Blindspotting (2018)

91%
Blindspotting - Carlos Lopez Estrada
Comedy/Drama - R - 2018

While it may appear as a buddy comedy on the surface; Blindspotting is a dramatic portrayal of identity and racial indifferences and how they shape the community we inhabit.

On the verge of freedom, Collin must make it through his final three days of probation for a chance at a fresh start. His childhood best friend and troublemaker, Miles, is the one thing that could screw it all up for him. When Collin witnesses a police shooting one night; their friendship is put to the test as they struggle with identity and the new realities of their rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood.

I just watched this movie last night, but it is definitely one of my favorite films I’ve seen in 2018. A beautifully artistic depiction of Oakland, the film submerges you into the Bay Area culture and doesn’t let go for a second. The two leads, Daveed Diggs & Rafael Casal (who also co-wrote the film) did an outstanding job as Collin and Miles, respectively. Not only do they paint a genuine picture of friendship and loyalty – but they provide insightful views into the lives of two friends of opposite race. The film itself is full of seething social commentary and touches on various issues of identity, racism, violence, and gentrification. There is a scene near the end of the movie that really stuck with me and is probably one of the most powerful scenes I have watched all year, thanks to Diggs’ incredible portrayal of Collin. The central themes of identity and racial indifference are what make this such a fantastic film.

Blindspotting is a movie with a vital message that will surely stick with you after it’s over.

*FEATURED GUEST REVIEW*

A Star is Born - 10/10
By Justin Gonzalez

A Star is Born is the best movie I have seen within the past 5 years. This film explores several topics such as the price of fame, love, addiction, and undeniable chemistry between its two costars, first time director Bradley Cooper, and breakout actress/singer Lady Gaga; who have an instant, infectious love/chemistry with each other, which sets the backdrop for a modern-day classic.

Moonlighting as country star/secret addict Jackson Maine, Cooper sees a major breakout. He started this transition with American Sniper, which transitioned him from The Hangover and demonstrated that he can, in fact, handle a serious role. I think in this film, he transcends that; becoming the most versatile man in Hollywood with this role.

First off, he had to make this believable -- easier said than done. He displays versatility and is impressive in the music scenes. Paired directly with arguably the most talented voice of this generation, Cooper more than holds his own. His deep baritone voice is a nice contrast to the power lungs of Gaga, and he can actually sing. He also explores, and battles with personal demons that no human being is stranger to such as family problems, (a jealous brother/manager who resents Maine’s fame), addiction, which is covered in a very courageous manner, and the problems that come with fame. Maine is humanely relatable while masquerading as a country star and really proves his mettle as a director, which may segue into a nice second career.

Now, for the star that was born: Lady Gaga. First off, for someone of her stature to take on a project of this magnitude, at this point in her career, was undeniably a risk. However, in her never-ending quest to destroy pre-conceived narratives, she explodes onto the screen as Ally, the drag bar-waitress singer waiting for her big break, and delivers in what can only be described as a masterful performance of cinematic brilliance.

Ally makes her character immediately personable, despite her major flaws, some that Gaga actually faced in her own ascension to the top (nose problems, lack of support from an increasingly changing industry). This backdrop sets the stage for the explosive romance that blossoms. From the time they lock eyes, to their singing in-sync on stage, to Ally’s rise to fame, their love for each other seems genuine and although concerning; pretty magical.

Gaga’s seamless transition to acting is a display of her talent, and her singing is taken to a new level with powerful lyrics that accurately portray every scene, resonating with viewers. She shows no signs of being a rookie, and is an overwhelming favorite to take home Oscars and Grammy’s this year. Her support and love of Jackson Maine, to her final singing of Never Love Again, she displays versatility and exudes acting confidence, as this duo’s undeniably chemistry creates a modern day classic.

Mandy (2018)

94%
Mandy - Panos Cosmatos
Action/Horror - NR - 2018

Trippy, weird, hyper-violent awesomeness.

This movie is straight up bizarre in the best ways possible. Demon biker gang. Drug-crazed hippie cult. Chainsaw fight. Nicolas Cage geekin' out and embarking on a blood-fueled escapade.

Mandy is full of LSD-laced, blood-soaked 80’s grindhouse madness – and I loved it. This movie is visually fascinating and emotionally haunting. Another “twisted descent into mayhem” film with lots of enjoyable whacked-out elements. I’ve realized recently that I really enjoy the hyper-violent action/horror genre, and if you’re interested in these types of movies – you will love this one, as well. I couldn’t help but feel like it was a more well-produced version of Revenge (which I have also reviewed). The unique, color-saturated visuals and palpable emotion from Cage really drew me in.

I’ve honestly never been a fan of Nicolas Cage – he’s done A LOT of shitty movies in recent years (if you ever need a good laugh, check out The Wicker Man) – but I thought he was fantastic in this. This movie reminds us that the man can really act. As a viewer, you can feel the raw emotion and pain he projects throughout. His character, Red Miller, is on a mission of vengeance against a hippie cult known as the Children of the New Dawn, after they kidnap his beloved girlfriend, Mandy. He will stop at nothing to punish her captors, who are led by a Manson-esque psychopath.

I had a lot of fun watching this movie; definitely one of my favorite films of 2018 so far. ALSO – not an absolute necessity, BUT I recommend lighting up a fat joint for this one! Also worthy of note, Mandy is one of the final films to be scored by the late Johann Johannsson, who passed away earlier this year.

American Animals (2018)

87%
American Animals - Bart Layton
Drama/Mystery & Suspense - R - 2018

“Once you cross that line, you can never go back.”

A unique viewing experience, American Animals blends fact with fiction to create a nail-biting heist film. The crazy (true) story revolves around two young men – Spencer and Warren – who lead pretty average existences. They go to school, smoke weed, and dream of better lives. They bond over the haunting fear of never becoming “truly” special, until one day when Spencer’s class is shown a rare collection of art in his school’s library. The collection, worth more than $14 million, seems to be their ticket out of this boring little Kentucky town.

I always enjoy a movie that can make me feel uneasy at times, and there were definitely some tense moments in this one. The movie is essentially like any “true story” documentary, but with a Hollywood spin. Spencer and Warren - played by Barry Keoghan and Evan Peters, respectively – were both very well cast, in my opinion. Throughout the film, they show testimonials from the actual guys involved in the heist plot, and I can definitely see a lot of parallels between the real-life Spencer and Warren and the actors that portrayed them. Evan Peters does a fantastic job in recreating Warren’s personality as the kind of rebellious, me-against-the-world friend, while Keoghan superbly portrays Spencer – the typically quiet, moral kid.

I liked this movie because it was pretty relatable in an obscure way (no, I am not dumb enough to plan a $14 million heist), but I definitely did some dumb shit in college. I’m sure a lot of us have, at one time, been coerced by friends into doing something nonsensical. Having found myself in some situations I’d never thought I’d be in, I felt somewhat of a connection with Spencer as he told his story. Overall, American Animals is a unique heist movie that offers true insight into the minds of the characters and tells a pretty outrageous story.

Raw (2017)

97%
Raw - Julia Ducourau
Horror/Drama - R - 2017

Raw is an absolutely jarring viewing experience that will leave you thinking about it long after it ends. Personally, I don’t scare easily from movies. I’m always in search of a film that will truly frighten me -- and this one hits on all levels. Raw is one of the few movies that I really enjoyed  but definitely wouldn’t recommend to everyone (if you tend to be squeamish or grossed out easily, I would avoid this film). That said, from the opening scene to the closing dialogue, my interest was piqued. The critically-acclaimed French horror/drama is available on Netflix with English subtitles.


Raw is a coming of age tale, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. When a lifelong vegetarian, Justine, arrives at veterinary school – she is quickly subjected to all sorts of lurid hazing rituals. One such ritual requires her to taste raw meat for the first time. She reluctantly does, thus beginning her steady descent into mayhem. Once she acquires a taste for it, she will stop at nothing to get her fill.

Despite the shocking elements throughout the film; I found it to be filled with many great themes, which all contribute to why I have rated it so highly. It is bursting with intelligent social commentary, for one. It also explores the ideas of discovering who you are, what you want, and how to go after it (in a metaphorical way, of course). Thirdly, it displays the complicated relationship between sisters in a unique way. Complete with wonderful acting and direction – Raw is easily one of my favorite horror movies to date.

Thoroughbreds (2018)

88%
Thoroughbreds - Cory Finley
Drama / Mystery & Suspense - R - 2018

Thoroughbreds definitely intrigued me. It gave off a very Killing of a Sacred Deer vibe, so if you liked that, you’ll probably enjoy this too. Basically, the plot revolves around a high-school student, Lily, and her sociopathic friend Amanda as they plot to kill Lily’s emotionally abusive stepfather, Mark. It is essentially one of those slow-building movies that centers on the final act to bring it all together.

A psychological thriller, Thoroughbreds explores the capabilities of human nature when drained of empathy and remorse. It focuses on the ability (as shown by Amanda) to “practice” fake smiles, tears, and emotions in order to fit in with society. It also features an amusing performance from Anton Yelchin in his final presentation. Overall, if you like movies that make you feel uneasy, I would check it out. It probably won’t blow you away, but the exploration of human nature and the climax will definitely have you feeling some type of way after its over.

Revenge (2018)

88%

Revenge - Coralie Fargeat 

Thriller/Suspense - R - 2018

With radiant colors and flashy cinematography -- Revenge is a gruesome take on the classic revenge tale, with a feminist spin. It is absolutely brutal and unforgiving, displaying the visceral transition of Jen from eye-candy to relentless killer. Definitely not a viewing experience that everyone can handle. Revenge is the tale of a woman trying to regain herself after being stripped of humanity and left for dead. Sort of a feminist take on The Revenant, if you will. While medical accuracy falters at times, the film finds more success if you view Jen as an angel of death extracting vengeance on those that left her forsaken. It is a hardcore, blood-fueled thriller that leads up to a riveting climax. If you are looking for action/violence over plot/acting, Revenge is a solid thriller. 

Annihilation (2018)

87%

Annihilation - Alex Garland

Sci-Fi & Fantasy / Action & Adventure - R - 2018

From the mind of writer-director, Alex Garland, comes another visually stunning sci-fi adventure. Much like his previous film, Ex Machina, (One of my favorite films) Annihilation is an exploration into what it means to be human. While presenting different themes, I find it similar to the 2016 box-office smash, Arrival -- so if you enjoyed that film, it's safe to say you'll like this one too. Featuring strong performances from a mostly-female cast, Annihilation is a thought-provoking story that tackles various issues like depression and self-destruction. Not only is it filled with action and suspense, but it also takes a delve into what occurs in the calm moments surrounded by intensity. Annihilation is a movie that may warrant a rewatch to pick up on certain themes but overall emerges as a visually stunning and epic tale of human emotion and strength.

Game Night (2018)

83%

Game Night - John Francis Daly & Jonathan M. Goldstein

Comedy / Mystery & Suspense - R - 2018

Personally, I did not know too much about Game Night going in, but I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Not only is it a well-written comedy, but it also intervenes elements of mystery and suspense that keep the viewer intrigued. Prior to the action, when Brooks Davis (Kyle Chandler) utters the phrase: “You are not going to know what’s real and what’s fake,” it is a sentiment that holds true to the audience of the film, as well. I found Jesse Plemons to be exceptionally funny as the creepy neighbor, Gary. Bateman and McAdams are also wonderful leads for this type of movie -- with both proven to have great range in various types of film. Game Night is a thrill ride that keeps the laughs coming up until the end and is a great choice if you are looking for a fun movie experience. 

Good Time (2017)

92%

Good Time - Benny Safdie & Joshua Safdie

Drama / Thriller - R - 2017

Following a botched bank robbery that lands his mentally-impaired brother in prison, Constantine Nikas (Pattinson) embarks on a twisted journey through New York City’s underground in attempts to free his brother.

Good Time is one of the better films of 2017 that really snuck under the radar. Seemingly overshadowed by Oscar nominations and other major films of 2017, it first garnered my attention when it popped up as a 99 cent rental on my Apple TV. I had never heard of it, but after seeing positive scores, I decided to give it a watch. Wow. I was absolutely blown away by Robert Pattinson in this film. I think he gets a bad rap from those goofy Twilight movies because I was completely unaware of his stellar acting prowess until this film. A visually-pleasing display of the dark corners of NYC, Good Time will somehow have you rooting for this nefarious antagonist as he races against time to save his brother.

Wind River (2017)

95%
Wind River - Taylor Sheridan

Drama / Mystery & Suspense - R - 2017

Wind River is an absolutely chilling thriller that follows a rookie FBI agent (Elizabeth Olsen) and local game hunter and community member (Jeremy Renner) as they race to solve the murder of a local girl on a remote Native American Reservation. 

If you are in need of a good murder-mystery, Wind River is a fantastic delve into the genre. I first viewed this film after finishing season one of The Killing on Netflix, (which I highly recommend) so I was quite excited about a new crime-drama-mystery. This movie takes a brutal event and multiplies it by ten with its desolate snow-filled setting. Solid performances by Renner and Olsen as they uncover the untimely fate of a young girl living on the reservation. One of my favorite films of 2017, probably only second to Three Billboards, Wind River drew me in from the start and didn't let go until the end. I have only watched it once, but it captivated me so much, that I have been desperately meaning to watch it a second time. If you are into this genre and have not seen this riveting film, definitely check it out. I recommend watching it without your phone in the vicinity, so you can really focus on the essence of the story. 

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

98%

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - Martin McDonagh

Drama / Dark Comedy - R - 2017

Detailing the mangled life of Mildred Hayes; Three Billboards is a drama that focuses on grieving and the many forms it takes in people. Mildred is forced to cope with the recent rape and murder of her daughter, along with the inconstancies of the small-town police department in finding the culprit. In this off-beat dramedy, Mildred Hayes brings the whole town along for the ride.

I can easily say -- though some may disagree - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was by-far my favorite film of 2017. It filled me with an onslaught of emotions ranging from laughter to despair. With phenomenal casting; the major characters Mildred, (Francis McDormund) Chief Willoughby, (Woody Harrelson) and Officer Dixon, (Sam Rockwell) were all flawed, yet unapologetically themselves -- an admirable trait. All three brought their A-game with Oscar-worthy performances. The redemption arc of Jason Dixon is one of my favorites in any film I’ve seen. Sam Rockwell magnificently captures the essence of the character. 

McDonagh’s boisterous characters are still fresh on my mind long after viewing the movie. I can understand how this movie may not be for everyone, as it is quite violent and abrasive, (also can be slow for some) but the exceptionally headstrong characters and memorable storytelling cannot be ignored.

Baby Driver (2017)

92%

Baby Driver - Edgar Wright

Action & Adventure / Drama - R - 2017

A mysterious, young getaway driver relies on his personal soundtrack to guide him through a world of thieves and criminals. When his freedom and love-life are threatened, he turns up the music for the ride of his life.

Let me just start by saying, although I missed the theatrical release, I was hyped to see this. I love the foreshadowing and storytelling in Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy, (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, & The World’s End) so I knew that his talent would translate well into a new genre. This is an extremely fun movie. The chase scenes are thrilling/well-choreographed and it has a great cast (aside from Kevin Spacey..) The soundtrack is fantastically done, as well. Wright’s signature foreshadowing and strong storytelling really bring it all together. A thrill ride all the way to the climax. Also great if you are looking for an action-over-plot.

Train to Busan (2016)

96%

Train to Busan - Yeon Sang-ho

Action & Adventure / Horror - NR - 2016

Check this out ASAP while it’s still on Netflix!

Train to Busan is a literal thrill ride about a father and daughter doing whatever it takes to get to Busan -- which is safe from the infection -- or so they hope.

This is arguably one of the best zombie movies I’ve ever watched. It presents characters with depth and provides an underlying social commentary on the world and the people in it. There are characters you will root for, and some you won’t. It has very uniquely choreographed action sequences full of intensity and dread. When you think things can’t possibly get worse -- they do. With masterful cinematography, it never feels cramped despite the characters being on a speeding train for most of the film. Usually, children in films are a hit or miss for me, but the young girl in this did a fantastic job. Sure, at times the zombies’ behavior was convenient for the given situation, but Train to Busan is such an exhilarating ride that it doesn't really matter. It is a solid film about redemption and survival -- and make sure to pay attention, because it does require subtitles to watch.

The Witch (2016)

91%

The Witch - Robert Eggers

Horror - R - 2016

I haven't seen a movie this disturbing in a long time. As an avid horror fan, I’m always trying to find movies that genuinely scare me, and this one truly did it. A compelling and thought-provoking film, The Witch delivers a deeply unsettling feeling throughout. Egger’s film debut wholeheartedly defines the idea of slow-building horror. It takes the age-old concepts of witchcraft, black magic, and possession and blends them into a gripping story of a family’s frightful crumble into darkness. Set the New England wilderness in the 1600’s, The Witch is a slow-build that is worth the watch. Black Phillip had me buggin'.

Fruitvale Station (2013)

93%
Fruitvale Station - Ryan Coogler
Drama - R - 2013

Fruitvale Station is not just a heartbreaking tale about discrimination and social injustice, but also a celebration of the life of a loved & ambitious young man. The film details the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008, and unbeknownst to him, his life. Grant is brilliantly portrayed by Michael B. Jordan; presenting a 360-portrait of the young man’s life. He comes across as a happy but troubled man, unaware that his time is running out. Despite being aware of what is to come - viewers will still feel it deep down when they reach the climax. I definitely teared up a little at the end; probably due to the heavy emotions projected by Oscar’s family and friends in the final scenes. He was a work in progress and was loved by many, and this portrayal really cuts deep.

Attack the Block (2011)

94%

Attack the Block - Joe Cornish
Comedy / Sci-Fi / Action & Adventure - R - 2011

From the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Attack the Block is a comedy adventure that follows a gang of inner-city kids in London as they try to defend their neighborhood against an alien invasion. INNER CITY VS. OUTER SPACE.

I feel like this movie was a huge sleeper in the Sci-Fi community.  Attack the Block seamlessly blends comedy with scares and social commentary, creating a thrill-ride, unlike any other Sci-Fi film. A bit of Edgar Wright's familiar wit and foreshadowing can be seen in this film, as well. A strong debut for Star Wars star, John Boyega – he is a master of minimalism as Moses, a strong leader and man of few words. There is quite a redemption arc for most of the characters, as they venture from street thugs to local heroes. It fantastically mixes in issues of race and class, while bringing them all together at various points. I think Cornish has struck the perfect balance between silly & scary within this film. The comedy makes for a fun adventure, but never loses its intensity with too much goofiness. A lot of fun!