For their 116th episode, two Cannon-loving film critics, two Luthor-ian dads, and two nuclear-charged teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan continue a special podcast collaboration. Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast and Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions return to close the Christopher Reeve Superman series to discuss Superman IV: The Quest of Peace. Find out if it really is the worst movie of the series or if soft spots are found.
Read MoreFor their 115th episode, two computer-programming film critics, two absentee dads, and two evil self teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan have set up a special collaboration for a pair of episodes. Will and Don recently appeared on Ian Simmons' Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel to discuss Superman: The Movie and Superman II. For the step down of Superman III, Ian and returning guest Mark Krawczyk of Special Mark Productions continue the series the talk to our digital airwaves. We scratch our heads together on everything from Richard Pryor, computer fears, and bad Kryptonite.
Read MoreFor their 114th episode, two outcast film critics, two dandy dads, and two mixtape-flexing teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan continue from their Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 discussion last week with The Blonde in Front's Cati Glidewell with a wider telescope lens. The trio banter and reflect on the entirety of the film appearances of James Gunn's ragtag team, between their own trilogy, their Avengers contributions, and even there raucous Christmas Special from Disney+.
Read MoreWhen it comes to coolness, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an air conditioner of a blockbuster movie. Its comic book movie breeze is crisp and non-stop, making any hot room feel stupendous. The compressors are chugging on full blast and the thermostat is set low for maximum chill. But, like any air conditioner, you can run that machine too long. It’ll churn, rattle, need a filter or two, frost up, run out of refrigerant, or overdo the coolness for the room.
Read MorePaired perfectly as a double-feature follow-up to this summer’s spacefaring Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok is a raucously rad roller coaster that shoots rainbows out of every digitally-rendered pore. Blasting with energetic pace in the complete opposite direction from the dreary and grayish Game of Thrones Lite tone of Thor: The Dark World, this new chapter is a cinematic box of Crayola crayons laced with dynamite.
Read MoreIn returning to my "Movie Classroom" series of interactive whiteboard video reviews with new vigor, new skills, and new tools, I wanted to bring back and upload my old video attempts to my Every Movie Has a Lesson YouTube channel. In a massive file drop, I recently uploaded 29 of my past Movie Classroom videos from 2014, including winners like Whiplash and Birdman. Head over and reminisce on some fine films and commentary by yours truly.
Read More“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2” is an brazen explosion of Crayola-sheened special effects wonder mixed with invisible grays of magnetic character growth and depth. Just as with the first film, Marvel and company have taken a D-list roster of obscure also-rans and created new superstars and household names that you actually care about. True to the unwritten rules of sequels, the core is bolstered and improvements have been made.
Read More“In a Valley of Violence” lives up to the promised bloodshed suggested by its title and spins its own brand of tension and, best of all, a frank and bone-dry humor that blows into the whole film. You will either love the comedic edge or find it a distraction from the revenge. There is an undeniable panache to the absurdity that makes the film an absolute hoot. This is the giddy Western Quentin Tarantino wishes he could make while he wastes six hours of our time and stretched disbelief.
Read MoreCreative differences, bad PR, and terrible marketing have sunk greater and lesser films. "Ant-Man" survives each those kisses of death to be a fun, entertaining, and clever blockbuster. The creativity is more than present to veer away from Marvel's usually enormous scale of worldwide crisis-aversion and give us a true small-scale (literally and figuratively) "regular guy" hero that was missing among the billionaires, scientists, soldiers, assassins, and demi-gods Marvel has elevated so far to its cinematic pedestals. "Ant-Man" is packed with a plentiful amount of humor, spirit, and surprises that trump both the bad PR and overindulgent marketing. It was saving some aces up its sleeve.
Read MoreSpectacle defines "Jurassic World" perfectly. Just as the dictionary definition states, the blockbuster is unusual, notable, and entertaining in an eye-catching, dramatic, and very public way. It is loud and dumb, but, hot damn, it sure is fun. More discerning tastes will definitely gravitate to the "object of curiosity and contempt" version of the definition and they wouldn't be wrong in doing so. In the end, the simple definitions seal "Jurassic World" too. It is an very impressive monster movie and it will indeed attract attention and shock.
Read MoreIt's time to begin making my formal and official Oscar predictions. In this first post, we look at the visual and artistic technical categories that include cinematography, production design, costumes, makeup/hairstyling, editing, and visual effects. Let's do this!
Read MoreGetting into the numbers, I reviewed twenty four-star films and twelve five-star gems. That means my final "10 Best" list are all champs with two that had to be bumped to lead the next ten. From there, my four-star reviews were ranked from 12-20 and then honorable mention. In keeping with the hook of my website, each of my "10 Best" are presented with their best life lesson and linked full reviews. Enjoy!
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