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B.J. Novak Heads to Texas for ‘Vengeance’ (Review)

23Sep

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

B.J. Novak Heads to Texas for ‘Vengeance’ (Review)

'Vengeance,' the directorial debut of 'The Office' star B.J. Novak, is a sharply observed Texas-based noir that explores more territory than you might expect. Novak wrote, directed, and starred in this darkly comic thriller as somewhat of an aimless journalist named Ben Manalowitz looking for his ticket to success. B.J. Novak and Boyd Holbrook star in 'Vengeance' (Focus Features) An Unexpected Trip to West Texas His career is on a decent path, but his ambitions are higher. His love life is fleeting, with an iPhone full of women that he identifies mostly by where he met them to jog his own memory. Callous and selfish, his tendency is to sacrifice genuine relationships for brief moments of pleasure. Ben's life changes when he gets a phone call from a man named Ty (Boyd Holb...

‘Confess, Fletch’ is a Welcome Return (Review)

16Sep

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Confess, Fletch’ is a Welcome Return (Review)

The character of I.M. Fletcher, aka Fletch, began with series of mystery novels released by Gregory Mcdonald starting in 1974. That original novel was adapted for the big screen in 1985 with Chevy Chase taking on the titular role of an unconventional investigative reporter. Known for his comedic prowess, Chase helped cement the character into the realm of pop culture. After an ill-fated sequel in 1989 that was not based on an existing novel, Fletch's big screen adventures ended even though there are 11 existing books in the series. There has been talk of trying a cinematic reboot for years, but it took actual decades to get off the ground. Jon Hamm stars in 'Confess, Fletch' (Paramount/Miramax) 'Confess, Fletch' is based on the second book in the series, originally published ...

‘Clerks III’ is a Heartfelt Trip Back to the Quick Stop (Review)

9Sep

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Clerks III’ is a Heartfelt Trip Back to the Quick Stop (Review)

Kevin Smith wraps up the raunchy 'Clerks' series by facing his mortality. I was a freshman in college and working in a video store when the original 'Clerks' was released in 1994. To call me the target audience is an understatement. With a tagline that read "just because they serve you doesn't mean they like you" and its raw black-and-white aesthetic, it just worked on every level at that specific moment in my life. 2006's sequel found our slacker characters Randal (Jeff Anderson) and Dante (Brian O'Halloran) jumping from the Quick Stop convenience store into the fast-food world of Mooby's. While it didn't hit as sharply for me, it was undeniably funny, crass, and built upon the cult classic status of the first film to become an even bigger hit. Jeff Anderson and Brian O'Halloran...

‘Spin Me Round’ Takes Us On Absurdly Comic Trip to Italy (Review)

26Aug

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Spin Me Round’ Takes Us On Absurdly Comic Trip to Italy (Review)

In Jeff Baena's new indie comedy 'Spin Me Round,' a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity turns out to be a ridiculously bad idea. Alison Brie ('Community') stars as Amber, the longtime manager at the Bakersfield, California location of an Italian restaurant chain called Tuscan Grove. At one point she had quit to start her her own restaurant with a boyfriend. He ended up driving the business into the ground and destroying her credit, so she comes back to sling salads and breadsticks. Alison Brie and Aubrey Plaza star in 'Spin Me Round' (IFC Films) As Amber returns to a kitchen that mostly heats things up in a microwave and uses pre-made sauces out of plastic bags, a silver lining appears. She wins an all-expenses-paid trip to Tuscan Grove's luxurious "institute" outside of Florence, Ita...

‘Stay On Board’ Chronicles Life of Trans Skateboarder Leo Baker (Review)

16Aug

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Stay On Board’ Chronicles Life of Trans Skateboarder Leo Baker (Review)

For two decades, Leo Baker was a professional skateboarder who competed professionally all around the world. Co-directors Nicola Marsh and Giovanni Reda followed Baker from 2019 to 2021 during a period of intense personal turmoil. The film begins with what should have been a career highlight - Baker was announced to represent the USA on the first-ever Women's Olympic Skateboarding Team. Leo Baker reaches new heights in 'Stay On Board' (Netflix) The problem? Baker was experiencing extreme gender dysphoria, already identifying themselves as Leo and using they/them pronouns amongst friends and family. Being chosen for the Olympics was a life changing moment, but not in the way you might expect. Every interview and comment that identified them as a woman became harder and harder...

The ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Hit The Floor This Weekend at Theaters Nationwide (Review)

12Aug

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

The ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ Hit The Floor This Weekend at Theaters Nationwide (Review)

'Bodies Bodies Bodies,' the latest release from A24, is a perfect pick if you're looking to get in some jump scares before the summer ends. Let's get one thing clear - this is not a slasher film. Just seeing the company's logo up top should give you an indication that this is something more unexpected. 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' expands nationwide this weekend. (A24) The Story In this wild satirical whodunit directed by Halina Reijn, a bunch of filthy rich kids plan a hurricane party at remote family mansion. Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) is a recovering addict. She hits the road with her girlfriend Bee (Maria Bakalova) to head out to a gigantic house where her best friend David (Pete Davidson) is hosting friends to weather a massive storm. Upon arrival, it's clear that Sophie and...

Brad Pitt Boards a Bloody ‘Bullet Train’ (Review)

5Aug

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Brad Pitt Boards a Bloody ‘Bullet Train’ (Review)

Adapted from the 2010 novel by Kōtarō Isaka, 'Bullet Train' is an action-packed thriller with a spectacular cast that involves multiple assassins on a high-speed train across Tokyo. This is one of many films that Sony could have very easily have pawned off to Netflix last year when theatergoing was still shaky. After a few date changes and the success of features like 'The Lost City' and 'Top Gun: Maverick,' it feels like the decision to hang on to this one was pretty damn smart. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brad Pitt star in 'Bullet Train' (SONY) The Story Brad Pitt stars as "Ladybug," a for-hire mercenary who considers himself to be unlucky. He's given what appears to be a simple task: retrieve a briefcase on a bullet train that is heading from Tokyo to Kyoto. His unluckiness...

Netflix Hits Big With ‘The Gray Man’ (Review)

26Jul

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Netflix Hits Big With ‘The Gray Man’ (Review)

After two relatively goofy comedies in the early aughts, The Russo Brothers jumped in to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014 with 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier.' They not only took the reins of that film's sequel, but then proceeded to direct the next two films in the 'Avengers' series. It's probably not too surprising to learn that their first film for Netflix is among the streamer's most expensive releases to date. With 'The Gray Man,' every bit of that alleged $200 million budget is on display. A CIA Agent Fights For His Life Ryan Gosling stars as "Sierra Six," a high-level secret assassin for the CIA. After learning secrets about Denny Carmichael, a corrupt official at the agency (Regé-Jean Page, 'Bridgerton'), Six begins a literal fight for his life. Carmichael...

New Documentary Takes Us Inside New York’s Legendary Chelsea Hotel (Review)

22Jul

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

New Documentary Takes Us Inside New York’s Legendary Chelsea Hotel (Review)

The Chelsea Hotel is one of the most iconic buildings in the history of New York City. It has famously housed poets, rock stars, and artists and has been a designated landmark in the city since 1966. As times have changed, so has the building. For decades, many lived within rent-stabilized units within the building. Most of the long-term tenants were bought out and paid to move after plans were made to renovate the building into a luxury hotel. Some Residents Refuse To Leave With 'Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel,' directors Maya Duverdier and Amélie van Elmbt have chosen a "fly-on-the-wall" approach to document the building's residents who have refused to leave. We meet some of the more eccentric tenants from what is about 40 apartments left in the building during 1...

Nicolas Cage Goes Meta in ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ (Review)

19Jul

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Nicolas Cage Goes Meta in ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ (Review)

Nicolas Cage finds his career getting an outrageous reboot with 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.' Director Tom Gormican and co-writer Kevin Etten came up with an idea so wild that it was irresistible to the actor: have him play himself in a hyperrealistic meta comedy where he supplements his career by becoming a government agent. Nicolas Cage stars as himself in 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' (LIONSGATE) Of course, Nicolas Cage is playing an alternate reality version of himself here. He's also playing a younger "de-aged" version of himself that he calls "Nicky," who accosts him for poor choices and desperately wants to get back on track. After his Hollywood agent (Neil Patrick Harris) presents an opportunity for him to fly to Majorca to make an appearance ...