Especially in the cases of movies based on true stories, we too often play "armchair quarterback." We think we know the truth or can spot a lie when, very likely, we weren't part of the actual events. We call out movies for their believability and realism on two ends of a spectrum. On one end, we accuse them of exaggerating and stretching the truth of a real story. Our answer for that is a dismissive "come on" and "no way." On the other hand, we will chastise them for being sanitized, sugarcoated, and not real enough when necessary. For those, we still answer with a different, but similar "come on" and "no way."
Read MoreSince the Christmas Day release of The Wolf of Wall Street from director Martin Scorsese, the peaks and valleys of the buzz and backlash being traded back and forth has been nothing short of eye-opening. We see a few controversial movies come out every year, but this one is becoming hugely different.
Read MoreFor my website's 250th movie review, I'm proud to bring you an advance review of Saving Mr. Banks, the newest live-action feature film from Walt Disney Pictures.
Read MoreShedding most of his action star attraction and playing a dedicated father and husband,Hours easily stands out as the best Paul Walker has ever been as an actor instead of just a movie star. With his unfortunate and untimely death, it will be a shame that we will never get to see him capitalize from this passion project and personal success. Hours is a film and performance to be proud of. It's nothing award-worthy, but a very solid effort that resonates.
Read MoreThe Best Man Holiday pulls out many surprises, not the least of which is a heartfelt dramatic core that will warm your spirit and leave a lasting impression of friendship and fellowship. While it has its flaws and cheesy elements,The Best Man Holiday is one of the most flat-out entertaining and satisfying romantic comedy experiences to come to movies in years.
Read MoreIt's a shattering performance swinging between power and vulnerability minute-to-minute. It's the best Matthew McConaughey has ever been and might just be the role that puts him onstage at the Oscars this coming winter
Read MoreCommanding the screen without his smile and very few words, Redford gives an acting clinic on screen presence in this exhilarating and striking survival drama. The 77-year-old Academy Award winner is the only character in the film and plays a nameless yachtsman at sea in the Indian Ocean. With no cuddly back story and only a single voiceover of a written letter, Redford is alone in this environment.
Read MoreEnough Said is a smart and mature romantic comedy for the over-40 crowd that's a breath of fresh air when compared to younger and dumber entries in the genre. It packs a thoughtful punch of realism that elevates it from the calculated Hollywood whimsy we're use to seeing from the usual Nora Ephron or Nancy Meyers territory that serves this age range. Enough Said is a very nice date movie for a fall season and calendar year drastically under-serviced in that department.
Read MoreTechnically sound in every way and employing today's quality of visual effects, Rush chisels its own place on that Mount Rushmore of racing films as an instant classic.
Read MoreWith romance in its cross-hairs and obsession at its fingertips, the end result of Don Jon is a challenging and worthy playing field that addresses just how wide that gap is between romance and obsession.
Read MoreBLIND SPOT REVIEW #4: Capricorn One
Going back and seeing the movies I should have seen or always wanted to see, but missed.
Read MoreBeyond a few large leaps of over-convenient fictional story weaving, the film is a remarkable and powerful experience that everyone should see. A star-studded cast delivers a highly involving and endlessly interesting historical journey through America's quest for civil rights and racial equality. Academy Award winner Forrest Whitaker plays the title character of Cecil Gaines, a black White House butler whose 34-year tenure in the position spans eight Presidents.
Read More