Author: Matt Conway

Between some questionable films and even more questionable comments, Matt Damon has had a pretty rough 2017. His latest film Downsizing, brought to us by the extremely talented Alexander Payne, continues that losing streak in an astounding way. Despite all the talent involved, this is a woeful misfire that ranks among the year’s worst. Downsizing is a social satire that focuses on the invention of downsizing, or shrinking people in order to take up less space and produce less waste. When an ordinary guy named Paul decides to downsize, he goes to embrace a life of glamour but is drawn into a complicated…

Musicals are a bit of a rarity these days, which makes grand productions like The Greatest Showman a bit more special. While its sure to be divisive for some, I had a surprisingly good time with this earnest showstopper. The Greatest Showman is the kind of true story of P.T. Barnum, a down on his luck man dreaming of a grand life. He comes up the idea to put on a show full of unique people with remarkable talents, which leads to the advent of a popular, yet controversial show. Despite its period setting, The Greatest Showman is a modern musical, with its punchy setpieces…

Jumanji is a film that has stood the test of time, even though it was neither a sizable critical or financial success. The film has developed a loyal fanbase, one that was upset with the fact that a spin-off Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle was set to hit theaters. Despite some surprisingly favorable reviews (currently certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), I kind of hated this new Jumanji, as its a painfully generic blockbuster that doesn’t offer any sparks of creativity. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle follows four misfit teenagers who while serving detention stumble upon a video game. This game ends up absorbing them into its…

Already proclaimed as one of this year’s major Oscar players, my expectations were high going into Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Thankfully, it fully lives up to the hype, being one of the year’s best films. Three Billboards follows Mildred, a grieving mother whose daughter was kidnapped and murdered nearly a year ago. In an effort to put pressure on the case, she post three billboards calling out the police force, putting the town in a spiral. I am a huge fan of In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths helmer Martin McDonagh, as he has been one of the most distinct storytellers in the industry. It’s…

I can’t tell what is more surprising, the fact that the horrid low-budget science fiction film Skyline got a sequel or the fact that this sequel, entitled Beyond Skyline, is actually pretty decent. Snarky comments aside, this is an impressive improvement over its predecessor, with the team behind this taking notes from critics and audiences. Beyond Skyline follows Mark, a disgruntled police officer who, along with his son, is placed in an alien warship and must fight their way out. Producer and co-writer of Skyline Liam O’Donnell is the primary writer and director for this sequel. O’Donnell here shows his understanding of genre films, crafting a film…

Everyone and their grandma despises the Star Wars prequels. In what equated to a big waste of potential, George Lucas soullessly cashed in on the brand’s popularity with a series of films that are still maligned today. The prequel that has gotten it the worst of all is The Phantom Menace, which was one of the most hyped releases arguably ever back in 1999. Star Wars is perhaps the most beloved blockbuster brand of all time, with its recent return in 2015 with The Force Awakens delivering joy to critics and fans alike. The brand’s importance though makes failures all the more noticeable. I get that George…

Even with six Spider-Man feature films in existence, we have yet to see an animated incarceration of the web-slinger on the big-screen, let alone a Spider-Man film not about Peter Parker. Set to break those trends is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which until today was a fairly unknown production. Sony surprised us all today, releasing the first trailer for the new film, which shows off some unique animation and high-flying sequences. Give it a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii3n7hYQOl4 My first impressions about this trailer are about the animation style, which is simply stunning. The dynamic movements and comic-book look and feel is perfect for…

The Room is perhaps the greatest “so bad it’s good” film ever, with writer, director, producer and American everyman Tommy Wiseau creating an unthinkable trainwreck that has lived on due to its earnest qualities. In the same vien of Ed Wood we have The Disaster Artist, a hilarious and heartfelt look into The Room and the two dreamers behind it. The Disaster Artist follows the friendship between Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestro, two aspiring actors rejected from the Hollywood system for their lack of talent. Continuing to pursue their dream, the two inspire to make The Room, a film that creates a lasting legacy that they could have never predicted.…

Upstart production studio A24 has been on an absolute tear, shocking the world last year when Moonlight won Best Picture. The Florida Project is their latest attempt at Oscar glory, as its a balanced and deeply-resonant portrait of childhood and poverty. The Florida Project follows Moonee, a six-year old girl living with her irresponsible mother on the outskirts of Disney World. The film follows Moonee and her ragtag friends who look to make an adventure out of their situation. Director Sean Baker made headway in 2015 with Tangerine, a poignant tale filmed impressively with a few I-Phones, and he continues his career evolution here. Baker as a…

Sam Raimi is certainly an accomplished name when it comes to horror, but the accomplishment he will forever be linked to is bringing everyone’s favorite neighborhood web-slinger to life on the big screen. Fans were overjoyed with both Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, with both films faithfully adapting the comics with heart and flare. Then Spider-Man 3 happened. Looked at by many as the most anticipated film of 2007 (boy does time fly), Spider-Man 3 was suppose to be the great follow-up to Spider-Man 2, which is still one of the best received superhero films of all time. With its talented young cast maturing into their roles and Raimi’s skilled work…