Monthly Archives: June 2017

The symbolic becomes the literal in João Pedro Rodrigues’s “The Ornithologist,” a Biblical allegory set in the wilds of Portugal. The title character (Paul Hamy) is a man of science, trained to study birds and their behavior.  He has an accident on … Continue reading →

There’s trouble on the stand-alone “Han Solo” prequel at Lucasfilms. As in, cartoon directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” “The LEGO Movie”) delivered a film that Lucasfilm isn’t happy with it. The all-important “tone” … Continue reading →

You don’t see the “Baby Driver” practicing his craft, rehearsing for the getaways he’ll have to race through from bank jobs and armored car heists. He doesn’t have a hands-on interest in automobiles, which he can steer the wheels off of … Continue reading →

I haven’t kept the fact that this summer of sequels is just a-wearing me out. People asking, “What movie are you looking FORWARD to?” And I answer with any title that springs to mind that doesn’t have a number after … Continue reading →

I guess, in acting terms, 60 is the new 85. Because Daniel Day-Lewis, just a couple of months past that milestone birthday, has announced he’s giving up a profession he seemingly mastered. Acting will join a long list of many … Continue reading →

The summer of “ENOUGH already” continues at the cinema with the arrival of the fifth “Transformers” movie. The  cars are upgraded to AMGs, Astons and Lambos, and all those kids you’re tempted to take to it learn how funny using … Continue reading →

In the months since filmmaker Brian Knappenberger wrapped his documentary, “Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press,” a goon of a Montana millionaire tackled and assaulted a reporter for having the effrontery to ask him a question he didn’t like. … Continue reading →

Filmmaker Brett Haley was born and lived half his life in Key West and Pensacola, sleepy tourist/retirement towns in Florida. So it’s natural that he has found a connection with a film audience that much of Hollywood ignores — filmgoers … Continue reading →

You make a documentary about a rock star fighting cancer by donning military garb and starting a charity, you figure you’ve got your righteous uplifting side of the story covered. What you can’t count on is the guy’s wife being … Continue reading →

Ho hum…another Pixar picture opening, another win at the weekend box office. But “Cars 3” isn’t utterly outrunning the field, with a $51-52 million opening. You have to go WAAaaaaaaay down this chart to find a Pixar cartoon that has … Continue reading →