Double Review: Onward & The Way Back

Two paths to take. Which should you choose? To go Onward with Pixar or The Way Back with Ben Aflleck? One is a fantasy adventure of two brothers bonding together on a road trip and the other is sports drama about a man given a second chance in life. 

Double Feature: The Addams Family & Gemini Man

The Addams Family return for a new generation and Will Smith battles himself from a younger generation.

Double Review: The Peanut Butter Falcon & Brittany Runs a Marathon

Two comedy-dramas, with straight-forward titles and from first-time directors. Both feature characters walking by foot, in trying to find themselves, and the effect they have on the people they meet. One takes place down on the bayou, the other in the city that never sleeps.

Double Review: Men in Black:International & The Dead Don't Die

Two summer movies feature a ragtag team fighting foes not of this world while a strange occurrence appears in the night sky. Thor & Valkyrie take on the scum of the universe while Peter Venkman and Kylo Ren are left to deal with the undead. Despite the exciting premise, both films failed to connect with audiences. Are both deserving of such scrutiny? 

Double Feature: Wonder Park & Captive State

On a passing glance, Nickelodeon's Wonder Park and Rupert Wyatt's' Captive State share nothing in common. The obvious being one aimed for kids and the other for adults but looking at the plot, both are bizarrely similar. They take place in a specific location that used to be full of life; now it's invaded by hostile forces that originated from the sky. The titular character is randomly thrust into the conflict, sees beforehand what is at stake both involving a creature with prickly quills. They are prevented from leaving and the final solution involves traveling into the sky with the high probability of no return. Coincidence? You be the judge.

Double Feature: Shut Up Meg

This month gave us two movies with a different set of megs. One who deserves to be silenced while the other is worthy of attention.

Double Review: First Reformed & Won't You Be My Neighbor

Two movies I highly recommend have two ordained clergymen taking very different paths on finding the meaning of life and love.

Double Review: Annihilation & A Wrinkle in Time

What we have are a pretentious pair of science fiction proportions. Both involve the protagonist traveling in alien territory to discover what happened to their loved ones who came before them. A great director, an interesting premise, a good cast, and awesome trailers, it has the making of an excellent sci-fi adventure. I'm not expecting the next Star Wars but something that makes it re-watchable. Alas, this is not that day.

Double Review: Peter Rabbit & Early Man

Two films with British origins are aiming for family audiences. One is a beloved character from children's literature, the other is from a well-known animation production.

Double Feature: Overrated Oscar-Bait

Two films with high scores on Rotten Tomatoes, praised by critics, big contenders for the Oscars and will no doubt make the Top Ten list for many. Admittedly, they are both well-acting, well-directed, and I can see how the story resonates with viewers but for me, I ain't feeling the love.

Double Feature Musical: The Greatest Showman & Pitch Perfect 3

Two musicals with talented singers, dancers and creative openings. From the story of a man beginning his dreams to a girl group ready to end on a high note. Hugh Jackman, Anna Kendrick, Zac Efron, Rebel Wilson, Zendaya, and Hailee Steinfiled. Now that's a show I'd buy a ticket to see.

Double Feature: Ferdinand & Jumanji : Welcome to the Jungle

One is about a gentle giant who doesn't like to fight, the other of a game that unleashes a jungle jamboree. Both originated from a children's book, previously received the big screen treatment, and now given a theatrical new look for audiences.

Cinema Spotlight I – Scott Derrickson (Part 5): ‘Devil’s Knot’ & ‘Sinister 2’

(Originally Published on November 2, 2016)

Super Double Feature: Wonder Woman & Captain Underpants

Believe it or not Wonder Woman and Captain Underpants share a few things in common. Both are based on existing written material, are a different but unique type of superhero, plans for a feature film have been in the works for quite a long time, and are finally making their big-screen debut on the same weekend.

Double Feature: Baywatch & Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Memorial Day weekend brought us two​ movies that took place off dry land. Neither delivered a spectacular splash though I would say one swam better than the other. 

Double Feature: The Boss Baby & Smurfs: The Lost Village

(Originally Published on April 18, 2017)

From DreamWorks we have The Boss Baby based on the children’s book by Marla Frazee, seven-year-old Tim Templeton (Miles Bakshi) doesn’t take to liking his new baby brother who sports a slick business suit, gold wristwatch and briefcase. To make matters more complicated, Tim discovers that the baby can talk (voiced by Alec Baldwin).

Founder and the Figures

(Originally Published on February 3, 2017)

Directed and co-written by Theodore Melfi (St. Vincent), Hidden Figures tells the true story of Katherine G. Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughn; three African-American women who played a pivotal role in NASA’s space race during the 1960’s.

Double Feature: Sully & Snowden

‘Sully’ & ‘Snowden’ Steal September

(Originally Published on 09/28/16)

September saw the premiere of two biopics that centered on ordinary men who did the unthinkable. Both made headlines and became the subject of debate as their actions were questioned as either heroic or harmful.