When making a movie about an important historical figure like Martin Luther King, Jr., it’s easy to go through the motions and use a list of major bullet points as a stand in for an actual screenplay. What makes Selma compelling is its focus on a very specific time period in the history of Dr. King, a time period that was essential to the Civil Rights movement, but a time period that also echoes the state of our nation today. It’s a narrative that marches forward with clear purpose, but it also takes the time to reflect on who exactly made up this movement.
Inherent Vice Review
18 JanInherent Vice is built around sensation, around a drug-induced haze not created through clever visual tricks, but rather through a purposefully incomprehensible plot. That’s not to say that there isn’t a story to grasp, though; it simply means that we’re just as much in the dark as Doc Sportello is, that every scribble in his notepad or on his whiteboard is just one more addition to a never-ending process. It’s a process we may need to attempt to make sense of things, but in the end, the experience–the sensation–is what trumps all.
Saturday Night Live “Kevin Hart/Sia” Live Blog and Review (40×11)
17 JanMARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY: Pete Davidson and Kenan Thompson have a pretty great rapport, although there aren’t many jokes that land here. I did, however, enjoy the jab at the Academy for the Selma snubs. GRADE: B
MONOLOGUE: I’m far from the biggest Kevin Hart fan, but I always do enjoy when the hosts break out a standup routine rather than a generic song/questions from the audience bit. The audience loves him here, and the stuff about the driveway, raccoons, and mountain lions is funny. GRADE: B
Taken 3 Review
17 Jan“My wife was taken from me…BY DEATH.”
It is midday. Birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the sound of laughter drifts through the air as Liam Neeson sits. It is not a relaxed sit, however, as Liam Neeson knows that anything can happen at any moment. He knows that even if his buttocks graze a freshly cut lawn, he will still need to angle his body in order to maximize his gun-drawing quickness. After all, his enemies are lurking around the corner, stroking their weapons in anticipation of being punched right into the next movie.
Thoughts on the 87th Academy Awards Nominations
15 Jan
-Here is the full list of nominations:
The Good
-I’m extremely happy about Laura Dern’s nomination, as she was truly the best part about Wild (also, remember Enlightened?). I’m even happier about Marion Cotillard’s nomination for Best Actress, not only because that means Jennifer Aniston doesn’t get anything, but also because Cotillard is arguably the best working actress today. Her performance in Two Days, One Night was wonderful, and her getting recognized for it was a pleasant surprise. Normally, I’d be sad about Amy Adams missing out on a nomination, but Cotillard’s makes up for it.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia “The Gang Beats Boggs” Review (10×01)
14 Jan10 years in, and we’re still going strong. This seems like one of those shows that will never end, but will keep churning out quality episode after quality episode as it finds new ways to mine gold from a simple setup. “The Gang Beats Boggs” is far from the show’s strongest outing, but it’s still a pretty funny one, one that features excellent physical comedy and Wade Boggs and Dee passed out on a conveyor belt. It’s a welcome return after a long hiatus, and I’m glad to see where this season takes us.
Person of Interest “Control-Alt-Delete” Review (4×12)
13 Jan“Can you consider the possibility that you’ve been lied to?”
“No.”
The name “Control” implies, well, control, and that’s exactly what we saw with the character prior to this episode. She was resolute and powerful, and when she wanted to get something done, she did it; even if she had to carry out 853 murders, she did so because that’s what she believed her country asked her to do. She did so because that’s what she believed she had to do in order to remain in power, to keep her country safe. Right from the beginning of “Control-Alt-Delete”, however, we start to see that pedestal of control slowly being chipped away at, and we see her efforts to reprimand Mr. Travers nonchalantly brushed off by the man. Simply put, Control is not in control anymore.









