Tag Archives: Margot Robbie

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

Birds of Prey (2020) Movie Review

February 6, 2020 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

At the start of Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), the latest film from DC, Harleen Quinzel (Margot Robbie) is no longer with her beau the Joker. She is heartbroken and alone, and decides to mend wounds by drinking until belligerent. While in this state, she lets slip that she is no longer associated with the “Clown Prince of Crime,” a figure who strikes fear into the hearts of even Gotham’s most unhinged criminals. Without the Joker keeping them at bay, most everyone in the city wants to get even with Harley Quinn.

Along the way, there is also a MacGuffin involving a priceless diamond being stolen, a diamond whose owner is the megalomaniac Continue reading Birds of Prey (2020) Movie Review →

2020 Academy Awards, Award Ceremonies

2020 Oscar Predictions — Best Supporting Actress

January 19, 2020 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

The Oscar acting categories can be predictable. Come this evening, following the Screen Actors Guild awards, the 2020 acting races may very likely be even more predictable. And Best Supporting Actress is no exception. The category has its frontrunner, and a SAG win for her will all but seal the race up.

The Nominees:

Continue reading 2020 Oscar Predictions — Best Supporting Actress →

All Movie Reviews, Comedy, Drama, Like It, Long Reviews (>400 Words)

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood (2019) Movie Review

July 25, 2019 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

If the late ’60s were a freewheeling time in America, and its Hollywood filled with lounging hippies and the dimly glinting stars of an ending Golden Age of film, then Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood is a complete tonal recreation of this period of time.

In February 1969, former television cowboy Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) has lost his luster in La La Land, resorting to Continue reading Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood (2019) Movie Review →

2018 Academy Awards, Award Ceremonies

2018 Academy Awards Predictions – Best Actress

January 23, 2018 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Best Actress has what is perhaps the widest gap between the front-runner and the other contenders. I mean, France McDormand is cleaning up from award show to award show. It is difficult to see anyone else taking that Oscar.

But, you know, I have to keep all other options on the table. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be an article to write.

The Nominees:

Continue reading 2018 Academy Awards Predictions – Best Actress →

All Movie Reviews, Comedy, Drama, Long Reviews (>400 Words), Love It

I, Tonya (2017) Movie Review

January 6, 2018 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

There is one word that describes every facet of the film I, Tonya. Energy. From the acting performances, to the editing, to the camera work, to the dialogue, to the framing device, to the soundtrack there is a constant and consistent energy. There is never a wasted or dull moment. It is a two-hour movie that breezes by.

Beneath this energy, which is spear-headed by dark comedy, is a surprising amount of empathy that the film drums up around the figure of Tonya Harding (portrayed here by Margot Robbie). The highly publicized story of Harding plays out in the film in a Continue reading I, Tonya (2017) Movie Review →

2018 Golden Globes

2018 Golden Globes Predictions – Best Actress

December 12, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

The crop of actresses in the two Best Actress Golden Globe categories is strong this year. Each category has its front-runners, but there is plenty of upset potential. Then again, I guess that’s how it always goes…

Whelp, let’s talk about it.

The Nominees:

Best Actress – Drama

Continue reading 2018 Golden Globes Predictions – Best Actress →

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

Suicide Squad (2016) Movie Review

August 4, 2016 Alex Brannan 1 Comment

Suicide Squad begins with a montage of exposition. More specifically, it begins with multiple montages of exposition. Deadshot (Will Smith) is exactly what he sounds like: a hitman who never misses. But he also has a chip on his shoulder because he was taken away from his daughter. Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) is an ex-doctor turned Joker (Jared Leto) sidekick. And then there are a couple other baddies thrown in for good measure.

The United States government’s goal is to use these villains to provide some checks and balances against superheroes who could turn against mankind. For whatever reason, they feel Continue reading Suicide Squad (2016) Movie Review →

Action/Thriller, All Movie Reviews, Leave it, Long Reviews (>400 Words)

The Legend of Tarzan (2016) Movie Review

June 30, 2016 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

In The Legend of Tarzan, Jane (Margot Robbie) and John Clayton (Alexander Skarsgard), aka Tarzan, return to the jungle years after Tarzan has acclimated to high class civilized life. The story of their relationship is told in flashbacks, where Tarzan is seen as a boy raised by apes and Jane as the daughter of an American teacher.

These flashbacks are shot with little care. Motion is blurred. Camera angles are distorted and displeasing to the eye. The color palette is drab and cold.

When slave traders led by Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz) steal Jane away, Tarzan ventures to save her. The narrative is simple, and thus not the crux of entertainment value to be found in this film. What the film is meant to provide instead is Continue reading The Legend of Tarzan (2016) Movie Review →

All Movie Reviews, Comedy, Drama, Like It, Quickie Reviews (<400 Words)

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) Movie Review

March 4, 2016 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Kim Baker (Tina Fey) is a low-on-the-totem-pole journalist sent to Afghanistan to cover the war there. While there, she deals with gender and cultural politics, as well as personal relationships with military and press personnel.

In Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, the acting performances are Continue reading Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) Movie Review →

Movie News

Suicide Squad (2016) Trailer 2 Review

January 20, 2016 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Recently, the new Suicide Squad trailer dropped. And, I have some thoughts.

To begin, I’ll say that the first Suicide Squad trailer, which came out of Comic Con, didn’t do it for me. I simply was not excited to see this movie from the trailer alone.

This new trailer changed that. I did a Continue reading Suicide Squad (2016) Trailer 2 Review →