Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 24, 2016,
In :
0.06% Beer or Wine
Loving
Directed By: Jeff Nichols
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Nick Kroll, Michael Shannon, and Marton Csokas
"I miss him. He took care of me."
-Mildred Jeter Loving
With Donald Trump busy building his Injustice League of racists, sexists, and other deplorables that will comprise his cabinet, I was in need of a reminder that two million people more said no to the politics of hate than those who foolishly said yes. Loving presented that very opportunity. The film centers on the developmen...
Posted by James Brown on Monday, September 8, 2014,
In :
0.06% Beer or Wine
The Last of Robin Hood
Directed By: Richard Glatzer
Starring: Kevin Kline, Dakota Fanning, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Kane, Max Casella, and Patrick St. Esprit
Biographical dramas are sometimes tricky beasts. If the individual is particularly well known, directors must convince moviegoers that their vision is historically accurate. The key is to have an actor who looks, walks, and talks like the main character. Some of this is dependent upon the costume and make-up crew members on deck, but the ...
Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 21, 2014,
In :
0.12% Hard Liquor
Jersey Boys
Directed By: Clint Eastwood
Starring: John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Vincent Piazza, and Christopher Walken
It suffices to say that talking to an empty chair hasn't exactly paid dividends for American cinema icon Clint Eastwood. I can say with ease that I lost some respect for Harry the day he got his hands dirty in the game of politics. The five-time Oscar winner has been relegated to baseball movies like Trouble With the Curve. Now, the Million Dollar Baby and ... Continue reading ...
Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 19, 2013,
In :
0.00% Water
12 Years a Slave
Directed By: Steve McQueen
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard, Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, and Adepero Oduye
In a review two months ago, I wrote about how filmmakers are taking us to school this year. With films like Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniels' The Butler, and even 42, we've gotten a healthy dose of black history from Hollywood. We've arrived at our fi... Continue reading ...
Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 12, 2013,
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0.06% Beer or Wine
42
Directed By: Brian Helgeland
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Christopher Meloni, Jud Tylor, Alan Tudyk, Lucas Black, Jon Bernthal, and Nicole Beharie
Jackie Robinson is one of the most iconic athletes of the 20th century. It's 2013. It's been 66 years since Robinson began his historic rookie season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and we're just getting our first feature film in my lifetime about his incredible journey. Well, it's about damn time. Sure, we had the film The Jackie Rob... Continue reading ...
Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 14, 2012,
In :
0.06% Beer or Wine
The Iron Lady
Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd
Starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Anthony Head, and Richard E. Grant
Does great acting make a film great? This awards season has answered this very important question. Though it was never posed, it is worthwhile. Well, the answer has consistently been an adamant "no". Just look at Clint Eastwood'sJ. Edgar. On paper, the film was destined for the Oscars. What we got however was a subpar historical drama on one of America's most controversial m... Continue reading ...
Clint Eastwood is a legendary actor, a beloved filmmaker, and an American icon. He has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of film. It's only fitting that he be the one to tackle a biopic on J. Edgar Hoover, the infamous, controversial FBI Director who forever changed the landscape of law enforcement. On top of that, he has a phenomenal star playing Hoover--Leona... Continue reading ...
