The Most Hated Woman in America: Movie Review

Draws an interesting line between victim and villain.

The Most Hated Woman in America is a good movie, but they made a fundamental error which stops it from being a great movie: they focused on the least interesting aspect. There are actually many interesting and compelling aspects to the movie which should keep most viewers mildly interested throughout at the very least. The story is about American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O’Hair – the most hated woman in America. Granted, I hadn’t actually heard of her prior to this movie, but given the daily extreme death threats she received every day of her life, her moniker fits.		2017 Directed by: Tommy O'Haver Screenplay by: Tommy O'Haver Starring: Melissa Leo, and Josh Lucas

Gifted: Movie Review

A world of injustices with humour and heart.

On the surface, Gifted is everything that all of us have seen before, but there’s also a lot to like about it. In the small moments, it will do something just a little bit unexpected, which makes the movie that much more interesting, and that much more enjoyable. Chris Evans stars as Frank, raising child prodigy Mary (Mckenna Grace) as per her mother’s instructions, but his child-rearing abilities are called into question as those around her realize her gifted status. Many movies have taken similar elements, and while Gifted isn’t all that different, it is still a really good version of it.		2017 Directed by: Marc Webb Screenplay by: Tom Flynn Starring: Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate

CHiPs: Movie Review

An action comedy too obsessed with sex jokes.

I haven’t seen the original CHiPs, but I don’t think that matters at all as I doubt this bears any resemblance other than the primary set-up. This CHiPs is a raunchy, buddy, action comedy. I was trying to decide what order those adjectives should go in, but it doesn’t really matter since they are all equally-weighted. Take that as you may, but I’m not convinced a movie should spend just as much time on ass jokes as it does on anything else.		2017 Directed by: Dax Shepard Screenplay by: Dax Shepard Starring: Michael Pena, Dax Shepard

Highway to Havasu: Movie Review

Indie version of highschool boys trying to get laid.

Highway to Havasu is an independent raunchy buddy comedy. Not unique in anyway, but it is the overlapping of the two styles that makes it appear different, on the surface at the beginning, at least. The plot is your typical high school boys want to get laid and embark on a ridiculous in-your-face sex-filled adventure – which Hollywood has attempted many times over, as have indie filmmakers, but a lot fewer in number.		2017 Directed by: Jeff Janke Screenplay by: Jeff Janke Starring: Andrew Fromer, Caleb Thomas

Country Crush: Movie Review

Finding its own country musical niche in a generic, uninspiring way.

It should be made very clear that Country Crush is a musical. There’s a big difference between a drama about a singer, and a musical-musical. While lead character Nancy (Madeline Merlo) is a singer and a third of the plot is her musical aspirations, this movie is pure musical. But more specifically, it’s a country musical. Similar, at least in part, to High School Musical, but make it country, very country. That description alone should turn off many viewers, but for those that are left, it does make this film unique.		2016 Directed by: Andrew Cymek Screenplay by: Andrew Cymek, Jake Helgren Starring: Munro Chambers, Madeline Merlo

1 Night: Movie Review

Short and sweet romantic drama for teenagers and adults.

What 1 Night does well, really well, is examine love as a thirty-something adult and as a teenager. Four main characters: Bea and Andy are attending their high school prom, and Liz and Drew are at a turning point in their marriage. It’s about the similarities and differences as people age and grow up, and then finding something to relate to in all of these characters.		2016 Directed by: Minhal Baig Screenplay by: Minhal Baig Starring: Anna Camp, Justin Chatwin

Lost Cat Corona: Movie Review

Meanders along looking for a lost cat.

Lost Cat Corona has a real sense of atmosphere, and that is easily its strongest attribute. A film crafted to display the neighbourhood of Corona in Queens, New York, along with its characters and the lives they lead in all of their dysfunctional glory. There is a lost cat, but that becomes secondary to the story. The story is Dominic (Ralph Macchio) and his adventures in his neighbourhood with friends and con-men alike.		2016 Directed by: Anthony Tarsitano Screenplay by: Anthony Tarsitano Starring: Ralph Macchio

Goat: Movie Review

A story of college fraternity, brotherhood and abuse that misses its mark

Goat may or may not have been intended to show the dangers of college fraternities – and the intense damage that it can cause to individuals physically, emotionally and psychologically, but nonetheless that’s what early viewers of the film picked up on and what most audiences are expecting. The story that Goat actually tells really doesn’t accomplish that, and it doesn’t actually accomplish much.		2016 Directed by: Andrew Neel Screenplay by: David Gordon Green, Andrew Neel, Mike Roberts Based on the memoir by Brad Land Starring: Ben Schnetzer, Nick Jonas

Table 19: Movie Review

Random quirkiness doesn’t elevate a romantic comedy.

As a romantic comedy, Table 19 doesn’t bring anything new to the genre, nor does it try to change anything; it just is. And as an indie comedy, Table 19 doesn’t bring anything new to the genre, nor does it try to change anything; it just is. The romantic comedy genre is satisfied by the fact that Eloise (Anna Kendrick) has just been dumped by the best man at her oldest friend’s wedding. She attends anyways and with the help of a handsome stranger, might find some closure.		2016 Directed by: Jeffrey Blitz Screenplay by: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass Starring: Anna Kendrick, Wyatt Russell

Miss Sloane: Movie Review

Smart, gripping, political thriller.

When it goes up against the deep pockets and heavy hitters of awards season, Miss Sloane can’t quite hold its own. It’s not as “important” as some of its competitors, although there is relevance and timeliness to it. It also goes for a curious, but effective, mix of the flashiness of summer blockbusters and the dialogue-heavy, character centricity of December dramas. Starring perennial awards favourite Jessica Chastain, it’s inevitably going to get grouped in with the latter group, but it’s a smart, entertaining movie that deserves a watch.		2016 Directed by: John Madden Screenplay by: Jonathan Perera Starring: Jessica Chastain, Mark Strong