Josh Reviews The Wolf of Wall Street
At seventy-one years old, Martin Scorsese has unleashed upon us a work of towering ambition and accomplishment, with a rabble-rousing energy and anger that far outstrips most films made by filmmakers half his age. The Wolf of Wall Street is a three hour epic, fiercely entertaining a
Josh Reviews About Time
When he turns 21, a nice British boy named Tim is told the family secret by his father: all the men in their family can travel in time. I’m not generally a big fan of romantic comedies, but I was quite taken by the lovely, sweet trailer for About Time, and certainly writer/dire
From The DVD Shelf: Your Sister’s Sister (2011)
I have been really enjoying, recently, the work of Mark Duplass, both in front of and behind the camera. As a writer/director, working with his brother Jay Duplass, he’s helmed some great films. I thought Cyrus was good (click here for my review) and I thought Jeff, Who Live
Josh Reviews The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The years during which we saw the release of Peter Jackson’s three-film adaptation J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of The Rings remains one of the best cinematic experiences of my lifetime, and I don’t expect that to be equaled any-time soon. Those three films are magnif
From the DVD Shelf: A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
OK, here’s a quick summary of my thoughts on the Die Hard series. I think the first Die Hard is one of the best action movies ever made, a practically perfect combination of a wonderful cast, a sharp script, and incredible directing (by John McTiernan). I have a fond place i
Peril at Sea Double Feature Part II: Captain Phillips
Last week I decided one intense man-faces-death-at-sea movie just wasn’t enough for me. After watching Robert Redford’s harrowing performance in All is Lost (click here for my review), I went and saw Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips. Tom Hanks plays the titular ca
Peril at Sea Double-Feature Part I: All is Lost
Last week I took in not one, but two intense stories featuring great peril at sea: All is Lost and Captain Phillips. Today I am here to talk about All is Lost. The film is a fascinating exercise in technique, as it depicts only one single human being on camera from start to finish:
Josh Reviews Ender’s Game
I read Orscon Scott Card’s novel Ender’s Game when I was in college, and I loved it. I was intrigued by the character of Ender, and captured by the tough, brutal world Mr. Card had created. I of course kept reading and, though I know I am in the minority on this one, I l
Josh Reviews Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing
After making The Avengers, Joss Whedon got a bunch of his friends and frequent collaborators together and, over 12 days and working in and around his own house, shot a black-and-white adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. I missed this when it was very br