I love Moana. I recently rewatched the movie and felt the same warmth and excitement when first watching the initial installment. I went into this sequel hoping that this second movie would not only capture the same spirit or take this universe into more exciting levels of escapism, with much respect and adoration for the… Continue reading Movie Review: MOANA 2 Suffers From A Little Sequelitis, But Still Delivers Solid Entertainment
Category: Reviews
Moana 2: while lacking is a visual and auditory triumph
“Moana 2” sets sail into the world of its predecessor with dazzling animation and standout voice performances, yet its narrative struggles to capture the magic and emotional depth of the original film. Despite its uneven story, the sequel remains a visual and auditory triumph, with a talented cast that brings the characters to life, especially Auli’i… Continue reading Moana 2: while lacking is a visual and auditory triumph
Movie Review: WICKED Gives Movie Audiences A Remarkable Movie Musical
To be completely transparent, I have never experienced a stage presentation of the acclaimed and celebratory musical play that has taken the world by storm. I have heard so much about the original stage play, which fueled my excitement and anticipation for a cinematic treatment. That said, I went into this film with much zeal… Continue reading Movie Review: WICKED Gives Movie Audiences A Remarkable Movie Musical
Movie Review: GLADIATOR II Gives Us An Unnecessary Sequel
There are plenty of Gladiator fans. I was never a huge fan of Ridley Scott’s first film. It is fine. It is entertaining, and Scott and his crew utilized modern technology (of the time) to deliver a fun and exciting cinematic romp. For some reason, Scott and other “creative” minds decided that cinema needed a… Continue reading Movie Review: GLADIATOR II Gives Us An Unnecessary Sequel
Bonhoeffer: a compelling character study and a timely moral parable
Todd Komarnicki’s ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin’ brings the extraordinary life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a theologian who took a dangerous stand against Adolf Hitler—to the big screen. While the film wrestles with moments of uneven pacing and biographical tropes, it ultimately succeeds as a compelling character study and a timely moral parable. Set against the backdrop of… Continue reading Bonhoeffer: a compelling character study and a timely moral parable
Wicked:Soars Beyond Expectations
Seeing Wicked’s original Broadway cast in 2004 from the front-row center was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and this film adaptation remarkably captures that magic. Director Jon M. Chu, despite some uneven choices, delivers a stunning, immersive take that lives up to the musical’s legacy, thanks largely to its phenomenal leads and a dazzling ensemble cast. Cynthia Erivo… Continue reading Wicked:Soars Beyond Expectations
Movie Review: GLAFF offered Award Winning film La Arriera by Director Isabel Cristina Fregoso
The 2024 Guadalajara International Film Festival held in Los Angeles earlier this month featured the from the Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara (FICG), “La Arriera,” (the muleteer), which earned Isabel Cristina Fregoso a Best Director award. Since June, after the world premiere, the film has become an official selection in various film festivals across… Continue reading Movie Review: GLAFF offered Award Winning film La Arriera by Director Isabel Cristina Fregoso
Movie Review: Breakup Season – Love and Knowing When It No Longer Can Go On
Breakup Season is H. Nelson Tracey’s writing and directorial debut, having had a successful run at various film festivals this year. The film has begun a theatrical run, and it is one to watch as it will screen in multiple states through December. The story is authentic and has an excellent cast to portray the… Continue reading Movie Review: Breakup Season – Love and Knowing When It No Longer Can Go On
Austin Film Festival 2024: A Real Pain – Eisenberg’s sophomore effort
Jesse Eisenberg’s second feature film as a director, ‘A Real Pain,’ takes a somewhat worn road-trip formula and uses it to probe deeper themes of familial tension, grief, and Jewish identity. Following cousins Benji (Kieran Culkin) and David (Jesse Eisenberg) as they journey through Poland, the film combines quirky indie beats with somber reflections on… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2024: A Real Pain – Eisenberg’s sophomore effort
Movie Review: Tito, Margot and Me – A Documentary of Love, Passion and Political Intrigue
SYNOPSIS: The love story of world-renowned ballerina Margot Fonteyn and international diplomat Roberto “Tito” Arias transcend fame, infidelities, an attempted coup d’état backed by Fidel Castro, and five close-range shots that left him permanently paralyzed is told in the feature-length documentary, Tito, Margot and Me, Panama’s Official Oscar Submission for Best International Film. When they… Continue reading Movie Review: Tito, Margot and Me – A Documentary of Love, Passion and Political Intrigue