Category Archives: Newer films

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Mark DuPré

It’s nearly impossible to pry this film from its many contexts to just judge on its own merits as a film. Is there a context that exists for this film to be viewed “objectively”? I think not. It’s number 7 … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Full disclosure: I live just outside of Rochester, New York, where several of the sequences for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 were filmed. So the film has achieved a status here far larger than the run-of-the-mill superhero sequel-to-the-reboot. While it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Mark DuPré

No, it’s not better than The Avengers, but it’s certainly a step above and a step to the side from other superhero films. CAWS brings back the dark days of the paranoid political thrillers of the 1970’s complete with Robert … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Noah

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Mark DuPré

What a fascinating mess Noah is. It’s beautiful to look at, epic in scope, has solid and committed acting, and is, in far too many ways, completely ridiculous. Anyone expecting any real fidelity to the Biblical story of Noah will … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Divergent

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Mark DuPré

The franchise that is Divergent will most likely be remembered for giving Shailene Woodley her first lead role. Many comparisons have been made with The Hunger Games films, as both feature a strong young woman played by an upcoming actress … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Wes Anderson is an acquired taste, and not one that I’d acquired until this film. I have nothing against a self-conscious formalism, but Anderson’s formula seemed too studied, too precious, and occasionally twee for my taste. Every director has the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Frozen

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Better Late Than Never… Frozen Finally saw Frozen—apparently after every child in America and half the adults. Not much needs to be added to the adulation. Songs are great if not a little bubble gum at moments. It’s consistently funny … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Four Quick Takes–The Lego Movie, Her, 20 Feet from Stardom, Enough Said

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Four Quick Takes I recently saw four films, all which I can recommend, though with a reservation here and there. Two won Oscars; one might. The Lego Movie Exhausting and non-stop. But clever and full of adult humor as well. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

August: Osage County

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Mark DuPré

August: Osage County, a terribly named film based on the slightly less poorly named play of the same name, recalls American Hustle. It overflows with talented actors acting up a storm in a cinematic structure that can’t contain them. Except … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nebraska

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Mark DuPré

Nebraska tells the story of an old man, Woody Grant (Bruce Dern), wanting to get from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska to claim the so-called million-dollar prize he thinks he has won in the mail in one of those magazine … Continue reading →

Posted in Film Reviews, Newer films | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment