JUDY Review

JUDY Review

As an Oz historian and lover of film, I’ve always wanted a big screen biopic of Judy Garland’s life, a desire which might have proved a bit of “careful what  you wish for.” Of course no one can really “play” Judy Garland. It’s what makes every production of The Wizard of Oz so challenging – ..

Avengers: Endgame Review

Avengers: Endgame Review

Special to RyanJayReviews.com, by associate film critic Matt McCoy: Avengers: Endgame is more about trust than anything else. Not only is the storyline built on the characters’ conviction for a better world, but as a viewer, you need to have confidence in the storytellers’ end goal. The Russo brothers (co-directors Anthony & Joe) have proven ..

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review

Is Star Wars Episode 8 the best in the franchise because it’s the best story or is it just a circumstance of timing? Taking full advantage of great minds in writing, directing, acting, score, effects; delivering to fans and an audience built by Disney-sister-company Marvel, one can’t deny the influence the times have had on this ..

“Emerald City” – My Complete Interview

“Emerald City” – My Complete Interview

NBC’s Emerald City marked the first prime time network TV series adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. 10 episodes aired in early 2017. Low ratings led to a single season; not altogether surprising, since it was announced as a “limited series.” I loved the show and toured to four cities this year presenting my exclusive ..

$10 Dollar Perspective Review

$10 Dollar Perspective Review

This is a new documentary short, about 30 minutes long that is extremely powerful. I love documentaries and they often have the ability to affect you more coarsely than dramatizations. This is a great example of that – right from the start – it moves you… a child dies every 4 seconds – in the time ..

Get Out Review

Get Out Review

RYAN: Get Out is a new horror thriller from the mind of Jordan Peele of Key & Peele fame that bridges cultural boundaries in a genre that I’ve never seen accomplish that before. CAROLINE: Yes, it is both a thriller and a commentary on contemporary racism, and I really dug it. RYAN: And it might ..

The Edge of Seventeen Review

The Edge of Seventeen Review

RYAN: I wasn’t prepared going into this film for how great it was going to be. It’s really a spectacular movie. And it takes a bold movie to open against Fantastic Beasts this weekend, this one is worthy. Granted it is an entirely different genre – this is a dramedy. But it’s the best teen movie since The Perks of ..

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Review

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Review

RYAN: This is a momentous occasion! I remember the crowding sadness after the last Harry Potter film hit theaters; the end of an era – the finite close to the Potter universe. JK Rowling made clear Harry’s story was over… so when Warner Bros. announced Rowling was scripting a new film based on the Wizarding World – ..