ONWARD BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAPRIL 5, 2020 “On a quest the clear path is never the right one.” — Barley Lightfoot (Chris Pratt) As we waded into the waters of the animated film “Onward,” my seven-year-old daughter posed me this question: in the context of the film, would I rather live in either the magic-filled world of yesteryear, where wizards and unicorns are prevalent or … Read More Movie Review: Onward (2020)
UNDERWATER BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJANUARY 10, 2020 “This better not be 20,000-Leagues-Under-The-Sea-shit, man.” — Paul (T.J. Miller) Borrow from the best. Or if you’re director William Eubank (2014’s underrated sci-fi, “The Signal”), borrow from all the best. But borrowing is only half the equation. To make a memorable film, and not just a recreation, you have to make it your own. Thankfully, Eubank does just … Read More Movie Review: Underwater (2020)
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLNOVEMBER 22, 2019 “Please don’t ruin my childhood.” — Andrea Vogel (Susan Kelechi Watson) Sometimes less is more, but not in the case of “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood.” Tom Hanks captures the quirk and gravitas of the iconic Mister Rogers so perfectly. The only problem is, I wanted more. When you have a high … Read More Movie Review: A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (2019)
THE MANDALORIANSEASON ONE Episode 1: “Chapter One” BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLNOVEMBER 11, 2019 “Bounty hunting is a complicated business. Don’t you agree?” — The Client (Werner Herzog) The Disney+ app here! Fans have been salivating for months over the mere idea of the Star Wars original series “The Mandalorian,” with Pedro Pascal dawning the Boba Fett-like armor. With all the anticipation leading up to the … Read More TV Review: The Mandalorian: Season 1 – Episode 1: “Chapter One” (2019)
THE HANDMAID’S TALESEASON THREE Episode 5: “Unknown Caller” BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJUNE 20, 2019 “We’re all in danger.” — Mr. Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) The moment that baby Nichole/Holly made it to Canada, I began worrying for everyone involved. Not only is June (Elisabeth Moss) now separated from both of her children, but there is a massive target on Luke’s (O. T. Fagbenle) back for harboring … Read More TV Review: The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 3 – Episode 5: “Unknown Caller” (2019)
AVENGERS: ENDGAME BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLMAY 2, 2019 “Whatever it takes.” — Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Chris Evans) [If you have not yet taken the ride that is “Avengers: Endgame,” please recuse yourself from this review and rectify that. That said … SPOILERS!] Over eleven years and twenty-two films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has amassed a substantial amount of fans. Lifelong comic lovers, decadelong … Read More Movie Review: Avengers: Endgame (2019)
WONDER PARK BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLMARCH 17, 2019 “We are the wonder in Wonderland” — June Bailey (Brianna Denski) “Wonder Park” may entertain your six-year-old with its sleek, crisp animation, but it doesn’t come close to packing the same emotional punch as anything Disney, Pixar, or Dreamworks puts out. For kids, it looks and feels enough like big studio fare to keep them enthralled, but … Read More Movie Review: Wonder Park (2019)
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLNOVEMBER 26, 2018 “If you get shown a problem but have no idea how to control it then you just decide to get used to the problem.” — Squeeze (Steven Yeun), “Sorry To Bother You” Boots Riley breaks through the clutter with his directorial debut. Take a step back and look at the absurd era we live in, … Read More Movie Review: Sorry To Bother You (2018)
HALLOWEEN 6: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLOCTOBER 17, 2018 “You can’t control evil. You can lock it up, burn it, and bury it, and pray that it dies, but it never will.” — Tommy Doyle (Paul Rudd) For being the sixth film in a series about a masked serial killer wreaking havoc on a small-town, almost no one in “Halloween: The … Read More Movie Review: Halloween 6: The Curse Of Michael Myers (1995)
THE NUN BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLSEPTEMBER 21, 2018 “I’m afraid there is something very wrong with this place.” — Father Burke (Demián Bichir) In 2014, when Warner Bros. announced that it would be spinning off stories from its highly acclaimed “Conjuring” series, which at the time had just come off of a $41.9 million domestic opening weekend and a worldwide total of $319.5 million, against … Read More Movie Review: The Nun (2018)
DOG DAYS BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAUGUST 10, 2018 At the very least, “Dog Days” functions as a public service announcement for failing animal rescue centers and dog shelters. It highlights the painfully obvious necessity to adopt animals in need of a good home. But in every other regard, “Dog Days” is fluff. Having no real bearing on anything, its only real saving grace is that … Read More Movie Review: Dog Days (2018)
SHARP OBJECTS Episode 1: “Vanish” BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJULY 18, 2018 Fully formed and tragically designed, Jean-Marc Vallée’s HBO series “Sharp Objects” kicks off with a mood as distinguishable as the green wallpaper lining Adora’s Southern mansion. Adapting the first novel from author Gillian Flynn (best known for “Gone Girl”), actress Amy Adams submerges into the leading role of Camille Preaker, a damaged reporter in … Read More TV Review: Sharp Objects – Episode 1: “Vanish” (2018)
