Cinematic Reviews

Ad Astra is without a doubt the hardest movie I’ve had to review so far. The movie stars Brad Pitt and every single second of his straight, emotionless acting. This is not a bad thing because that’s just how his character is, and not a result of bad acting. I will say that everything in this movie, much like actually being in space, is slow and deliberate. This works for the purposes of the film but large portions of the movie are silent, accurately mimicking the sensation of being in space. These moments of silence are assisted by the score and absolutely stunning visuals that both serve to try to keep the audience engaged when not a lot is actually happening on screen. When I mentioned that everything about this movie is slow and deliberate, this extends to those moments of silence and Brad Pitt voice over. The journey is almost a character analysis of Brad Pitt playing Roy McBride. To summarize the plot of the movie, it is essentially a journey to Neptune but what makes it interest...

The Peanut Butter Falcon is as interesting a movie as its title seems random. The movie stars Shia LeBeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Zack Gottsagen who all do great in the film. However, a special shout out needs to be said for Zack Gottsagen who is the first Down syndrome actor to star in a full length movie. There is a lot to unpack about this unassuming movie and I think it’s best to begin with the premise. Zack plays a Down syndrome run away who escapes an assisted living home in hopes to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. On the other hand Shia plays a runaway criminal who meets Zack and the two of them go on a journey. The movie is filled to the brim with heart, entertainment, and a can-do attitude. I feel the need to draw a comparison to Mud which has a similar premise, but what this movie does differently is shine some light on the possible issues of Down syndrome and what belief can mean for someone.   One huge notion that is ever present throughout the dur...

Ready or Not is a fun and gory thriller, even though those two statements feel like they shouldn’t belong in the same sentence. The film stars Samara Weaving who does a great job showing the lengths of her characters frustration in the movie. The picture brings about its thrilling, and gory, moments in a manner that I can only describe as realistic. I also don’t mean realistic as in it obeys the laws of physics, but that all the characters act in line with how they should be in their respective situations. Additionally, the moments of comedic levity don’t actually feel like they should be comedic moments at the start. However, this dynamic works for the film incredibly well as you’ll find yourself laughing at unexpected times while simultaneously gasping out of shock. Samara Weaving also made a great main character, and there’s something about a character in a wedding dress holding a shotgun that I personally find incredibly appealing. The rest of the cast also did well with their res...