Jackie: The Movie Review

As the lights went down in the theater before the beginning of Jackie, I suddenly realized that my only impressions of Jackie Kennedy came from still pictures and muted newsreel footage which left me with no idea what her voice actually sounded like. Then, once Natalie Portman started speaking as the titular character, it was so strange and off-putting that … Read moreJackie: The Movie Review

A Fan of La La Land

To start off, I must admit this holiday season has reignited my love affair with the movies. Over the past ten days, I’ve seen Rogue One, Fences, Dr. Strange, and La La Land.  Of all of these, the latter is certainly the one that will stay with me the longest. Not that the others were bombs, far … Read moreA Fan of La La Land

Fatherhood, Family, and Friendship. Fences: A Review

Recently, I had the opportunity to see an advance screening of Fences. To say that I was excited about this opportunity is an understatement. I have been a fan of August Wilson’s writing for over two decades, so to see one of his plays, my favorite in particular, come to the big screen is exciting. Fences … Read moreFatherhood, Family, and Friendship. Fences: A Review

Rogue One: More Than Hope

Let’s cut to the chase. I liked it. I liked it a lot. I liked The Force Awakens more, but I also feel this is a different film altogether. Let me explain. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first of several stand-alone films in the Star Wars anthology. Given that it’s “sequel” was already released nearly … Read moreRogue One: More Than Hope

The Infiltrator – A Film Review

Regardless of what the Supreme Court has ruled, I could never be married to the actor Bryan Cranston. I simply would never be able to trust him because I always find him so believable in every film role. He could come home after being gone for two weeks, tell me he was abducted by aliens, sent … Read moreThe Infiltrator – A Film Review

The Revenant – A Film Review

As a young man growing up in Northern Michigan, I once had the misfortune of crashing through some thin ice on a canal that ran through my hometown (ironically, I was trying to warn my younger brother away from a place I thought had thinner ice). I sank down to my armpits into arctic water, … Read moreThe Revenant – A Film Review

Concussion – A Film Review

This film left me in a pretty serious quandary: to wit, will I still watch my MSU Spartans play Alabama in their college football playoff game after Will Smith explained to me the dire consequences of participation in that sport? Based on the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a former pathologist for Allegheny County, … Read moreConcussion – A Film Review

Daddy’s Home – Film Review

First and foremost, let me get this off my chest. I hate Will Ferrell. With the exception of the first Anchorman, where he benefited mightily from a great ensemble cast, I’ve never found him to be even accidentally funny. His lazy attitude towards comedy, his complete lack of timing, and his unshakable belief that a … Read moreDaddy’s Home – Film Review

Unbroken – My Review

Expectations were high for my wife and I as we went to see Angelina Jolie’s adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand’s novel Unbroken, which chronicles the incredible story of Louis Zamperini. During his life, he set a high school record for the mile that stood for twenty years, competed at the Olympics while still in his teens, graduated from … Read moreUnbroken – My Review