This year’s Oscars race continues to see late surprises the closer we get to the official nominations. Between the various guilds recognitions, the return of the Golden Globes telecast, and an ever-widening diversity of films in contention has kept the race interesting and hard to predict in a few key areas. Based on the current … More Reel Talk: Oscar Predictions 2023
Film as a medium stands at a crossroads. Over the last few years, streaming, the pandemic, video-on-demand, and the increased focus on intellectual property have affected where and when movies are viewed — all of which is reflected in the 2022 box office. It’s fitting, then, that each film on this list reckons with reflection. Change. … More The Year In Review: Top 10 Films of 2022
Another Academy Awards ceremony is upon us — and it’s not been without controversy. From last-minute presenter announcements to omissions of various categories from the main telecast, the alleged “biggest night in Hollywood” is shaping up to be a curious — if not outright contentious — affair. I voiced my grievances the last time the Oscars … More Reel Talk: 2022 Oscar Winners Predictions
Coming off the heels of 2020, I didn’t know what to make of the current landscape of filmmaking or filmgoing. Though uncertainty still remains regarding what stories get told on the big screen and how the theater experience might change with streaming digging a deeper foothold, one important change between 2020 and 2021 is that … More The Year in Review: Top 10 Films of 2021
In January of 2020, I crafted a list of my most anticipated films of the year — a list that, in retrospect, did not age well given the world’s lack of moviegoing in the months that followed. However, I did make the following comment under my entry for Dune: “Not to be dramatic or anything, … More Film Review: ‘Dune’ Depicts Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi on a Grand Scale
After an agonizing year-and-a-half-long wait, Stranger Things Season Three is finally upon us. And, if you’re like me, you finished the entire season in the first 24 hours of its release on Netflix. Let’s unpack what’s up with the Upside Down, Hawkins, Indiana and our favorite group of ‘80s kids. The story picks up in … More TV Review: ‘Stranger Things’ packs in the thrills and ’80s nostalgia for a slow-building, emotional third season
“You’re a magizoologist, Newt.” “I’m a what?” “A magizoologist, and a thumpin’ good one, I’d wager.” That’s what Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) said to Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to butter him up for his mission in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald — more or less. All magic tricks and jokes aside, this film — … More Film Review: ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ maintains the magic but muddles the plot
Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a radical reimagining of the characters made popular by the sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Make no mistake, though: this show’s voice is completely original. It’s a darker, hellish take on Sabrina Spellman that leans into the mythology of witchcraft. That’s also what makes it far more entertaining and … More TV Review: ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ will have you under its darkly fun spell
“I’M OFF THE DEEP END, WATCH AS I DIVE IN, I’LL NEVER MEET THE GROOUUUUNND!” ~ live recording of me scream-singing along to your future Oscar winner for Best Original Song, “Shallow.” But this isn’t a song review (all though, if I’m being honest, it partly is), it’s a review of A Star is Born. … More Film Review: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga dive all the way in for Oscar contender, ‘A Star is Born’
Film is arguably the single most impactful medium when it comes to representation. Seeing one’s likeness displayed on the big screen combined with the inherent communal experience associated with movie-going can be both emotionally and socially resonant. Unfortunately, Hollywood has been sorely behind the curve here, but the release of director/writer John M. Chu’s Crazy … More Film Review: ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ takes bold steps toward inclusive representation
reelifereviews.com 