Author: Derrick Murray

Believe the hype, “Anora” is the best film of the year. An electric, propulsive, deconstructed love story with a star making performance at the helm.

Overall, I only liked “The Piano Lesson.” Its inescapable adaptive missteps work as a detriment and make it last on the Wilson adaptive list.

Speaking as a former hardcore Christian who majored in theology and philosophy, who became a youth pastor turned foul mouth comedian turned film critic who is basically an atheist now, “Heretic” was made for me.

There’s not a whole lot out there like “Emilia Perez” and its one of the few big swings this year that actually hits the ball this time.

It’s always interesting to see what a newly acclaimed and award winning director decides to do next. Fresh off the success of 2022’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” which garnered critical acclaim and 9 Academy Award Nominations (it won 4 including Best International Feature and Cinematography) director Edward Berger is back with “Conclave,” a pulpy, riveting conspiracy thriller with stunning visuals, powerful performances, and enough twists and turns to make M. Night Shaymalan jealous. The German filmmaker seems to be putting all of his skills to the test and arrives with something prove; his success with “Western Front” was…

“The Shadow Strays’ is action mayhem to the fullest extent, pushing the limits and going there every time you think they might not. Timo is more than willing to cross the line, and while his canvas may get a little too abstract and overlong, it never once stops being entertaining and engaging.

It’s easy to forget just how ubiquitous the sound of The Neptunes has actually been for over 30 years in music. Not just hip hop, but numerous genres for pop to EDM to even rock hybrids have been touched by the marching band drumbeats of Pharrell Williams and futuristic synth sounds of Chad Hugo. I would stop short of saying they’re the most influential producer duo of our generation, but an argument can be made for greatness when you consider the vastness of their catalog. In Williams’ case, his sounds and influence go beyond just a producer and into the…

Before we attempt to unpack the 20 some different movies that are mashed together in “Megalopolis,” let’s make something very clear: Francis Ford Coppola is one of the greatest living filmmakers of our generation. A bold visionary responsible for the some of the greatest contributions to cinema, you won’t find a more unique, successful, ambitious filmmaker who’s highs are widely regarded as masterpieces. Coppola gave us “The Godfather 1 and 2,” “The Conversation,” “Bram Stroker’s Dracula,” and “Apocalypse Now.” He has earned respect, and nothing can ever take away his great works. But just because some of his works are…

As we come to the end of the year, the rush of releases begins to ramp up tremendously. More films than ever are being released thanks to the increase in streaming content, making it rather difficult to keep up with the Jones of reviews and the ever changing release schedule. There are at least 6 films being released on Friday September 27th, and 5 of them have limited or wide theatrical releases and 4 of them have been shown at festivals. Needless to say, we’re doing our best to cover as many films as possible. So in addition to “Saturday…

I am always game for a Brad Pitt and George Clooney reunion in nearly any fashion. The two long time friends carry an immeasurable amount of chemistry on screen, the kind that can carry nearly any scene or film they are tasked with shouldering. Unfortunately, “Wolfs” squanders the only asset it has going for it, stifling the charisma of its leads for nothing but streaming schlock and an incoherent narrative. When we talk about content, “Wolfs” is what we’re talking about. It’s nothing for no one, existing solely because people with money and Hollywood goodwill thought all we needed to…