Jessica Chastain plays an assassin who runs into trouble with her latest assignment in "Ava." Chastain displays surprising effectiveness as an action star, even in fight scenes. She seems destined to move up the ladder to superstar status eventually. Chastain serves as one [..]
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
Denzel Washington takes on The Bard with the role of Lord Macbeth in "The Tragedy of Macbeth." Washington's subtle intensity comes across powerfully on the silver screen, or even on your tv screen, with a supporting cast that includes Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth, Alex Hassell, Bertie [..]
Everybody’s Fine (2009)
"Everybody's Fine" is an outstanding drama film starring Robert De Niro as a man's relationship with his adult children, who live in different parts of the country and with whom he has trouble arranging visits. The taut direction and screenplay by English director Kirk Jones ("Nanny McPhee" [..]
Cry Macho (2021)
Clint Eastwood's legendary motion picture career that began in 1955 with "Francis in the Navy" continues well into the 21st century with "Cry Macho," which he co-produced, directed, and starred in. This story of a retired rodeo star who is hired to travel into Mexico to seek [..]
The Northman (2022)
"The Northman" is a dramatic action picture about Amleth, a Viking prince who sets out to get revenge on the people who killed his father. From the start, director Robert Eggers ("The Lighthouse" 2019) sets a dark and even a bit nihilistic mood of the film, in [..]
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
One of the biggest surprises of this summer's large batch of movies the comedy romp "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Definitely youth-oriented fare, this film transcends that genre to become a well-paced motion picture that audiences of all ages can enjoy. Matthew Broderick excellently fits [..]
The King’s Man (2021)
The third installment of the Kingsman movie series is out to great reviews, set in World War I, and is a sequel to both the 2014 and 2017 pictures. Director-screenwriter Matthew Vaughn tells the story of the origins of the Kingsman in an exciting fashion, and, in this reporter's opinion, the [..]
Land (2021)
Robin Wright made her directorial debut and starred in dramatic motion picture “Land.” This story about a woman who moves to an isolated cabin in the mountains makes for an absorbing film thanks to smooth direction by Wright and an efficiently written screen play by Jesse Chatham and Erin Dignam. [..]
Godzilla vs Kong(2021)
Action sequences and special effects are all that matter in this spring’s enjoyable sci-fi blockbuster “Godzilla vs Kong.” Director Adam Wingard (“The Guest” 2014) and screenwriters Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein did a fantastic job of keeping us entertained in this fast-paced battle between two of Hollywood’s biggest monsters. Fun [..]