‘Opus’ Review – Malkovich Mesmerizes, but Does the Movie?

‘Opus’ Review – Malkovich Mesmerizes, but Does the Movie?

Opus is the directorial debut for writer/director Mark Anthony Green and stars Ayo Edebiri as Ariel Ecton, our main character and an aspiring writer, and John Malkovich as Alfred Moretti, a musician with a Prince-esque aura and the global popularity of Michael Jackson.  The synopsis reads: “A young writer is invited to the remote compound…

Jack Quaid as “Nate" in Novocaine from Paramount Pictures.

‘Novocaine’ Review – Jack Quaid Takes a Beating in This Fun Action Comedy

R.E.M. told us that everybody hurts, but do they? Jack Quaid, who plays Nate in Novocaine, the latest release from Paramount Pictures, certainly doesn’t.   Nate is a lonely, mild-mannered assistant manager at a local bank who has a rare disorder that prevents him from feeling pain. After falling for his co-worker Sherry, played by Amber…

Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Presence’ Opens Strong, Nearly Doubling Its Budget in First Weekend

Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Presence’ Opens Strong, Nearly Doubling Its Budget in First Weekend

The latest from director Steven Soderbergh opened strong this past weekend, nearly doubling its modest $2 million budget. In total, the film grossed $3.7 million in its first three days of wide release. We reviewed the film last week, and gave it a positive rating thanks especially to the strong direction and camerawork from Soderbergh….

Presence Review—A Supernatural Stunner with a Spiritless Script

Presence Review—A Supernatural Stunner with a Spiritless Script

Presence is the latest film from director Steven Soderbergh who has one of the more interesting filmographies I’ve seen. It includes the Ocean’s Trilogy, Magic Mike, Contagion, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, and Logan Lucky, a movie I really, really like. He was my most watched director last year too, as over the holidays I watched…

Review Roundup: From Legal Thrills to Gladiatorial Gripes—What’s Worth Watching?

Review Roundup: From Legal Thrills to Gladiatorial Gripes—What’s Worth Watching?

We Live in Time The other movie I saw at the Violet Crown in Austin was We Live in Time. This was a solid movie that’s all but guaranteed to ensure nobody leaves the movie with dry eyes. The main cast of Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh are unsurprisingly top notch, and their chemistry is…