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Film Review – Captain Fantastic
In writer/director Matt Ross’ Captain Fantastic (2016), a father named Ben (Viggo Mortensen) raises his six kids deep in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. He puts them through tough physical and mental training. They learn how to live off of the land: grow their…
READ MOREFilm Review – The BFG
This is a total guess, but something tells me that Steven Spielberg’s heart wasn’t into The BFG (2016). You would think that the material was tailor made for him. This is the director who has become synonymous with wonder and awe, telling stories with earnest…
READ MOREFilm Review – The Legend of Tarzan
The Legend of Tarzan (2016) makes the grievous error of trying to expand on an origin story while assuming the audience doesn’t know what that origin is. It tries to tell multiple storylines, none very well. David Yates directs Craig Brewer and Adam Cozad’s screenplay…
READ MOREFilm Review – Now You See Me 2
***Warning: The following contains spoilers for Now You See Me (2013)*** One of things I hate – and I mean really hate – about movies featuring magicians, con artists, or master thieves, is that the chosen profession of the characters automatically creates an easy out…
READ MOREFilm Review – The Conjuring 2
Imagine my disappointment walking out of The Conjuring 2 (2016) realizing how mediocre it is. Perhaps expectations were a little too high. The Conjuring (2013) was a surprise for mainstream horror, telling a spooky tale with effective craftsmanship from director James Wan and strong performances…
READ MORESIFF Film Review – The Final Master
In writer/director Haofeng Xu’s The Final Master (2015), a Wing Chun practitioner (Fan Liao) attempts to open a school in the city of Tianjin. The master wants to preserve the martial art for future generations, as was the dying wish of his master. However, due…
READ MOREFilm Review – Me Before You
The sappiness runs deep with Me Before You (2016). In the pantheon of schmaltzy romances, this one fits the requirements completely. It panders to the common tropes: The Lonely Outcast Protagonist? Check. The Romantic Interest With A Tough Shell But A Heart Of Gold? Double…
READ MOREFilm Review – Alice Through the Looking Glass
Therapist: So Allen, what brings you to my office? Allen: I need help, doc. Therapist: What seems to be the problem? Allen: I just saw a terrible movie. T: What movie was that? A: Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) T: Oh yes, I think…
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