Jason Filiatrault Talks Physics, Thomas Middleditch, and Entanglement
Consider the circumstances that led to this moment. You’re in front of a screen, reading the words I wrote. One difference in either of our lives could have prevented this moment from happening. We’ve hurdled along almost infinite combinations of pathways just to get here. Was it a conscious trip, or were we guided by quantum entanglement?
January is here and with the start of any new year it’s the perfect time to come up with resolutions and things to accomplish in 2018. Or you can just cast a spell… That’s what the teen witches of The Craft did and look what happened to them! Oh… Wait a minute…
by Kevin Muller
“…When I was a boy, I used to hide things in the linings of the garments. Things I only knew that were there…..secrets.”
Reynolds Woodcock utters that line to his lover Alma. It is a simple one that both describes his secretive way of life and the tone of this film. Many people have dismissed this thing for its appeared smugness and esoteric nature. Oh, it is also a story about a dressmaker in the 1950’s too! Who wants to watch that? Those qualities are just what is on the surface of Paul Thomas Anderson’s incredible new film that reunites him with his There Will Be Blood actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, who has said this will be his curtain call from the cinematic world. For film lovers, that is enough reason to both get our asses in the seats, and sit through a movie about a dressmaker.
As divisive and overused Rotten Tomatoes has become in the recent year, it’s hard to ignore Lady Bird beating the record for most positive reviews to remain at 100% (164 positives beating Toy Story 3’s previous record of 163). While it since has dropped to 99%, it’s still only at 1 Rotten score with 213 Fresh reviews in its favor. With that level of acclaim is worth taking note of, so I figured I’d give it a shot and see what it had to offer. And while not the best film of the year, it can definitely stand out as one of 2017’s strongest offerings with career highlights from Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan.
by Kevin Muller
Sit back and buckle up for the wildest ride of the year. Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri is a masterpiece and the writer/director’s best film to date. This is a film with balls that isn’t afraid to offend, while providing us with a story that is as hilarious as it is profound, this one is a true winner.
It has been too much damn time for Mildred, an amazing Frances MacDormand, since the gruesome death of her young teenage daughter, who was raped and burned to death a few months before the film begins. It doesn’t help that the last time they saw each other they had a typical mother/daughter fight that concluded with things said that both did not mean. The police haven’t made any progression on the case that seems to be the afterthought. In an act with desperation and rebellion, Mildred purchases three vacant billboards that sit outside of town. On them, she asks the police, specifically Willoughby, who is perfectly played by Woody Harrelson, why it is taking so damn long to solve the case? While Willoughby is bothered by it, it is a younger, and troubled, officer at his department, Dixon, who really takes it to heart. Dixon is played with such ferocity by Sam Rockwell. He is a simple minded man, who is the last person who should be an officer of the law. Mildred’s bold move acts as a catalyst, for not only the movie’s plot, but the spirit of the town. Everyone tries to fight her, but she refuses to give up.
by Kevin Muller
The anticipation of Detective Comics’, or D.C.’s, top tier of heroes coming together is something that just isn’t felt by fans of the comics, but also anyone who has been following the development of this project. In 2013, Zack Synder was put in charge of directing the starting point for the D.C. universe, Man of Steel. That film was a success and was followed by the even more successful, but awful, Suicide Squad. In the same year we were also given the match up comic book fans have been waiting for with the underwhelming Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Though it was Wonder Woman that acted as a gleam of light for the universe. Anchored by an incredible performance by Gal Gadot, it became both a financial and critical success. Synder was hard at work on his vision of Justice League when tragedy struck him and his family with the death of his daughter. Joss Whedon, who had experience dealing with a group of heroes with the first two “The Avengers,” was brought on to finish about 20% of the film Synder had left unfinished. Then there were rumors that Whedon was specifically brought on to change the tone of the Sydner’s vision of this film and future DC films by adding the lightness and humor missing from Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. So, with all that, how does a hybrid of two different styles pan out? Does it work or does it destroy the leg up Wonder Woman contributed?
by Nile Fortner
Ever since I was a child, I have been a fan of the DC characters. I have spent my life reading comics, watching the cartoons, collecting the figures and collectibles, going to conventions, seeing the movies, and I’m proud of all those things no matter how much society tells me I’m a geek.
As much as I love Marvel comics and movies, DC has a special place in my heart and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. In my opinion, Marvel has the better stories while DC has the better characters. Ever since the age of six, Superman and Batman have been my all time favorite comic book characters. Sometimes I even connect more to these characters than some actual people I’ve met in reality. I love these characters, and have loved seeing them come to the big and small screen.
From the bestseller that made millions believe in the unbelievable. For God’s sake, get out! Logan reviews The Amityville Horror that kicked off the franchise in 1979. #31DaysofHorror
Well tooty fuckin’ fruity, Logan reviews Rob Zombie’s first feature film that introduced us to the Firefly family, House of 1000 Corpses. #31DaysofHorror
by Nile Fortner
Remember When We All Thought Eli Roth Was Going to Be The Next Wes Craven?
Remember when us horror fans all thought writer, producer, and director Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel) was going to be the next Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream)? His early films, like ‘Cabin Fever’ and Hostel, were fun, scary, funny, and Eli Roth had an amazing start and career into the world of horror films.
Fast forward a few years, and I now have a love hate relationship with this person. ‘Aftershock’ was in my opinion a decent film the first time I saw it. After viewing eliit again, the film is not as good. It is pretty much the cast of the ‘Hangover’ in a very mediocre horror film. ‘The Green Inferno’, could have been so much more. However, from what he delivered, I thought once again it was just decent. I actually like Eli Roth, he is one of my favorite directors, and even reminds me of myself in a way. He is has proven himself to be knowledgeable in the horror department, and from interviews, he seems to have a passion for the art of film.
Cinephellas 