A fierce and passionate parable about hope; First Reformed is a response, at times a whimper and at others a shout, to Jesus’ infamous question in the garden just before his death - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? A look at the difficulties of a *truly* religious life, one in which all actions, perceptions and reactions are analyzed, scrutinized and reconciled in relation to a foundational text that offers little empathy to those who stray from…

Mostly just going to reiterate what I said here by doubling down on my appreciation for Columbus' approach to laying the foundation for this expansive, varied franchise. At it's most basic level, the first Harry Potter film is a whimsical, sincere and heartwarming story of a lost kid finding a home in a world full of magic. It's a simple approach, but it works wonderfully. All of the beats are plainly presented and convincingly executed; impressively calculated to feel economical,…

Another in a string of bad movies I've watched for Adam Scott; Little Evil sets itself up as a self-aware, gentle spoof of movies featuring demonic children and oblivious parents. Shockingly, this is real bad. Never scary nor funny; the movie just wades around in this weird blend of the two genres without committing to either. Evangeline Lily is horribly boring, they could've had anyone in that role. I've only ever enjoyed her as Tauriel in the Hobbit films, so…

I've been seeing lots of "controversy" over the supposed value of La La Land vs something like Moonlight, usually insinuating that La La Land's comparative levity somehow renders it lesser. My quick two cents would that be that yes, Moonlight is a magnificent portrait of masculinity in 2017's world, with broad, valuable insights on how race, sexual preference (*orientation*) and class all influence and inform one's identity. Basically a vehicle and showcase for compassion and empathy in a world seemingly…

In light of recent events, I'm reminded of Fermi's paradox. A cynical and unsettling notion which suggests the reason we've never been contacted by extraterrestrial intelligent life is that the no civilization has survived long enough to innovate to that level. Or, in simpler terms, that the fundamental nature of intelligent life is to ultimately destroy itself. As tech and sciences progress further and further, what matters is how we allocate that technology; what leaders we elect to control it…