Rapid Reviews: Battle of the Sexes and Brad's Status

Following an unusual career path to filmmaking that included nearly two decades of making MTV music videos for accomplished artists like REM, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer and countless others, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris began their Hollywood career with a bang. The husband and wife's debut feature Little Miss Sunshine went on to win a pair of Oscars (Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay) and earn heaps of critical praise. And despite an egregiously overlooked second feature, the superbly told fantasy love story Ruby Sparks, the couple's latest work has them back in the spotlight.

Battle of the Sexes tells the timely true tale of female tennis great, Billie Jean King (Emma Stone), as she emerged as a beacon of the women's liberation movement during the early 1970s. While embroiled in a bitter fight concerning equal cash prize payouts for the men's and women's tournament winners, King also discovers her inner desires and begins a secret and risque affair with a pretty young hair dresser named Marilyn (Andrea Riseborough). Meanwhile, 55 year old former men's champion and gambling aficionado , Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell), comes up with a crazy sideshow idea to play King in an exhibition match, and puts on a chauvinistic display to help make it happen.

Caught in the midst of a heated social climate, Dayton and Faris' Battle of the Sexes proudly parades its pro-feminism and pro-LGBTQ rights agenda. You'll be hard pressed to find a single scene where King's character is on screen and neither of those issues are involved. Consequently, the film will assuredly polarize audiences, so it's important to take all passionate opinions regarding the movie with a grain of salt. And even though Academy Award Winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy's (Slumdog Millionaire) script comes off as a bit preachy, recent Oscar Winner Emma Stone and co-star Steve Carell both deliver outstanding performances. If anything, Battle of the Sexes could have used a larger dose of Steve Carell, as Bobby Riggs' energetic character merely lurks around in the film's first two acts, giving way to a tepid romance story between Billie and Marilyn. Both Austin Stowell, as Billie's husband Larry King, and Andrea Riseborough fail to offer convincing and meaningful characters, which certainly creates a void in the film. Battle of the Sexes tells an interesting true story in a rather uninteresting way, making it a decent but unfulfilling watch.


Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: B-





At first glimpse of its movie trailer and before knowing anything about the film whatsoever, I wrongly assumed that Brad's Status was the newest addition to indie auteur Noah Baumbach's extensive catalog. With Ben Stiller in tow and a personal examination of the human psyche at its core, Mike White's film seemed to look and feel exactly like a Baumbach picture. Unfortunately, Brad's Status fails to play out anything like the heralded American filmmaker's work. Instead, writer and director Mike White reminds us all just how frustrating and immature we can be as individuals.

Ben Stiller stars as Brad Sloan, a middle-aged owner of a mildly successful non-profit organization who can't help but feel resentful of his inner circle of college friends who all grew up to become insanely successful. And as Brad ventures onto a college tour with his smart and put-together teenage son Troy (Austin Abrams) who has goals of getting into Harvard, Brad continues to be plagued by regret and self loathing that makes him question all of his life's decisions.

Selling an audience on a character as irritating and emotionally inept as Brad is quite difficult. And even worse, the depth of his character is built almost exclusively through the cheap narrative tool of voice over. Brad's Status attempts to paint a meaningful tale of self discovery, but as Brad's character finally begins to peel away at his layers of cynicism, he's already alienated the viewer with an annoying obsession over stature and prominence. Mike White tries his hardest to provide a silver lining and he actually does conjure up a worthwhile, albeit obvious, message to the story. Yet, it's quite the challenge to still be invested in Brad's irrational psyche by the time the film finally arrives at its well-intended conclusion.


Stars: 2 stars out of 4

Grade: C

The Best Jake Gyllenhaal Performances

Jake Gyllenhaal has enjoyed a quietly effective acting career that some may even label as underrated thanks to only one Oscar Nomination after all of these years on the big screen. But no matter how deep your affinity for Gyllenhaal runs, it's impossible to deny the actor's versatility and commanding presence every time he graces the screen. And in recognition of Gyllenhaal's new Oscar-baity performance in the sobering drama, Stronger, September's Movie List of the Month highlight's the actor's finest roles (August's list).

Honorable Mention: End of Watch, Love & Other Drugs, Prisoners and Source Code

#5. Donnie Darko (2001)

Gyllenhaal really began putting his talents on display in 1999's October Sky, but he eventually took things to a whole new level in Richard Kelly's boldly intricate and clever sci-fi drama Donnie Darko. After narrowly surviving a freak accident, Donnie (Gyllenhaal) begins experiencing dark visions of a man in a rabbit suit as he tries to unlock the keys to a fascinating mystery. The cult classic wins over its loyal audiences with a creepy collection of characters and many stellar performances, all of which are capped by the magnificent early-career work from Jake Gyllenhaal. 

#4. Stronger (2017)

It's very new and fresh in my mind, but I was surprised by the convincing manner in which Gyllenhaal delivers his role in David Gordon Green's Stronger. Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff Bauman, an unreliable young man who runs into his on-again-off-again girlfriend at a bar. When he promises to cheer her on at the finish line of the Boston Marathon and actually comes through with his word, he falls victim to the devastating bomb blast that takes both of his legs. Normally, a heart-tugging story can be a difficult sell for me, but Gyllenhaal's earnest delivery is spot on as he effortlessly crafts a wildly sympathetic, albeit flawed, character. But even through all of Jeff's obvious faults, Gyllenhaal masterfully earns your rooting interest.

#3. Nocturnal Animals (2016)

Tom Ford's mildly polarizing story-within-a-story thriller, Nocturnal Animals, utilizes Gyllenhaal's talents in a rare dual role for the actor. Within both stories Gyllenhaal pays his usual attention to detail and offers up a pair of subtle performances that span very different tones. On one end, he's a struggling writer unable to convince his wife (Amy Adams) of his abilities due to a lack of profound inspiration. On the other hand, he's a vengeful husband who watches as his wife (Isla Fisher) and daughter are kidnapped and later found murdered. Gyllenhaal illustrates a vast range and high level of competence in two smaller, less flashy supporting roles.

#2. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Jake Gyllenhaal finally landed in Oscar contention following a powerful supporting turn in Ang Lee's drama Brokeback Mountain. After an unlikely romance forms between a pair of Wyoming cowboys (Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger), they struggle to keep their true feelings secret from the lives that they built at home. In a delicate story of homosexuality and prejudices, something very edgy for its time, Gyllenhaal and his onscreen counterpart, Heath Ledger, respond with towering performances that are respectful of their material and complex in beauty. While Gyllenhaal's clearly out-shined by Ledger's more prominent role, both offer unforgettable work that will forever stand the test of time.

#1. Nightcrawler (2014)

Sadly, the Academy Awards missed greatly when it turned its back on Jake Gyllenhaal's finest performance to date in Dan Gilroy's Nightcrawler. The film tells the skin-crawling tale of a sociopath (Gyllenhaal) who finds his life calling as a freelance videographer of freshly-bloodied crime scenes. There's no shortage of fantastic onscreen work from the likes of the late Bill Paxton, Rene Russo, and The Night Of's Riz Ahmed. However, it's Jake Gyllenhaal's film and he refuses to waste a moment of face-time with an eerily captivating turn. His works really takes you into the demented psyche of a crazed-lunatic and it's truly a shame that this apex of Gyllenhaal's career was regrettably ignored by Hollywood's biggest awards show. Thankfully, he'll have plenty of future opportunities to set the record straight.

Rapid Reviews: Stronger and Mother!

Less than a year ago Peter Berg, a director increasingly known for tackling events from recent history, delivered a tense and thrilling recreation of 2013's Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent days-long manhunt for the suspects at large with Patriots Day. The film was effective but lacked a subtle and more personal feel to the Boston-Strong tragedy that rocked the world. Yet, nearly nine months later we're given just that perspective from a mildly unexpected source. David Gordon Green, an indie filmmaker who finally broke through with his 2008's stoner-comedy Pineapple Express, finally returns to his dramatic roots. Stronger tells the emotional true story of Jeff Bauman, a bombing victim who struggles to come to grips with the debilitating results of this tragic event.

Jeff Bauman (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an unreliable and immature jokester living in the Boston suburb of Chelmsford. And when he runs into his long-time on-and-off girlfriend Erin (Tatiana Maslany) at a local bar trying to raise money for the marathon, he promises to be there at the finish line to cheer her on as she finishes the race. But Jeff's decision to finally come through on his promise leads to the greatest struggle of his life when he losses both of his legs in the bombing and reluctantly becomes a hero to the entire city of Boston.

David Gordon Green's Stronger grips its audience with a compelling character-driven story that's eloquently brought to the screen by Jake Gyllenhaal. The actor's storied career adds another shining inclusion to his already long list of achievements as Gyllenhaal delivers the year's most notable performance to date. But for as masterful as Gyllenhaal is on screen, co-star Tatiana Maslany complements his work with an earnest and skillful turn of her own. Stronger tells a nuanced story that's thin on memorable scenes but effective because of its refusal to cater the the heart-tugging backdrop of its over-arcing tale. The film's undeniable dramatic moments are supported by laugh-out-loud humor courtesy of Jeff Bauman's family members, which add a layer of depth to the entire experience. Stronger isn't anything exceptional, and it may not even end up in the Best Picture field, but David Gordon Green shows why he's a capable storyteller and exemplary filmmaker.


Stars: 3 stars out of 4

Grade: B





Darren Aronofsky is no stranger to crafting polarizing pieces of film. As the visionary behind works like Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain and even Noah, Aronofsky has a profound way of both dazzling and alienating select audiences. But perhaps none of his oeuvre has divided critics and moviegoers quite like his latest ambitious feat, Mother!, a dark and spiraling journey into madness and creation.

Jennifer Lawrence stars as the wife of a world renowned writer (Javier Bardem). But as she works tirelessly to restore his childhood home to the exact proportions from before it tragically burned to the ground, her husband can't seem to find the inspiration he needs to create his next great masterpiece. However, when a strange cast of unexpected visitors (Ed Harris and Michelle Pfeiffer) arrive at their home, the ensuing chaos leads to a chain of events that send the writer's career to even greater heights, which begin to threaten the sanctity of their marriage.

Equal parts bold and absurd, Aronsky's Mother! rings familiar to the recent adapted work of another ambitious filmmaker, Ben Wheatley. Wheatley's High-Rise serves as a metaphor for societal breakdown and anarchy in a lawless skyscraper where the higher the floor, the more power and wealth. Similarly, Mother! has much to say about the deterioration of society and structure. But where Wheatley's effort unapologetically prides itself on the foolish lunacy of its story, Mother! half-heartedly masks the same goal with mystery and intrigue. And when Aronofsky finally reveals his hand, the bravado has already begun to wear thin. Mother! stands as a periodically gripping tale with committed performances from a rangy and impressive cast. Yet, much like the chintzy exclamation point thrown at the end of the film's title, Mother! is as subtle as a sledge-hammer, mercilessly dragging the viewer to a far-off finish line that provides very little in terms of a reward when all is said and done.


Stars: 2 stars out of 4

Grade C

The Shape of Water (RED BAND) and The Disaster Artist (NEW) Trailers

The Venice Film Festival came and went, debuting some of the fall's most notable titles. But no film could match adoration of the Gold Lion award winner from Guillermo Del Toro, The Shape of Water. This sci-fi fantasy is set in 1962 during a tense period of the Cold War where a mute woman named Elisa (Sally Hawkins) works in a government laboratory. Everything changes when her and a co-worker (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret experiment. The Shape of Water's tantalizing debut trailer has officially been backed up by this brand new Red Band sneak peek. Catch the latest footage from Venice's big winner below.





At SXSW this year James Franco premiered an unfinished "work-in-progress" cut of his upcoming comedic gem, The Disaster Artist. The film centers around the unskilled actor and director Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) as he conjures up the idea to create "The Room", an effort that's widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made. Fans of Wiseau's cult classic film are sure to love The Disaster Artist, but Franco's latest trailer illustrates a high dose of clever comedy that's guaranteed to please even the unfamiliar moviegoer. Check out the new extended look into The Disaster Artist below.

It (2017)

Stephen King's high profile work is no stranger to the Hollywood adaptation. Having been the genesis behind iconic tales like The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Misery and Carrie, just to name a few, King's stories always provide a unique tone that make for a memorable experience. Back in 1990, Stephen King's It was developed into a two-part miniseries that introduced mainstream audiences to Pennywise the clown. But 27 years later, in conjunction with Pennywise's incremental return to the town of Derry, Maine, Andy Muschietti reintroduces the world to Hollywood's creepiest clown.

In the small town of Derry, Maine locals have been disappearing at an alarming rate, especially children. And when a group of bullied kids known as "The Losers Club" each encounter the terrorizing clown figure known as Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard), they must band together to fight back against whatever "it" is.

Nostalgic and compelling, Andy Muschietti's It marks a triumphant return to Stephen King's source material. An exceptionally creepy vibe and the Losers Club's non-stop comically immature banter help mask a few deficiencies, mainly a miscasting of the lead character Bill and some noticeable changes between this adaptation story and the original. Despite Jaeden Lieberher's strong accumulation of career performances (namely St. Vincent and Midnight Special), the youngster misses the mark with his latest role. Furthermore, Chase Palmer and company develop a screenplay that weakens the core of the film. By swapping trademark qualities among members of the Losers Club, It offers a clear distinction between which characters are more vital to the story and which ones aren't, thus losing a bit of the original's collective charm.

Although Andy Muschietti's reboot is far from perfect, the film possesses many fine components as well. I have heard rumblings regarding It's lack of legitimate scares, yet the mild frights arrive in high frequency and do just enough to carry the movie through an otherwise exhausting 135-minute running time. The film also delivers the goods on many of the original's iconic scenes, molding both reminiscence and a fresh new perspective into a winning remake of the classic miniseries. It focuses solely on the children's perspective and face-to-face encounters with Pennywise, whose essence is wonderfully captured by Bill Skarsgard, paving the way for an adult-centric sequel that's already in the works. It stands as a satisfying return to the town of Derry and makes the most out of its iconic lead villain.


Stars: 3 stars out of 4

Grade: B

Downsizing and Mother! (NEW) Trailers

The Venice Film Festival has become a launching point for major fall releases and Oscar hopefuls, and this year's impressive lineup is no exception. One such film debuting at Venice was acclaimed director Alexander Payne's fresh and original idea, Downsizing. When overpopulation begins to plague the world, a new scientific breakthrough shrinks the human body down to a minuscule size, prompting an Occupational Therapist (Matt Damon) and his wife (Kristen Wiig) to undergo the surgery and chip in to help save the planet. Payne's trademark deadpan humor should complement this satire well, especially considering the film's strong critical reception. Check out the first official trailer for Downsizing below.

Darren Aronofsky has proven to be a master of the psychological thriller thanks to accomplished and adored titles such as Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream. Aronofsky also debuted his latest work at this year's Venice Festival, where Mother! played to many polarizing reviews. Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem star as a couple whose marriage quickly becomes tested following the arrival of some uninvited guests. Mother! finds a theatrical release in the upcoming weeks, so fans of Aronofsky and the horror/thriller genres may want to consider taking flyer on his new release. Check out the latest trailer for Mother! below.

Top Ten Films of the Year (So Far) - Part II

Yesterday I discussed the bottom half of my Top 10 Films of 2017 so far (Part I), and today I will continue on with the 5 best that I've seen this year. In fact, some of these titles may even find their way onto my end-of-the-year list when all is said and done. So here they are, the Top 5 films of 2017's early-year and summer releases.

#5. T2 Trainspotting

As a lover of the original and an outspoken fanboy of director Danny Boyle, learning that T2 Trainspotting was the "secret screening" at this year's SXSW Film Festival was huge for me. Perhaps the most impressive quality surrounding Danny Boyle's long-awaited sequel is how well is plays as both a stand-alone film and how smoothly it carries over from its predecessor. This ensures that T2 can be enjoyed by any moviegoer. Ewan McGregor reprises his role as Renton, who returns to Edinburgh two decades after screwing over his closest friends and associates by running off with their money in an attempt to relocate and break free from his heroin addiction. But as Renton soon discovers, trying to correct all of his past wrongs isn't as easy as it's cracked up to be. Riotous laughs and a compelling story make T2 a worthwhile sequel, even 20 years later. 

#4. Small Town Crime

While I thoroughly enjoyed Danny Boyle's Trainspotting sequel, it was sibling directors Eshom and Ian Nelms' Small Town Crime that stood out as the finest entry from this year's SXSW lineup. The great John Hawkes, a vastly under-appreciated talent in the industry, stars as a former cop who begins his own investigation after he drunkenly stumbles across a dead body. Yet, in doing so, he puts himself and all of his loved ones in grave danger. Small Town Crime delivers a Coen brothers-esque vibe with impressionable elements of dark humor, murder and exquisite performances. Octavia Spencer, Robert Forster, Anthony Anderson and Clifton Collins Jr. all shine in their supporting work, which completely round out this stellar crime comedy. Small Town Crime hasn't garnered an official release date yet, but it's a film to certainly keep in the back of your mind.


#3. Dunkirk

Christopher Nolan is without question one of Hollywood's most prolific contemporary filmmakers. With hits like Memento, The Prestige, Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy as just the beginnings of his storied filmography, Nolan clearly wanted to venture into new territory with his World War II action-drama, Dunkirk. Hans Zimmer's relentless score paves the way for non-stop intensity that demonstrates how everything must work together on the land, in the air and in the sea, in order to rescue countless stranded Allied soldiers on the beaches of Dunkirk, France. Despite the film's lack of attention to character development, an insanely realistic depiction of war and all of its horrors make Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk an absolute must-see experience. If you haven't seen it on the big screen, hurry up and do it before the film exits theaters in the near future.

#2. The Big Sick

It feels like Judd Apatow has his hands in just about every cookie jar nowadays as both a filmmaker and producer. The latest effort bearing his trademark Apatow-stamp is Michael Showalter's humbling dramedy, The Big Sick. Silicon Valley's Kumail Nanjiani stars as an amateur comedian who falls head over heels for Emily (Zoe Kazan) despite his Pakistani family's plans for his arranged marriage. While Apatow's trademark has evolved into overly dramatizing a story, The Big Sick keeps a comedy-first approach that makes for a far more enjoyable movie experience. Don't get me wrong, the dramatics are effective, thanks to a less-is-more handling, but these elements blend together masterfully in one of the year's most notable efforts. The Big Sick is still playing in select theaters and it makes a fantastic choice for all types of audiences.

#1. Get Out

And here we have it, the best film so far in 2017 comes from debut director Jordan Peele. The former Key & Peele standout trades laughs for thrills in the clever early-year horror mystery, Get Out. Daniel Kaluuya stars as Chris Washington, an African American boyfriend who takes a trip to the rural upstate to meet his Caucasian girlfriend's (Allison Williams) parents for the first time. While visiting their impressively large estate he begins to notice that all the other African Americans he encounters are acting very strange, forcing Chris to determine whether all of this is just in his head, or if there's something more sinister at work. Get Out's rare creativity shines through in an unpredictable manner as it gently toes the line between horror and psychological thriller. The film is a remarkable debut for Jordan Peele, who quickly becomes a director worth watching in the future. 

Top Ten Films of the Year (So Far) - Part I

As the Fall season crashes upon us and the cinematic year begins to unveil its prized possessions leading up to the Academy Awards, I'm going to take a look back at the early-year and summer releases that stand firmly as my Top Ten Films of 2017 so far. Many have been released on DVD and are available for streaming, so I recommend taking a chance on any of these strong entries from 2017.

Honorable Mention: Alien: Covenant, Beauty and the Beast, Gemini and Like Me

#10. Spider-Man: Homecoming

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) continues its expansion with Peter Parker's (Tom Holland) own film. Spider-Man: Homecoming delves into the teenage life of a nerdy kid with super powers who wants nothing more than to join Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and The Avengers, as well as taking his high school crush to the homecoming dance. But when a former contractor (Michael Keaton) who's stumbled on hard economic times gets his hands on some powerful alien weapons, Spider-Man struggles to balance both his social and extracurricular lives. Sticking to the typical Marvel script with a barrage of jokes and intense action sequences, Homecoming stands as another strong inclusion to the MCU.

#9. Wind River

Still currently playing in select movie theaters in Taylor Sheridan's gripping new crime drama, Wind River. The Hell or High Water and Sicario scribe takes a seat in the director's chair for this grim tale of a local Game Tracker (Jeremy Renner) who helps assist an inexperienced FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) in the investigation of a brutal murder and rape of a young woman found on a Native American reservation. Wind River is short on mystery but heavy on dramatics and suspense. The film takes a little to get going but as Sheridan's work begins to hit its stride, there's no turning away from this hypnotic thrill ride.

#8. Wonder Woman

While Marvel's enormous head-start has placed their cinematic universe light-years ahead of their rival, DC's less-than-impactful first few entries only added insult to injury. Until, however, Patty Jenkins got the ball rolling with her winning origins saga, Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot stars as the Amazon princess warrior Diana who aids a stranded pilot (Chris Pine) and ventures into the middle of the first World War in order to save the world from a dastardly German plot. Surprisingly humorous and exceptionally acted by both Gadot and Chris Pine, Wonder Woman deeply develops its lead character and single-handedly rejuvenates the DC film universe.

#7. War for the Planet of the Apes

In what's become an unexpected and formidable prequel trilogy, Matt Reeves delivers another stellar inclusion into the rebooted Planet of the Apes franchise. This third endeavor follows Caesar (Andy Serkis) on a quest to confront a rogue Army Colonel (Woody Harrelson) dead set on eliminating the advanced ape species. War for the Planet of the Apes tackles deeper and more personal themes that make for a falsely titled film. But despite the movie's lack of action and full fledged battle sequences, Reeves paints an unpredictable and valiant portrait of family, survival and sacrifice. 

#6. It Comes at Night

Much like the previous entry, Trey Edward Schults offers a wildly mis-marketed feature that satisfies on many unexpected levels with the indie hit It Comes at Night. Joel Edgerton takes center stage as a former history teacher whose only mission is to keep his family alive while a mysterious and fatal illness sweeps across the world. But when he discovers a trespasser (Christopher Abbott) on his property and their families decide to shack up together into order to combine valuable resources, tensions mount as these fathers must first and foremost protect their loved ones. Exploring elements of fear and paranoia, It Comes at Night stands as a wonderfully filmed and superbly acted psychological thriller. Trey Edward Schults' effort is short on scares and by no means a horror entry. But as long as you know what you're getting into, It Comes at Night serves as a psychologically haunting and brisk 90-minute ride.

*** Stay tuned for Part II which will look at the Top 5 Films of 2017 so far. ***

DVD Outlook: September 2017

After a disappointing crop of titles arrived to DVD and streaming last month (August's suggestions), September rebounds with a stellar set of top tier selections. Whether you're looking for some legitimate laughs, a mysterious thriller, or an action-packed superhero flick, there's something for everyone available this month. Here's a look at the new release:




The Big Sick - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my rapid review here)

Judd Apatow produces The Big Sick, a hysterical and moving dramedy that stands as one of the early year's finest films. Silicon Valley's Kumail Nanjiani stars as an amateur comedian who falls hard for Emily (Zoe Kazan), despite his Pakistani family's intention of arranging a marriage for him. There's so much heart and humor weaved into Nanjiani and his real-life wife, Emily V. Gordon's semi-autobiographical screenplay. The Big Sick admittedly suffers from an over-extended third act, but Apatow's return to a comedy-first approach proves to be a winning formula. (September 19th)




It Comes at Night - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my rapid review here)

One of the most inaccurately marketed films of the year is Trey Edward Schults' It Comes at Night. Angling for a horror audience, this modestly budgeted indie gem is really an intensifying psychological thriller. A former history teacher (Joel Edgerton) is in full survival mode keeping his wife and son safe from a mysterious fatal illness outside of their boarded-up home. But when a desperate man shows up on their property, a combination of resources finds two families forced to live under the same roof with these looming conditions just beyond their walls. Paranoia and tension mount beautifully in It Comes at Night, but expecting a scary horror entry will result in immense disappointment. Yet, if you're eager to watch an artistic psychological thriller that unfolds at a gripping pace, Trey Edward Schults provides a worthwhile watch. (September 12th)




Wonder Woman - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my rapid review here)

Release after release, DC Comics felt a pummeling from the brilliantly crafted Marvel Cinematic Universe. Well, now the DC has found its cornerstone to build off of with Patty Jenkins' wildly effective origin film, Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot is hypnotic as Diana, a princess warrior of the Amazons who, with the help of a stranded pilot (Chris Pine), thrusts herself into the first World War to help save the world from defeat. Wonder Woman provides breakneck action, immaculately choreographed fight sequences and perfectly-timed humor that helps make the film a quintessential summer blockbuster and backbone for the DC film universe. (September 19th)


Honorable Mention: A trio of new releases this month that I've reviewed include the female-centric comedy Rough Night (9/5), the shark infested waters thriller 47 Meters Down (9/26), and Selma Hayek's indie drama Beatriz at Dinner (9/12). Indie horror sensation Raw (9/5) arrives in September, as does the military drama Megan Leavey (9/5). Finally, a few critically panned films are also available such as the Tupac biopic All Eyez on Me (9/5), Tom Cruise's The Mummy (9/12), and newest installment Transformers: The Last Knight (9/26).