Cinematic Sommelier
6.9
The tension in this one is UNREAL… the cognitive dissonance second to none! Just in time for us millennials raised on “Barney” coming of age. Giving the strange guy who directed the “too many cooks” Adult Swim sketch a feature film budget proves to be a stroke of genius here. Too many one-liners and darkly hilarious laughs to count… definitely going to hell for laughing at this one. More blood than you expect… but also more laughs.
8.1
Ever since “The Holdovers,” I will see anything Dominic Sessa is in. He really embodies the essence of Anthony Bourdain within the pages of “Kitchen Confidential,” scars and all. I really didn’t remember how much entitlement he overcame on the journey to enlightenment. Antonio Banderas also surprises as a mentor figure in “chef,” emitting fatherly energy to the max in every frame he graces with his presence. Hell, even Stavros is likeable in this! Enjoy the tunes, reminisce on summers gone by, and remember why we all loved the humanity underpinning every episode of “Parts Unknown”…
7.9
Somehow stumbled upon this one and it made my night!
A reflection on the personal nature of obituaries and reflecting on ones life was surprisingly refreshing. There were so many darkly comedic, yet touching moments in this one. I love these surprises buried in streaming services. A warm reminder to ensure we all take the time to take a step back and reflect on things to never lose sight of those things that are truly meaningful and impactful.
8.9
Forget being a comic book movie – this is a great FILM!
A much more personal story than we’re used to in the MCU, Tom Holland suits up and knocks it out of the park, really digging into the depths of his character and shining alongside Zendaya and Jon Bernthal especially. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself a little misty-eyed at this one. Sadie Sink’s portrayal of the Phoenix saga has to be the best one yet, as it’s the most grounded and personal retellings to date. I really enjoyed how much care came through the screen during this one. It’s refreshing to be reminded why we all fell in love with the MCU to begin with. Here’s to them continuing this newfound winning streak into the future for a good long time!
9.2
… It’s still in IMAX!
One of, if not the most beautiful film you’ll see all year. The cinematography, casting, and overall storytelling is firing on all cylinders from beginning to end. Doing what Christopher Nolan does best, he takes an incredibly heady story and makes it approachable and palatable for the masses, and ENTERTAINING. In a 3 hour film that doesn’t feel anywhere near 3 hours long, sit down, strap in, and get ready for an epic retelling of an epic tale… meant to be seen on the biggest screen you can find. Just when you think Christopher Nolan can’t top himself, you get this… This is what going to the movies is all about!
