Monthly Archives: April 2018

“A Quiet Place” was predicted to hold audience while the clueless finally got a clue about “Rampage” and stayed away this weekend, with John Krasinski’s Monsters Can Hear You thriller taking in another $20-21 million and easily winning the weekend. … Continue reading →

The chilling isolation of stardom is the stark take-away from “Gemini,” a smart and knowing film noir set in LaLaland. Get famous enough, and you’re trapped. Every public appearance is fraught, every social exchange has you questioning motives. Want somebody … Continue reading →

Even the best thrillers allow or invite the viewer to get a step or two ahead, to anticipate what’s coming next, or what might come. The script usually reveals its mysteries by relying on melodramatic tropes or cliches of the … Continue reading →

Over at Box Office Mojo, they’re calling it “Quiet Place” over $21, “Rampage” falling into upper teens and “I Feel Pretty” $15, “Super Troopers 2” $6, “Traffik,” a Paula Patton/Omar Epps thriller, $3.5. Maybe that crowd-funded “Troopers” sequel won’t pay … Continue reading →

Just a teaser, has a touch of Tyler Perry with an all-Asian cast. Gloss and aspirational consumption (check out the cars). Not a laugh in the teaser, but the target audience is underserved, under-represented and HUGE. Maybe it’ll work out. … Continue reading →

One way to elevate the stoner comedy — And who asked for that? — might be to cast against type. Thus “Dude,” an L.A. high school stoner romp about four BFFs coping with senior year, prom, college plans, singing along … Continue reading →

“The Incredible Jessica James” is the very definition of “Netflixable.” It’s movie of undeniable charms, some witty moments and nice chemistry between its stars. But it’s got too little to it to warrant traveling to a cinema and buying a … Continue reading →

Sure, it’s the Liam Neeson keep-yourself-relevant role model, take on vengeful wise-old-men-of-action films in your 60s. I’ve gotten over any sense that these are “beneath” the often fine actors who make these movies. Especially after “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” Denzel … Continue reading →

As I type this, the original musical “The Greatest Showman,” an ode to showmanship, show business, show people, tolerance, and the power of Hugh Jackman doing a song and dance, will have been in theaters four months, 120 days. It … Continue reading →

Wes Anderson’s got something he wants to talk to you about.     Every day, more than 4,100 dogs and cats are killed in America’s shelters, simply because they don’t have safe places to call home. Best Friends Animal Society … Continue reading →