As a fan of Adam McKay’s previous work (e.g., The Big Short), I was fairly disappointed in this movie that can’t decide if it wants to be a biopic or a mockumentary. Despite Christian Bale’s as-expected commitment to the role of Dick Cheney, it’s unclear whether we are meant to root for him or hate him or something in between.
Alyssa Christian
Review: BlacKkKlansman (2018)
With solid performances from John David Washington and Adam Driver, Spike Lee’s is a powerful, at times comedic and even a tough watch, look at our history that is still relevant today.
A Star Is Born: Review (2018)
Who’d have thought that Lady Gaga could act? Or that Bradley Cooper could sing (and direct)? I was pleasantly surprised to find out that both these things are true, and that Cooper’s directorial debut is a slam dunk.
Review: Black Panther
It’s unfortunate it took so long to make a superhero film with a black lead, but I’m glad Ryan Coogler was the one to shepherd it. Chadwick Bozeman is solid in the lead role, but it doesn’t take much for female characters like Danai Gurira’s Okoye to outshine him in some scenes – and that’s okay.
Review: The Favourite (2018)
The Favourite is delightfully bizarre, and I wouldn’t expect less from the man behind wholly original films like The Lobster. Rachel Weiss and Emma Stone are strong and committed, but it’s Oscar winner Olivia Colman who carries the film, in one of the most complex performances I’ve ever seen.
Review: Roma (2018)
Roma is a perfectly made film, in my eyes. And it’s difficult to explain how it affects the viewer, as the experience is different for everyone. But it’s clear that Alfonso Cuaron out his heart and soul into this movie that is based on the nanny from his childhood. Newcomer Yalitza Aparicio is a revelation, and a natural.
Review: Rocketman (2019)
As much as I enjoyed Bohemian Rhapsody, after seeing Rocketman, I’m inclined to view the Rami Malik Oscar-winning flick as amateur filmmaking — odd, especially since Dexter Fletcher was involved in both movies, although his influence was far more noticeable and impactful on the new Elton John biopic.
Review: Tomb Raider (2018)
Tomb Raider is more about Croft’s bravery, intelligence, and determination. In her first leading role post-Oscar win (for The Danish Girl), Alicia Vikander shines and her months of training for the role clearly paid off. She is almost too pretty for the role and when she was originally cast, many doubted that she could do it physically (no one doubts her talents as an actor). But she definitely proved everyone wrong.
Review: RBG (2018)
RBG was released just a couple weeks after the record-breaking Avengers: Infinity War and, even though one is fact and the other is fiction, the two have more in common that one might expect for a documentary and a science-fiction/fantasy epic. They both feature superheroes, the woman at the center of RBG being much more of an unlikely one than the expected ones in Avengers.
Review: I Feel Pretty (2018)
I Feel Pretty is tailor-made to caused the audience to laugh till you cry and, if you’re a fan of Amy Schumer (as I am) you won’t be disappointed with her latest. Granted, she received some interesting negative comments when the trailer was first released.