Monthly Archives: December 2024

Classic Film Review: John Ford takes the rep company, and no “stars,” to Monument Valley for “Wagon Master” (1950)

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Roger Moore

“Wagon Master” was perhaps the truest test of the concept of “star director” of John Ford’s career. The iconic Irishman who came to America and made Westerns was finishing up his “cavalry trilogy (“Fort Apache,” “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” … Continue reading →

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Movie Preview: Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller, snipers guarding “The Gorge,” a thriller trailer that’s…LOL

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Roger Moore

There are consequences for giving away a picture’s entire plot in the trailer. Unintentional laughter is one, as is the case with this “guarding the gates to hell” tale also starring Sigourney Weaver and Apple Films hopes this film from … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: A Doc Dad figures out that “Devils Stay” with Transplanted Organs

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Roger Moore

“Devils Stay” is an occasionally chilling genre thriller primarily of interest for depicting a Korean Catholic exorcism and its aftermath. A teen girl wrenched about violently, floating in the air as Latin rites and expulsion prayers are said over her, … Continue reading →

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Netflixable? “Mary” inspires a Biblical biopic

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Roger Moore

Long before Joseph of Nazareth reveals himself to be an action hero, saving the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus from rapacious Romans, the not-entirely-Biblical, not-exactly historical bio-pic “Mary” has lost its way. It’s not the great Sir Anthony Hopkins … Continue reading →

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Movie Preview: Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow, “The Rule of Jenny Pen”

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Roger Moore

A nursing home thriller involving an aged psychopath and puppets, and an aged judge out to stop him. I thought Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush was canceled? No? Never mind.

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Movie Preview: Alan Cumming goes Canadian — “Drive Back Home”

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Roger Moore

Is this showing at a cinema near you? I’m hunting high and low for it. Looks adorable, the prodigal/gay son/brother endures the “Drive Back Home.”

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Movie Review: “Moana 2” is nobody’s idea of “an instant classic”

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Roger Moore

Here’s how I described Disney’s 2016 blockbuster “Moana” when it came out. “It is an instant classic, a near masterpiece and the best Disney animated film since its last Golden Age, which produced “The Little Mermaid” and “The Lion King.” … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: Remembering an earlier coup attempt, an armed insurrection by “The Order”

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Roger Moore

It’s not the cars and the clothes that establish “The Order” as a period piece. It’s the notion of Federal law enforcement aggressively pursuing violent traitors out to overthrow democracy no matter how indifferent the entitled, selective-enforcement rural sheriffs and … Continue reading →

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BOX OFFICE: “Moana 2” sails past “Moana 1,” “Wicked” clears $300 million, Kyle Mooney blows A24’s rep with “Y2K”

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Roger Moore

Disney’s “Moana 2” is on a pace to surpass the box office take of 2016’s more charming “Moana” by midnight Sunday. A 55-60% falloff from its opening extended weekend (just shy of $140 million over Thanksgiving) means a $52 million … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: “Y2K,” back when the end was nigh

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Roger Moore

Why “Y2K?” Why now? Seriously, WTF, Gen Y and Kyle Mooney?  Films? LOLs? Not on your life, A24 Films. The ex-“SNL” player Mooney co-wrote, directed and co-stars in “Y2K,” a “horny teenager” comedy that aims to be a sort of … Continue reading →

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