‘Things Change’ (1988) too understated to be a wild romp
Mamet Monday (Movie review): This is an understated rendition of what could’ve been a wild and fun Mamet plot.
‘Things Change’ (1988) too understated to be a wild romp
‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Wicked Willow III: Broken Sunrise’ (2004) (Book review)
I thought the alternate-reality “Wicked Willow” trilogy was starting to get good with its second book, “Shattered Twilight,” but it comes crashing down again with “Broken Sunrise” (September 2004). In my reviews, I’ve somewhat facetiously said author Yvonne Navarro is exploring what would happen if Willow was evil for a longer time period, and unfortunately, that […]
Larson grabs attention in the small-scale ‘Room’ (2015)
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Before she was Captain Marvel, Brie Larson grabbed attention on a smaller scale.
Peter Farrelly’s ‘Green Book’ a sweet story of friendship against backdrop of mid-century American racism (Movie review)
Writer-director Peter Farrelly smooths out the excesses of his filmmaking traits for the surprisingly mainstream and easy-to-like “Green Book” (2018), now back in theaters and also available for home viewing. It’s not as funny as his best films like “Dumb and Dumber” and not as high-concept as the likes of “Stuck on You” and “Shallow Hal.” […]
‘Captain Marvel’s’ mythology is confusing, but ’90s nostalgia is fun
Movie review: Strong performances, action and ’90s nostalgia outweigh “Captain Marvel’s” head-scratching mythology.
‘Angel & Faith’ flashback: Season 9, Issues 11-20 (2012-13) (Comic book reviews)
The second batch of 10 issues in “Angel & Faith” Season 9 starts with a slight midseason dip in quality. It’s nice to catch up with Connor and Gunn, but distracting for readers of the IDW “Angel” comics who know a different continuity. The last five issues of this batch are gold, though: first the […]
‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ (1992) is searing, quotable and darkly funny
Mamet Monday (Movie review): Mamet pens a searing yet funny look at cutthroat white-collar workers.
The strangely enduring legacy of Luke Perry’s Pike in the ‘Buffy’ saga
‘Buffy’ commentary: Luke Perry’s Pike was only on screen for one project (the movie), but his character continued in the comics and novels.
‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Wicked Willow II: Shattered Twilight’ (2004) (Book review)
“Wicked Willow II: Shattered Twilight” (July 2004), the middle chapter of Yvonne Navarro’s trilogy, doesn’t have a lot of plot to it, but – part purposefully, part accidentally, perhaps – it’s a good meditation on how we define good and evil and why factions fight each other. As with the first entry, “The Darkening,” Willow […]
‘Varsity Blues’ (1999) smartly parodies teen sports flicks
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): “Friday Night Lights” didn’t become a movie until 2004, yet 1999’s “Varsity Blues” plays like a sharp parody of it.