“Avengers: Endgame” Wonderful Close to Eleven Year Journey
Walt Disney Studios and Marvel Studios present one of the year’s most anticipated movies, Avengers: Endgame. Picking up after the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame finds Thanos (Josh Brolin) basking in his victory of eradicating half of the universe. The earthbound Avengers who survived include Captain America (Chris Evans), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris […]
“The Curse of La Llorona” Fails to Conjure Scares
The latest entry in Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Conjuring Universe arrives with The Curse of La Llorona from director Michael Chaves. Opening with a prologue in 1673 Mexico, a family is celebrating a joyous moment. All is not well. For reasons unknown, the mother drowns the children. Three hundred years later, a social worker Anna […]
“Breakthrough” Tugs Heartstrings with Strong Performances
Easter weekend provides audiences with a new faith-based film from 20th Century Fox and director Roxann Dawson. Based on the 2017 biography The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection by Joyce Smith, Breakthrough is a predictable, yet heartwarming, film. John Smith (Marcel Ruiz) is a typical fourteen- year-old living […]
Little – A Modern Spin on a Classic Concept
The concept of age swapping gets a new spin in Universal Pictures, Little from director Tina Gordon. Opening in 1993, Little introduces us to a young Jordan Sanders (Marsai Martin) who is passionate about science. At the school science fair, bullies embarrass Jordan and she vows to never become a victim again when she grows […]
“Pet Semetary” shows sometimes a remake is good
Author Stephen King’s 1983 novel Pet Sematary received a modern-day adaption in Paramount Pictures same-titled film. Co-directors Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer made the remake stand on its own with the assistance of a decent screenplay from Jeff Buhler and Matt Greenberg. Pet Sematary opens with Dr. Louis Creed (Jason Clarke), his wife Rachel (Amy […]
Rest In peace Madea
Tyler Perry’s iconic character returns to the screen for one last hurrah in A Madea Family Funeral from Lionsgate. In a massive undertaking for any director, A Madea Family Funeral has Tyler Perry not only directing and writing the film, but portraying four of the roles in the movie. The simplistic plot of A Madea Family Funeral centers on the pending […]
“Fighting With My Family” Is A Winning Crowd Pleaser
British actor Stephen Merchant brings the story of WWE Diva to the big screen in Fighting with My Family from MGM Pictures. The film opens up in Norwich, England with a young Saraya Bevis interrupting her older brother Zak, watching his favorite wrestling program King of the Ring. Saraya wants to watch Charmed which leads […]
Get Locked In “The Escape Room”
The first new release of the year arrives in the form of Escape Room from Columbia Pictures. Directed by Adam Robitell with a screenplay by Bragi Schut and Maria Melnik, Escape Room attempts to bring the real-life game craze of escape rooms to the big screen and succeeds for the most part. The film opens […]
In the groove of love with Brian McKnight
Iconic singer & balladeer Brian McKnight made a stop at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, on Thursday, September 13th, for a night filled with love songs and musicianship. McKnight’s current live show title is “The Brian McKnight” 4. It features McKnight on vocals and a backing band with a drummer, guitar player, and a bass […]
Jon B’s Soulful Birchmere Debut
Musical nostalgia and genuine soul were the themes of the night Sunday, September 9th, when Jon B. entertained a sold-out audience at The Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, VA. Whenever I attend a concert, in particular, an R&B show one of the first things I look for is instruments on stage, as it’s a huge […]
4U – A Symphonic Celebration of Prince
4U – A Symphonic Celebration of Prince made a stop at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, on Saturday, September 8th. The essence of Prince was alive and well throughout the night as an Orchestra paid tribute to the artist and his legendary catalog. Curated by Questlove (drummer for the legendary hip-hop band, “The Roots”), 4U […]
Johnny Gill’s Magnificent Birchmere Debut
The Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, VA, enjoyed the soulful sounds of Johnny Gill on July 27. Washington D.C. native, Gill, entertained the audience for ninety minutes through a hit-filled set. “Fairweather Friend” from Gill’s 1990 album opened the show, which was refreshing as I thought Gill would begin the show with a ballad. I […]