Tag Archives: Dan Gilroy

All Movie Reviews, Drama, Horror, Leave it, Long Reviews (>400 Words)

Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) Movie Review

February 1, 2019 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

“Velvet Buzzsaw” refers to the former punk band of art manager Rhodora Haze (Rene Russo), a music group that became outmoded and slipped into what former street artist Damrish (Daveed Diggs) calls “self-parody.”

Velvet Buzzsaw, the latest from Dan Gilroy, has similar punk rock ambitions that bleed easily into self-parody. Or maybe it’s just parody.

In its opening gambit, Buzzsaw sees a swirl of well-to-do art types at a Miami gallery exhibition. Manager Jon Dondon (Tom Sturridge) is trying to poach veteran artist Piers (John Malkovich) from Rhodora, while Rhodora courts Damrish. Critic Morf Vanderwalt (Jake Gyllenhaal) pauses from making passing critiques at pieces to stare agog at Continue reading Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) Movie Review →

Action/Thriller, All Movie Reviews, Drama, Like It, Long Reviews (>400 Words)

Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017) Movie Review

November 22, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

It wouldn’t be surprising if you only know of the film Roman J. Israel, Esq. because the poster features the back of Denzel Washington’s head. It’s understandable. It’s not as if the name is particularly catchy. But Roman J. Israel, Esq. is the second directorial feature from Dan Gilroy, the man behind Nightcrawler and the scripts of such films as The Fall and Bourne Legacy.

For someone who appreciated Nightcrawler, it is not unreasonable to anticipate good things from Gilroy’s follow up. Don’t be fooled. Roman J. Israel, Esq.—and I only keep reiterating the name because we are reminded of it time and time again in the film—is not Continue reading Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017) Movie Review →

Action/Thriller, All Movie Reviews, Leave it, Long Reviews (>400 Words), Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Kong: Skull Island (2017) Movie Review

March 9, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Big Ape. Island. 1970s Vietnam backdrop. Movie. Synopsis over.

Kong: Skull Island is a Vietnam era period piece, something that acts as an important backdrop in the film. The stereotypes of U.S. in 1970s wartime dictate exposition and characterization.

The setup of Kong is messy in its expediency. A constant underscore of period relevant soundtrack keep conversations short and lacking in anything more than political platitudes.

Characters, as a result of this expediency and poor scripting, are Continue reading Kong: Skull Island (2017) Movie Review →

2015 Academy Awards, Award Ceremonies

2015 Academy Award Predictions — Best Original Screenplay

January 27, 2015 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

The Nominees:

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Glacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr., and Armando Bo — Birdman
Richard Linklater — Boyhood
E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman — Foxcatcher
Wes Anderson — The Grand Budapest Hotel
Dan Gilroy — Nightcrawler

Continue reading 2015 Academy Award Predictions — Best Original Screenplay →