Movie Review: THE JUDGE – Big names, but the movie still feels like a made-for-TV drama

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The Judge

On the surface, The Judge seemed like an old school can’t-lose star vehicle. In the 70s/80s, it would have been Newman, Pacino, Hoffman or Redford in the main role and probably would have done quite well critically and commercially at the the time. Fast forward a few decades later, and we have Robert Downey Jr in his current “rich prick” persona, strolling through each scene with the same kind of mannerisms and suave condescending, know-it-all attitude that has been his acting method since his 2008 resurrection. Continue reading “Movie Review: THE JUDGE – Big names, but the movie still feels like a made-for-TV drama” →

Movie Review: THE SKELETON TWINS – sweet, heartfelt drama with surprisingly great performances by SNL alums Wiig and Hader

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Skeleton Twins

I watched The Skeleton Twins last night, having been a fan of both Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader from their stints on Saturday Night Live. Although that show overused Wiig, she was by far and away the star for the last few years, but I felt she was sensational in Bridesmaids, delivering an authentic performance. Hader, though, was just one of the cast. His Stefon character was funny until it got old toward the end, but he was a solid cast member, I thought. Continue reading “Movie Review: THE SKELETON TWINS – sweet, heartfelt drama with surprisingly great performances by SNL alums Wiig and Hader” →

Movie Review: AMERICAN SNIPER – middling biopic that loses its way on bigger issues

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American Sniper

Ok, so just back from American Sniper, the Clint Eastwood-directed version of the story of Chris Kyle, the “most lethal sniper in US history”, a movie that’s polarized the American people, but not so much the audience. I figure if you already think it’s “propaganda” (as somebody described it to me the other week), you’re not likely to see it, or if you are on the Right you’ll flock to it. As someone who isn’t a fan of the Left OR the Right, to me, it’s just a movie. Continue reading “Movie Review: AMERICAN SNIPER – middling biopic that loses its way on bigger issues” →

Movie Review: JOHN WICK – by the numbers revenge movie, but a welcome return for Keanu Reeves

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John Wick

Finally saw John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves, at the second go-round. I initially was excited by this, given the positive Keanu-is-back!! reviews, and the high rating on the old Tomatometer, and was disappointed to miss it on its first run. Having watched it last night, my initial interest was replaced by the deflated reality of the movie. Continue reading “Movie Review: JOHN WICK – by the numbers revenge movie, but a welcome return for Keanu Reeves” →