Thanks to a 2015 documentary about her life that was met with critical acclaim, viewers saw a different side of the troubled singer, one that helped fans understand the struggle her so called “easy life” had become.
Critic finds film ‘light-hearted, cute and hilarious’
They Came Together may not change the way you look at romantic comedies, but it will at least give you a sense of appreciation when you watch a good one.
Critic disappointed by Krampus, finds it inconsistent
The film tries to do too much and ends up with a middling movie that doesn’t quite know what its message is.
Critic applauds Star Wars writers for securing legacy
It’s no surprise that the hype for Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens was massive. To everyone’s relief, the film seems to be doing just fine.
Mississippi Grind strikes critic as ‘not incredibly memorable’
Mississippi Grind lets you observe the highs and lows of the addiction, but, in the end, the film itself does not stand out in any special way.
Critic finds film ‘hard to predict’
During the past decade there has been an uptick in movies and television with anti-heroes in the lead role. A lead with questionable morals isn’t a new development. Watching characters struggle to live with their imperfections on screen helps us feel better about ourselves and our own problems. The question is, how far can a…
Critic ‘highly recommends’ lost in space film
In this day and age, we all have seen our fair share of “stranded- in-space” movies. With the recent releases of Gravity (2013) and Interstellar (2014) still fresh in our minds, the movie The Martian had a lot to live up to. The movie fol- lows the typical formula. A man gets stranded in space,…
Critic finds film ‘mesmerizing, fascinating’
It’s no wonder we are seeing an abundance of movies about the dangers of machinery crossing the boundary between robot and human with the constant expansion of technology. Alex Garland, writer and director of Ex Machina, is no stranger to the creation of sci-fi films. Although this movie is his debut as director, he has…
Critic sees film ‘worth Red Box price to rent’
What Marvel Studios has done with its movies in the past couple of years is impressive. The first Avengers film served as a culmination of both Marvel Studios and Joss Whedon and was a commercially–and critically acclaimed–success. Expectations for the sequel, Avengers: Age of Ultron, were a little on the high side and, in the…
Critic finds film entertaining despite series age
Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, is the fifth installment of the Mission Impossible series starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Much like its star, this series is aging well, as this latest film may also be its greatest. Hunt is joined this time around by returning members William Brandt played by Jeremy Renner, Luther…
Critic finds ‘How I Live Now’ juvenile, angst-ridden
How I Live Now may be based on a young adult novel, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that it’s incredibly juvenile.
Critic finds ‘All is Bright’ a waste of talented actors
The most marked characteristic of All Is Bright is that it’s a colossal waste of Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd.
Critic finds ‘C.O.G’ a bore
If I hadn’t known that C.O.G. was based on an essay by humor writer David Sedaris, I might have mistaken it for the world’s most twisted Hallmark movie.
After all, the title stands for “child of God,” and the main character does go on something of a spiritual journey.
Feast on the puns of ‘Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2’
The best thing about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is that it’s a kid’s movie. That’s not to say it isn’t clever or sophisticated – on the contrary, it’s one of the smartest animated films I’ve seen in a while.
What it isn’t, however, is a movie that tries to be any more mature than it has to be, and the result is wonderfully refreshing.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes excellent writing, directing debut
Don Jon is probably not the movie you think it is. It certainly wasn’t what I expected, which was a raunchy, laugh-a-minute comedy with a dash of heart and brains.
What I got was something far better: one of the sweetest, smartest, and most honest movies of the year.
Critic finds ‘The Purge’ less than thrilling
Generally speaking, I’m fond of plot twists in movies – particularly those I can’t see coming. What’s less pleasing is when the twist is followed by another twist that jerks the plot back to where it was expected to go in the first place. In The Purge, that happens at least three times. Written and directed by James DeMonaco, it’s a bland, boring thriller with an overambitious concept and underwhelming execution.
Critic finds TV movie ‘Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators’ less than entertaining
I’m not entirely sure how to go about writing a review of Syfy’s latest original movie, Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators. It’s not that it’s beyond criticism – on the contrary, in fact, it’s the worst film I’ve ever seen – it’s that it’s so mind-numbingly stupid that trying to say something remotely intelligent about it feels…
New Star Trek film has too little acting, critic says
The biggest problem with Star Trek Into Darkness is that it’s a sequel. A follow-up to J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot, it feels a bit like a recycled version of its predecessor, with a rehashed plot and familiar themes. It’s entertaining enough, of course, but it doesn’t feel quite as fresh as it should.
In Theaters: Oscar Nominated Shorts
Rarely in Oklahoma do we get the chance to see all of the films nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences before we watch the Oscars.
Critic makes picks for 84th Oscars ceremony
Well folks, it’s that time of year again. The 84th Annual Academy Awards are coming up at the end of February, and that means the buzz on the nominees is well under way.
In Theaters: The Woman in Black
Many years ago, in the quaint little village of Crythin Gifford, Jennet Humfrye’s son died in a terrible accident while she was away. The townspeople never recovered the body.
In Theaters: Chronicle
Chronicle is hands down the most excitingly creative, dazzling “found footage” film I have ever seen. Ever.
In Theaters: The Grey
When I was younger, I read a book called “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen. I was riveted by the against-all-odds tale of wilderness survival, about a boy who makes it in the woods for months with just a hatchet to help him get by.
In Theaters: The Artist
It takes much more than a mere black and white filter to make a film look so convincingly old.
In Theaters: Carnage
When you violently tear away all of the fancy clothes, expensive liquor, and notions about what is prim and proper, what are you left with? Acclaimed director Roman Polanski might argue that the answer is Carnage.
In Theaters: War Horse
If anyone has been missing the Steven Spielberg of old, the man behind Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler’s List, I found him back in full stride directing this cinematic tour de force: War Horse.
