Better Late Than Ever Vol. 7

Adam Driver dominates much of my watchlist as Netflix and Amazon Prime provide several flicks that are becoming the talk of the town and potential award contenders. In addition to several streaming movies is a sequel to a sequel from Sony still in cinemas.

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.

Triple Review Vol. 2

The ninth movie from Quentin Tarantino, James Bobin's second try on bringing a television icon to the big-screen and a personal story from Lulu Wang. Worth the watch or skippable flicks?

Toy Story 4: Superfluous but Surprising.

Forky and Woody

Toy Story is the one that started it all for Pixar. It gave the company its identity, and revolutionized animation as the first movie to fully utilize computer generated imagery. Toy Story 2, being Pixar's third movie and first sequel while still in its infancy, exceeded expectations as being better than the original. At the peak of its prime, Toy Story 3 proved yet again that Pixar could do this franchise no wrong as it gave the story a beautiful resolution. Since then, Woody and the gang have appeared in various shorts and TV specials with no plans of returning for another feature film....or so we thought.

Better Late Than Never Vol. #4

Better Late Than Never Vol. 2

There were more than a couple of films that came earlier this year and wasn't able to write on. Many are already available to purchase or rent. Here's the quick rundown:

Eighth Grade is Awkward But Heartfelt

Elsie Fisher as Kayla Day.

Teen movies usually range from sappy (The Space Between Us) to juvenile (American Pie). There might be one or two things that are genuine but the rest never hold's up. Then you have films like Eighth Grade that take you by surprise.

The Isle of Dogs Proves to be Man's Best Friend

From Left to Right: Rex (Edward Norton), Duke (Jeff Goldblum),
Boss (Bill Murray), King (Bob Balaban), and Chief (Bryan Cranston) 

If you don't know who Wes Anderson is, I highly recommend you see a couple of his movies to get an idea of his work. Make sure Fantastic Mr. Fox is on that list.

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.

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 4): ‘Hunt For the Wilderpeople’

Dr. Grant did state that he was never good with kids. 

Fourth time is the charm as Taika Waititi once again proves to be an accomplished director with a film that encompasses all of his filmmaking techniques in full bloom. From comedies that have ranged from romantic, drama, and horror, Waititi goes into full drive in what is arguably his finest work with the adventure comedy Hunt For the Wilderpeople.

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 2): ‘Boy’

In 2003, the short film Two Cars, One Night earned Taika Waititi an Oscar nod for Best Live-Action short. It centered on two brothers waiting in car for their dad late at night at a bar. Another car parks next to them and the driver heads towards the pub leaving the daughter alone the car. The kids in both vehicles banter back and forth until hostility evolves into amnesty.

Cinema Spotlight II – Taika Waititi (Part 1): ‘Eagle vs Shark’

Many remember him as Ryan Reynold’s best friend in Green Lantern (2011), but believe it or not, Taika Waititi has an incredible track record not as an actor but as a screenwriter and filmmaker. Starting his career making short films (one of them earning him an Oscar nod), this native New Zealander made his feature length debut with the romantic comedy Eagle vs Shark.