Into the Woods (2014)

Into the Woods (2014)

Into the Woods is eighty minutes of energy and joy followed by forty more of tiresome, by-the-numbers visual effects. The drop-off in quality is notable. It’s a shame, as the first two-thirds are filled with crowd-pleasing tunes, beautiful set designs, and a playfulness that jumps off the screen. All of… Continue reading

Lions for Lambs (2007)

Lions for Lambs (2007)

There’s a scene in Lions for Lambs in which reporter Janine Roth (Streep), during one of several down times in her interview with Senator Jasper Irving (Cruise), takes a stroll around the Senator’s office. The camera pans across a photo of Irving with President Bush, who is giving the trademark… Continue reading

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

Let it be known right off the bat that I have not seen the original The Manchurian Candidate, which was released in 1962 and directed by the late, great John Frankenheimer. This review will reflect how this update of the film stands in its own right. War stories are among… Continue reading