Posts in 2024
MOVIE REVIEW: Civil War

No one wins in a civil war. Apathy exists and wins instead through a constant mood of nearly callous disillusionment. On the other hand, if you don’t need the spoon-feeding and welcome your own search for the rational or irrational that could be dirty or delicate at any moment, Civil War may be the ideal type of havoc to dissect. 

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MOVIE REVIEW: Wicked Little Letters

The sentiment and pattern of the letters morphs from targeted malice to liberated venting, and begins to float as both. And, it’s all likely coming from marginalized female citizens who never have the stump or permissive opportunity to speak their mind or exorcize their frustrations in an honest way, let alone a shamelessly crude one. Wicked Little Letters develops enough expressive clout with its mystery to be more about the voices being found than the rumors being circulated. 

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MOVIE REVIEW: Monkey Man

Most will come away from Monkey Man going on and on like that last paragraph to praise the carnality of this movie, and rightfully so. That strapping and blood-soaked athleticism is what is going to draw the hoots and hollers at public screenings and fire up future YouTube fight breakdowns. Sometimes action for action’s sake can come up empty for greater meaning and audience investment. Without anchors to care about, the fun of it all can be meaningless. This movie does not make that mistake. That’s why Monkey Man’s passionate heart should be praised as highly as its physicality.

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The Five Most Shocking Films For Their Time

In the grand tapestry of cinematic history, certain films emerge that challenge, provoke, and sometimes disturb, leaving an indelible mark on audiences and industry alike. These films dare to venture into uncharted territories of narrative and moral complexity, igniting debates and often facing censorship. Here, Empire delves into five of the most controversial films of all time, including the groundbreaking "Midnight Cowboy."

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Greatest Hits

Merging this kind of existential melodrama with the outlandish happenstance of time travel requires characters audiences will care about beyond pragmatics and a lush production that can sprinkle magic on the grains of salt required. With the three charismatic and emerging talents present, the human appeal is covered in The Greatest Hits.

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MOVIE REVIEW: In the Land of Saints and Sinners

In the Land of Saints and Sinners earns a fair victory by slowing down and softening Liam Neeson from his signature gear of constant action ferocity. Even while playing a contract killer with imposing intimidation in his back pocket, the soon-to-be 72-year-old was granted a warmer character who exudes thoughtful wisdom first and brutality second. Clearly, the chance to give a little more of his best back to audiences on his home turf was irresistible and appreciated by Neeson.

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Listener

Directing his fifth feature length film, Steve Buscemi had us at Tessa Thompson. That’s an immediate victory. Go ahead and close your eyes. Picture Tessa and hear her voice. If you’re hearing her approachable tone and timbre in softer roles like Passing or Sylvie’s Love before her heroic bellows in the Thor and Creed franchises, you’re the right kind of cinephile and have dialed in to the proper Tessa Thompson.

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