MOVIE REVIEW: Churchill

Brian Cox one of the most underappreciated character actors in the business today. He has been an accomplished and terrifically versatile mainstay through all levels and genres of film for over thirty years since turning our heads as cinema’s first Hannibal Lecktor in Michael Mann’s Manhunter. Cox is a consummate performer, brimming with fervid screen presence. From Braveheart to Super Troopers, he is never the weak link to any picture. Churchill offers a rare lead performance from Cox and, like the chameleon he’s always been, he reminds us of his indomitable intensity.

2017, 3 STARS, Foreign Film, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Video on DemandDon ShanahanJune 4, 20172017, 2017 Summer Movies, Churchill, Jonathan Teplitzky, Alex von Tunzelmann, Brian Cox, John Slattery, Miranda Richardson, Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour, Joe Wright, Winston Churchill, Sir Winston Churchill, The Railway Man, Burning Man, British Bulldog, Operation Overlord, D-Day, World War II, World War II movies, Julian Wadham, James Purefoy, Bernard Montgomery, King George VI, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Eisenhower, Clementine Churchill, David Higgs, Lorne Balfe, Care Hall, prosthetics, Michael Mann, Manhunter, Hannibal Lecktor, Braveheart, Super Troppers, leaders, Prime Minister, movie review, film review, movie commentary, film commentary, historical drama, Biopics, war films, anti-war films, life lessons, life lessons from film, life lessons from movies, foreign film, independent films, independent film, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Don Shanahan, Donald ShanahanComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Lift

Six very different people are stuck in an elevator, or “lift” if you will, as it is called across the Atlantic in Dublin. One of the occupants just beat lumps into a security guard and the rest are stuck fearing for their safety. This isn’t the most ideal place to find comedy, yet “Lift” fires a few quips at the expense of this predicament.

MOVIE REVIEW: Blood Father

”Blood Father” resurrects the cagey and fierce Mel Gibson. Languishing on an invisible black list, the “Braveheart” Oscar winner is living in a new age demographic and hoping to crack back into the larger spotlight. Mel might not be able to leap through dozens of stunt sequences anymore, but the man has lost none of his psychological vigor or resolve. His brand of crazy still works in this throwback actioner.

EDITORIAL: My picks for the greatest movie scores

Here's my official list of my top 10 movie scores with three unbreakable ties. I can't call them the "greatest," but I'll put my list next to anyone's and defend my choices. My friends and followers kind of poked the bear and encouraged me to make and rank my own list. Well, I love a good challenge and I knew this one would be easy. Movie scores and I get along.