Movie and TV show reviews

The director of “Neon Bull” has an exceptional eye for visual storytelling, but his narratives often lack clarity. However, this is not the case with “The Blue Trail.” Just based on its premise, it could be categorized alongside films like “Children of Men” in video stores. But unlike Alfonso Cuarón’s ominous sci-fi thriller, “The Blue Trail” offers a warm and anti-ageist perspective. Instead of the grim atmosphere of “Children of Men,” this film evokes the optimistic vibe of “Cocoon.” According to Mascaro, our concern should be for the elderly, as oppressive forces have skillfully concealed their suppression.

In December 2024, Lively claimed that Baldoni had sexually harassed her and launched a damaging campaign against her following disagreements on the set of “It Ends With Us.” Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios, deemed Lively’s allegations as disgraceful and filled with untrue accusations. Lively’s legal documents contained text messages and emails between Baldoni and his PR team, which outlined their supposed plan to harm Lively’s reputation after whispers of a conflict between them started circulating online.

Last Thursday, Chappelle took the stage at the Masonic for one of his three scheduled performances in San Francisco. According to SF Gate’s review, Chappelle’s monologue touched upon two sensitive topics: transgender individuals and the Gaza region. Remarkably, producers from ‘SNL’ forbade him from discussing these subjects, a surprising act of censorship considering the political context of his speech.

In an intriguing and thought-provoking movie journey, I find myself in the heart of Fuerteventura, the largest Canary Island, alongside a family of three. This unexpected visit serves as a wake-up call for me, prompting a reevaluation of my life decisions. From the very beginning, the film, directed by Gerster, carries a neo-noir atmosphere, enhanced by its unsettling and discordant music. My initial appearance on screen, disheveled and solitary, echoes films like “Harper” and “The Long Goodbye,” where a rumpled detective navigates his day – a role that Riley perfectly embodies.

Reflecting” on the cinematic and comic book portrayal of a life filled with globe-saving adventures, one can’t help but imagine how such a life might seem when looked back upon, as if a Bond-esque secret agent were staring out at the sea, reminiscing about his past. To put it another way: Things may appear far away, but they are also fragmented and shattered like pieces of broken glass. In this film, the second shot features the Italian actor Fabio Testi’s eyes filling the expansive aspect ratio – a more dramatic (albeit less impactful without initial setup or tension) introduction than Charles Bronson’s debut in “Once Upon a Time in the West,” where he was seen peering up from his harmonica.

Indeed, just like any action-packed movie, it’s important to consider if the fast-paced action sequences are effective. The answer can be a bit ambiguous: Rapid visual transitions at the beginning make the fighting seem chaotic and sometimes hard to follow. This confusion about setting initially makes the film feel disjointed, but it eventually settles into a rhythm. However, the movie’s main trick – portraying its elderly assassin characters (known as Nails, Hornclaw, and Godmother) in an engaging manner – never fully convinces the audience.

Learning that my first book, ‘Freckleface Strawberry,’ has been barred from schools managed by the Department of Defense under the Trump Administration came as a massive surprise to me. ‘Freckleface Strawberry’ is a semi-autobiographical tale about a seven-year-old girl who initially dislikes her freckles, but eventually learns to embrace them when she understands that she’s unique yet similar to others. This book was penned for my own children and intended to remind other kids of the shared struggles we all face, reminding us of our common humanity and community.

Actress Tillotama Shome, recognized by Western viewers from films like “Monsoon Wedding” and “Sir,” consistently excels in any visual production due to her remarkable ability to construct entire universes through subtle strife. In the film, she portrays Maya, a highly educated woman striving to provide for her teenage son Debu (Sayan Karmakar), living in the suburbs of Kolkatta (formerly Calcutta), by working as a housemaid and performing various odd jobs such as serving tea.

Marion Cotillard and Lech Kowalski Hadžihalilović previously worked together on the 2004 film “Innocence,” which marked the beginning of the director’s ongoing exploration of dark themes that blend the unsettling with the artistic. In this early collaboration, Hadžihalilović portrayed the initiation of children into disturbing rituals, a topic that only their elders appeared to comprehend. In “Evolution,” the boys were trained to give birth, while in “Earwig,” a mysterious caretaker inserted a set of frozen dentures into a girl’s mouth, following orders from an unknown benefactor located far away.

In an interview setting, Lawrence mentioned that he would ask his wife, Christa Miller (formerly of “Scrubs”), if she could join the program whenever her schedule permits.