In theaters Archives

‘Flora and Son’ Explores the Healing Power of Music (Review)

22Sep

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Flora and Son’ Explores the Healing Power of Music (Review)

With his latest film 'Flora and Son,' Irish director John Carney continues to build on the themes that have brought him success. Over the last two decades, the former bass player for The Frames has earned raves with movies like "Once" and "Sing Street." His newest is a little more rough around the edges, but still illustrates the transformative properties of song. Flora (Eve Hewson) is a single mother living in Dublin. When it comes to luck, she just doesn't have any. Her teenage son Max (Orén Kinlan) is a problem child, but Flora isn't much better. Life has been a series of mistakes and disappointments and when she gets a warning that Max needs to clean up his act or risk serious trouble, her maternal instincts finally start to surface. After rescuing a guitar from a dumpster, she...

‘Bottoms’ is an Instant Comedy Classic (Review)

25Aug

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Bottoms’ is an Instant Comedy Classic (Review)

While promoting her debut film 'Shiva Baby,' director Emma Seligman talked about how her next movie would be a "campy queer high school comedy in the vein of 'Wet American Summer but more for a Gen-Z queer audience." She has delivered with a wildly outrageous film called 'Bottoms.' PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebari) are hopelessly disliked at their high school. It's not because they are openly gay, but actually because they're "ugly and untalented." The two are desperate to lose their virginity before going off to college, but can't get any girls to look their way. That all changes once they form a "fight club" to attract the attention of some popular cheerleaders in their senior class. The unorthodox extracurricular activity brings the girls to them, but can they clos...

9Jun

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Longing, Loss and ‘Past Lives’ (Review)

Full disclosure: the first time I saw the trailer for 'Past Lives' in the theater, I began sobbing uncontrollably. Soundtracked by Cat Power's gorgeous cover of Rihanna's "Stay," I was instantly transfixed by the song's lyrics combined with the film's sumptuous visuals. Not really sure how to feel about itSomething in the way you moveMakes me feel like I can't live without you While the song does not appear in the actual movie, "Stay" perfectly accompanies 'Past Lives,' the first feature film from Korean-Canadian playwright and director Celine Song. It's a story so intensely personal and lived-in, that it doesn't seem possible that it is her first movie. It tells the story of Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) - two childhood friends from South Korea who fell out of touch ...

As ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Hits Theaters, Catch Up On The Series

24Mar

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film

As ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Hits Theaters, Catch Up On The Series

If there is one thing that 'John Wick: Chapter 4' proves, it's that you can't keep a good assassin down. As Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski head back to the theaters this weekend, you may be looking to catch up on the series. Or, if you're like me, you are trying to figure out how to watch most of the films for the first time so you can go enjoy the new movie on the big screen. Confession: I saw the first film back in 2015 when it hit home video. I enjoyed it, but for whatever reason never bothered to watch the rest of the movies. Until, that is, this week! I figured it was time for a crash course and it is honestly pretty fun to get watch these in quick succession. How to Watch the John Wick series In advance of the new film hitting theaters, Peacock ponied up...

30Dec

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

The 10 Best Films of 2022

Despite going to the theater less than ever, I saw over 120 new release films in 2022. When it comes to the modern theatrical experience, I'm reminded of 'A Tale of Two Cities' when Dickens wrote “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." There are more opportunities than ever for premium moviegoing experiences with multiplexes adding IMAX and Dolby Cinemas across the country, but for the most part, the chain theaters are abysmal at technical presentation. Hell, many theaters aren't even screening movies on the proper sized screens. 'Nope' is one of the Best Films of 2022 (Universal Pictures) But with more and more 4K HDR offerings at home and many new releases being offered for viewing on my couch within 17 days of release, it makes it easy to watch exactly what...

‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever’ Falls Short (Review)

30Sep

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever’ Falls Short (Review)

Peter Farrelly's follow-up to his mawkish Best Picture winner 'Green Book' is a more interesting film, but I'm not sure 'The Greatest Beer Run Ever' is a good movie. Actually, I'm quite positive that it isn't, but it is an inherently watchable one. That has everything to do with Zac Efron, who makes a rather unlikeable character surprisingly sympathetic. He plays John "Chickie" Donohue, a merchant Marine in 1967 New York City who concocts a rather ridiculous plan while out shittalking at the bar with his buddies. Zac Efron brings his buddy a PBR in 'The Greatest Beer Run Ever' (Apple TV+) From the Five Boroughs to Da Nang If this wasn't based on a true story, you'd be forgiven for thinking the plot was absurd. Chickie makes a plan to go to Vietnam and deliver cans of Pab...

‘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'Hallora...

‘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, It...

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 an...