Fantastic Fest 2018 was one for the books. A blur of films, fun, and memorable experiences, it was the best 84 hours I’ve spent at a film festival yet. My time in Austin was limited, but I got a lot done: I saw eleven films, wrote four full reviews and sat for three interviews. The “quick takes” below are capsule reviews for a bite-size run down. Covering a festival means you have to split your time and put focus on what you feel is important and worthwhile. The brevity of each of these does not mean they aren’t worth seeking out. They totally are. I mean, if I didn’t like…
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Cooper & Abrams Might Give Lance Armstrong the Biopic Treatment – UPDATED
Does it take a man having a great professional year to portray a man having a terrible professional year? Yes, at least if J.J. Abrams and Bradley Cooper have anything to say about it. If you’ve been paying close, or even cursory, attention to the news for the past week and change, you’re probably well aware that Lance Armstrong has tanked his entire legacy by not only admitting his use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout his cycling career to Oprah*, but also being kind of an unapologetic jerk about it. Now, Abrams wants to capture the man’s rapid transformation into social pariah on film for all time. To that end, Bad…
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Sweet Trailer…'Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol'
It’s been about 5 years since Tom Cruise last played the elite agent Ethan Hunt in the popular Mission: Impossible series. In 2006 J.J. Abrams directed the third installment which was very well received. Now Brad Bird (The Iron Giant, The Incredibles) is having his go at the franchise. He is without doubt a gifted stroyteller and a master of the animated universe. But with his first foray into live action, the question came up as to whether or not he could easily cross meduims. Well behold the trailer for the fourth Mission Impossible film Ghost Protocol. While I never had a doubt about Bird’s talents, I am sufficiently impressed.…
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G-S-T Review…Super 8
What is Super 8? Is it a throw-back kid driven adventure story? Is it a coming of age film with endearing characters? Is it an oddly familiar sci-fi story from two master storytellers re-branded for a new generation? Well it’s all of it and more but in short Super 8 is the kind of movie that reaffirms why people go the movies. In this mysterious, fun and fast moving film J.J. Abrams writes a love letter to Steven Spielberg in a way that will delight fans of all genres and age groups. However while I found it tough to stay away from the hype I have to say this didn’t…