DRAMA
RYAN: I never read the book this movie is based on so I’m thrilled to welcome to the site, a new, young guest reviewer, Oliva, who at 14, has read The Fault in Our Stars, how many times? OLIVIA: If I finish it again today, it will be nine. RYAN: Wow. So you’ll bring a great perspective ..
DRAMA
RYAN: I was unable to attend the press screening for Words and Pictures, so my associate, Chuck, took one for the team! Thanks for helping out, Chuck – How was it? CHUCK: It’s pretty good. It’s not a big movie but I was interested in seeing it since I was familiar with the director, Fred Schepisi, who ..
DRAMA
RYAN: We first fell in love with Toni Collette in Muriel’s Wedding and she’s had one of the best career’s in Hollywood since then. She’s just always fabulous and she can do comedy, drama, shake it all up like we’ve seen her do on Showtime’s United States of Tara, but for all I’ve enjoyed her in, she ..
COMEDY
RYAN: I didn’t expect whilst walking into this little movie, Chef, that it would be my favorite of the year so far, and have so many little genius moments. CAROLINE: Upon hearing how much you loved this one, I took myself to a screening and was similarly transported. What a great little movie! Though I ..
COMEDY
RYAN: We just saw the new Disney baseball movie starring Jon Hamm and based on a true story. It’s really a cross between Jerry Maguire, American Idol… CHUCK: and My Fair Lady. RYAN: Yes! It’s fine. I’m not a sports fan but really love sports movies because they’re rousing, suspenseful and exciting. This one was ..
BIOPIC
RYAN: I love Nicky Kidman and we haven’t seen her in a while – she wasn’t up for anything last awards season so it’s nice to see her again. War is the one genre I really struggle with but very rarely, there’s a war movie that surprises me and this is such a case. CAROLINE: ..
DRAMA
RYAN: This movie is based on a book which is an account of actual events for a family. There are a lot of people who have been inspired by the story and already lots of buzz for the movie adaptation. CAROLINE: Yeah I’ve seen some groups of people with high expectations – especially church groups. ..
DRAMA
RYAN: This is Kevin Costner’s latest sports film in which he costars with Jenny Garner. It’s of the football variety and about Draft Day, which I hadn’t realized was such a big deal. CHUCK: Shocking! RYAN: (laughs) Since I’m not a sports fan, I was so confused by the beginning of this movie. And football ..
DRAMA
RYAN: This movie didn’t get a wide theatrical release but the cast is so phenom that I had to see it so I rented it on iTunes and am so glad I did. In fact, I would have really enjoyed this on the big screen. I wonder why it didn’t get major distribution. CAROLINE: The ..
DRAMA
RYAN: We were both intrigued by Enemy, primarily since it stars Jake Gyllenhaal. But we quickly agreed, once our butts hit the seats, that the trailer was misleading. This is experimental filmmaking. CAROLINE: I mainly wanted to see this because of the director, who made last year’s Prisoners, also starring Jake G. That was enough ..
ACTION
RYAN: This is the latest franchise based on a young adult, best selling book series, along the lines of The Hunger Games. I haven’t read the books. We screened this right after interviewing the cast and author on the red carpet at the Chicago premiere (interviews can be seen here) and I loved it. I wanna read ..
COMEDY
RYAN: It’s the latest from auteur Wes Anderson whom I’ve never really gotten as a director. I’ve always appreciated his effort and visual expression but the vibe of his movies, while quirky, irked me. Until now! The Grand Budapest Hotel is brilliant. It’s like Wes just worked out all the kinks making his previous films and ..
