Bush League Reviews

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My Top Ten Favorite Movies of 2023

All in all, last year was a pretty great year for movies. From the biggest Hollywood blockbusters to hidden gems/quirky indies. The common thread I noticed about all these films I enjoyed last year, (except for one,) is great ensemble casts.

10. Anyone But You

The first one on my list is a formulaic rom-com that certainly is given a boost by a fun ensemble cast, and the direction of Will Gluck, who makes very charming films, ( Fired Up, Easy A, Friends With Benefits,) and this one is no exception.

9. A Haunting in Venice

The lack of success of the previous entry in this series, Death on The Nile, actually helped this film. A lower budget made this a stripped-down, bare bones, no-nonsense whodunit without all the unnecessary frills afforded to Death on The Nile.

8. Sanctuary

A powerhouse performance from Margaret Qualley makes this twisted tale of a dominatrix out to get what she feels she deserves after her wealthy client tries to end their relationship worthwhile, with the whole thing unfolding like a play, all set in a hotel suite.

7. The Flash

Does the fact I had been waiting thirty years for Michael Keaton to return as Batman bias my opinion of this film? Yes. Is it a fun superhero film with a great opening, great cameos, and thrilling set pieces? Also yes.

6. The Holdovers

Instant holiday classic that makes you feel all the feels, anchored by a strong performance from Giamatti.

5. Blackberry

This film is a Canadian indie comedy version of The Social Network, only it's about the rise and fall of the Blackberry phone.

4. Air

They rarely make 'em like this anymore. Ben Affleck's movie about the team at Nike trying to get Michael Jordan to be their spokesmen is a drama AND a comedy, but most importantly, its got heart.

3. Scream VI

For a sixth entry in a horror franchise, this film feels very fresh. Great genre film.

2. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning

Cruise always delivers.

Oppenheimer

Enough has been said about this movie, so I'll just say that seeing it at one of only thirty theaters in the world playing it in 70mm IMAX was a real treat.

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Top Movies of 2022

Solid year for movies, particularly with ensemble casts.

10.  It’s a three-way tie between three horror films: Smile, Barbarian, (pictured below,) and X.

2022 was a great year for the horror genre fan.  Tons of great examples ranging from big budget, to micro budget, from a movie like Smile, which examines the anxieties of day-to-day life, to a classic “Don’t go in there!” movie like Barbarian, which also has a social commentary to make about the state of relationships between members of the opposite sex, or X, which on the surface is a sexy slasher, but in reality has a fair share of commentary as well, talking about society and individualism.  All movies are subversive, offering up much more than meets the eye.

9. Ambulance

Never thought I’d see the day where a Michael Bay movie would top my list, but here we are.  This is arguably the most understated Michael Bay films of all time, and considering it’s less-than-impressive box office, arguably the most underrated.  That said, it has all of the flourishes that make Michael Bay films impressive, with flashy camerawork, and larger-than life explosions, and has a little bit of everything you’d want from a movie like this: it’s a heist film, it’s a car chase film, it’s a shoot out film, it’s a buddy comedy, it’s a drama about two brothers, and has more than the usual amount of emotional depth in a Michael Bay film, showcasing a star performance from Jake Gigglesandall.

8.  Confess, Fletch

Jon Hamm, combining his effortless charm with a Chevy Chase sense of sarcasm, starring in a movie from the director of Superbad and Adventureland, that is an old fashioned sort of murder mystery comedy.  They don’t make ‘em like this anymore, but I wish they would.

7.  Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

Another old fashioned movie that they really don’t make anymore: a feel good movie.  Plain in simple.  The movie takes place in the 1950s and feels like a movie from the ‘50s, about a lower class Englishwoman who saves up her money and goes on an adventure to Paris to go a buy a Christian Dior dress.  It’s got hints of Cinderella, Sabrina, and a dash of Pretty Woman for good measure.  Just delightful.

6.  The Fablemans

Steven Spielberg making you feel all the feels.  That’s all I feel I need to say about that.

5.  The Menu

Rising star Anya Taylor-Joy is an outsider restaurant patron going toe-to-toe against Ralph Fiennes’ obsessed chef, in a social satire thriller taking place over the course of one epic dinner.

4.  Glass Onion

Daniel Craig leading another great ensemble cast, (including Kate Hudson, honoring the legacy of all the bubbly characters her mom brought to life through the 70s, 80s, and 90s,) in a sequel whodunit that surpasses the original.

3.  Scream

Another classic Scream movie with all the wit, suspenseful set pieces, and intelligence of the original.  The O.G. cast is still great, particularly David Arquette, and the new ensemble is great is well.  Props to Jenna Ortega who between this, X, and Wednesday, had a great year and became a new scream queen.

2.  The Batman

It may not rise to the greatness of the Nolan trilogy and be a half hour too long, but after Zack Snyder’s tenure at the helm of the D.C. universe, this was a welcome addition to the Batman franchise.  Battison was great, (though his take as Bruce Wayne is probably my least favorite, as was the rest of the cast, most notably Zoe Kravitz, who easily joins the esteemed company of great Catwomen, Michelle Pfeiffer and Anne Hathaway.

1.  Top Gun: Maverick

Yep, I went with the obvious, mainstream answer.  Don’t care.  This is everything you want from a movie: you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be thrilled, Tom Cruise being a movie star, Jennifer Connelly being everything you want in a love interest, the young cast is great, the visuals, sound design, the younger ensemble cast lead by Miles Teller, the older supporting cast lead by Jon Hamm, the soundtrack...a great, mainstream American popcorn movie that was one of the few long-awaited sequels that was well worth the wait.

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Top Ten Movies of 2021

Another mixed-bag-of-a-year at the box office thanks to COVID, but hey, there were still a few gems that made it to the big screen in 2021.

10.  Stillwater

It’s the premise of Taken, only Matt Damon’s redneck protagonist has no skills, and stumbles his way through exotic Marseille, trying to get his daughter back.  There’s only one reason why this movie works: Matt Damon is a bonafide movie star that is compelling to watch.

9.  Pig

A unique premise with an UNDERSTATED performance by Nicholas Cage.  That’s all I’m gonna say.

8.  Wrath of Man

It’s a revenge film AND a heist film, two of my favorite genres, told in a non-linear fashion, by director Guy Ritchie, who’s sometimes overly stylized style did not get in the way of the enjoyment of this genre flick.

7.  Licorice Pizza

Licorice Pizza is a fun odyssey exploring the San Fernando Valley in 1970s California, in the same vein of movies like American Graffiti, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Superbad, where in classic P.T. Anderson fashion, we meet an array of quirky characters in a series of vignettes, all shot on beautiful 35mm film.  The cast is comprised mostly of young, up-and-coming actors, who do a solid job anchoring the film, but it’s when pros like Bradley Cooper and Sean Penn pop up, that the movie really shines.

6.  Ghostbusters Afterlife

Combining the right amount of nostalgia and heart, this throwback family movie that involves ghost busting and has it’s fair share of interesting cameos, this Jason Reitman flick is fun for the whole family.

5.  Cruella

Fun origin story highlighted by the charismatic performances by the two Emmas.  I’d probably have this even closer to my #1 spot, if the movie wasn’t blatantly 20 minutes too long.

4.  Last Night in Soho

A trippy, spell-binding thriller/horror/mystery, Last Night in Soho was also a visual feast, thanks to the work of director Edgar Wright.  At it’s heart though, are two compelling performances from Thomasin McKenzie, (Jojo Rabbit,) and the always reliable Anya Taylor-Joy, (The Queen’s Gambit.). Admittedly it drags a bit in the middle, falling back on B-movie cliches, but much like the next movie on the list, it has a captivating opening, and thrilling climax.

3.  No Time to Die

Daniel Craig’s swan song was a bit of a mixed bag since it tried to cram so much into one movie, which also lead to it dragging in the middle, but it has a fantastic opening/45 minutes, and a grand climax/closing 45 minutes.  The real highlight however, is scene stealer Ana De Armas, in what is essentially a glorified cameo.  The amount of fun and energy she injects into her brief segment in the movie truly makes me wish the whole movie was about her and Craig.  Oh well.  James Bond will return...

2.  Nightmare Alley

Too bad everyone’s too busy seeing Spider-Man, (which don’t get me wrong, is VERY entertaining,) because this immersive, visually stunning, good old fashioned film noir is expertly directed by auteur Guillermo del Toro and has an amazing ensemble cast lead by Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, and Rooney Mara.

1.  A Quiet Place Part II

Simply put, this is a taught thriller with effective, suspenseful set pieces, that much like Nightmare Alley, was well-directed, and stars a great cast.  In addition to this, it was a visual treat that was made all the better seeing it on the big screen, with a good sound system, after a long hiatus from having a spectacle like this is theaters.

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Fun night hobnobbin’ in Washington. #DC (at Supreme Court of the United States) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVRqeQ_to_7/?utm_medium=tumblr

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#SomeLikeItHot. I prefer it to be in the low 60s. (at Hotel del Coronado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMnygRdh0ZA/?igshid=86ndncqdtyuv

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Me and my cousin at the bar from #TopGun! (at Kansas City Barbeque) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMmp-c7BRhI/?igshid=1qoeiqqlqum7k

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Top Movies of 2020

2020...not the best year for movies, (or much of anything else for that matter.) That said, there were some decent films released, some even theatrically, so even though I can’t claim all of these films are going to be favorites of mine ten years from now, I thought I’d still do my top ten list.

10.  Freaky

A fun mashup of genres highlighted by killer performances by both leads, (Vince Vaughn, Big Little Lies’ Kathryn Newton,) make this horror/comedy body swap movie very entertaining.

9.  The Nest

I’ve been waiting close to a decade to see director Sean Durkin’s follow up to his directorial debut, Martha, Marcy May, Marlene, and it finally got released to very little fanfare.  To be honest, I doubt anyone reading this has even heard of this movie.  It is a haunting portrait of a married couple trying to keep up appearances and their heads above water in 1980s England, with strong performances as always from leads Jude Law and Carrie Coon.

8.  The Way Back

A just-shy-of-Oscar-worthy performance from Ben Affleck anchors this well-directed portrait of an alcoholic from director Gavin O’Connor.

7.  The Trial of The Chicago 7

Aaron Sorkin can write no wrong and a cameo from Batman makes everything better.  The end.

6.  Bad Education

A smart script, executed by a couple of pros, (Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney,) make this film based upon the true story of a school board embezzlement scandal well worth your time.

5.  Promising Young Woman

A tenacious performance from Carey Mulligan is at the heart of this film, which shifts genres several times, and is much more than the rape revenge film the trailers made it out to be.  With an excellent supporting cast that includes Bo Burnham, Connie Britton, Alison Brie, Adam Brody, McLovin, and a slew of other recognizable actors, this flick keeps you engaged throughout.

4.  The Gentlemen

Guy Ritchie doin’ his thing.  Solid ensemble cast, gangster premise, action mixed with humor...let’s put it this way, if you liked Snatch and Lock, Stock, you’ll enjoy this film.  If you don’t like those movies, you won’t like this movie.  Viewers beware: you have to pay attention the entire time, because if you zone out for more than a few seconds, you’ll be completely lost.

3.  Mank

Director David Fincher is a master filmmaker, and Gary Oldman is one of the best actors of his generation.  That is all.

2.  The Invisible Man

Writing this list got me thinking about the theatrical experience vs. home viewing.  My high opinion of this film, which is like Sleeping With The Enemy meets Hollow Man, was definitely benefitted by me seeing it in a dark movie theatre with excellent sound design.  The movie is about ten minutes too long, but that said, I was impressed by how the director maintained the tension throughout, and then of course Elisabeth Moss is always a pro/compelling to watch.

1.  Tenet

This film also benefitted from the fact that I saw it multiple times in theaters.  It is a classic Christopher Nolan film in every respect, good and bad: meant for the big screen, beautifully shot, well acted, and confusing as hell.  The confusion was confounded by the fact Chris Nolan doesn’t seem to care if you can actually hear what his characters are saying, even when they’re explaining the plot, and I probably didn’t fully understand the plot of the movie til viewing three.  That said, just experiencing it in IMAX, letting it flow over me was truly enjoyable, and once you actually start to figure out what’s going on, it becomes immensely rewatchable.  By no means a top-tier Nolan film, but in a year like 2020, this spectacle really hit the spot.

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I’ve got one word for you: #Tenet https://www.instagram.com/p/CGWiruzhE95/?igshid=ivcqtvptzryu

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My Top Ten Films of 2019

10. Knives Out

A good old fashioned whodunit with a twist, a great ensemble cast, Daniel Craig with a ridiculous accent...what’s not to love?

9.  Jojo Rabbit

It’s a coming of age story about a member of the Hitler Youth, whose imaginary friend is Hitler, and who is trying to find his way in the world, under the mentorship of a charismatic Nazi played by Sam Rockwell.  What’s not to love?  But seriously, go check out this film if you haven’t seen it.  It truly is a touching film and a brilliant satire.

8.  Ready or Not

Dark humor galore in an amusing premise, anchored by a delightful performance from bargain basement Margot Robbie, A.K.A. Samara Weaving.

7.  Long Shot

An old school rom com, that is genuinely funny thanks to Seth Rogen’s brand of comedy adding an amusing spin on this role reversal Pretty Woman-esque story.

6.  Spider-Man: Far From Home

Pure Summer entertainment that features the perfect casting of Jake Gyllenhaal, utilizing every aspect of his on screen persona, both the charming side and the intense, quirky side, to deliver a very memorable performance as Mysterio.

5.  1917

Immersive, thrilling, and moving.  Everyone’s talking about Roger Deakins’ cinematography, which is great, but what I was blown away by was Thomas Newman’s compelling score.  Definitely a serious Oscar contender.

4.  Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood

As many of you may know, I’m not Quentin Tarantino’s biggest fan, so it may be a surprise to see one of his movies on my top ten list, but when you take that cast, and put it in a 1960s setting, I couldn’t resist.  Plus, this film shows a maturity that I have often found lacking in Mr. Tarantino’s previous work.  For the most part, the things I typically have a problem with Tarantino films are missing in this one: flashy camera work, overly stylized dialogue, and attention-grabbing editing.  And the things I’ve always enjoyed about Tarantino films: the casting, (as mentioned,) the gorgeous, shot on film, cinematography, and a killer soundtrack, were all at their finest in this one.

3.  Avengers: Endgame

Avengers: Endgame was more of an impressive business model than a good movie.  That said, I couldn’t help but feel satisfied at the conclusion to this saga, as well as feel rewarded as a viewer for having watched every single Marvel movie leading up to this one.  Oh.  And always, RDJ FTW.  He is Iron Man.

2.  Us

Original and thrilling, which is a lot more than can be said of most movies these days.

1.  Ford v. Ferrari

Two of my favorite actors, Matt Damon and Christian Bale, under the direction of James Mangold, in a 60s-set, (I have a thing for the 1960s,) true story with a lot of heart, and featuring some of the most thrilling car racing scenes I’ve ever seen.  This movie has a universal appeal, truly fun for the whole family, which is refreshing in this day and age.  They don’t make ‘em like this anymore.

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My Favorite Movies of the 2010s

It’s the end of the decade, so I thought I’d join in and post a top ten.  As always, keep in mind that this is a list of my FAVORITE movies of the decade, not the “greatest”.  Now, before I get to the top ten, here are some of the runner ups.

Most Rewatchable: Take Me Home Tonight

I was one of very few people who saw this flick in theaters, (it didn’t even make the top ten at the box office its opening weekend,) but I have rewatched it a million times since.  Love the 80′s setting, the ensemble cast, and the conceit that the plot unfolds over the course of one night.  Relatable and funny, I highly recommend it, if you haven’t seen it already.

Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Hot Tub Time Machine

Who would’ve thought a movie with this stupid a premise would actually have as much depth, heart, and of course laughs, as it did.  Cusack at his most Cusackiest, again, that 1980′s setting, and a cameo from Chevy Chase; what’s not to love?

Most Marvelous Movie: The Avengers

This movie was everything a Marvel movie should be.  Rewarding if you saw the movies leading up to it, (though unlike the more recent Avengers flicks, makes sense even if you haven’t seen the other movies,) emotional depth, and most importantly, it’s entertaining as hell.

And now for the top ten list...

10.  Spotlight

No nonsense filmmaking, tight script, and a great ensemble cast, telling a compelling, true story of great investigative journalism, makes this one of the great movies of the decade.

9.  Mission: Impossible - Fallout

This Mission: Impossible is everything one of those movies should be: a non-stop thrill ride with impressive stunts, and a story with twists and turns that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

8.  Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Michael Keaton’s triumphant return to Hollywood, in an Oscar-nominated performance, in a visually immersive film, with a great ensemble cast.

7.  The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Between this and the other David Fincher thriller of the decade, Gone Girl, I probably should’ve gone with Gone Girl.  It was more popular, more socially relevant, and features the amazing Rosamund Pike in an unforgettable performance, but screw it.  I enjoyed this film better.  I enjoyed the old school, mystery thriller elements of it, I enjoyed the book, and it features my second favorite non-Bond performance by Daniel Craig, (after Layer Cake). Also, Rooney Mara was great as the title character.  I love Claire Foy, but I really wish Rooney got to come back for another round as Lisabeth Salander.

6.  Black Swan

Much like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, this is a movie about obsession.  I love movies about obsession, probably because I am a bit obsessive myself.  Great performance from arguably my favorite leading lady, Natalie Portman, in a movie well directed by Darren Aronofsky, and beautifully shot in 16mm by director of photography Matthew Libatique.  This movie was an A+ theater-going experience, that has continued to hold up over the years.

5.  The Dark Knight Rises

Haters gonna hate on this one, but I don’t care.  What can I say about this movie that will help you understand why I love it...it’s a Batman movie, starring Christian Bale, the scene-stealing Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Marion Cottiliard, Joseph Gordon Levitt...AND Michael Caine, AND Morgan Freeman, AND Cillian Murphy, AND Liam Neeson, beautifully shot in IMAX, and directed by visionary director Christopher Nolan.  That’s enough for me.  But if you want more, I really responded to the emotionality of the piece, the character arc of Bruce Wayne, and the fact it concluded what I thought was an amazing trilogy.  Again, haters gonna hate, but whatever.

4.  Shutter Island

Much like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo vs. Gone Girl, I probably should’ve gone with the other Martin Scorsese-Leonardo DiCaprio pic from this decade, The Wolf of Wall Street, but I like this one better.  It’s a classic film noir/psychological thriller, (I’m a big fan of the genre,) with a tight script, beautifully shot by Bob Richardson, with what I think is Leo DiCaprio’s best performance.  And if your response is to say you saw the twist coming a mile a way and that ruined the movie for you, watch it again, because you missed the point of the movie.

3.  The Social Network

Director David Fincher firing on all cylinders, an amazing script by Aaron Sorkin, telling a socially-relevant story that defines my generation.  ‘Nuff said.

2.  Skyfall

Imagine a world where you get a top-notch Bond flick with a classic Bond villain played by Javier Bardem AND a well-crafted drama directed by Sam Mendes, shot by Roger Deakins, composed by Thomas Newman, with an Oscar-winning song from Adele.  Let the sky fall!

1.  Inception

Enough has been said about Inception, so I’ll just say it is a beautifully shot movie, directed by one of my favorite directors at the height of his game, with a great cast, that truly captured my imagination.  What a fun time at the movies.

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#Hollywood vs. #reality. Got a kick out of seeing Chili John’s on Patty Jenkins’ #IAmTheNight. I used to drive by that place every day, when I lived in NoHo. (at Burbank, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHh08nH5Sr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bn14yd65klft

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Filming a romance scene is one thing, but filming a romance scene AND a stunt at the same time?! As you can tell from the look on my face, it’s exciting stuff! Again, please check out my new short film! Link in bio! #BTS #TBT #onset #filmmaking #shortfilm #acting #directing #producing (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtCBxgPAh1M/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19n00r0wx1qcm

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When you get a second, check out my new short film! Link in bio! https://www.instagram.com/p/BsZgu-pghcB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vt9arvs3vjwq

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My Top Ten Movies of 2018

Let me start off by saying that 2018 was not my favorite year for movies.  Not by a long shot.  That’s not to say that this wasn’t a year that had it’s fair share of interesting films, with compelling performances.  It’s just that without a Bond movie to look forward to, or films to look forward to by my favorite filmmakers working today, Fincher, Nolan, Steven Soderbergh, (OK, Soderbergh did release a micro-budget film shot on an iPhone starring the incomparable Claire Foy called Unsane, which I actually enjoyed quite a bit, but still,) I didn’t have much to look forward to this last year.  That said, here is a list of my FAVORITE movies of the year.  Not the “greatest” films of the year, but rather the movies I thought were fun, or interesting, or simply enjoyable in some way you may or may not understand.  Regardless, I hope you enjoy the list, and that it leads to some spirited conversations.

10.  Vice

Simply stated, Christian Bale is compelling as hell.  I just enjoy watching the man work.  Whether he’s playing a psychopath, a drug addict, a con man, or a Batman, it’s going to be interesting.  Then, you surround him with other great actors like Amy Adams, Sam Rockwell, and Steve Carrell, and give them a clever script by Academy Award winner/former Saturday Night Live head writer, Adam McKay, and you’ve got yourself an intriguing portrait of power.

9.  Overlord

A genre film with an intelligent script from Oscar-nominated screenwriters, shot anamorphically, and given a real budget, thanks to producer J.J. Abrams?  Oh, I’m in.  I’m way in.

8.  Ant-Man and The Wasp

This is my one Marvel movie on the list.  Why did I choose it over an impressive feat like Infinity War or an immersive spectacle like Black Panther, you ask?  Well, this film, in a way, combatted my Marvel fatigue.  It’s like the filmmakers knew I was growing tired of these movies and did some research on me.  It’s like they said “OK, you like Paul Rudd, don’t you?  Of course you do, he’s delightful.  Well, what if we put him in a superhero movie that includes a cast with great actors you’ve enjoyed your whole life, like Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer?  Not enough?  Fine.  We’ll throw in Walton Goggins, the villain from one of your all-time favorite shows, Justified, and make him an Elmore Leonard-esque villain.  Still not Enough?  Fine.  How about we throw in Lawrence Fishburne, Judy Greer, and Michael Peña as well, and a fun script from one of the writers from one of your favorite sitcoms, Community?  Will that make you happy?”  Yes, yes it will.  And it did.

7.  Halloween

I saw the original Halloween when I was four-years-old, home alone with the babysitter, at night.  It ruined my childhood.  By that, I mean I’m a big fan of the franchise.  What’s great about this installment, that so many of the sequels struggled to get right, is it’s a slow burn, with tensions increasing slowly throughout, and building to a suspenseful climax.  Add stellar performances from Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, and newcomer Andi Matichak, plus a score by original composer/director John Carpenter, and you’ve got a more than solid entry in the horror genre.

6.  A Star is Born

Beautifully acted, beautifully shot, and a hell of a directorial debut for Bradley Cooper.  Well done, sir.

5.  Game Night

Great ensemble cast lead by Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams in a movie with a fun premise, that successfully blends comedy and thriller elements.  What more could you want? 

4.  Annihilation

Immersive as hell, visually stunning, and a bit of a mind fuck.  Plus, I’ll watch Natalie Portman in just about anything.  ‘Nuff said.

3.  Beirut

They don’t make ‘em like this anymore.  This is the kind of film that Sydney Pollack would’ve directed Robert Redford in back in the 70s.  Written by one of my favorite screenwriters, Tony Gilroy, (The Bourne Movies, Michael Clayton, Rogue One,) and starring two of my favorite actors working today, Jon Hamm and Rosamund Pike, Beirut has everything....if everything to you is drama with thrilling elements, political intrigue, and a world-weary protagonist battling his demons and struggling to find meaning in his life again, all the while mourning his wife, battling alcoholism, and acting as a hostage negotiator to broker a deal to save his estranged best friend in a war-torn country.  Can’t recommend this enough.  You can check it out on Amazon Prime right now, so do it!

2.  Solo: A Star Wars Story

This film did not get a lot of love when it came out.  Was this the biggest Star Wars film of all time?  No, quite the opposite.  Could the character of Han Solo had more of a story arc?  Probably.  Is Alden Ehrenreich as good as Harrison Ford?  Hell no, but he is a good actor, who made the character his own, who had a great cast to play off of, and anchored a movie that was fun as hell.  In addition to this, I enjoyed this film on a technical level. Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, The Big Chill,) is another one of my favorite writers, and the characterizations and interplay between the characters in all of his scripts is simply wonderful.  The low-light cinematography was an interesting throwback to cinematography from the 70s, and I appreciated the specificity of the look of the film, (especially considering all the shakeups behind the scenes of this film.)  Finally, the score was a fun mix of the old and new.  So, yeah.  In conclusion: fun movie.

1.  Mission: Impossible - Fallout

I’m a huge fan of the franchise and while this isn’t my all-time favorite, it is the most action-packed, has a great cast, (I love Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa,) and writer/director Christopher McQuarrie’s brings an intelligence, integrity and emotional resonance to the series, that make these films so much more than just spectacle.  This was the main movie I was looking forward to last year, and it didn’t disappoint.  I had a blast seeing this in theaters, and continue to enjoy it on the small screen too.  Can’t wait for the next one.

And there you have it.  My favorite movies of 2018.  In retrospect, the thing all of these movies had in common were great ensemble casts.  Regardless about how you feel about these movies as a whole, we can all agree on that, right?  Yes?  No?  Maybe?  (Circle one.)  Until next year!

Sincerely yours,

Charles A. Bush

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...When you find out you just happen to be staying near where they filmed a show you’re getting into, #TheHauntingofHillHouse, but then this is as far as they’ll let you get to the actual house. (at LaGrange, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYYf-pho9M/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s0e87h7eb42d

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My Favorite Movies of 2017

To be honest, 2017 wasn’t one of my favorite years for movies.  I mean there were a lot of interesting films that came out, but when it came time to make a list of my favorite films from last year, I found it difficult.  This list is comprised of some very entertaining films, some very well made films, and some films that while entertaining, are most definitely flawed...

Runner Ups:  

The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Honorable Mention: 

All The Money In The World

The strength of this film lies in the excellent tension throughout, and characters that are extremely well-defined.  Almost immediately, you know who these characters are, what their world view is, and what their point of view is, which sounds simple, but it stems from a combination of strong writing, acting, and directing.  And for what it’s worth, I’m sure Kevin Spacey did a fine job, but for me, Christopher Plummer was the best part of the movie.  Just fantastic.

10.  T2: Trainspotting

A sequel to a cult classic twenty years later, made by the same director, same writer, and same cast.  Those facts alone were enough to intrigue me.  Upon watching, I discovered it was a movie directed with the high energy Danny Boyle has always brought to his projects, that deals with themes such as friendship, nostalgia, the positive and negative aspects of nostalgia, what it means to live life, contemplating the life unlived, and what it means to make something of your life.  That and seeing that cast back together again, made this a more than worthwhile filmgoing experience.

9.  Murder on The Orient Express

A good old fashioned whodunit, featuring a top notch ensemble cast, beautifully shot on 65mm.  ‘Nuff said.

8.  A Cure For Wellness

A deeply flawed film from auteur Gore Verbinski, the film school graduate in me thought the pacing of the script was garbage.  The filmgoer in me, however, was immersed in a creepy world of paranoia, while watching some of the crispest, most beautiful cinematography imaginable.  As a lover of B film, I love the fact a psychological thriller like this got a decent budget, and had a pro in the director’s chair.  Hardly ever happens in this day and age.

7.  Wind River

Another B movie, of sorts.  Part modern day Western, part film noir, the strength of this film lies in the performances of the two leads, Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, and the simple, straightforward nature of the script.  It’s one of those scripts that both reinforces the rules of screenwriting, while also breaking them.

6.  The Lost City of Z

I’m evidently one of very few people who actually saw this in theatres.  It was an unexpected delight, part jungle adventure film, part a man’s quest for identity.  It explores the ideas of what it means to be a man, have conviction, and what it takes to find honor in oneself, and in the mind’s of others.

5.  Dunkirk

Another immersive experience, expertly directed by Christopher Nolan, that is brilliant on a technical level, from the gorgeous IMAX cinematography, to the brilliant sound design.  I was lucky enough to see this in 70mm IMAX, and I’m tempted to never watch it again, simply because no future viewing at home could possibly live up to such a wonderful theatre experience.

4.  Logan

Genre defying.  Is it a superhero movie?  Is it a modern day Western?  A war film?  A road film?  A Noir?  A drama about the tole time takes on a person?  Regardless, director James Mangold crafted a fantastic film, featuring what is arguably Hugh Jackman’s greatest performance, and his final performance as Wolverine.  Talk about going out on your own terms!

3.  Baby Driver

Pure fun at the movies.  Car chases, one liners, and an excellent cast, all directed with high energy from writer/director Edgar Wright.  All these things make it easy to look past a slightly underdeveloped script.

2.  The Post

Calling this movie a slow burn, doesn’t quite cover it.  It sneaks up on you.  It starts off as your standard period drama at journalism, but before it, you are completely enthralled.  It feels like cheating on Spielberg’s part, that he had the perfect ensemble cast.  The excellence of Hanks and Streep aside, you have brilliant, name actors in even the smallest of roles.  The strength lies in two things: the performances and a tight, TIGHT, edit.  Great performances delivered at a rapid-fire pace.

1. Wonder Woman

If I had one world to describe this movie, it’d be heart.  Not sure what else I can say about this film, that hasn’t already been said.  Gal Gadot is the real deal.  She’s got stage presence or whatever you want to call it.  A quality about her that makes her destined for stardom.  Chris Pine is no slouch either.  He gave a great performance, one that I didn’t know he had in him.  The whole movie was perfectly cast, frankly.  In addition, it was well directed by Patty Jenkins, beautifully shot on film, and tells the classic tale of a hero’s journey, set against a World War I backdrop, that delivers a message of hope.  This movie has something for everybody.  An instant classic.

[bushleaguereviews]

I'm happiest when spending time with friends, making movies, or the combination thereof. Luckily, I had the opportunity to do all of the above in bulk this year. #topnine2017