Matt Shiverdecker, Author at MendoWerks

Dive in to ‘George Carlin’s American Dream’ on HBO (Review)

2Jun

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Dive in to ‘George Carlin’s American Dream’ on HBO (Review)

'George Carlin's American Dream' is a new HBO docuseries from directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio that chronicles the life and career of one of the greatest comedians of all time. Split into two parts and totalling nearly 4 hours, it pays loving tribute to a comedy legend. He was a man who evolved from a very safe mainstream comedy career in the early 1960s into a controversial comic with prophetic routines. It's fascinating that material he performed decades ago regarding abortion rights have gone viral again in 2022. That's how observant and ahead of the curve he was. https://youtu.be/M-bLf4F0PM4 Breaking Down the Life of a Comedy Legend Apatow and Bonfiglio dissect his life more or less in chronological order. Carlin was interested in comedy and becoming a DJ...

Travel with Sandra Bullock to ‘The Lost City’ (Review)

26May

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Film, Reviews

Travel with Sandra Bullock to ‘The Lost City’ (Review)

The acting career of Sandra Bullock has taken a bit of a back seat in recent years with only a handful of starring roles since 2018's heist caper 'Ocean's 8.' While doing press for 'The Lost City,' she revealed that she's going back on a hiatus to spend time with her children. Presumably that will go into full effect again once she promotes 'Bullet Train' later this year. As proven with films like 'Miss Congeniality' and 'The Heat,' Bullock is at her best when given the space to be funny. Her spot-on comic timing is on display in this ridiculously over-the-top adventure that pairs her with Channing Tatum. Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum star in 'The Lost City' (Paramount Pictures) Bullock stars as Loretta Sage, a burnt-out author who specializes in historical roma...

‘Happening’ is a Searing Reminder of Life Before Roe v. Wade (Review)

10May

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Happening’ is a Searing Reminder of Life Before Roe v. Wade (Review)

'Happening,' released by IFC Films from director Audrey Diwan, could have just been an emotionally charged look back at what life was like for women when abortion was illegal. This 1960's-set drama stands poised to be not just be a look back at the past. It's also a terrifying look into what the future may hold in America if the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade. Louise Orry-Diquéro, Anamaria Vartolomei, and Luàna Bajrami in 'Happening' (IFC Films) Based on a True Story 'Happening' takes place in 1963-era France. Based on Annie Ernaux’s semi-autobiographical novel, Anamaria Vartolomei gives a César award-winning performance as Anne, a vibrant young Literature student. Her life becomes derailed after a one-night stand leads to pregnancy. Diwan divides the film up into...

Hulu’s ‘Crush’ is a Charming Queer Rom-Com (Review)

6May

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Hulu’s ‘Crush’ is a Charming Queer Rom-Com (Review)

Hulu's 'Crush' is part of a growing batch of films and television series that focus on young queer people finding love. Following Netflix's 'Heartstopper' series, which is one of the most charming love stories in recent years of any orientation, this heartfelt and comic debut feature from director Sammi Cohen follows a young artist named Paige (Rowan Blanchard) who would do anything to get close to the girl she has a crush on at school. Rowan Blanchard and Auli'i Cravalho star in 'Crush' (Photo by: Hulu) For Paige, being gay has just been a fact of life. She's been out at school for years and has an overly supportive mother (Megan Mullally) who tries to show her how much of a cool mom she is by gifting her vibrators and dental dams. The target of her affection is Gabriela (Is...

Michael Bay Returns With Action-Packed ‘Ambulance’ (Review)

5May

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Michael Bay Returns With Action-Packed ‘Ambulance’ (Review)

The new film from maverick director Michael Bay will stand the test of time with audiences despite its lackluster showing at the box office. The action-packed thriller is a remake of a 2005 Dutch film called 'Ambulancen' about brothers who risk it all to pull off a bank robbery to cover some massive medical bills. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Will, an unemployed veteran with a newborn baby and a wife in need of a costly experimental surgery. He is struggling to find a job that will pay him enough to help his family when he gets a proposition from his half-brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal). Without much time to consider the implications of his decision, he agrees to join Danny and his nefarious crew to pull off a bank robbery that could solve all of his problems. As is of...

What to Watch: May 2022 Streaming Preview

23Jul

By Matt Shiverdecker1 Comment

Features, Film

What to Watch: May 2022 Streaming Preview

If you're looking for something new on streaming in May, we've got you covered. Maybe you want to sit down with a brand new release to rent on VOD? If you'd rather check out something that has just hit a service you already subscribe to, we've got you covered there too. Check out some of our picks for what you should add to your watchlist! What are you most excited to see? Newly Available on VOD a-ha The Movie (May 10)Ambulance (PVOD available now to rent at $19.99 or buy at $24.99, regular price on June 14)Belle (May 3)Dual (May 20, also streaming on AMC+)The Great Freedom (May 20)Jane by Charlotte (May 6)The Lost City (May 10, also on Paramount+)Uncharted (PVOD now, regular price on May 10) Criterion Channel Directed by Richard Linklater - 18 film series including Slacker...

Celebrate Record Store Day With ‘Vinyl Nation’ (Review)

19Apr

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Celebrate Record Store Day With ‘Vinyl Nation’ (Review)

The 15th annual Record Store Day is happening at independent record stores around the world this Saturday, April 23. A new documentary called 'Vinyl Nation' celebrates these incredible stores and the collectors who keep them alive. I am unashamedly one of those people. In fact, I was quite excited to watch this because I am such a vinyl nerd. With over 5,000 albums filling the shelves at my home, it's a collection that has been growing ever since I got the 'Grease' soundtrack for my third birthday. Covering All The Bases Co-directors Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone cover a lot of ground, speaking to store owners, fans, record label employees, and the people who work in the pressing plants. One dealer at the Austin Record Convention admits that he owns over 20,000 records and...