Dog’s Movie House: “Blade Runner 2049″ A Masterpiece, But Not For Everyone!”

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

Ryan Gosling as “K” in “Blade Runner 2049”

 

 

 

Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” from 1982 has transformed from a misunderstood underperformer at the box office at the time of its release to a science fiction classic almost four decades later.  There are several different versions of the film to view, discuss and dissect with friends or foes, and the film’s look is still beautiful all these long years later.   But make no mistake, “Blade Runner” is not a slam-bang action flick:  it takes it’s time to tell the story and those who find themselves disinterested in said story will find the film to be slow and uninvolving.  The same can be said for Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up, “Blade Runner 2049.”   Continue reading

Dog’s Movie House: “Stronger” A Powerful Tale Of Redemption!

 

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

 

 

Jake Gyllenhaal In “Stronger”

The bombing of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 has been covered quite extensively in the world of cinema, most recently in the Mark Wahlberg film “Patriot’s Day.”  But what we haven’t seen much of is the stories of the survivors of that terrible day and what they went through to rehabilitate themselves in the face of some pretty horrific odds.   “Stronger” David Gordon Green’s latest, does just that, focusing on the incredible true story of Jeff Bauman, a young man who lost both legs in the blast and had to fight not only to regain mobility, but to discover who he was as a person. Continue reading

Dog’s Movie House: “American Assassin” Vanilla Filmmaking, “Mother!” Decidedly Not!

 

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

Jennifer Lawrence In Darren Aronofsky’s “Mother!”

 

 

We’ve got two wide releases opening this week and they couldn’t be any more different.  “American Assassin” staring Michael Keaton is a fairly standard actioner that has a rather assembled feel to it, while Darren Aronofsky’s “Mother!” is an entirely different beast altogether.  Aronofsky’s film is the work of a talented auteur at his most prolific, with engaging performances and a sense of dread that moves through the picture like a cold breeze.  But “Mother!” takes some narrative choices that will leave many moviegoers scratching their heads.  It’s wonderfully crafted but not easily accessible.  I found it to be a frustrating movie.  You might too if you take a chance on this film.  Continue reading

Dog’s Movie House: “IT” A Streamlined Masterpiece Of Horror!”

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

Bill Skarsgard As Pennywise The Clown In “It”

 

 

 

As a Stephen King fan, I can tell you that this summer’s “Dark Tower” was an absolute mess and made me wonder about the upcoming adaptation of King’s mega-novel “IT.”  “IT” just happens to be my favorite novel of all time with Derry, Pennywise, and the Losers being my favorite fictitious places and people to visit.  If you could dog-ear a Kindle, my digital copy of “IT” would certainly qualify.  Fortunately,  Andy Muschietti’s (“Mama”) big screen adaptation is not only pitch perfect for the legendary novel; it may be the best horror movie in the last twenty years! Continue reading

Dog’s Movie House: “Hitman’s Bodyguard” Mild Fun, “Logan Lucky” A Near Comedic Masterpiece!

 

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

Channing Tatum And Adam Driver In “Logan Lucky”

 

 

With summer winding down, two comedies are competing for the top of a decidedly dour box office.  Like so many things entertainment related, marketing often outdoes quality when it comes to getting butts in seats at the movie theaters.  The first of these is “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” which seems like a no-brainer.  Pairing Samuel L Jackson and Ryan Reynolds in an action comedy seems like surefire box office gold, but unfortunately a limp script keeps “Bodyguard” from achieving true greatness.  Fortunately we have Steven Soderbergh, returning from a five-year mini retirement to give us “Logan Lucky” a delightful heist film with a decidedly southern flavor. Continue reading