Author: Derrick Murray

Believe the hype, “Wicked” is worth it. It is a blast from start to finish, will make your heart sing and leave you singing with a smile from ear to ear.

It is the ambition that keeps “Bird” from taking flight. The tonal shifts from unexplained fantasy story beats injected without warning against a grounded backdrop never quite mix, leaving you more confused than intrigued or pensive.

“Flow” is must see cinema, a boundary pushing animation achievement and one of the best animated films of the year. Hell, it may very well end up being out of the best films of the year, period.

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…