“Ad Astra” is a beautiful and moving depiction of a single man’s journey into the unknown to face the unforgotten. Read more
Author: JMcNaughton
The Goldfinch Movie Review
“The Goldfinch” is adapted from a popular novel. The visual ideas that are pulled from the pages are not the same as the mental images that a person would get from reading the book. The movie is lush with visual flair and rich with literary and artistic meaning. But the emotional connections that it desperately wants to forge are never made clear. Read more
Angel Has Fallen Movie Review
August 23, 2019
(updated August 21, 2019)
Published by JMcNaughton
“Angel Has Fallen” is a new entry in the series starring Gerard Butler as a Secret Service agent. The stunt action is non-stop crazy, and the ammo is in endless supply. So, it is another action-based shoot-em-up where the plot borders between easily predictable and predictably easy. Read more
The Peanut Butter Falcon Movie Review
August 23, 2019
(updated August 21, 2019)
Published by JMcNaughton
“The Peanut Butter Falcon” has created its own unique niche in movie history. It takes on a story that presents a young guy who goes on adventure. That part is not unique. But the fact that the young fellow is affected with Down’s Syndrome makes it unusual. Read more
Good Boys Movie Review
August 16, 2019
(updated August 16, 2019)
Published by JMcNaughton
“Good Boys” sets up in the same tradition as “Super Bad” or “Booksmart”. There are people who hear of a wild and crazy party that will be held soon. They make up their minds that they will do anything to attend. But the guys who hear of the party are not college-age. They are not even high school age. They are in sixth-grade, and the big shindig in question is a ‘kissing party’ in the basement of one of the ‘cool kids’ from school. To them, it is a chance to get up into the ‘cool kid’ ranks, and one of them will meet up with the girl on whom he has a crush. Read more
The Angry Birds Movie 2 Movie Review
August 13, 2019
(updated August 13, 2019)
Published by JMcNaughton
“The Angry Birds Movie 2” is a movie sequel from the first version spawned out of a cell phone app video game. After you let that sink in, you may have questions. Was a video app enough to create the foundations for a full animated movie? And is there enough gas in that tank to take it around the block a second time? Read more
The Art of Racing in the Rain Movie Review
August 9, 2019
(updated August 9, 2019)
Published by JMcNaughton
“The Art of Racing in the Rain” is based on a book of the same name. However, in this adaptation everyone involved is all wet. The story of a professional race driver, and the loves of his life, is told through the eyes of his trusted canine companion (named Enzo). But the story never rises above a weak melodrama with unoriginal plot points. Read more
David Crosby: Remember My Name Movie Review
August 2, 2019
(updated August 3, 2019)
Published by JMcNaughton
“David Crosby: Remember My Name” is a reference to the Crosby of “Crosby, Stills and Nash” fame, and later refers to “Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young”. No, that’s not a high-powered law firm. It is a seminal acoustic/rock and roll band back from the early 1970’s. Kids, you might need to ask your parents or grandparents about this. They were all part of the L.A. music scene, and hung out in Laurel Canyon area. Read more
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw Movie Review
August 2, 2019
(updated August 3, 2019)
Published by JMcNaughton
“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” is quite a mouthful. And like the physique of Dwayne Johnson – it is larger than life. This is a spin-off from the “Fast and Furious” movie series. It is not a spin-off from “Calvin & Hobbs”, but there are lots of humorous moments. But mostly there is Action, preceded with a capital A. Read more
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Movie Review
July 26, 2019
(updated July 28, 2019)
Published by JMcNaughton
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” wants to show people that this world belongs to Quentin Tarantino, and we are all just living in it. His writing takes the direction to glamorize the glamour capital of the world, Hollywood. His direction takes liberties with our recollection of history, and makes up new facts. But with such a talented cast and crew, the long journey into the year 1969 takes us on a slow and steady discovery of the Tarantino World. Read more
