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Movie ReviewsWar

Movie Review: 1917

Three out of Five Stars Directed by: Sam Mendes Written by: Sam Mendes and Kristy Wilson-Cairns Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, and several surprise cameos from famous actors Music by: Thomas Newman The most striking aspect of Sam Mendes’ new World War I movie, 1917, is the backgrounds. Rare…
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February 3, 2020
ActionMovie Reviews

Ford v. Ferrari (Movie Review)

Directed by: James MangoldWritten by: Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, Jason KellerStarring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Berntha Ford v. Ferrari promises a showdown between car companies. It is, partly, and it fulfills the promise of its title in spectacular fashion, with one of the most spectacular racing scenes I’ve…
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December 6, 2019
Movie Reviews

Abominable (2019)

Here on the Great Plains, some of us escape the coming winter by heading to the movie theater.  It was October 11, 2019, the first snow of the year, and about fifty people—half of them little kids—were sitting in the theater to watch the newer…
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October 12, 2019
Movie Reviews

Joker (2019)

Todd Phillip’s Joker opens this weekend with plenty of national anxiety, thanks to media hype.  At my theater, a police officer—to put it in the words of the theater owner I spoke to—“made his presence known” by looking in on our screening.  This is the…
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October 4, 2019
Movie Reviews

Ad Astra (2019)

At its heart, Ad Astra features the story of a reserved soldier, named Roy McBride who longs to have a relationship with his father.  That soldier (Brad Pitt), who is also an astronaut, rages silently underneath a veneer of aplomb.  He’s constantly being evaluated by…
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September 21, 2019
movie educationMovie Reviews

Her (2013)

(Fair warning to readers: Her contains sexually explicit content that is not for viewers who will be misdirected by its appearance. If you think that's you, don't watch it.) Just the title of Her, all by itself, encapsulates the complexity and amazing ambiguity of this…
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August 22, 2019
movie educationMovie Reviews

Nightcrawler (2014)

“We lack adequate images. Our civilization doesn’t have adequate images.” -- Werner Herzog A gripping movie that doubles as potent commentary on our news media, Nightcrawler (2014) stands out as one of the more complex suspense pictures from the 2010s.  The movie is about so…
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August 20, 2019
Movie Reviews

My Movie Reviews

2020 Onward (by Pixar) 2019 1917 Abominable Ad Astra Black Mirror: Season 5 Ford v. Ferrari John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum Joker 2018 A Quiet Place Black Mirror: Bandersnatch First Man Game Night Green Book Hostiles Mission: Impossible - Fallout Ready Player One Roma…
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August 16, 2019
Movie Reviews

Black Mirror: Season 5

If you’re a subscriber to Netflix, you might’ve felt the same thing that I have countless times.  You go into your Netflix account, browse for something to watch, and stare perplexedly at your options.  What should you watch, and how do you know it’s a…
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August 12, 2019
movie educationMovie Reviews

John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum (2019)

Title: John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum Directed by: Chad Stahelski Written by: Derek Kolstad, Shay Hatten, Chris Collins & Marc AbramsStarring: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Halle Berry, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Reddick Music by: Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard John Wick 3 is barbarian ballet. Only a nation at war…
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May 31, 2019