Author Archives: Nat Almirall

Movie Review: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ – Nat’s Take

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Nat Almirall

Guardians of the Galaxy is the summer blockbuster I’ve been waiting for for longer than I can remember. The usual adjectives of effusive praise are appropriate: funny, clever, touching, and, of course, fun. While Marvel Studios has certainly found the … Continue reading →

Posted in Action, Marvel, Marvel Studios, Reviews, Sci-Fi | Tagged Action, Benicio Del Toro, Bradley Cooper, Chriss Pratt, Comics, Dave Bautista, Djimon Hounsou, Glenn Close, Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn, John C. Reilly, Karen Gillan, Lee Pace, Marvel Studios, Michael Rooker, Nicole Perlman, Sci-Fi, Vin Diesel, Walt Disney Studios, Zoe Saladana | 2 Comments

Movie Review: ‘Get On Up’

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Nat Almirall

Get On Up does two things magnificently well, and they’re related: It conveys the batshit craziness of both James Brown and Little Richard, which is quite a feat and aided in no small part from Chadwick Boseman as Brown and … Continue reading →

Posted in Biopic, Movies, Musicals, Reviews, Universal Pictures | Tagged Aakomon Jones, Aloe Blacc, Aunjanue Ellis, Bobby Bennett, Bobby Byrd, Brandon Mychal smith, Chadwick Boseman, Craig Robinson, Dan Aykroyd, Dee-Dee Jenkins, Fred Melamed, Get On Up, Imagine Entertainment, James Brown, James DuMont, Jez Butterworth, Jill Scott, John-Henry Butterworth, Josh Hopkins, Keith Robinson, Kirk Bovill, Lennie James, Little Richard, Mick Jagger, Nelsan Ellis, Nick Eversman, Octavia Spencer, Pee Wee Ellis, Ralph Bass, Ralph Tresvant, Sam Coke, Tariq Trotter, Tate Taylor, Tika Sumpter, Universal Pictures, Vicki Anderson, Viola Davis | 2 Comments

Documentary Review: ‘Life Itself’

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Nat Almirall

Ebert would have loved this: It does not gloss over major events that tarnish his star – his alcoholism, his pettiness, even his face. This is not simply a chronicle of the critic’s final few months, rather it’s an overview … Continue reading →

Posted in Documentary, Movies, Reviews | Tagged Chaz Ebert, Chicago, Life Itself, Martin Scorsese, Roger Ebert, Russ Meyer, Steve James | Comments Off

Movie Review: ‘Brick Mansions’

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Nat Almirall

For a movie that makes mention, nearly every five minutes or so, that this is Detroit, it seems odd that they would offer almost no evidence beyond cars. The Metropolitan? No, you silly bastards, the paper of Detroit is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Action, Movies, Reviews, Warner Bros | Tagged Brick Mansions, Camille Delamarre, Carlo Rota, Catalina Denis, David Belle, District B13, Kwasi Songui, Luc Besson, Paul Walker, Relativity Media, Robert Maillet, Robert Mark Kamen, RZA, Warner Bros | Comments Off

Movie Review: ‘Non-Stop’

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Nat Almirall

Liam Neeson is Bill Marks, a U.S. Federal air marshal with the obligatory checkered past and a delightful host of vices. Midway through a trans-Atlantic flight he receives a text message from an untraceable number that claims in 20 minutes … Continue reading →

Posted in Action, Movies, Reviews, Universal Pictures | Tagged Anson Mount, Chris Roach, Jason Butler Harrier, Jaume Collet-Serra, John W. Richards, Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Lupita Nyong'o, Michelle Dockery, Nate Parker, Non-Stop, Ryan Engle. Universal Pictures, Scoot McNairy, Silver Pictures, StudioCanal | Comments Off

Movie Review: ‘3 Days to Kill’

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Nat Almirall

3 Days to Kill makes a point of flashing Luc Besson’s name across the screen, even though he’s not the director. That distinction goes to McG, whose name really feels like it should inspire some kind of good joke, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Action, Movies, Reviews | Tagged 3 Days to Kill, Action, Adi Hasak, amber heard, Connie Nielsen, Eriq Ebouaney. McG, hailee steinfeld, Kevin Costner, Luc Besson, Relatvity Media, Richard Sammel | Comments Off

Movie Review: ‘That Awkward Moment’

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Nat Almirall

Zac Effron is Jason, a 20-or-so book-cover designer living in New York with his best friend and co-worker Daniel (The Spectacular Now‘s Miles Teller) and other best friend Mikey (Michael B. Jordan). Mikey discovers his wife canoodling with the lawyer … Continue reading →

Posted in Comedy, Focus Features, Movies, Reviews | Tagged Addison Timlin, Alysia Reiner, Dan Bittner, Emily Meade, Evelina Turen, Focus Features, imogen poots, Jessica Lucas, John Rothman, Josh Pais, Kate Simses, Mackenzie Davis, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, That Awkward Moment, Tina Benko, Victor Slezak, Zac Effron | Comments Off

Movie Review: ‘Lone Survivor’

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Nat Almirall

Lone Survivor is a movie that does itself a few large disservices: Its title reveals too much; its trailer is much too long and plays like quick spot on an On Demand showcase; and it tugs and shoves and pulls … Continue reading →