Blade Runner 2049 - Movie Review

The Movie: Blade Runner 2049

The Director: Denis Villeneuve (Arrival)

The Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, David Dastmalchian, Jared Leto, Mackenzie Davis, Dave Bautista, Lennie James, Carla Juri

The Story: A young blade runner's discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who's been missing for thirty years.

2016 Recap - The Performances

In 2016, I watched a lot of movies. Probably more in one year than I ever have before so there was a lot of acting to take in. Most are passable and get the job done adequately and then there's a few that make you cringe and wish the casting director had made a different choice. Finally, there is a select handful that really catch my attention and never for the same reason. These performances are so unique, often very powerful, and, if nothing else, they are just fun to watch on screen.

La La Land - Movie Review

The Movie:
La La Land is a comedic musical drama about a musician and an actress who inadvertently and inexplicably cross paths on their way to fame. The film was written and directed by Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) and features acting performances from Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt, Callie Hernandez, Finn Wittrock, and John Legend.

The Nice Guys - Movie Review

The Nice Guys, a film by Shane Black, tells the story of how a "Hollywood muscle" and "the world's worst detective" team up to solve a most unusual case involving a dead porn star who might be alive and a missing girl who everyone wants to kill. The film features acting performances by Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Keith Davod, Beau Knapp, and Kim Basinger.

The Big Short - Movie Review

The Big Short, a movie based on things that actually happened, is directed by Adam McKay and is based off of a book written by Michael Lewis. The film features acting performances by Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Marisa Tomei, Carrie Lazar, Adepero Oduye, Rafe Spall, Hamish Linklater, Jeremy Strong, Jeffry Griffin, Stanley Wong, Finn Wittrock, and Melissa Leo.

Only God Forgives - Movie Review

Only God Forgives sees the return of Ryan Gosling and director Nicolas Winding Refn as a filmmaking duo which is a very promising endeavor given the success of Drive which was their first and only other collaboration. Kristin Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm, and Yayaying Rhatha Phongam star alongside Gosling in this beautifully shot crime thriller that explores the brutality of the Bangkok underworld.

The Place Beyond The Pines - Movie Review

The Place Beyond the Pines is the second combined effort by director Derek Cianfrance and lead actor Ryan Gosling, the first being the heart breaking love story, Blue Valentine. Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, and Rose Byrne also star in a story about a group of individuals who cross paths as they struggle with their careers, family, and the legacies they will leave behind.

Gangster Squad - Movie Review

One thing that has been missing from theaters lately is a really good gangster movie. Director Ruben Fleischer, who also directed the super awesome Zombieland, takes a shot at the genre by adapting Gangster Squad from a novel written by Will Beall and Paul Lieberman. With the combination of Penn, Gosling, and Brolin headlining the cast, there is no doubt audiences will be looking to see if this is a movie they can't refuse.

The Ides of March - Movie Review

A film that is written, directed, and starring George Clooney is sure to be heavy on drama and intrigue with a political message either embedded deep within the story or right up front for everyone to see. Since this picture involves the ins and outs of a Democratic Primary race, you can be assured that the audience will be getting a heavy dose of political commentary thrown up in the screen.

Drive (2011) - Movie Review

Up and coming director Nicolas Winding Refn, who hails from Denmark, has made a very bold statement with his first mainstream Hollywood effort. Best known previously for his direction of critically acclaimed films like Bronson and Valhalla Rising, Drive will definitely get his career going full speed ahead as he brings us a story full of understated drama contrasted by brutally intense action sequences.