Author Archives: Batesy

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Posted on December 17, 2015

This is spoiler free but there are some very general things mentioned so if you want a completely empty slate then go see it first. At some point in the process of taking on the enormous expectations of the movie-going … Continue reading →

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Trailer of Hope (again) – Star Wars:The Force Awakens

Posted on October 20, 2015

In the court of public opinion, Star Wars has been through a lot of ups and downs since it first altered popular culture in the summer of 1977. After riding a long wave of love and acceptance during it’s initial … Continue reading →

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Jurassic World (2015)

Posted on June 12, 2015

There are some fun moments scattered about the two hour running time of the shiny, new Jurassic World; mostly clever deaths of secondary characters. The rest of the film is a pretty empty experience mostly because there isn’t one character … Continue reading →

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Miller’s Masterpiece / Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Posted on May 15, 2015

I think the thing that most amazed me while watching Fury Road last night was how much it restored my faith in movies in general and specifically of this type. As much as I enjoy the Marvel movies, to give … Continue reading →

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It’s A Wonderful Life (sometimes)

Posted on December 22, 2014

It’s A Wonderful Life was released in 1946 but its uncanny ability to have such a direct, emotional connection with audiences has allowed it to be programmed 68 years later in a prime-time slot on network tv in 2014. Sadly, few films … Continue reading →

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Birdman (2014)

Posted on October 31, 2014

First things first: It is great to see Michael Keaton in a major role in a major film. I was looking over his filmography the other day and was surprised at how few films he has been in since the late … Continue reading →

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R.I.P. Robin Williams

Posted on August 12, 2014

When Robin Williams broke out back in the late 70’s he had a hugely visceral impact. There was no one else like him. Last night I watched his first appearance on Happy Days and every little, nutty thing he did … Continue reading →

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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Posted on July 11, 2014

Following a quick recap of where the last film left off,  Dawn of the Planet of the Apes opens with the camera locked on simian-leader Caesar’s (Andy Serkis) intense eyes as he leads a hunt in a rain-soaked forest. This … Continue reading →

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Finally Done Right: Godzilla (2014)

Posted on May 15, 2014

Serious-minded, restrained and often breathtaking, director Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla is deliberately and firmly planted in the less-is-more camp and I relished not only this approach but the film as well. In an era of movies that race to the finish … Continue reading →

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Too Much and Not Enough: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Posted on May 2, 2014

Marc Webb’s frenetic The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opens with a forced hysteria; following a short prologue involving Peter Parker’s father, Spider-man (Andrew Garfield looking more and more like 60’s era Anthony Perkins) chases down a truck full of plutonium through … Continue reading →

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