Argyle is a fun spy thriller
Director Matthew Vaughn returns to the world of espionage for his latest film, “Argyle” from Universal Pictures. Jason Fuchs pens the screenplay, which, in the simplest of terms, is a razor-witted, reality-bending, globe-encircling spy thriller. Elly Conway, portrayed by Bryce Dallas Howard in the movie, is a reclusive author who has written a series of best-selling espionage novels. She finds solace in spending her evenings alone with her computer and her feline companion, Alfie.
Pop culture camp references and a solid lead perform can’t save Lisa Frankenstein
Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody teams up with debuting director Zelda Williams for the horror comedy Lisa Frankenstein from Focus Features. The film is set in 1989 and draws inspiration from Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus, published in 1818. The story revolves around a teenage goth girl named Lisa (played by Kathryn Newton), who reanimates a nameless corpse from the Victorian era (played by Cole Sprouse).
Out of Darkness is a bold and ambitious thriller that takes audiences on a captivating journey back to the Stone Age
Horror fans are in for a treat as the chills keep coming in the thriller Out of Darkness from Bleecker Street. Andrew Cumming makes his directorial debut with the film from a script by Ruth Greenberg. Potential viewers should know that the film is subtitled as the dialogue in the movie uses TOLA, invented by poet, historian, and multi-linguist Dr. Daniel Andersson. TOLA stands for ‘The Origin Language’ and is a mix of Arabic and some Basque vocabulary.
Leah McKendrick delivers an enjoyable debut with Scrambled
In-demand writer Leah McKendrick makes a charming directorial debut in Scrambled from Lionsgate. Nellie Robinson is a woman who has always been there for her friends. She’s the quintessential bridesmaid, constantly attending weddings, baby showers, and other events to support those she cares about. However, despite her willingness to help others find love and happiness, Nellie has yet to discover a way to get into the romance department. She’s been on more bad dates than she can count, and she’s starting to feel like time is running out.
Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman star in the tame Miller’s Girl
Writer and director Jade Hallet Bartlett enlists the talents of Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega to navigate her debut in Miller’s Girl from Lionsgate. The film takes place at a college in the Deep South. It introduces us to Cairo Sweet (Jenna Ortega), a talented young writer who spends her days reading and nights hanging out with her best friend, Winnie (Gideon Adlon).
Cult Killer is a murderous waste of time
The film introduces us to Tallini (Antonio Banderas), a renowned private investigator and former Interpol agent on his latest job.
Ava DuVernay guides Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor to an career best performance in Origin
Multiple awarding film auteur Ava DuVernay reunites with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor for the harrowing biographical drama Origin from Neon film. DuVernay also pens the film’s screenplay, which adapts Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Isabel Wilkerson (Ellis-Taylor) has just become the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in journalism, and fans are clamoring for another book following the success of her first novel, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration.
Reviews & Dunn Ten Best Movies of 2023
Yesterday, I gave my worst of 2023, so now, let’s review my favorite movies of 2023. These films have outstanding craftsmanship, groundbreaking performances, and thought-provoking narratives. While every movie here won’t get Oscar gold, they are the ones I enjoyed most in 2023.
Reviews & Dunn Ten Worst Movies of 2023
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe I’m four years into my passion for film criticism. If you know me, you know that one of my quirks is that I usually find one thing I like in a movie. However, there’s always an exception to the rule.
The Boys in The Boat plays it overly safe as a crowd pleaser
Academy Award winner George Clooney ventures into the world of sports for his latest directorial effort, The Boys in The Boat from MGM. Mark L. Smith pens the film’s screenplay, an adaption of the same-titled New York Times bestselling nonfiction novel by Daniel James Brown.
Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney’s chemistry saves Anyone But You
Following his successful modernization of “The Scarlett Letter” with Easy A in 2010, director Will Gluck modernizes another literary classic in his latest film, Anyone but You. Gluck collaborates with Ilana Wolpert for a loose adaption of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing.”
Wonka is a whimsical prequel
Warner Bros enlists talented director Paul King to take viewers back to the world of chocolate in Wonka. King penned the screenplay with Simon Farnaby from his idea, which tells of the origin story of Willy Wonka, who we all know was first introduced in the 1964 novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl, which later received two film adaptations.