Alan Ng

While The Dawn Wall brings you up close to the miraculous feat of Caldwell and Jorgeson, the backstory (particularly of Caldwell) is just as amazing.

If there is any complaint to be laid against Big Hero 6, it is that the team itself takes a back seat. The story is primarily about the relationship between Hiro and Baymax. This is not a negative comment because the relationship between the boy and his robot is endearing and effectively told.

Godzilla, King of the Monsters! is the story that began it all, laying the themes of Japanese kaiju that would endure for decades.

Filho masterfully turns a tale of survival into a deeply human story about love, loyalty, and the cost of integrity under tyranny.

The Earth Is Blue As An Orange is probably one of the most unique documentaries about filmmaking.

It dares to tell an honest history, warts and all, from its inspirational beginnings, which led me to become a Christian to its rapid decline when I learned that even the godly were imperfect people. But then again, maybe God can still use these miscreants of music.

Not only is it gorgeous, but an excellent primer for the young set into South Asian culture.

If you’ve ever felt alone and ignored in life, Dear Evan Hansen may touch you in profound ways.

Good performances and a simple story about an overly complicated family dynamic all comes together making a wonderful story of family.

There is a charm to Win a Trip To Browntown found in its story of family and ambition.

Aaron Fisher’s debut film is decidedly a comedy, but never draws its laughs by making light or fun of Fisher’s real struggles. He just lays his life out there, and its humorous moments bubble to the surface. Amidst the laughs come genuine and authentic moments from Fisher’s personal experiences.

If you want to make an indie comedy, watch and study Eat Wheaties!

As a chapter in the Disney classic remakes, Jungle Book still stands at the top. Behind it is Aladdin and Cinderella fighting for second place with the rest as a distant whatever.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is probably the best-animated superhero tale to do justice to the pulp comic book fan both in style and content. It upholds the spirit of Marvel Comics by juxtaposing the humanity of each hero and villain against the prerequisite kick-ass action sequences. At let’s face facts, the art direction is the true star of the film.

The description of the actual re-claiming of the prison by the corrections officers and the national guard is told in horrifying detail, and the torture and punishment of the surviving prisoner are much worse. I dare you to watch it today and not get angry about the racial divide that existed in the 70s.

Watching The Ghost of Peter Sellers is like watching a 15-vehicle car crash in slow motion.

Virginia Gilbert’s Reawakening ends on a brutal yet honest note, refusing to hand out easy answers or emotional closure. It’s not clean, but it’s meant to be an unflinching reality check.

The King of Staten Island is big on heart, but short on laughs (in comparison to Train Wreck and 40-Year-Old Virgin), but that’s not a negative. I like that there are only a few over-the-top moments. The laughs occur as a way to break up the seriousness of the story. It balances drama and comedy perfectly.

In the end, The Roses feels like a genuine comedy comeback. Jay Roach proves he hasn’t lost his touch, pulling together a film that blends smart writing, impeccable timing, and powerhouse performances into something that may just be a classic new take on a rebooted story.

Everyone has defined, and distinct characters and no one is phoning it in. Just sit back and enjoy this unique romantic comedy.

This version stands on its own, problems and all, as an interesting tale of an anti-hero… or is it about a tragic villain?

You’ll like All Creatures Here Below because you connect with the leads and their story and want to take part on their journey…for better or for worse.

Twinless delivers a sharp take on grief, deception, and unlikely connections. Characters are pushed into situations both painful and oddly tender. By the end, the film leaves you squirming but fully invested, proving that even the strangest setups can lead to an emotionally devastating payoff.

Blade is just good, plain action movie fun. It runs like a smooth roller-coaster and has excellent replay value.

The only excuse you have not to see Crazy Rich Asians is because you hate love.

The Tomorrow Man is not one of these high-dramas with something profound to say about human natures. It’s more a chance to watch two veteran actors in John Lithgow and Blythe Danner do what they spent their entire lives doing, and that’s act and act real damn good. They find that right balance between being normal and quirky to turn out a grounded performance.

Those first two acts feel fresh and different. I loved Pattinson’s take. He’s not a pretty boy, he’s a conflicted human being. He’s a hero who’s not so super.

The thriller aspect of the film acts as the payoff to audiences for having to sit through extended discussions. While it’s not the most clever or brilliant thriller, it’s exciting nonetheless and will have you on the edge of your seat to the end.