I can’t with any sort of seriousness state that “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is a good movie. There really hasn’t been a great movie in the franchise since the original. Even though “Lost World” had its moments, the series has been too afraid to step outside of its comfort zone and escalate it into new and […]
Film
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Good Neighbors
Mister Rogers really did believe you’re a special snowflake and that’s OK
One of my earliest memories was sitting in front of my babysitter (I mean TV) and having Mister Rogers teach me about death. He came home and got into his comfy shoes and happy sweater—but when he went to feed his fish, he found one floating near the bottom of the tank. He wrapped it […]
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The Ayn-Credibles
Superheroes as objectivist theory
I know it’s somewhat insane to search for philosophical meaning in cartoons, but something about “The Incredibles 2” rubbed me the wrong way. The movie is beautifully designed with several jaw-dropping action sequences and deeply immersive 3D, so the kids will probably love it, as will those who grew up with the original film. If you’re […]
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Two Hand Touching
Tag aims for the heart
So far, 2018 has been a dismal year for comedies. “Super Troopers 2” and “Action Point” were so numbingly horrible that they made the fairly generic “Life of the Party,” with Melissa McCarthy, seem like a comedic gem. Hopefully, “Tag” is a sign of things to come, because it balances big laughs, a ton of […]
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Terror in the Blood
“Hereditary” will mess you up
Horror movies are a lot like Frankenstein’s monster. They’re ugly and scary, but mostly misunderstood; shambling through the village inspiring terror when all they want is to be held. It’s a genre that’s never earned the respect it deserves because it’s seen as disposable, a forgettable diversion to have in the background while we Netflix […]
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Here’s What’s Hot
Missing Angel, guilty pleasures and cosmic death cults in this month’s dispatch
Isn’t this exciting?? Another month brings another episode of May the Source Be With You and our look at the most interesting things coming out of pop culture related to streaming, podcasts and DVD and Blu releases. There’s always too much to talk about, but if you’ve discovered something you’d like to share, feel free […]
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Whack Ass
If you were looking for the lowest bar for comedy, it’s right here
There’s a moment toward the end of “Action Point” that encapsulates why the film is such a huge missed opportunity. It only lasts for a few seconds and there’s zero context for the image, but there’s a beautiful slow-motion shot of a terrified little kid riding an ostrich and hanging on for dear life. That’s […]
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He Knows Kung Fu
“Upgrade” punches for the stars
“Upgrade” has a great, if not entirely original, concept. It’s the future and there are automatically driven cars, computer monitors on every living room table and drones tracking criminal activity, flying through the night sky. The terribly named Grey Trace is a mechanic who hates the future he’s living in. He works on classic cars, […]
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Handling Business
The latest in the Star Wars franchise: fun and forgettable
The fairly unheralded arrival of “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” is the first time I can remember when the release of a new Star Wars movie doesn’t feel like an event. The fact that we get a new one every year might have something to do with it, or it might have something to do […]
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Blockbuster Mania
What to put on your radar for the summer movie season
There’s really no such thing as the summer blockbuster anymore. If the movie appeals to mass audiences, people will see it regardless of the month it’s released. “Black Panther” is the ninth-highest grossing movie in history and it came out in February—normally the month studios dump their crappiest movies. It’s all blockbusters, all the time […]
