackie Chan. The actor has an astounding 134 total acting credits according to his IMDb filmography, and is best known by mainstream audiences for the Rush Hour films in which he starred alongside Chris Tucker. He has been working his tail off with 6 or 7 films in the works currently, but since 2010's The Karate Kid remake most of his films have been international or limited releases. From his mannerisms to the way he carries himself, right down to the constant look of a man who has lost everything, you can't help but root for him to come out on top. The Foreigner reinforces Chan's ability to play a pivotal role in a big budget movie and I can't wait to see this side of him again. Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, with 83 acting credits to his resume, is amazing as expected. I really enjoyed Brosnan's character because of how many layers are peeled away throughout the film. My guess is audiences will be split on their feelings towards his character by the end, and those feelings will definitely fluctuate as the plot unfolds. Similar to Chan, Brosnan hasn't really had a big film release in a few years but his talent is also undeniable and I don't think anyone could have played this role better. Relatively unknown actor Rory Fleck Byrne, who has acted in mostly short films and television, is fantastic alongside Brosnan as his nephew and arguably the only other man with the skills to stop Chan's revenge spree. The supporting cast is fantastic without a weak spot to speak of.

The Foreigner is non-stop entertainment brought to life thanks to amazing source material and a stellar cast. As much as I love certain remakes as well as the blockbuster comic book movies that we have been treated to as of late, it's refreshing to go see and support an original idea based on a book most of us have never heard of. The Foreigner is one of those intense thrillers that begs to be watched multiple times just so that you can once again experience the way it makes you feel. It will definitely be a purchase for me once it hits Blu-ray. Step outside your comfort zone and check out The Foreigner in theaters. Highly recommended.

Happy Death Day

Director Christopher Landon

Genre Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Cast Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine, Rachel Matthews

Rating PG-13

Release Date October 13th, 2017

“A college student relives the day of her murder with both its unexceptional details and terrifying end until she discovers her killer’s identity.”

Happy Death Day is a horror thriller from director Christopher Landon, who previously directed Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.  He also wrote the screenplays for Disturbia starring Shia LaBeouf, and Paranormal Activity 2, 3, and 4. Happy Death Day follows a college student who wakes up one day and finds herself murdered that evening, only to replay the same day over and over, which provides her the opportunity to discover who the killer is. The cast includes Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine, and Charles Aitken.

Drawing comparisons to Groundhog Day and Scream, Happy Death Day is a fun and fresh twist on the horror genre. After watching the initial trailer I was admittedly intrigued by the premise, regardless of whether or not it had been done before. I am a Groundhog Day fan (who isn't?!), and I enjoyed the Scream movies. I walked in to the theater with relatively tempered expectations expecting something a little goofy, but I am happy to report that I was impressed. More than anything else, Happy Death Day is entertaining from start to finish, and in this day and age that is saying something. The "Groundhog Day" aspect of the film is actually handled much better than I expected it to be, avoiding a feeling of repetitiveness and staying fresh throughout each "new day". Viewers will find themselves intrigued by the search to figure out who the killer is, and for the most part the main character makes realistic decisions in terms of how she decides to alter each new day. Happy Death Day does include a few solid jump scares but to say it is scary would be a stretch for me personally, although other more easily scared viewers may disagree. I also liked how well-rounded the film felt, adding in some general emotion with a backstory that holds much more weight than the traditional dumb slasher flick. I felt that the conclusion had its flaws but nothing too major to detract from the effectiveness of the film. Overall, Happy Death Day focuses on its strengths and successfully avoids its weaknesses, making for an entertaining movie experience that should appeal to a broad audience.

The cast for Happy Death Day is actually much better than I initially expected it to be. Granted, it is absent of any A-list talent but that shouldn’t really surprise anyone. What did surprise me was the performance of lead actress Jessica Rothe who is building herself a pretty decent resume having recently played a small role in the Oscar-winning musical La La Land. Rothe is very convincing in the lead role transitioning seamlessly from a character the audience is disgusted by to someone they genuinely care about and can maybe even relate to. This may not turn out to be a career jump starter for Jessica Rothe but at the very least it should give her a notch on her resume to be proud of. Israel Broussard is in the primary supporting role and gets a good chunk of screen time. I felt like he delivered a very solid performance and more importantly he developed some believable chemistry with Rothe. The Mississippi native is building himself a decent acting career and we may very well be seeing more of him. The rest of the supporting cast isn't necessarily noteworthy but is able to deliver solid performances all around.

Happy Death Day may not appeal to the traditional horror fan base like a slasher film would mainly because it does lack the majority of the key elements that make a slasher film great, which is gore and clothing optional college girls meeting their end after making several bad decisions. Now this film does include the PG-13 version of everything I just mentioned and they make it work, they really do, I just need to make sure that expectations are realistic. Happy Death Day is a slightly watered down slasher that includes better than average acting and a fun and fresh premise making it well worth a trip to the theater. Recommended.

Blade Runner 2049

Director Denis Villeneuve

Genre Sci-Fi | Thriller

Cast Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Harrison Ford

Rating R

Release Date October 6th, 2017

“A young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.”

Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to the cult-classic Blade Runner that first released in 1982. The first film was directed by Ridley Scott, who did join this project as an executive producer, and director Denis Villeneuve takes the reigns for the sequel. With only 16 directing credits according to his IMDb filmography, Villeneuve has made quite a name for himself with films like Prisoners, Enemy, and Sicario. He received a Best Achievement in Directing Academy Awards nomination in 2016 for the sci-fi thriller Arrival. The cast includes Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Harrison Ford, Dave Bautista, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto.

Blade Runner 2049 is a dynamic Oscar contender, showcasing the unique talents of director Denis Villeneuve and lead Ryan Gosling in one of the best sci-fi thrillers in recent memory. The original Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott, released in 1982 and was poorly received by critics and users alike which resulted in dismal box-office numbers. This didn’t last long as the unique style of the film eventually caught on cementing Blade Runner as a cult classic that would remain a fan favorite for years to come. When it was announced they would be doing a sequel for Blade Runner the usual pundits spoke out stating Hollywood was yet again out of ideas and trying to butcher a classic. Granted this can often times be the case, but when I saw that Villeneuve would be directing and Gosling would be starring, my doubts became a distant memory. This was going to be a hit. I made it a point to see Blade Runner 2049 in the IMAX for obvious reasons, and I was blown away. One simple thing that stuck out to me was the fact that it would have been easy to turn this movie into a spectacle, overwhelming viewers with visuals and fancy special effects, but Blade Runner 2049 takes the high road offering substance over style, although it has plenty of both.

In my experience Denis Villeneuve has the ability to ground a film in such a way that it becomes the viewer's reality, ensuring each and every person watching the film becomes genuinely invested in what is unfolding right before their eyes. Villeneuve did that with last year's sci-fi thriller Arrival starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, and he does it again here. He is a master of his craft and I would be hard pressed to point out a director with a better feel for sci-fi thrillers, especially when referring to cinematography and score, two Villeneuve trademarks. Blade Runner 2049 includes a number of dialogue free scenes supported by nothing more than a powerful score, and somehow these scenes are just as powerful as any other scene in the entire film. I found myself so deeply involved in the story that I felt a release when I was finally able to have a discussion about some of the more symbolic moments. Going back to watch the first film or even watching it for the first time prior to seeing Blade Runner 2049 isn't a bad idea but I also wouldn’t say it is absolutely necessary. Even considering the strong connection to the first film in terms of the backstory, it still holds up on its own which is impressive. Bottom line, Blade Runner 2049 is beautifully shot and expertly acted, and includes a storyline that will have you discussing it well after the film ends.

As I touched on previously, the cast of Blade Runner 2049 is absolutely exceptional, and it goes beyond the star power providing a few surprise performances in pivotal supporting roles. Let me just say what everyone else is thinking, Ryan Gosling is the man. That is simply a fact. From 2004's The Notebook, which is a fan favorite of females the world over, to Drive, Crazy, Stupid, Love., The Place Beyond the Pines, The Nice Guys (underrated but amazing), and most recently the critically acclaimed La La Land (if you fancy a good musical), Ryan Gosling is a rare talent. Sure he has starred in his fair share of duds (Gangster Squad anyone?!) but who hasn't? Gosling delivers one of his best performances to date in Blade Runner 2049, playing a very complex character that required a great deal of raw emotion. A few times during this film I felt like I could look into Gosling's eyes and be able to feel exactly what he was feeling, now that is pretty damn impressive. If Gosling's name isn't tossed around come award season I will be writing a very strongly worded e-mail on his behalf (kidding about the e-mail, but I will be pissed). Former professional wrestler Dave Bautista has a small role but he was great in it and further proves he is a very solid actor. House of Cards actress Robin Wright brings her stern sense of power to the table and is a strong contributor to the success of the film. Jared Leto has very little screen-time but I felt like his character makes a strong statement nonetheless and I really did enjoyed his role.

Veteran actor Harrison Ford, who was the start of the 1982 original film, makes for one heck of a homecoming. Ford is able to develop fantastic chemistry with Gosling and the two talented actors form quite the duo. Relatively unknown actress Sylvia Hoeks is given a very important role and she was great. The entire time I felt like she had to be a big name actress that I just couldn’t quite put a finger on what else she was in. I looked over her IMDb filmography and the only movie I recognized is the limited release war film Renegades, so kudos to her. Cuba born actress Ana de Armas is a very pleasant surprise in a unique and important supporting role. Most viewers will recognize the gorgeous de Armas from the 2016 film War Dogs in which she played Miles Teller's girlfriend, but she also starred in the twisted limited release 2015 horror/thriller Knock Knock from the sick-minded Eli Roth. Prior to Blade Runner 2049, I will admit that I looked at de Armas as not much more than a pretty face who was serviceable in smaller roles, but boy did she prove me wrong. Not only is she a crucial centerpiece to the rather confined reality Gosling's character lives in, her character embodies the internal struggle for humanity that lies deep within the films underlying symbolism. In simpler terms, she crushes it.

Blade Runner 2049 is further proof that quality cinema is alive and well. Not only does it do the original justice, it is arguably a superior film not only because of the advancements in technology, but a deeply immersive story to go along with it. At this point and time I will see anything that Denis Villeneuve is directing or Ryan Gosling is starring, and if they are together on the same project I will be there on opening night. Blade Runner 2049 may scare away some viewers due to the 2 hour and 45 minute runtime which admittedly is long for a movie, but trust me when I say that you are only hurting yourself if you pass on seeing this fantastic film on the big-screen. Highly recommended.

The Mountain Between Us

Director Hany Abu-Assad

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Cast Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Dermot Mulroney, Beau Bridges

Rating PG-13

Release Date October 6th, 2017

“Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow covered mountain. When they realize help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across the wilderness.”

From director Hany Abu-Assad, The Mountain Between Us is a romantic drama based on the novel written by Charles Martin. The paths of two strangers come together after they are both stranded in the mountains following a plane crash, desperate to be rescued. Actor Alan Rickman passed away tragically during production of the film and it was eventually delayed a few days to allow lead actress Kate Winslet the opportunity to attend Rickman's memorial service. The cast includes Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, Beau Bridges, and Dermot Mulroney.

The Mountain Between Us boasts a talented cast and stunning scenery, but an apparent attempt to play it safe limits the film’s potential. I have yet to read the novel written by Charles Martin that the film is based on, so I went in to the theater expecting what the trailer seemed to hint at, an intense survival drama with a potential love story mixed in. All of the aspects I just mentioned are very much present and accounted for, but the word intense may have been a slight exaggeration. Viewers are treated with a glorious snow covered mountain landscape for the vast majority of the just under 2-hour runtime, and solid pacing ensures it never feels boring, but I constantly found myself itching for that edge of my seat moment where my jaw just dropped. I can't help but compare the "survival" aspect of the film to hits such as Liam Neeson's The Grey or Leonardo DiCaprio's The Revenant, although I realize the comparisons are far from fair. The tone remains relatively light in comparison to the films I just mentioned, which may be preferable for some people and not quite enough for others. The journey we are taken on in A Mountain Between Us is still emotional and gratifying in its own right, rounding out an overall satisfying experience.

The cast for The Mountain Between us is rock solid from top to bottom, with leads Idris Elba and Kate Winslet getting the vast majority of the screen time. Elba is an extremely versatile actor who can play a number of different roles and he has developed into one of my favorite actors. He seems to really shine when playing a sharp dressed businessman, but films like Beasts of No Nation have proven that he can also step into a very gritty role with ease. Kate Winslet is a great actress who will forever be known for her role alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in James Cameron's The Titanic, a fact that I'm sure she is more than okay with. Even though Winslet has played in her fair share of "stinkers" over the years, I still consider her to be a uniquely talented actress who simply needs to be given the right role. She develops great chemistry with Elba, allowing the two talented actors the ability to play off one another effortlessly. Rounding out the cast is Beau Bridges and Dermot Mulroney, both of which delivered solid performances overall.

The Mountain Between Us is a very entertaining movie, it really is, but as I touched on before it just lacks that little extra I felt like it needed in order to cross that threshold from entertaining to must-see. Idris Elba and Kate Winslet are spectacular together and they take full advantage of their opportunities, but they certainly weren’t used to their full potential. I always feel weird about reviewing a movie based on a book when I have yet to read the book myself so I may try and get to it at some point in order to get a better idea of how it matches up to the film. I can still recommend a trip to the theater for A Mountain Between Us for casual viewers, but I can also easily suggest seeing something else and holding off until it becomes available to rent.

Stronger

Director David Gordon Green

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, Richard Lane Jr.

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017 (Limited)

“Stronger is the inspiring real life story of Jeff Bauman, an ordinary man who captured the hearts of his city and the world to become a symbol of hope after surviving the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.”

From director David Gordon Green (Joe, Pineapple Express), Stronger is a powerful drama about the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings. Patriot's Day released in 2016 and was the first feature-film to chronicle the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings, and many felt the film was out much earlier than it should have been considering how recent the events took place. Even considering the controversy the film did pretty well, offering viewers an in-depth look at the lives of the bombers, but more importantly the fight and determination of a city that refused to be beaten down. Stronger is a much more intimate portrayal of the events, telling the story of Boston Marathon Bombing victim and survivor Jeff Bauman. The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, and Richard Lane Jr.

Lead by a captivating performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, Stronger is a hard hitting real-life drama about strength and perseverance in the face of tragedy. Admittedly, I wasn’t all that familiar with Bauman's story prior to this film, and I was a little disappointed in myself because of that. Bauman nearly lost his life in the Boston Marathon Bombing, yet he was strong enough to allow his story to be told. Right from the start of the film I felt like I was personally impacted by what was taking place on screen. Stronger thrives in its authenticity, and a great deal of that is thanks to the performances as well as the directing. This film is very much an emotional rollercoaster giving viewers a first-hand look at Bauman's recovery and how it impacted his close relationships with family and friends. By the time the credits appeared on the screen I felt like I knew Jeff Bauman, and more importantly I had a better understanding of the life before and after of someone who experienced a very dark day and found a way to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Stronger also digs deeper into what it means for our country to bounce back from a scary and damaging terrorist attack to reinforce the fact that no matter what we stand together and refuse to be bullied. Any one of us could have just as easily found ourselves standing where Jeff Bauman was standing that morning, and that is just one of the countless reasons Stronger deserves to be seen.  

The cast for Stronger is absolutely amazing, and I personally couldn’t imagine a better fit for any of the roles, especially Gyllenhaal's gut-wrenching performance as Jeff Bauman. We all know what Jake Gyllenhaal is capable of, and he has proven his worth time and time again, but somehow this feels different. Gyllenhaal becomes Bauman in such a way that you almost forget he exists outside of the story that is unfolding right before your eyes. The emotion, the pain, and the unique sense of humor is all there and accounted for. I actually read that when his family was able to finally watch the film they couldn’t believe how much he reminded them of Jeff. Gyllenhaal's performance will get plenty of attention come award season, no question about that. Relatively unknown actress Tatiana Maslany delivered a powerhouse performance as Jeff Bauman's on again off again girlfriend. Having the ability to go toe to toe with an actor as talented as Gyllenhaal is no easy task, and Maslany pulled her weight and then some. Miranda Richardson took on the pivotal role of Jeff's slightly overbearing mother, and I thought she did a fantastic job. The role that stood out to me most beyond Gyllenhaal or Maslany was the role of Bauman's uncle Bob, played by the well-known comedic actor Lenny Clarke. Clarke provides the right amount of humor amidst what was a very emotionally taxing experience. The supporting cast was fantastic all-around, and I really liked Danny McCarthy's portrayal of Bauman's boss, I felt like he added a certain level of humanity to the film.

Stronger is easily one of the most powerful and emotional films of 2017, and it would probably hold up in the top 5 in the last 2 years. On the chilly morning of April 15th, 2013, Jeff Bauman was just a regular guy trying to build a life for himself just like the rest of us, and his life changed forever on that fateful day. Bauman's story deserves to be told because not only did he struggle dramatically after the event, he was able to persevere thanks to the most powerful thing of all, which is the ability for people to come together in support of each other. Highly recommended.

American Made

Director Doug Liman

Genre Crime | Thriller

Cast Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jesse Plemons

Rating R

Release Date September 29th, 2017

“A pilot lands work for the CIA and as a drug runner in the south during the 1980s.”

American Made is an action comedy/crime thriller based on the real-life of Barry Seal, and his involvement with the CIA, as well as what came to be known as the Medellin drug Cartel. The film is directed by the talented Doug Liman, the man behind The Bourne Identity as well as the hit 2014 sci-fi action flick Edge of Tomorrow. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, and Jesse Plemons.

With Tom Cruise delivering one of his absolute best performances in recent memory, American Made is relentlessly entertaining and one heck of a crazy story. Rarely is a big-screen adaptation able to truly capture the insanity of its real-life counterpart, but in this instance it is spot on. American Made introduces audiences to the risk taking and equally charismatic Barry Seal, a man who values family just as much as he values money and a good old fashioned dose of adrenaline. Doug Liman is working his way up the short list of my favorite directors after absolutely killing it with Edge of Tomorrow, also starring Tom Cruise alongside Emily Blunt, and now he brings us an extremely entertaining story based on true events. Liman has an eye for quality filmmaking, and it seems that he also prefers Cruise at his disposal. Something that stood out to me with American Made was a filming style that was reminiscent of a documentary that was perfectly edited to piece together a uniquely entertaining story. Utilizing creative camera work and top-notch cinematography, Liman found a way to make the film feel like raw footage, allowing viewers the opportunity to feel like they had an intimate look at Seal and his many escapades. The entertainment factor American Made provides is absolutely undeniable, essentially guaranteeing you will not take your eyes off the screen, and as soon as you leave the theater you will start researching the crazy story it was based on. American Made has a long list of pros, but it is not without its fair share of cons. Now a few things that stood out to me, which may not be an issue for casual viewers, included the lack of overall intensity of the film or what some may refer to as the "grit" factor. It was pretty clear early on that American Made was going to have a lighter tone overall, which to me took away from the realism as far as Seal's dealings with the Cartel etc. I am all for the lighter tone in general as I feel it does broaden the target audience, but I also feel that borrowing a few pages from Sicario or the Netflix series Narcos wouldn't have hurt. It is also quite possible that the Cartel was a bit on the soft side in it’s earlier years, I am far from an expert on that. Nonetheless, as far as the genre is concerned American Made is much more of an action comedy than it is a crime thriller, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I can't say enough about the casting decisions for American Made, it was simply spot on. As I pointed out before, Tom Cruise was born to play Barry Seal. Cruise embodied the risk taking, act first and ask questions later mentality of Seal, as well as his limitless charisma. I could honestly watch him play this character all day long. I really liked Domhnall Gleeson's character, and he sort of reminded me of Bradley Cooper's character in American Hustle, a man essentially playing both sides. Gleeson's character is complex and shady from the start, yet still somehow likable. The son of Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, the 34 year-old Domhnall Gleeson has blown up in the last 5 years or so ever since the 2013 hit romantic comedy About Time, and I look forward to watching him continue to grow as an actor. The beautiful Sarah Wright takes on the role of Seal's wife and she plays it well, managing to find that fine line between an understanding wife and a woman willing to protect her family no matter what.  Jesse Plemons is great as usual although he plays a very limited role. A good chunk of the supporting cast comes across as corny at times taking away from the believability of the story, but overall everyone did pretty well.

American Made is high quality entertainment from start to finish, keeping the tone relatively light considering the subject matter. Personally I would have preferred that the film be at least a little edgier in terms of the violence or just the crime thriller aspect, but I still commend the fact that it developed an identity and stuck with it. Dough Liman again proves his chemistry with Tom Cruise in the lead role, and I'm absolutely looking forward to the Edge of Tomorrow sequel. American Made unravels a uniquely fascinating story that will undoubtedly grab and hold the attention of viewers during the full 2 hours. Recommended

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Director Matthew Vaughn

Genre Action | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017

“When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.”

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the sequel to the 2014 film that took audiences by storm, immediately generating an enormous fan base. Director Matthew Vaughan, who got his start with Layer Cake, Kick-Ass (one of my favorites), and X-Men: First Class, returns for the sequel and is yet again credited as co-writing the screenplay. The films are based on a 2014 comic book, The Secret Service: Kingsman, which was written by Kick-Ass comic book writer Matt Millar, the man behind the Watchmen graphic novel Dave Gibbons, and Matthew Vaughn himself. The talented cast includes Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Colin Firth, Halle Berry, and Jeff Bridges. 

Kingsman: The Golden Circle may not succeed in dethroning its predecessor, but a heavy dose of the over-the-top blend of action/comedy that made the first film great will please fans and newcomers. Kingsman: The Secret Service seemingly fell out of the sky in 2014 and quickly became one of my favorite films of the year. I made sure to purchase the Blu-ray on release day and I have easily watched it at least 10 times, it quite simply never gets old. Talk of an inevitable sequel after a strong showing at the box office had me amped up like a teenager after his 5th Mountain Dew. Now to say that I was disappointed with Kingsman: The Golden Circle wouldn’t necessarily be accurate- I just had really high expectations. The first film gained traction thanks to some insane stunts and creative camera work, making for high-octane action scenes rarely seen in film today. Before we even make it to the title screen it becomes clear that the sequel aims to keep that tradition going, by once again moving the audience to the edge of their seats. Although nothing can compare to the church scene in The Secret Service, The Golden Circle does its best to match wits. My primary issue with this sequel compared to the first is the storyline that I considered to be pretty thin in comparison. Now the first film did have the advantage of devoting roughly half of the run-time to Eggsy's origin story, but even considering that it still built itself up to a fantastic "save the world" climax. The Golden Circle remained creative in its approach but it just didn’t hook me in the same way. But again I had very high expectations, and this was still one hell of a ride with plenty of crazy "did you see that?!" scenes as well as an abundance of laugh-out-loud humor. Director Matthew Vaughn is a big reason why both Kingsman films have found so much success, and I respect not only his eye for detail, but also his focus on "escapism" by creating a world that audiences can truly have fun with.

The cast in Kingsman: The Golden Circle is absolutely perfect. Taron Egerton reprises his breakout role and does so in stellar fashion. Egerton was relatively unknown to me prior to Kingsman: The Secret Service and he won me over with the energy and enthusiasm he devotes to his character. He doesn’t miss a single beat in the sequel and I hope to see much more of him going forward. Julianne Moore steps in as the primary villain in The Golden Circle, and even though I can't quite consider her above the memorable role played by Samuel L. Jackson in the first film, she is still pretty damn good. Moore has proven for years that she is a uniquely talented actress (Boogie Nights anyone?), and I applaud the casting decision to bring her on board. Colin Firth is absolutely amazing in The Secret Service, and he picks up where he left off with the sequel. Jeff Bridges (also known as The Dude) has a limited role but as per usual he still manages to make his presence known. The talented and always beautiful Halle Berry fits in nicely with the rest of the cast. Pedro Pascal, who many will recognize from the Netflix series Narcos, is one of the better additions to the sequel as he fits in nicely with the returning cast. Pascal also contributed heavily to some of the more action-packed scenes the first film was known for. Channing Tatum plays a slightly limited role but he is as great as ever when he is on screen. Mark Strong continues with the incredible chemistry he has with the rest of the cast, and even though he has played a ton of great roles in a bunch of fantastic movies, his character in both Kingsman films is right up at the top of the list for me. With arguably one of the best cameo performances ever in film, Elton John is amazing in every way and I would be lying if I didn't admit that he really does steal the show. The musical legend is hilarious each and every time he is on-screen, and the writers do a fantastic job of using his star power to connect the dots between the two films in a unique way. I challenge you to keep a straight face during what can only be known as the "peacock costume fighting scene", because it simply is not possible. Everyone in the supporting cast deserves a big pat on the back as well.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle is one heck of a good time at the theater, and is well worth the extra cost to see in the IMAX if at all possible. The script is admittedly a little thin compared to the first film creating a bit of viewer detachment to the overall plot, but the fun factor Kingsman is known for remains prevalent throughout. Even considering a slight letdown due to my high expectations I still really enjoyed Kingsman: The Golden Circle and can easily recommend it to fans of the first film, as well as anyone willing to jump right in for a few hours of action-packed insanity. Just do yourself a favor and watch the first film if possible because this one picks right up where that one left off. Director Matthew Vaughn's IMDb page already has Kingsman 3 listed, and star Taron Egerton recently alluded to the inevitable 3rd film during an interview with GQ, as he raves about the villain Vaughn is cooking up and says the storyline will blow audiences away. I can't wait!

American Assassin

Director Michael Cuesta

Genre Action | Thriller

Cast Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Taylor Kitsch

Rating R

Release Date September 15th, 2017

“Long before he began hunting terrorists, Mitch Rapp was a gifted college scholar/athlete. Then, tragedy struck and Rapp was recruited into the nation’s most elite covert operations program. After completing training designed to teach the kind of lethal skills necessary to target our most dangerous enemies, here and abroad, he is a man reborn with a mission of retribution”

American Assassin is a spy thriller based on the best-selling Mitch Rapp novels written by the late author Vince Flynn, who passed away tragically in 2013 at the young age of 47 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. With a total of 16 books selling nearly 20 million copies to date, the Mitch Rapp character was very important to Flynn which was always evident in his writing. The American Assassin novel was written as an origin story for the Rapp character, and even though it was published in 2010 (the first ever Mitch Rapp book was published in 1999), it is considered the first book in chronological order. The Last Man, published in 2012, is the last book in the series written by Flynn and is officially considered book #13. His books were considered to be so incredibly accurate in terms of the CIA and other military operations that they were consistently placed under security review by the Pentagon prior to release. After Flynn’s death author Kyle Mills was signed on to continue the Mitch Rapp series, and the 3rd book written by Mills was released recently. American Assassin stars Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Taylor Kitsch, and Shiva Nigar.

American Assassin brings Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp character to life on the big screen, and more than anything else, I honestly believe the talented late author would've been proud. Flynn was one hell of a writer, and after reading the first few pages of his American Assassin novel it was evident that he took great pride in this character. Rapp is a tortured soul who suffered a great tragedy, leading him to the business of tracking and eliminating terrorists, which ultimately is very unfortunate for them. I had my fingers crossed that this film would do the character and the books justice, and I must say I was impressed. Right out of the gate what stood out to me most is how brutal and intense American Assassin is. The action scenes are absolutely relentless whether it is a flurry of bullets or bone-crushing hand to hand combat. The opening scene sets the tone making it very clear this is a far cry from anything with the word "teen" in the title, and odds are you will remain on the edge of your seat throughout.

Now it's impossible to compare the books to the movie, as with any book that gets the big-screen treatment, a great deal ends up getting left out. Usually the biggest challenge is the fact that the movie has no choice but to fast forward through aspects of the story that go into much more depth within the books. American Assassin does stray from the book in many ways allowing the four screenwriters some creative freedom, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I feel like Flynn decided to go back and write this origin story for a few reasons, to tell the story of how Rapp got into this line of work, and to delve deeper into his colorful relationship with his mentor Stan Hurley, as well as his connection with handler Irene Kennedy, and I think the film manages to do just that. The book focused more on Rapp's psyche, which I would have loved to see more of in the film but again you can only cram so much into a film without it becoming overkill. Overall, I really enjoyed seeing the characters I have enjoyed reading about brought to life right before my eyes. The film as a whole could have used a bit more polish in terms of the pacing, but that can all be worked on later down the road if in fact a new franchise is born. I have heard mixed reactions to the ending of the film and to be honest I thought it was perfect- leaving the viewers with plenty of anticipation for what I hope is the beginning of a new action hero.  

A great deal of controversy surrounded the casting decisions for American Assassin, mainly the decision to cast Dylan O'Brien in the feature role of counter-terrorism agent Mitch Rapp. To say the former Teen Wolf star wasn't taken seriously for a role like this would be an understatement. But, what I personally find interesting is the fact that it seems that not only are people who seem to have an issue with O'Brien playing Rapp focused solely on his past and not his capabilities as an actor, but I honestly feel like the majority of them never picked up a Vince Flynn Mitch Rapp novel. The fact of the matter is this, O'Brien fits the description of Mitch Rapp perfectly, a dark complexioned former college athlete with dark hair and dark eyes, and an undeniable sense of confidence. He is the man you picture when you read the book, people just need to get past all of the other nonsense and give the guy a chance. Now that I've said my piece, I was very pleased with O'Brien's performance. I think he owned the role and did a great job conveying the complex emotions and struggle with authority that Mitch Rapp is famous for. I think he was great performing the stunts and the fight scenes, he showed tremendous ability with his firearm skills, and most importantly his character felt like the complete opposite of corny. O'Brien made you believe in the relentless drive and sheer desire Rapp felt to eliminate each and every terrorist from the face of the earth. The supporting cast was amazing as well, from Sanaa Lathan to Taylor Kitsch, but Michael Keaton's role really stood out. Stan Hurley's character is a huge piece of the Mitch Rapp puzzle, and I think Keaton was the perfect man for the job. Much like the complex role Keaton played in Birdman, he plays a character with a short fuse and a plethora of experience. I can't think of any actor more suited for this role.

American Assassin is a heck of a lot better than the majority of critics are making it out to be, and as a fan of the books I'm a little irritated by the unwarranted criticism. When Vince Flynn passed away he left behind a loving family, countless friends, and a fan base devoted to his unique and exciting style of writing. Prior to picking up a Flynn book my favorite crime thriller author was Dennis Lehane, with Michael Connelly in a close second, and I can honestly say that Vince Flynn easily transitioned into my short list of writers I simply cannot get enough of, and I plan to read each and every novel he wrote. Vince Flynn will live on in his books, and my guess is that he is somewhere right now writing his next great novel sure to be a best-seller. Dylan O'Brien steps into the role of Mitch Rapp with conviction and authority, doing everything within his power to prove he's more than capable of becoming the next Jason Bourne. Unlike Bourne, Rapp remembers everything about his past, and that does not bode well for the bad guys. Mitch Rapp is extremely intelligent, resilient, calculated, and determined, and I felt that O'Brien displayed all of his traits perfectly. I really hope this film does well in the box office so that a Mitch Rapp franchise is born, allowing viewers at least a few more opportunities to relish in the genius mind of Vince Flynn. Whether you are a fan of the Mitch Rapp novels or simply enjoy a good action thriller that will get the adrenaline going, American Assassin is well worth checking out in theaters. A consistent theme throughout the film and the book is Hurley's insistence that Rapp not allow the job to become personal, so I will end this review on a powerful quote from the book.

"Revenge is more mild, less calculated…deeply personal. Retribution is a punishment that is morally right and fully deserved". – Mitch Rapp    

It

Director Andrés Muschietti

Genre Drama | Horror

Cast Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor

Rating R

Release Date September 8th, 2017

“A group of bullied kids band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.”

From director Andrés Muschietti, IT is a remake of the successful 1990 miniseries, based on the best-selling Stephen King novel. The 2017 horror drama includes 3 writers contributing to the screenplay, who try to bring King's novel to life yet again. It has been proven time and time again that one thing we can count on as a society, is the inevitable fear of clowns. Officially known as coulrophobia and categorized as an anxiety disorder, it has been reigning havoc for as long I can remember, with my first experience coming thanks to the corny 1988 horror film Killer Clowns from Outer Space. Now that is a film with some remake potential (kidding, obviously). The cast for 2017's IT includes Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillie, Javier Botet, and Nicholas Hamilton.

Superbly casted, well-written, and genuinely creepy and disturbing throughout, IT is not only one of the absolute best Stephen King adaptations, it is one of the best horror films of 2017. After months of anticipation and 27 years since the miniseries, the day has finally come, and my excitement level was through the roof. Full disclosure, IT is the first horror movie since the original Paranormal Activity to actually give me legitimate chills. To me that is what makes a movie scary, to actually feel something within your body that you rarely experience. Paranormal Activity had the advantage of the element of surprise, because I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. But IT on the other hand lacked that benefit, and instead somehow managed to scare by utilizing creativity and sheer directorial talent combined with chilling cinematography.

Pennywise the clown is reintroduced to audiences in such a way that I felt proud to be a fan of the original film. I'm having a very difficult time deciding which epic scene was my favorite, which is obviously a good thing. The fear is unleashed in IT, and from every scene where Pennywise sprints at the screen like Usain Bolt off the starting line, the film doesn't pull any punches. Setting the horror aspect aside for a second, IT is unique in its ability to toe the line between scary and absolutely hilarious. I laughed a ton during this film, but rest assured that the 2 hours and 15 minute runtime allows for the perfect blending of the two genres. Viewers find themselves immersed in this clique of young adults known as "The Losers Club", and even though they raz each other at every opportunity much to the delight of the audience, IT is still very dark, even controversial at times similar to the source material, and absolutely earned the R-rating. This is what a remake or reimagining is supposed to be, taking full advantage of the tools available today, and in the process inevitably capturing an entirely new fan base to join those that have been avid fans for years. 

IT excels in a variety of categories but perhaps none more impactful than it's talented young cast. Before I get into the young cast I have to talk about the new Pennywise, played by relatively unknown actor Bill Skarsgård, brother of Alexander Skarsgård, the former star of HBO's hit series True Blood. Skarsgård is INCREDIBLE!! I mean I'm talking a damn near Heath Ledger playing Joker level performance in terms of commitment to his character, his use of dialogue, and his creepy as all hell mannerisms. I'll admit this is a different level and even though IT is dark, and it is very dark, it's still not quite on the level of The Dark Knight in that category but something tells me the next chapter will be. Skarsgård simply grabs ahold of the audience from his first scene and never lets go. Not for a second does he come across as cheesy, not even close. A huge credit is due to the director, the cinematographers, and the screenwriter, and of course King himself, but all of that talent would have been useless without the key ingredient of a committed and scary as hell Bill Skarsgård. The most recognizable of the young cast starring alongside Skarsgård includes Jaeden Lieberher, who starred alongside Bill Murray in St. Vincent, and Michael Shannon in Midnight Express, and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard. Both actors were incredible in IT and continue to make a name for themselves in a very, very difficult industry. Honorable mention is equally well deserved for Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillie, Javier Botet, and Nicholas Hamilton, rounding out a talented up-and-coming group of young actors. I’m interested to see who gets casted as the adult versions in Chapter 2 because they have some big shoes to fill.

The bottom line is this, IT is a damn good, dare I say brilliant horror movie that integrates several other elements to further increase its effectiveness. Whether you are a horror fan or not, if you can handle a good scare I absolutely recommend you experience IT while in theaters, you will NOT be disappointed. Now, I just can't wait for Chapter 2 to arrive, which was recently officially greenlit thanks to IT crashing the box office with huge numbers and many more to come. I'll probably see it at least one more time myself. Oh yeah and above all else just remember one thing, “you’ll float too”. Highly recommended.

Logan Lucky

Director Steven Soderbergh

Genre Comedy

Cast Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Riley Keough

Rating PG-13

Release Date August 18th, 2017

“Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina.”

Logan Lucky is a heist comedy from director Steven Soderbergh, and is the screenwriting debut for Rebecca Blunt. Set in West Virginia, the film highlights the planned heist of The Charlotte Motor Speedway, during one of their busiest races of the year. The cast includes Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, and Riley Keough.

Smartly written, funny, and more importantly one heck of a good time, Logan Lucky is a very solid return for talented director Steven Soderbergh. After watching the initial trailer, I honestly had some mixed feelings. On one hand the cast was fantastic and Soderbergh behind the camera had me undoubtedly intrigued, but the trailer left me with more questions than answers. Was this a goofy comedy in the same realm as Talladega Nights? Or was it something more? The trailer had me leaning more towards the goofy comedy side of things but once the second trailer made its debut my feelings changed. The second trailer made it clear that this was more than just a goofy comedy, and the talented cast was supported by a script more than worth the paper it was printed on (assuming they still go old school with paper copies of course). Logan Lucky is a film about family and sacrifice first and foremost, but it is also a crafty heist story with a hefty dose of comedic energy. What I enjoyed most about this movie is how genuine and authentic everything felt. Each and every laugh felt natural and not even a little bit forced, which is honestly pretty rare. The characters grow on you from the start, and audiences will know right away who it is they should be rooting for.

The script is fantastic and will have you talking about the movie long after you leave the theater. I was actually very impressed to learn that Logan Lucky was written by a woman by the name of Rebecca Blunt, who many people have actually questioned as to whether she even exists or not. Steven Soderbergh has been known to concoct a sort of alias as a screenwriter credit even though in actuality he wrote the script himself. He swears that is not the case here, and the woman with a background in journalism with only Logan Lucky as a credit according to her IMDb page, does actually exist. He goes on to say that she is actually a friend of his wife, and says that he was out in a rather precarious position when asked to consider turning her script into a movie. Clearly he didn’t want to upset the woman who determines his happiness. Interestingly, Blunt is actually from West Virginia, and she did some research on The Charlotte Motor Speedway, which ignited her imagination in terms of the meat and potatoes of the script. Soderbergh, who said he would be retiring from directing movies after the 2013 made for TV movie Behind the Candelabra (don’t worry if you haven’t heard of this, it is news to me as well), makes a strong return. He was quoted in an interview as saying that initially he had planned to pass on the script to another capable director, but he enjoyed reading it so much and felt it was somewhat of a “poor man’s Oceans movie”, and trust me he meant this in a good way, he decided to take it on himself. Soderbergh is undeniably one heck of a talented director, churning out hit titles such as Erin Brockovich, Traffic, and Oceans Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen. He clearly has a man crush on Channing Tatum, after working with the star actor on Haywire, Magic Mike, Side Effects, and now Logan Lucky, but really can you blame him? Tatum is one heck of an actor and has earned his rightful place as one of Hollywood’s best as of late, and I don’t care who wants to try and argue that point. I am getting a bit off track here but the fact of the matter remains; Soderbergh has an eye for talent and knows how to make a great movie.

The cast in Logan Lucky is absolutely spot on from top to bottom. Channing Tatum takes center stage in the lead role, and he is fantastic as expected. I am more than okay with admitting the fact that I have developed a man crush on Tatum over the years (as an actor, nothing weird), having watched him take on comedic and dramatic roles with ease. More than anything else, Tatum understands what it means to embrace a role and to be genuine, which he executes seamlessly in Logan Lucky. Audiences will be able to relate with Tatum’s character, a single dad struggling to make ends meet who understands that he has a responsibility that stands above all else, which is taking care of and providing for his young daughter. Adam Driver, who I first became familiar with in the HBO series Girls, is absolutely taking Hollywood by storm as of late. First he snagged a pivotal role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, then he was terrific in the critically acclaimed indie drama Paterson, followed up by a crucial role in Martin Scorsese’s Silence. Driver has incredible range as an actor, and I have learned that one of his biggest strengths is playing a character that is much more than meets the eye. He develops incredible chemistry with Tatum, and I would be genuinely surprised if this is the last time we see these two on-screen together. Last but certainly not least, Daniel Craig plays one of the best roles in the film. The former James Bond actor stars as convicted and currently “en-car-cer-rate-ed” felon Joe Bang. From the accent, to the tattoos, right down to the ridiculous and priceless bleached blonde crew-cut, Craig damn near steals the show. He is the perfect addition to the talented duo of Tatum and Driver, and he rounds things out nicely.

Logan Lucky is leaps and bounds smarter than the usual dumbed down heist comedy (Masterminds anyone?), offering viewers not only a great talent behind the camera, but also a quality script and a very talented cast. As much as I enjoyed it during my first viewing, I do feel that it would be even better seeing a second time, making it easier to pay more attention to the small well-crafted details. Steven Soderbergh bursts out of “retirement” to the surprise of pretty much no one, considering at this point and time if he takes on a project it would need to be worthwhile. Logan Lucky may not be my favorite film of 2017, but it is easily in my top 10 and I am looking forward to my second viewing and the inevitable replay ability of yet another Soderbergh classic.

Wind River

Director Taylor Sheridan

Genre Action | Crime | Thriller

Cast Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, Jon Bernthal

Rating R

Release Date August 4th, 2017

“An FBI agent teams with a town’s veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.”

Wind River is a crime thriller from up-and-coming writer and director Taylor Sheridan, the man who penned the scripts for Sicario and Hell or High Water. Sheridan prides himself on bringing together some of the absolutes best aspects of a great film, including creative and original screenplays, top-tier casts, fantastic cinematography, and an unrelenting score. The cast for Wind River includes Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, and John Bernthal.

Perfectly acted with a bone chilling score, Wind River is an atmospheric crime thriller from the uber-talented Taylor Sheridan. My anticipation and level of excitement was at a boiling point by the time this film finally made its debut at a theater near me. Initially it opened as a limited release, and interestingly enough I was actually able to finally see it while on vacation in Alaska. It still has yet to make it to theaters back home in southern Maine, which is an absolute travesty. To say Wind River is worth driving a few cities over to a theater that has it would be an understatement, because this is an experience well worth the extra time and gas money. Sheridan is masterful behind the camera in his ability to immerse viewers in the frigid Wyoming conditions presented on-screen. Similar to Sheridan's recent writing credit Hell or High Water, Wind River is a genuinely intimate portrayal of an intense and complex thriller. Sheridan has made a seamless transition from acting to writing and directing, after playing a big role in the earlier seasons of the hit series Sons of Anarchy, and even played a small role in Hell or High Water. He is certainly a multifaceted talent to watch in Hollywood. The only contributing factor weighing as heavily on the success of Wind River next to the directing and the acting is the score, which to me is an underrated yet immensely powerful tool. The score sets the tone and magnifies the most powerful scenes Wind River has to offer, helping to keep viewers eyes glued to the screen. Sorry, but bathroom breaks will have to wait. The cinematography is amazing as well, and I found myself in awe of the beautiful Wyoming scenery. I would certainly prefer to avoid the brutal weather they contend with in that neck of the woods, but I still can't discount the undeniable appeal of the picturesque views and close knit feel of the community. As dark as Wind River is for the majority of the runtime just shy of 2 hours, it will still manage to get a few laughs out of you, which is pretty impressive. I honestly can't say enough great things about this film and if a legitimate flaw exists I must've missed it, because this is quality filmmaking at its finest.

Wind River is absolutely loaded with acting talent, bringing together a strong supporting cast as well as a few of Hollywood’s staples. The talented cast is lead by Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olson, who develop masterful chemistry throughout the film. I am a huge Jeremy Renner fan and have been since his performance in The Hurt Locker, and Wind River is yet another opportunity for him to flex his acting muscles in a dramatic role. Many actors struggle with the ability to truly immerse themselves into a role, especially when playing a character with a complicated past, but Renner succeeds on all fronts. Elizabeth Olsen plays the role of a young FBI agent stumbling upon a situation she never could have anticipated to absolute perfection. I’m not sure if many people will share the same sentiment but Olsen was one of my favorite under-the-radar actresses well before she snagged a key role in the Marvel films. She seems to strive in dramatic roles, and Wind River fits her skill set perfectly. Veteran actor Graham Greene is amazing in a supporting role, and even considering the difficult subject matter of the film, he manages to lighten the mood at times offering a nice change of pace. Most viewers will recognize him but won’t know exactly what they’ve seen him in, but he is a great actor and gets it done here. I am a huge fan of Jon Bernthal, who most remember as Shane from The Walking Dead, and even though he plays a small part in this film, it is a damn crucial role. Bernthal comes in almost out of nowhere and has one of the most impactful performances in Wind River. The supporting cast was fantastic all around without a weak spot to speak of.

Wind River wraps up the crime thriller trilogy for writer and director Taylor Sheridan, rounding out the impressive duo of Sicario and Hell or High Water. It continues the epic run of top-notch storytelling, an a-list cast, and one of the most effective scores this year. If you've enjoyed Sheridan's first two films or simply have a genuine appreciation for a crime thriller that will stay with you well after you leave the theater, I can't recommend Wind River enough. Highly recommended.

Annabelle: Creation

Director David F. Sandberg

Genre Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Cast Stephanie Sigman, Miranda Otto, Lulu Wilson, Javier Botet

Rating R

Release Date August 11th, 2017

“Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, soon becoming the target of the dollmaker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.”

Annabelle: Creation is the follow-up to the underachieving 2014 horror film Annabelle, an extension of The Conjuring, which was inspired by the paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Annabelle: Creation brings back the original writer Gary Dauberman, but they make a change with the director and bring in David F. Sandberg, the man who had his feature film debut recently with the successful horror film Lights Out, an idea based on a short film he also directed. The cast includes Stephanie Sigman, Miranda Otto, Lulu Wilson, and Javier Bote.

A vast improvement over its predecessor, Annabelle: Creation benefits from a talented director and some creative storytelling, but seasoned horror fans will be left wanting more. I was a huge fan of The Conjuring and I felt that the sequel was decent, but definitely paled in comparison to the original. The first Annabelle film, released after The Conjuring, was the first extension of what is now known as the "Conjuring Universe", but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for most critics and viewers, myself included. Annabelle: Creation starts from scratch and essentially serves as a prequel to the first film. So what did I think of the movie? It might be easier for me to break it down in a pros and cons format. First let me start with the pros, this is a crafty horror film utilizing some old school techniques to scare the audience. Director David F. Sandberg has an eye for horror, and he invests a great deal of effort in making sure that this is a film he could, and should, be proud of. Annabelle: Creation is half slow burn horror, and half creepy encounters mixed with jump scares, and everything works for the most part. You will feel very uneasy often, and will find yourself constantly scanning the screen for something that you know will be appearing very soon. That leads me to the cons, and I know this will sound like I didn't enjoy the movie even though I did, but at the end of the day Annabelle: Creation really isn't all that scary, at least to me anyway. It felt like the majority of the jump scares were set up in advance so that you knew something was coming, and to me that drastically impacts the effect of well-timed jump scares. Now, I am admittedly difficult to scare, and the last time I felt genuinely scared at the theater was during the first Paranormal Activity movie. I didn't know what to expect, and it honestly gave me chills and sent me home wondering if I would be able to get to sleep that night. Now THAT is the impact a horror movie is supposed to have on viewers. I had a sense of similar feelings during It Follows and The Witch as well. Annabelle: Creation was very creepy and dark, but it was just missing that something extra. I also felt like they really didn't do much with the R rating either, making me think that perhaps it was a marketing ploy to make viewers think the film pushes the limits more than it actually does. 

The cast for Annabelle: Creation is a bit on the younger side with Talitha Bateman and Lulu Wilson getting the bulk of the screen time. Lulu Wilson made quite an impression on me with her stellar performance in Ouiji: Origin of Evil, and her acting talents transitioned well to this role. She is an extremely talented young actress and is certainly one to watch. I'm not nearly as familiar with Talitha Bateman, who has played in a few less than great B movies, but Annabelle: Creation gave her an opportunity to shine and she took full advantage of it. I think she has a bright future ahead of her. I honestly felt like the rest of the cast was solid and benefited from some great direction, but nobody else really stood out as providing as much value as these two young actresses.

As I mentioned already, Annabelle: Creation is far superior to the first film, and the admittedly unsettling and genuinely creepy doll makes quite an impact. David F. Sandberg should be pleased with his first foray into the world of The Conjuring, and I still consider him to be one of the better up and coming horror directors. I just wish that Annabelle: Creation was a bit edgier, similar to his first feature film Lights Out, but considering that was a feature length adaptation of a short film he did, my guess is he didn't have quite the same creative freedoms he was afforded during that project. Sandberg also sets things up for not only the potential for another Annabelle, but he also sneaks in a very cool tease for another upcoming film in the “Conjuring Universe”. Annabelle: Creation isn't as scary as I hoped it would be, but this is still a high quality horror film that genre enthusiasts need to experience for themselves.

Atomic Blonde

Director David Leitch

Genre Action | Mystery | Thriller

Cast Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, Eddie Marsan, John Goodman

Rating R

Release Date July 28th, 2017

“An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.”

Atomic Blonde is a spy thriller from director David Leitch, the actor and stunt coordinator for films like Fight Club, 300, The Bourne Ultimatum, and many others. This is his first solo directorial debut. The film is based on Antony Johnston’s 2002 graphic novel The Coldest City. Charlize Theron and her production company Denver and Delilah Productions were sent the unpublished graphic novel 5 years prior, and Theron immediately decided this would be a passion project of hers. The cast includes Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, Eddie Marsan, and John Goodman.   

A sexy Charlize Theron heats up the Cold War in Atomic Blonde, and she is one blonde bombshell not to be messed with. This film benefited from a great deal of advertising and a gigantic marketing budget, and it was on my radar very early on. Each and every trailer added to the seemingly endless fun factor for this spy thriller. I am a little late getting this review posted but I did see Atomic Blonde on the first night, and I was quite pleased. The acting was top notch, the fight scenes were amazing, and my favorite aspect of the film aside from my undeniable attraction to Charlize Theron was the action sequences that took advantage of a stellar 80’s soundtrack. A few scenes sync the start of the music and the action perfectly, and for my money those scenes were pretty damn cool. Now I’m not talking to the level of Baby Driver or anything like that, but still a very creative addition. The plot did feel unnecessarily convoluted at times which does take away from the overall impact of the film, but luckily the pros far outweigh the cons. The stunts in Atomic Blonde are absolutely incredible from top to bottom and all of the stunt coordinators deserve a great deal of credit. This film has the John Wick feel to it which is undoubtedly high praise.

Atomic Blonde includes a stellar cast lead by a performance from Charlize Theron worthy of a standing ovation. I watched some footage on the training Theron did to prepare for the film and in a nutshell she refused to back down from a challenge when it came to the stunts the film required. Her determination and dedication to the role and the authenticity of the film allowed the director and stunt coordinators the ability to push the envelope, ensuring some pretty amazing action sequences throughout the film. Starring alongside Theron was the extremely versatile Scotland born actor, James McAvoy. I personally thought McAvoy's role in the thriller Split was easily one of his most impressive on-screen performances- and he kicks things into high gear once again with Atomic Blonde. As an actor, McAvoy's ability to fully immersive himself in a role is tough to match. He literally becomes his character and whether that character is easy to love or easy to hate, or maybe a little of both, you can be sure you will feel strongly one way or the other after yet another very convincing performance from one of Hollywood's premier talents. John Goodman plays a very small yet effective role, and the same goes for Toby Jones. I also enjoyed Eddie Marsan's performance, and felt that he was able to take full advantage of a crucial role. He has a long list of acting credits but I personally recognize him from the Showtime series Ray Donovan.

Atomic Blonde is a stylishly shot, adrenaline inducing 2 hours of quality filmmaking. David Leitch is successful in his solo directorial debut and I really appreciated how he wasn’t scared to take a few chances, which worked out in his favor. At its core Atomic Blonde is top-notch, bringing to the table all of the necessary ingredients of a high quality Hollywood film. I still feel that the writing could have been slightly better, or perhaps the final edits for the film could have been handled a bit differently, but I honestly feel like I am splitting hairs. If you’ve seem the trailers for Atomic Blonde, enjoyed John Wick, or any of Leitch’s previous work for that matter, you will be more than pleased by his latest film and I am confident it will become a classic in what has become somewhat of a niche genre as of late.

A Family Man

Director Mark Williams

Genre Drama

Cast Alison Brie, Gerard Butler, Willem Dafoe, Gretchen Mol

Rating R

Release Date July 28th, 2017 (Limited & On-Demand)

“A Chicago personnel recruiter is hungry to stay on top of his competitive profession, but when his son is diagnosed with cancer, his priorities are called into question.”

A Family Man is a drama based on the incessant need for work-life balance in today's society, but more importantly, how we react when those close to us fall victim to a terrible illness. The film is directed by Mark Williams, his directorial debut, and is written by Bill Dubuque. The cast includes Allison Brie, Gerard Butler, Willem Dafoe, and Gretchen Mol. An interesting side note, writer Bill Dubuque went on to write and co-create the recently released Netflix series Ozark starring Jason Bateman, and he also penned the script for the Ben Affleck thriller The Accountant. He is a very talented guy.

A Family Man suffers from the usual impact of a limited budget, but overall this is a film with plenty of heart, and a cast that takes pride in their work. I read numerous critic reviews shredding this film, which had me hesitant to say the least. Officially releasing in 2016, A Family Man was eventually given a direct to On-Demand release as well as a very limited theatrical release. Without the option of a theatrical screening in my area I decided to make the On-Demand purchase, and let's just say I didn't regret my decision whatsoever. As a guy, I rarely admit this fact but I am a sucker for films that tug at the heart strings, with 50/50 and A Fault in Our Stars ranking relatively high on the list, and although A Family Man isn't on the same level, it isn't all that far behind. This is a film about a very serious issue that continues to plague our society and the world over for that matter, and it is NOT taken lightly. From the directing, the writing, right down to the acting, everything felt genuine and heartfelt, and to me that was probably the most important thing. I was reminded of what it means to put the needs of others before your own, as well as how important it is to spend your time on this earth doing something good, rather than simply spending your days self-serving and trying to simply get ahead. Now sure this movie has its fair share of average acting at times and perhaps a hole or two in the plot, but the final product still succeeds in simultaneously generating tears and smiles from viewers. As I stated previously this isn't a great film, but it is a quality film with a powerful message, and to me that is more than enough. 

The cast for A Family Man includes plenty of well-known names, most notable veteran actor Willem Dafoe, Gerard Butler, and Allison Brie. Dafoe plays a relatively small supporting role yet adds quite a lot to the story. I felt that his performance was pretty good overall. Gerard Butler's performance felt a bit off to me early on, which may have been due to the fact that this is a very different role compared to what I'm used to seeing him in. I've seen Law Abiding Citizen at least 10 times, so safe to say that has had an impact. Butler grows on me throughout the film, and by the end I felt that he delivered a convincing and inspiring performance all things considered. Actress Allison Brie is great, and I'm really enjoying her role in the Netflix exclusive series GLOW. In A Family Man she gets very limited screen time which was a bit unexpected, but she took full advantage of the small role she was given. Gretchen Mol receives a great deal of screen time and does well overall, but I just can't help but wonder how Brie would have been in her role. India born actor Anupam Kher was amazing in his role, and truly exemplified the kindness and sincerity his character required. Dwain Murphy also deserves recognition as a nurse’s aide, contributing to some of the more heartfelt moments of the film. All in all the cast was solid and as good as I could have hoped for considering the low-budget limited release nature of this film. I do feel like I need to give kudos to Alfred Molina for a quality performance, Max Jenkins for a pivotal role as the oldest of the three children, and Julia Butters as the little sister who was simply as cute as can be.

A Family Man is a solid debut for director Mark Williams, and more than anything else it is an impactful story. For one reason or another, critics in general felt the need to tear the film apart citing a melodrama with downright unlikable characters, neither of which I can agree with. To me this is actually pretty simple, A Family Man is a film with limited resources yet it has the best of intentions. Is that enough to rave about it as an absolute must-see? Of course not, but for those of you willing to ignore a few shortcomings, this is a film well worth your time.

Dunkirk

Director Christopher Nolan

Genre Action | Drama | History

Cast Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh

Rating PG-13

Release Date July 21st, 2017

“Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire, Canada and France are surrounded by the German army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.”

Written and directed by mastermind Christopher Nolan, the man responsible for hit films like Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, and the list goes on and on. Bottom line, what this guy touches more often than not turns to gold. Dunkirk is a historical drama based on a fierce battle during World War II when Belgium, The British Empire, and France found themselves surrounded and under fire by the German army after they made the decision to retreat. The cast includes Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Fionn Whitehead, Aneurin Barnard, Harry Styles, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Barry Keoghan. 

Dunkirk is edge-of-your seat mayhem with a bone chilling score, and quite possibly the best historical war film I have ever seen. This is an absolute masterpiece, and it is hard to fathom the fact that this is Director Christopher Nolan’s first historical drama. German-born composer Hans Zimmer, who also worked with Nolan on The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, and Interstellar, is an absolute genius and contributed greatly to the moments of intensity. I honestly can’t recall the last time a movie made me so nervous and anxious, and Dunkirk had me feeling that way pretty much the entire time. All kidding aside, I feel like this film took a few years off my life. Nolan is such an artist that he made me feel like I was attempting to flee the beaches at Dunkirk. What I thought was maybe the most impressive aspect of this film is how authentic it felt. It is widely known that Nolan is not a fan of using CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) with his films, and attempts to avoid it at all costs, and the authenticity absolutely pays off. Not once did I feel like I was watching anything that looked even remotely fake- if anything I had to remind myself that what I was watching wasn’t actual footage of the event that took place during WWII. Nolan went as far as using actual naval destroyers for the sea battles in the film, and even opted for cardboard cutouts of soldiers during the wide shot scenes instead of CGI to show the thousands of soldiers on the beach (don't worry, you can't tell). You will find yourself scanning the faces of the soldiers with a feeling of inspired curiosity- you really can see the pain and feeling of utter defeat in their facial expressions. I was able to see Dunkirk in the IMAX and I cannot stress this enough, if possible, see it in the IMAX!! The majority of the movie was specifically filmed for IMAX theaters, and every bomb dropped, gunshot fired, plane crash, and even the surreal wide shot peaceful scenes, need the big screen visuals and thunderous sound to be fully appreciated. After thinking long and hard about what I had just experienced, my only gripe with Dunkirk is the fact that it doesn’t end with a scene showing the U.S. military gearing up to go clean up this mess (kidding, sort of).

Dunkirk is a unique film in terms of the cast, mainly because it really doesn’t involve all that much dialogue. Christopher Nolan was actually quoted as saying he studied various silent films to use as inspiration for the many wide shot beach scenes. Nonetheless, the cast is fantastic from top to bottom. Tom Hardy plays his role to perfection as per usual. Cillian Murphy delivers a very strong and emotional role, putting everything he had into his character. I really enjoyed Mark Rylance’s character, and felt that he added a lot to the film in a supporting role. Inexperienced actors Fionn Whitehead and Aneurin Barnard are given quite a bit of screen time, and even though the amount of actual lines they have is limited, they both do a phenomenal job. Kenneth Branagh is superb in his role as a high ranking officer. And lastly, young actors Tom Glynn-Carney and Barry Keoghan deliver masterful performances, with their characters contributing to one of the more emotional scenes in the film. Musical artist Harry Styles, formerly of the band One Direction, makes his feature-film debut in Dunkirk. Even though his individual contribution is overshadowed by the sheer visual beauty like many other great performances in this film, he actually has a very solid debut. Now if he can somehow find himself on Nolan's speed dial, he may have a decent acting career to look forward to. I'm honestly not sure if anyone will get nominated come Oscar season because of the type of film this is, but at the very least some supporting role nominations would be well-deserved.

I consider myself to be a big fan of war inspired dramas, either based on historical events or not. Some of my favorites include The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Lone Survivor, Black Hawk Down (fun fact, this was actor Tom Hardy's very first film), Hacksaw Ridge, and Tropic Thunder, to name a few (just kidding about Tropic Thunder, obviously). I recently read Generation Kill, the book based on the recon Marines and their part in the Iraq Invasion, and I am now re-watching the HBO miniseries that is based on the book (it is amazing, by the way). I'm on a bit of a war kick lately. I think I am starting to get off topic, but the point I am trying to make is I fancy myself a good war flick- I enjoy the brutality, the intensity, and when they are fact based, the historical significance of it all. Not only did Dunkirk provide me an amazing experience and one of the best I have had in terms of a war film, it also afforded me insight into the events that took place at Dunkirk, that I had no idea about previously. I am excited to read up on it further to try and gain a little knowledge, and that is all thanks to Christopher Nolan. I can comfortably say that Nolan is without question the front runner for best director come award season, and it simply isn’t even close. Do yourself a favor and see this one sooner than later.

The Big Sick

Director Michael Showalter

Genre Comedy | Romance

Cast Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano

Rating R

Release Date July 14th, 2017

“A couple deals with their cultural differences as their relationship grows.”

The Big Sick is a comedy drama based on a true story. It is directed by Michael Showalter, who previously directed the 2015 indie comedy Hello, My Name Is Doris. The film is written by Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani. The cast includes Kamil Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, and Ray Romano.

In the vein of unique comedy dramas like 50/50, The Big Sick brings to the forefront a powerful true story while genuinely entertaining its audience. After months of anticipation for this film to release, I was more than pleased with the final product. I referenced the Jonathan Levine directed comedy drama 50/50, which stars Joseph Gordon-Leavitt and Seth Rogan, because I feel that these film have similarities, and to be honest 50/50 is easily one of my favorite films. The Big Sick separates itself in a few different ways, one of which because it is a true story, and that allows everything to feel very grounded throughout. This story feels incredibly authentic, and it is very funny, sad, and above all else extremely entertaining. The Big Sick is about more than relationships, or even sickness for that matter, it is about the bond of family, friendships, and ultimately relationships as a whole. Audiences are given a glimpse of what it is like for a traditional Pakistani family living in Chicago and raising an aspiring stand-up comedian son, who has gravitated towards the American way of life. I am always fascinated by other cultures and how different their way of life is compared to that of my own, and as I have gotten older I have understood that more than anything else, different does not mean better, or worse, for that matter, it is just different. The Big Sick tells a very complicated story, and it tells that story in such a way that it pulls you in and makes you a part of it. This is fantastic storytelling. It doesn't tug at the heart strings as much as I thought that it would, but that certainly doesn't take away from the overall effectiveness of the story.

The Big Sick has the clear advantage of a very talented, yet perhaps underappreciated cast. Lead by one of the stars of HBO's hit comedy series Silicon Valley, Kumail Nanjiani (its actually easier to spell than you would initially think), the film is in good hands from the onset. Not only is the film co-written by Nanjiani, it is based on the incredible true story of how he met his longtime girlfriend. Nanjiani was a stand-up comedian at the time, and years later finding his footing in the acting world, he was able to play himself. I'll keep it simple by saying he did an amazing job. Most notably, I couldn't get enough of the interactions he had with his traditional Pakistani family, especially his brother, and how hilariously awkward they were. Starring alongside Nanjiani was the cute and talented Zoe Kazan, in the role of his real-life girlfriend. Kazan was fantastic in her role as she helped to bring to life a special story and make it feel as real as it did when it actually happened. And of course I need to give kudos to Ray Romano, the king of television. After watching the trailers I expected his role to be more quirky, but he had the perfect balance of funny and serious. He was the perfect choice to play the girlfriend's father. Holly Hunter was exceptional as the girlfriend's mother, and I really enjoyed the chemistry she shared with Romano. She embodied a strong spirit, projecting her character as independent yet still in need of love from those closest to her.

The Big Sick is a hilarious and touching film that has earned its rightful place as one of the best films of 2017. I am having a hard time saying that it is better than 50/50, just because that really is one of my favorite films to release in the last 7 years or so, but it is close. Both manage to squeeze into that rare category of comedy dramas that can also be considered romantic comedies, more so The Big Sick, without segregating a certain audience like most traditional romantic comedies would. And that in itself is an impressive accomplishment. This is a film that has a big heart, and not just because it is based on an amazing true story, but because it appeals to us as human beings in so many different ways. The Big Sick is a summer movie that that is absolutely worth your time. Highly recommended.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Director Jon Watts

Genre Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Cast Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr, Marisa Tomei

Rating PG-13

Release Date July 7th, 2017

“Following the events of Captain America: Civil War (2016), Peter Parker attempts to balance his life in high school with his career as the web-slinging superhero Spider-Man.”

From relatively inexperienced director Jon Watts, who's only other feature-film credit is the direct to On-Demand drama thriller Cop Car starring Kevin Bacon, Spider-Man: Homecoming is a continuation of Captain America: Civil War, delving right into the world of Peter Parker. Tom Holland was offered the role of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, previously held by Tobey Maguire, prior to Civil War where he made his first appearance as the full of personality crime fighter in the red spandex. The full cast for Spider-Man: Homecoming includes Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr, Marisa Tomei, and Jon Favreau.

Hilarious and heartfelt, Spider-Man: Homecoming is not only a fantastic superhero movie, it is a coming-of-age comedy drama that successfully expands the genre stereotype. I thoroughly enjoyed the film even considering my lofty expectations, and that is also considering the fact that I did not have a chance to see it in the IMAX due to odd showtimes (I still went to my favorite theater with powered recliners though, obviously). For me Spider-Man: Homecoming is a Marvel superhero film with more substance than many of the others generally have, and as a fan of coming-of-age films in general, I really enjoyed the added layers. The story unfolds seamlessly taking place immediately following the events of Captain America: Civil War which I thought was a really nice touch. The pacing is exceptional and I never felt like the film was dragging at all. The touches of humor are found everywhere throughout the film, capturing genuine laughs from the audience. The tone of the film remains light for the most part, stepping outside of that a few times during some of the more pivotal scenes. I really enjoyed how well the film illustrated the growth of Peter Parker from young adolescent to a mature teenager, seemingly coming to the realization that life may be a bit more complicated than he initially thought. All in all Spider-Man: Homecoming is extremely entertaining, visually pleasing, and well-rounded enough to cater to a larger audience than the majority of the Marvel films may appeal to.

I absolutely loved the casting choices for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Tom Holland is the best casting decision for a Marvel franchise since they snagged Chris Evans as Captain America. Holland is the perfect teenager crime fighter/superhero, with his ability to be funny, witty, full of personality, and dare I say impossible to not root for. Robert Downey Jr. does not disappoint, and his partner in crime sort of speak Jon Favreau is great as well. I was extremely pleased with the casting of the films villain, played by none other than Michael Keaton. I am still holding out hope that the 1996 comedy Multiplicity will hit Blu-ray one of these days, I swear I have seen that movie 30 times. I actually bought it for someone as a gift a few years back when I stumbled upon a DVD copy at a Marshalls of all places for $2.99; I am still kicking myself for not grabbing my own copy. Back to the here and now, Keaton is one hack of an actor and he brings a tremendous amount of versatility to his role. He is far from the generic villain type we have come to expect. Even with a relatively limited role, the ageless Marisa Tomei makes her presence known. You almost forget how many amazing films she has been in, until of course New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick quotes My Cousin Vinny, the 1992 classic that earned her an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The rest of the supporting cast was great. 

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a breakout role for young actor Tom Holland, and is yet another impressive addition to the Marvel movie library. Holland has single handedly reignited Spider-Man for the masses and I am personally looking forward to his involvement in the realm of superhero movies going forward. Whether you are a fan of superhero movies or not, Spider-Man: Homecoming really does offer something for everyone and comes highly recommended.

The House

Director Andrew Jay Cohen

Genre Comedy

Cast Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas, Allison Tolman

Rating R

Release Date June 30th, 2017

“A dad convinces his friends to start an illegal casino in his basement after he and his wife spend their daughter’s college fund.”

The House is an R-rated comedy about a few adults desperate for cash, who decide to start an underground casino in their house. It is the feature-film directorial debut for writer turned director Andrew Jay Cohen, who previously penned the scripts for Neighbors 1 & 2, as well as Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. The House has an incredibly talented cast from the world of comedy, including Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jason Mantzoukas, Nick Kroll, Allison Tolman, and Ryan Simpkins.

Despite a relatively rudimentary plot, The House boasts a talented cast well equipped to churn out R-rated laughs with ease. I made my way to the theater with exceptionally tempered expectations thanks to a severe tongue lashing from critics, as well as a few friends telling me to proceed with caution. As a diehard Will Ferrell fan I decided to run the risk, and I'm glad that I did! Right from the opening scene The House had me laughing out loud pretty consistently right through the hour and a half runtime. The plot is paper thin, full of holes, and corny in a number of ways, but in all honesty who cares? Unlike Baywatch that suffered from a weak script thanks to audiences feeling like they deserved more, The House makes it clear from the beginning that the plot was designed to support the laughs and overall comedic chops of its cast, nothing less, and nothing more. I felt like I accepted this so early on that I was able to enjoy the ride, much like seeing a movie for the second time with expectations out of the way altogether. My lady, as well as the rest of the theater as far as I could tell, shared the same sentiment. Director Andrew Jay Cohen proves he has a future in the directing world with a successful debut (in my eyes at least).

The cast of The House is absolutely spot on, teaming up a few Saturday Night Live alums with two of the best characters in the FX series, The League. As I mentioned before, Will Ferrell can do no wrong in my mind. I actually find it hard to believe that certain people have such an issue with him as an actor. Sure he is a little over the top at times and can rub people the wrong way, but this guy is a true talent and he gives 110% to each and every role he plays. I think he is at his best when he plays the trademark Will Ferrell role of a straight-laced guy with a checkered past, similar to his iconic "Frank The Tank" character in the hilarious 2003 comedy Old School. His character in The House isn't quite streaking through the quads, but he still gets out of hand at times. Amy Poehler reignites the undeniable chemistry she has with Ferrell and delivers a fantastic performance. Without further ado, my favorite character in the film is easily Jason Mantzoukas, best known for his character Rafi in the FX series, The League. Mantzoukas embodies what it means to command the screen thanks to his limitless energy and captivating personality. He is so much fun to watch, and even during the scenes where you feel like maybe you should feel bad for the guy, you still can't help but laugh. He works extremely well alongside Ferrell and Poehler and I would be surprised if they don’t team up again soon. Mantzoukas co-star from The League, Nick Kroll, is a nice addition as well and it was fun to see these two go back and forth on the big screen. 

Critics are notorious for ripping R-rated comedies to shreds, almost out of principle it seems at times, and The House is easily one of the least deserving of the "hate train". Sometimes you need to simply enjoy something for what it is and appreciate everything it does well, and this is film full of laughs that does NOT take itself seriously, and I am more than fine with that approach. I walked out of the theater with a big smile on my face, repeating some of my favorite lines from the movie during the drive home. The House is certainly not perfect, but it is a summer comedy that I can comfortably recommend, and I am looking forward to checking out the deleted scenes once the Blu-ray releases in a few months.

Baby Driver

Director Edgar Wright

Genre Action | Crime | Thriller

Cast Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm

Rating R

Release Date June 28th, 2017

“After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.”

Written and directed by the talented Edgar Wright, the man behind Shaun of the Dead, Hott Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and The World's End, Baby Driver is a crime thriller that is much more than meets the eye. Critics have been absolutely ecstatic ever since they were allowed pre-release screenings, which just enhanced the ridiculous amount of excitement I already had for this movie. The cast includes Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm, Jon Bernthal, Eiza González, and Lily James.

Taking full advantage of an epic soundtrack, Baby Driver is a rare combination of originality, smart writing, and sheer directorial talent. I can honestly say that my heart was beating right along with a few of the drum solos, and I felt the rush of adrenaline induced during each and every escape. My expectations going in were quite high, and I was truly impressed by the fact that even though I watched 3 or 4 high quality trailers prior to the release, I still felt like they were only a small glimpse of the full experience. So it is safe to say that my expectations were exceeded! Baby Driver shuns the conventional idea of a film falling easily into a certain genre, providing viewers a heist thriller that blends comedy, romance, growing pains, and above all else a big heart. As crazy as it gets at times, and it does get pretty wild, Baby Driver never strays too far from reality. I was actually a bit surprised by how gritty and violent it was at times, making it very clear why it earned the R-rating. Critics have been gushing about the film’s ability to sync the action with the soundtrack, and I was really interested to see how that played out, and man was it cool. A few of the more pivotal shootout scenes match up each gun blast with the beat, and it is downright exhilarating (as Jamie Foxx says in the movie, Tequila!). I also need to point out that Baby Driver has some of the best car chases in recent memory, giving films like Heat and The Bourne Identity a run for their money. I read that 95% of the stunts are genuinely performed, with only about 5% CGI used for some of the necessary touch-up.

Throughout Baby Driver you will notice various stylistic directing techniques utilized by Wright (he is a whiz behind the camera), so much so that I will need to watch this again soon just so I'm able to fully appreciate what he was able to accomplish here. The traditional old school romance that Wright is able to create for Baby (Elgort) and his love interest, played by Lily James, feels genuine and timeless, and also somehow effortless all at the same time. I read in an article that Wright worked hard to ensure that the romance was captivating for the audience, which was one of his primary goals with the film in terms of the overall backstory, and he certainly hit the nail on the head. I have a great deal of respect for Edgar Wright as a director, and I feel that he genuinely takes pride in his work. I actually met Wright 6 years or so ago in Kennebunkport, Maine. Full disclosure, I'm using the term "met" very loosely as I was a valet at the high end hotel he was staying at with actress and Maine native Anna Kendrick (they were an item at one point), and I assisted them with their luggage when they departed. Even though they only tipped me $10, it was still a pretty cool experience (I would have at least broken even with this movie if not for damn movie theater ticket price increases).

The cast that was assembled for Baby Driver is absolutely fantastic. Veteran actor Jamie Fox makes a huge impact in a supporting role. His Bats character is the epitome of what a sociopath looks like without the camouflage,- he wants people to know he's crazy. I loved every minute of his scenes. Jon Bernthal, who many remember as Shane from the earlier seasons of The Walking Dead, plays a brief but impactful role as well. Similar to Bats, he has quite a few screws loose, but the ability to trust or play well with others seems to be his most glaring weakness. Mad Men actor Jon Hamm is a man of many emotions, and I really enjoyed the complexity of his character. He is a truly talented actor and it shows. Kevin Spacey takes a break from House of Cards, and is great as always, taking command as the leader of the group. His character demands respect and he gets it. The sexy and ruthless Eiza González will undoubtedly steal a few hearts with her rebellious yet fun loving character, Darling. This was her first big role, and I think she handled it very, very well. One scene in particular has her going all kamikaze with two automatic weapons, and I can't seem to get this glorious image out of my head (this is a good thing by the way). Last but certainly not least, the star that anchors it all is The Fault in Our Stars actor Ansel Elgort. Unusually tall for an actor at around 6'3 or 6'4 (basically 4 times the size of Tom Cruise), Elgort delivers what I feel is a breakout role for him. He was amazing in The Fault in Our Stars, which I will fully admit was a tear-jerker, but the fact of the matter is only a certain segmented audience watched that film. Baby Driver should reach a much broader audience with the appeal of originality, as well as Edgar Wright's usual following, which will hopefully help significantly improve Elgort's fan base. The depth of his character is a unique experience in and of itself, and I think the audience will find themselves rooting for him to succeed very early on.

Baby Driver is an undeniably unique experience, fueled by humor and adrenaline. It feels almost like a music video transformed into a feature-length film, while somehow managing to combine pretty much everything viewers have an insatiable appetite for. The thing that blows my mind the mostabout Baby Driver is the fact that not only do so many different elements work extremely well, they come together seamlessly to create a final product that has to be seen to be appreciated. I understand that people tend to be he somewhat skeptical when critics universally rave about a film like they are with Baby Driver, but trust me when I say this is a work of art that each and every movie fan needs to experience. Highly recommended.