Brandon is attached to all forms of media, whether TV-related or social, but loves film the most. He strives to watch as much as possible, whenever possible.
There’s a lot to be said for the power of gimmicks to draw crowds into theater seats. Even when they’re not certain they’ll enjoy it, masses will almost instantly pay out of their own pockets to witness a new and exciting filmmaking technique, whether for better or worse. That impulsivity isn’t their fault at all, it’s just…
Adapted true stories of the drug trade have produced either subversive, thought-provoking films, or pointless garbage only depicting how many parties its central kingpins throw. The pointless ones, very apparently, offer nothing of real significance, but the subversive ones always have some interesting, fresh angle they’re…
Likely one of the found-footage genre’s most inventive gimmicks is that of the documentary style. It not only provides an instant explanation for the filming of the footage we’re watching, but grounds it in a strong sense of realism. This was put to horrifying effect in The Poughkeepsie Tapes, John Erick Dowdle’s controversial…
Zack Snyder is an interesting director, for sure. He brings so much passion and effort to whatever he does, and it generally seems to work out for him. If he’s adapting a comic book, he’ll make it his duty to visually pay homage by bringing forth his bombastic style, while doing something unique of his own creation, whether or…
Drones have been topics of controversy for quite a while, and they should be, as should any advancement in warfare. There are many questions that deserve presenting, like whether it’s fair for a human life to be ended from behind a computer screen, and there have been plenty of films to tackle such moral debates. Even superhero films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier have addressed them at points …
Enthusiasts of 2008’s wholly fascinating Cloverfield have spent years desperately waiting for news of a follow-up to surface. Back in January, their wishes were granted when a teaser for 10 Cloverfield Lane hit both the Internet and screens showing Michael Bay’s 13 Hours. Fans (like myself) instantly recognized this parallel to the…
Action films, at least the ones near and dear to us, thrive on mindlessness. Smart or intricate entries into the genre are much more valuable, of course, yet there’s plenty to love about Roland EmmeAction films, at least the ones near and dear to us, thrive on mindlessness. Smart or intricate entries into the genre are much more valuable, of course, yet …
To be a cop movie in this day and age, you need to bring a unique angle to the table, something beyond just heists and double-crossings. End of Watch gave us that in 2012 with a pseudo found-footage perspective, imbuing Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña’s friendship with tons of realism and urgency only found in such…
Delightfully cheesy underdog stories are as much the backbone of the sports genre as they are difficult to do well. It’s a gamble, really. In the wrong films, cheesiness paves the way for mediocrity, but in the right ones it can access an endearing sense of wonder that rewards all audiences. Far more often the former is seen, considering how films with …
The largest struggle biopics experience is, more than anything else, choosing where to begin. And in turn, the largest mistake they make is often the choice to follow their subjects from childhood onward. Generally, we as an audience don’t need an origin story from these films, especially when it has no relevance to the achievements that make their …