The eighth annual Mystic Film Festival opened Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Mystic Luxury Cinemas. The festival screened over 100 films, which were mostly short films but approximately 20 feature-length films were included. The festival was founded by Shareen Anderson, who also serves as its executive and artistic director. Anderson’s career as a producer, director, and writer in … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Mystic Film Festival Screens Over 100 Films
The Movie Man: Though Falling ‘Just Short’ of Original, ‘Nobody 2’ is a ‘Worthy Follow-up’
Nobody 2 continues the action-packed thrills of the original Nobody. But, like most sequels, comes up just short its predecessor. Imagine 10 years ago a fortune-teller saying that beloved comedian Bob Odenkirk would someday play a dangerous government assassin trying to pursue the straight and narrow path of life? And that his family of assassins included Christopher … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Though Falling ‘Just Short’ of Original, ‘Nobody 2’ is a ‘Worthy Follow-up’
The Movie Man: ‘Freakier Friday’ is a Sequel Worth the (22-Year!) Wait
Freakier Friday is a sequel worth the 22-year delay. Everyone is back and the comedy of errors is as unpredictable as the original. I planned this review with low expectations. I’ve always said sequels are generally not well-received (especially when they’re released decades after the original). No mass marketing campaign can atone for the desperation to catch lightning in a … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Freakier Friday’ is a Sequel Worth the (22-Year!) Wait
The Movie Man: Although a Marvel Movie, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is Dotted with Disappointments
Unless you are a devoted fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not worth seeing. Recruiting the latest phenomenon of actors (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn) and maintaining their distinguished action-packed sequences will not make up for the empty writing. At multiple points during the screening, I … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Although a Marvel Movie, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is Dotted with Disappointments
The Movie Man: ‘The Naked Gun’ Returns in its ‘Full Absurdist Glory’
It seems every classic movie gets a sequel or a reboot nowadays. The Naked Gun was bound to step up to the plate. Thankfully, this new installment to the franchise returns with its full absurdist glory. This installment in the franchise casts Liam Neeson as Detective Frank Drebin Junior, son of the iconic character created by comedy legend Leslie Nielsen, … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘The Naked Gun’ Returns in its ‘Full Absurdist Glory’
The Movie Man: Happy Gilmore 2 ‘Worth the Wait’
Adam Sandler’s long-anticipated sequel to the cult-classic Happy Gilmore has been worth the wait as we get another glimpse into the life of the lovable misfit golfer. Normally I approach long-awaited sequels with apprehension. Star Wars and Indiana Jones taught me that in my formative years. And then there was exploring the franchises whose studio bosses could not take the … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Happy Gilmore 2 ‘Worth the Wait’
The Movie Man: ‘Superman’ is a ‘Summer Blockbuster … Absolutely Worth’ Seeing
With an alluring narrative, top-notch special effects, amicable characters, and thought-provoking themes, James Gunn’s adaptation of Superman is absolutely worth the occasion of going to the movies. David Corenswet leads as Clark Kent (or Kal-El) and is perfect for the role. Besides his massive and well-built physique, he does justice to the superhero, who was raised in … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Superman’ is a ‘Summer Blockbuster … Absolutely Worth’ Seeing
The Movie Man: Reflections on the Renaissance of Anakin Skywalker Actor, Hayden Christensen
Hoping Hayden Hears the 'Voice of the People' UPDATED 5/20 with an Editor's Note. I was able fully nourish the wonder that came from the space soap operas of George Lucas. And now that I was an adult, I was also able appreciate the intellectual influences of Star Wars. These included anthropologist Joseph Campbell, Eastern spirituality, and the samurai movies of Akira … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Reflections on the Renaissance of Anakin Skywalker Actor, Hayden Christensen
The Movie Man: ‘Conclave’ is Good … But Don’t Rush to See It
While Edward Berger’s Conclave brings an iconic cast of beloved actors, who deliver superb performances and offers thought-provoking themes, I do not believe it should be prioritized when asked for recommendations on recently released films. It is certainly worth watching, but not as soon as possible. So often when we think of the depiction of the Catholic Church in media, … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Conclave’ is Good … But Don’t Rush to See It
The Movie Man: ‘Nosferatu’ Horrors are ‘Absolutely Worth’ Ticket Price
While I personally do not consider Robert Eggers’ horror films to be my cup of tea (mainly due to his non-traditional narrative style), I cannot deny his artistic merit and accomplishments with every film he has released (including The Witch and The Lighthouse). His most recent film, Nosferatu, a remake of F. W. Murnau’s iconic 1922 silent movie of the same name (also an … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Nosferatu’ Horrors are ‘Absolutely Worth’ Ticket Price
‘The Movie Man’ Reviews “Glicked” (i.e., ‘Gladiator II’ & ‘Wicked’)
Gladiator II: Don’t Bother So how often do we think about the Roman Empire? The internet has been abuzz with this topic for the last few years. Normally I dislike engaging in trends, but I realize that I am bound by honor to participate due to one of my tattoos being a quote from the Aeneid by Virgil There are many methods to immersing oneself with the legacy of Rome, … [Read more...] about ‘The Movie Man’ Reviews “Glicked” (i.e., ‘Gladiator II’ & ‘Wicked’)
The Movie Man: ‘Inside Out 2’ is a ‘Warranted Sequel,’ Continues the ‘Creative Spark’
Inside Out 2 is a warranted sequel. So often studios will crank out sequels for business reasons, despite the fact there is either no way to continue a story that has already been resolved; or that the sequel could not live up to the standard set by the original. Thankfully that is not the case, here. In 2015’s Inside Out, Pixar gave, what I consider, to be one of their most … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Inside Out 2’ is a ‘Warranted Sequel,’ Continues the ‘Creative Spark’
The Movie Man: No Film Festivals Likely for ‘Unfrosted’ but it’s Still “Amusing, Captivating … Worth the Watch”
Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted, a non-canonical biopic of the invention of the pop-tart, contains a star-studded cast (led by Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, and Jim Gaffigan … along with cameo after cameo from A-list entertainers) that goes full-on ridiculous in this outrageous campy satire of The Sixties, and guarantees constant laughs throughout. For the record, I doubt this … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: No Film Festivals Likely for ‘Unfrosted’ but it’s Still “Amusing, Captivating … Worth the Watch”
The Movie Man: ‘Poor Things’ Takes ‘Surreal Fantasy Approach to Science-Fiction … Spares No Sensitivity’
When I first watched the coming-of-age teen comedy Superbad in 2008, I was immediately won over to Emma Stone as Jules, the object of Jonah Hill’s affection. As the years passed and she released hit after hit (Zomebieland, Easy A, and The Amazing Spider-Man), I knew she would have a successful career as the new “it” comedy girl ranking alongside comediennes such as Gilda … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Poor Things’ Takes ‘Surreal Fantasy Approach to Science-Fiction … Spares No Sensitivity’
The Movie Man: “‘Dune Part II’ Delivers in Every Way Imaginable”
Dune: Part II exceeded my expectations and, like the first installment released in 2021 (which I also reviewed), deserves to be ranked among iconic science-fiction movies including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, Star Wars, and Blade Runner. I think the simplest way to summarize my feelings is that, whichever way one screens it—whether it be iat a theater or streaming via a … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: “‘Dune Part II’ Delivers in Every Way Imaginable”