THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART – Everything is Still Awesome

The Lego Movie 2 Review

3 out of 4 stars (3 / 4)

Familiar plotting prevents The Lego Movie 2 from reaching the creative heights of its predecessor, however, the introduction of welcome new characters and razor sharp meta humor make this all-out war between childhood and adulthood a more than worthy follow up.

In 2014, seemingly out of nowhere, The Lego Movie stormed onto the scene and proved with its surprise success that it could be just as viable of a brand as Disney or Dreamworks animation. However, lackluster reception from the previous entry, Lego Ninjago, combined with a downward trend at the box office has quickly put the viability of this colorful franchise into question. It’s clear from The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part that returning writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are not giving up on this franchise, as they have assembled a sequel every bit the vibrantly fun shot in the arm that the original was now with the clever addition of children’s “Duplo” toys as the villains.

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SERENITY: A Gonzo Noir Bait and Switch

Serenity Review

1.5 out of 4 stars (1.5 / 4)

There is almost something admirable about Serenity’s fearless embrace of its off-the-wall premise, however, this isn’t enough to compensate for the lack of compelling material surrounding its insane plot twist.

It has only been a few weeks into the year 2019, and we are already being treated to what could possibly go down as one of the most outlandish films of the year. Serenity, written and directed by Steven Knight, is being advertised as a sexy neo-noir thriller set on a beautifully scenic island with Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway starring as ex-lovers with questionable morals. Despite appearing to be a murder mystery tale, Serenity is revealed to have more in common with films such as Vanilla Sky and Westworld as this acid trip of a film delivers a plot that no one will see coming.

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GLASS: A Fittingly Flawed Conclusion

Glass: A Fittingly Flawed Conclusion

2.5 out of 4 stars (2.5 / 4)

Glass is most in its element when it brilliantly expands on the themes of power and belief laid out by its previous installments, but a last-minute plot twist prevents the film from sticking the landing.

Glass is the final entry of writer and director M. Night Shyamalan’s “Eastrail 177” trilogy as it definitively connects the two stories depicted in Unbreakable and Split and provides closure on this saga. In many ways, the entry that started it all, 2000’s Unbreakable, was ahead of its time as the superhero genre was far less prevalent 20 years ago. With the genre’s popularity currently being at an all-time high, it appears to be the perfect time for Shyamalan to circle back and conclude this unconventional trilogy. While the hit or miss director expands on many of the novel ideas from 2016’s Split, Glass doesn’t quite stick the landing as it is burdened with a ludicrous last-minute plot development that undermines much of what occurs earlier in the film.

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Interview With Melissa B. Miller Costanzo, Writer And Director Of ALL THESE SMALL MOMENTS: On Making A Contemporary Film With Nostalgic Roots

ALL THESE SMALL MOMENTS: A Tender Coming-Of-Age Dramedy

Writer and director Melissa B. Miller Costanzo’s feature debut, All These Small Moments, is a tender coming-of-age drama that explores the imprecise nature of transitioning into an adult and the surprising relationships that can shape us along the way. Starring Molly Ringwald in a role unlike any she has previously tackled and up and coming actor Brendan Meyer, this tale of a young man coping with the growing pains of adolescence through his obsession with an older woman is as equally humorous as it is cuttingly authentic.

Costanzo, being no stranger to the film industry having worked in the art department and as a producer on a number of prestige dramas, including If Beale Street Could Talk and The Fighter, demonstrated a strong visual eye as All These Small Moments is notable in its visual flair throughout. I was lucky enough to have the chance to speak with Costanzo about her new film, what inspired her, casting the iconic Molly Ringwald, and why it was important to limit the role of social media.

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ALL THESE SMALL MOMENTS: A Tender Coming-Of-Age Dramedy

ALL THESE SMALL MOMENTS: A Tender Coming-Of-Age Dramedy

Over the past few years there has been an abundance of riches as it concerns coming-of-age teen dramas. Unlike recent genre entries such as Love, Simon with its aims of inclusion and Eighth Grade with its commentary on the influence of social media’s role on teens, All These Small Moments goes back to basics, foregoing a contemporary hook completely. The film, however, possesses an uncommon honesty in its exploration of timeless themes related to growing up as we examine a young man and his unconventional infatuation with a woman in her 30’s.

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THE ASPERN PAPERS: Devoid Of Suspense Or Intrigue

The Aspern Papers is a mystery period drama based upon the classic story published in the 1800s from the influential literary figure, Henry James. The original story has long been considered one of James’most acclaimed tales for its ability to generate mounting suspense while also creating complicated, well-developed characters. With a tale this celebrated and a cast including legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave, The Aspern Papers would appear to be a safe bet, however, none of the same praises can be applied to this dull adaptation from Julien Landais.

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MARVEL’S RUNAWAYS Season 2: As Bingeable As Ever

Marvel's Runaways Season 2: As Bingeable As Ever

It would be an understatement to say that there are currently a lot of superhero themed shows available to viewers. From the CW, Netflix, ABC, and the recent DC Universe streaming service it is a crowded and competitive landscape. Hulu entered the ring in 2017 with Runaways, a teen drama best described as The OC meets the The Avengers based upon the successful Marvel comic book of the same name.

With its eclectically diverse cast of teammates and perfect blend of family drama with superhero stakes, Runaways managed to standout from its peers. Season two continues to capitalize on what makes the show so unique, making it a worthy successor that is as bingeable as ever.

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MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS: A Queen’s Place in a Man’s World

Mary Queen of Scots: A Queen's Place in a Man's World

2.5 out of 4 stars (2.5 / 4)

This historical drama is worth the price of admission alone for Margot Robbie’s transformative performance. However, plotting issues and overly imaginative historical inaccuracies get in the way and prevent Mary Queen of Scots from fully shining as a compelling character study.

Mary Queen of Scots, directed by Josie Rourke, is largely being marketed as a clash between two distinct queens who both believe themselves to be the rightful ruler of a divided country. With a screenplay from the former showrunner of House of Cards, Beau Willimon, it seems reasonable to expect a series of political maneuvers and machinations from each opposing monarch until a victor is ultimately crowned. The film, however, is largely not the story being advertised, as the film instead offers a feminist slant on historical events which cleverly plays with audience expectations of the ensuing conflict. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as the film is suitably thought-provoking and  riveting at times, even if the story is not without its issues.

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THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER: A Twisted Coming of Age Story

The Clovehitch Killer Review

3 out of 4 stars (3 / 4)

Duncan Skiles’ creepy thriller works to simultaneously skewer the hypocrisy of religious extremists, while also contending that shying away from horrific realities can be just as terrifying as witnessing blood and gore. 

The Clovehitch Killer directed by Duncan Skiles, is a serial killer mystery thriller that details the horrors that can lurk beneath even the most affable of our surroundings. It also happens to be a coming-of-age tale, not unlike 2017’s Super Dark Times, wherein acts of extreme violence are used allegorically to evoke the terrors associated with leaving the safety of childhood behind. Unlike the former film which focused on outgrowing your childhood friends, The Clovehitch Killer explores this idea in the even more intimate context of family. The film poses questions related to challenging the beliefs that were imprinted onto you from an early age whilst also serving as a memorably chilling mystery that will hold you in mounting suspense throughout its runtime.

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