Arrival - Movie Review

Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners), follows a linguist and a physicist as they attempt to figure out how to understand and translate the communications of a recently arrived alien species. The film features acting performances from Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark O'Brien, and Tzi Ma.

Shut In - Movie Review

Shut In, directed by Farren Blackburn, is a thriller that takes us into the secluded home of a woman who is desperately trying to find a missing boy as a snowstorm approaches. The film features acting performances from Naomi Watts (The Impossible), Oliver Platt (Chef), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), and Jacob Tremblay (Room).

Seoul Station (서울역) (HIFF 2016) - Movie Review

Seoul Station, an official selection of the 2016 Hawaii International Film Festival, is an animated feature and predecessor to the smash hit Korean zombie action film, Train to Busan, both of which were written and directed by Sang-ho Yeon. The film, which shows the original zombie outbreak that leads the events of Train to Busan, features voice acting contributions from Seung-ryong Ryu, Franciska Friede, and Joon Lee.

Pete's Dragon - Movie Review

Pete's Dragon, adapted for the screen and directed by David Lowery, travels into the forest home of a mystical creature, and the lost young boy he has been protecting, as construction and demolition looms on the horizon. The Disney Picture release features performances from Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Karl Urban, Wes Bentley, Oona Laurence, and Oakes Fegley.

Sadako vs Kayako (貞子 vs. 伽椰子) (HIFF 2016) - Movie Review

Sadako vs Kayako, an official selection of the 2016 Hawaii International Film Festival, brings together the ghouls from The Ring and The Grudge for an all out supernatural slug fest. The film, directed by Kôji Shiraishi features acting performances from Mizuki Yamamoto, Tina Tamashiro, Aimi Satsukawa, Masahiro Kômoto, Masanobu Andô, and Maiko Kikuchi.

Green Room - Movie Review

Green Room, written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, follows an indie rock bands descent into a nightmare of survival against the owners and patrons of a neo-nazi skinhead bar. The film features acting performances from Anton Yelchin, Patrick Stewart, Imogeen Poots, Alia Shawkat, Callum Turner, and Macon Blair.

Morris from America (SIFF 2016) - Movie Review

Morris from America, an official selection of the 2016 Seattle International Film Festival, follows a father and his 13 year old son as they move from New York to Germany. Directed by Chad Hartigan, the film stars Craig Robinson, Markees Christmas, Carla Juri, Patrick Güldenberg, and Lina Keller.

Doctor Strange - Movie Review

Doctor Strange, directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister), introduces the Sorcerer Supreme and his magical ways into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and puts him up against a challenge that, if not stopped, could send the entire world into a dark and terrible existence. The film features acting performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelson, and Tilda Swinton.

X-Men: Apocalypse - Movie Review

X-Men Apocalypse, directed by Bryan Singer, sees Professor X's mutant band of heroes face off against an unstoppable foe who just happens to be the original, most historical mutant of all time. The movie features an all star cast including Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Evan Peters, Sophie Turner, Lucas Till, and Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Hugh Jackman.

Operation Chromite (인천상륙작전) - Movie Review

Operation Chromite (인천상륙작전), directed by John H. Lee, uncovers a secret mission, ordered by General Douglas MacArthur, that would either help to win the Korean War or, if not successful, would simply send a group of brave men to their deaths. The movie features acting performances from Jeong-jae Lee, Beom-soo Lee, Se-yeon Jin, Joon-ho Jeong, Byeong-ok Kim, Geum-seong Kil, and Liam Neeson as General Douglas MacArthur.

The Handmaiden (아가씨) - Movie Review

The Handmaiden, co-written and directed by Chan-wook Park, is a 1930's crime thriller filled with deceit, debauchery, and double crosses as a con man tries to steal an inheritance from a secluded young woman. The film features acting performances from Min-hee Kim, Kim Tae-ri, Jung-woo Ha, and Jin-woong Jo.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back - Movie Review

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, produced by and starring Tom Cruise, sees the return of the titular hero made famous by the series of novels written by Lee Child. The movie was directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Legends of the Fall, Blood Diamond) and features supporting performances from Cobie Smulders (Avengers), Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton), Danika Yarosh, and Patrick Heusinger (Black Swan).