Cast finds life in flawed Dracula Estimates as to how many times Dracula has appeared on film range from approximately 200 to 500. The low number is tabulated by purists who only count productions that feature a version of Bram Stoker’s character while the latter figure included parodies or knock-offs of the seminal vampire. He’s […]
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Wrecking Crew needs innovation, The Morrigan a worthwhile shocker
Bautista, Mamoa nearly salvage Wrecking Crew With the coming of sound to the film industry in 1927, the movie musical was born. Studios were so eager to promote the new technology through song and dance, there was a glut of musicals that nearly killed the genre before it could gain a head of steam. In […]
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Mercy falls short, Rip cleverly done
Intriguing Mercy ultimately falters Smacking of Steven Spielberg’s overlooked masterpiece Minority Report, Timur Bekmambetov’s Mercy also features a law enforcement officer trapped in a legal system he helped create, trying desperately to prove his innocence. At the heart of the Tom Cruise feature were questions of free will and predetermination. Here, the script from writer […]
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Song Sung Blue an inspiring tale, Marty Supreme grows taxing
Blue a Song of Inspiration Craig Brewer managed to change my mind about two things with his surprising Song Sung Blue. I was wrong about the purpose of musical tribute acts and Kate Hudson. As for the latter, based on her past output, she always struck me an actress of limited means. After seeing her […]
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Fire and Ash stunning but too long, Ella McKay loses its focus
Visually stunning Fire and Ash undone by length When L’Arrivee d’un train a La Ciotat (Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat) was shown at the Lumiere Brothers studio in 1896, viewers apparently recoiled as they saw the locomotive pull in, certain that the engine coming toward them would do them harm. While that may […]
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Wake Up Dead Man captivates while Merv fails to inspire
Johnson, Craig continue to delight with Dead Man One of the aspects in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out movies that elevates them above other films of that ilk is the social commentary he manages to weave into them. The first entry was a sharp examination of class in America, xenophobia and the predatory attitudes the haves […]
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Humor lifts Bugonia, Farrell helps Player pay off
Ironic humor buoys Lanthimos’ sly, pointed Bugonia Teddy is convinced he’s right. There’s no question in his mind there’s a race of aliens embedded on our planet, intent on wiping out humanity. The Andromedans aren’t overt in executing their plan; they’re taking a subtle approach which is why only Teddy and few others are aware […]
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An amazing Spider-Verse, Boogeyman an effective thriller, De Niro nails About My Father
Spider-Verse dazzles Visually striking from beginning to end, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a truly incredible filmgoing experience that renders its animated world(s) in the kind of minute detail and vibrant manner that forces you to redefine your expectations of the medium and genre. And the while the visuals are eye-popping, the narrative proves just […]
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Solo: A rollicking, entertaining entry in storied franchise
Everything old is new again in Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, and that’s just fine. When we first see the titular hero, he’s got himself into a jam, relying on a bit of charm, a dash of derring-do, and a whole lotta’ luck to get out of it. This situation plays itself out […]
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Film series fights winter doldrums
For more than 25 years, the Molly Schlich Independent and International Film Series – presented each winter by the Springfield Art Association – has brought acclaimed and lesser-seen movies to Springfield. From January through early March, each Sunday (matinee) and Tuesday (evening showings) one of the screens at AMC’s Parkway 8, 3025 Lindbergh Blvd., is […]
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Beasts a worthy addition to Potter canon
Since the Harry Potter film franchise came to an end, there’s been a gaping hole in Warner Brothers Studios’ ledger sheet. Bringing their stable of DC Comics superheroes to the screen was supposed to fill this void but they’ve continued to underperform in one way or another. However, shareholders will be delighted with the prequel […]
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Fairy tale Me Before You surprisingly effective
Sam Claflin as Will Traynor and Emilia Clarke as Lou Clark in Me Before You. PHOTO COURTESY Warner Bros. Many times in life, we often let our hearts overrule our minds. Such is the case with Thea Sharrock’s Me Before You, a slick piece of treacle that manages to charm as it flirts with insulting […]
