David Fincher delivers a dark and in-depth exploration of the Zodiac Killer investigation, and he does it with his usual style and powerhouse actors. Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo star as a reporter, a cartoonist, and a cop, respectively, all of whom were involved in the investigation. Fincher recreates the horrific killings…
Tag: style
Masters of the Universe (2026) – Travis Knight
First off, I quite enjoyed this one. It’s a fun popcorn movie that doesn’t take itself to seriously, and leans into its inherently fun nature. That being said, I had a couple of miscasts that kind of knocked me out of the film on occasion. I adore Allison Brie. But I feel she was completely…
What Lies Beneath (2000) – Robert Zemeckis
FIlmed partway through Cast Away (allowing Tom Hanks to lose weight for the role) director Robert Zemeckis teamed up with Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford to deliver a creepy ghost story. Technically excellent, and practically Hitchcockian in its execution and style, What Lies Beneath is something to watch featuring solid performances by Pfeiffer and Ford,…
A Knight’s Tale (2001) – Brian Helgeland
Making a film intentionally anachronistic can work, and A Knight’s Tale is really no better example. Using classic rock songs, modern language, which also filters into the styles and production design, A Knight’s Tale is a medieval take on the sports movie. And despite not having seen it for a couple of decades at this…
Mandy (2018) – Panos Cosmatos
Nicolas Cage headlines in Mandy, a drug-addled hallucinogenic ride in this revenge horror (?) thriller. Set in the early 80s, but filled with 70s sensibilities in sense of style and set design, Cage is Red Miller who lives out in the woods with Mandy Bloom (Andrea Riseborough). They have a quiet life, he works is…
John Wick (2014) – Chad Stahelski
I was shocked (and delighted because it meant I could watch them all again) that I hadn’t written about John Wick before. I had written up the second film but for some reason hadn’t done the other three. So that means I could buckle up and dive into this amazing world where assassins thrive, have…
Smallville (2001) – Hothead, and X-Ray
Hothead takes onto the Smallville Crows, the highschool football team overseen by the arrogant Coach Arnold (Dan Lauria). And Arnold is going to be our freak of the week. Written by Greg Walker this episode, which is helping to continue setting the pace and style for the series, first aired on 30 October, 2001. Arnold…
The Day the Earth Blew Up (2024) – Peter Browngardt
I’m not sure what is going on with Warner Brothers, making a number of movies, completing them, then canceling their release only to use them as tax write-offs. We can only hope some day we’ll see the release of Batgirl, but happily, Ketchup Entertainment picked up Coyote vs. Acme and The Day the Earth Blew…
SilverFin (2005) – Charlie Higson
The Young Bond series gets underway with SilverFin written by Charlie Higson, with the blessing of the Ian Fleming Foundation. It’s a curious idea. By giving us a young James Bond, you’d think the stories are meant to appeal to young adult readers. But the stories themselves are in keeping with the literary James Bond…
Northern Exposure (1994) – Zarya, and Full Upright Position
Through the magic of Ed’s (Darren E. Burrows) film making, and Marilyn’s (Elaine Miles) storytelling we get a look at a legend of Cicely. Set in the 1900s, the regular cast take on other but familiar roles as Marilyn relates a tale of how the Romanovs came to Alaska. Written by Diane Frolov and Andrew…
The Mind Reels 