Movie Review: Demolition (2016)

Demolition is one of those movies that I was interested in but cannot say I had terribly high expectations for it. There was something about it that just seemed different. It was something about how the trailer transitioned from a tragedy to a comedy with a death followed by an annoyance over Peanut M&Ms. There there was the introduction of another woman, via response over said candy annoyance that indicated a potential new romance on the heels of a dead wife. Beyond that, the central character seemed somewhat off. It was interesting enough to draw me in.

Movie Review: While We're Young

While We're Young is a movie I sort of feel I should like, but I don't. I really don't. Don't get me wrong, Noah Baumbach has made some good films, The Squid and the Whale and Greenberg come to mind. However, I think my taste has changed and his tendencies to the hipster side of life is kind of off-putting. This movie just dives into hipsterism and sort of looks at it through the eyes of an aging couple lamenting where they are in life and wanting to regain the free flowing, wherever life takes me of their youth. I don't know, it just rubbed me the wrong way.

Movie Reviews: Divergent/Insurgent

It was just about a year ago that a little movie called Divergent hit the screens. At the time I took a pass on it, as it looked a lot like all the other young adult adaptations that have been hitting the screen. Frankly, I just was not interested as they all seem to pale in comparison to The Hunger Games, which seems to have nailed to format in a worthy and entertaining fashion. I felt vindicated in my decision to skip it when I faltered and saw The Maze Runner, which attempted to hide narrative deficiency in fast moving action. The the trailer for Insurgent arrived, and I felt my resolve slip.

Movie Review: Birdman: or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

It seems that anytime we get to see Michael Keaton on the big scree, it is a treat. I did not always think that. Frankly, there was a lot of time when I really didn't give Keaton much thought at all. Still, over the years I have found his screen presence to be fascinating. The man is quirky, talented, and knows how to be his character. Even when he appears for a few scant minutes in the barely mediocre Need for Speed is a treat. Even White Noise sees Keaton working some magic. While it seems he is rarely on the big screen, he has been working steadily for the better part of four decades. Birdman may be one of his best performances.

Movie Review: St. Vincent

So, I have seen St. Vincent. The movie is not quite what I was expecting, but it was still good. It was funny, it was sad, it was melodramatic, it was real, and it tended for mushy sentimentality. The movie covers a lot of ground, but what I think it might be most notable for is for putting Bill Murray front and center on the screen. This is not a supporting role like in Monuments Men or a dramatic biopic like Hyde Park on Hudson. This is a movie that really seems to play to Bill Murray's strengths and where he is in his career now. It may also help people forget Tammy and realize that there is more to Melissa McCarthy.