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Tony's Take

HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U review

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Same Day, New Killer

Blumhouse’s commercial success with “Happy Death Day” in 2017 was nothing short of incredible, so it makes complete sense for a sequel to be hitting screens just in-time for Valentine’s Day!  This time around, in the appropriately-titled “Happy Death Day 2U”, the film opens with Ryan (Phi Vu) as he re-lives his current day over after being mysteriously killed.  In a panic he storms into his dorm room, where Tree (Jessica Rothe) and Carter (Israel Broussard) are lying on the bed.  As Ryan begins to explain his terrifying experience, they both realize Continue reading

Tony's Take

TOP 15 FILMS OF 2018!

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TOP 15 FILMS OF 2018!!

It’s that time of year again!  Time to reflect-back on the past year of film and decide on my fifteen favorite (and five honorable mention) films from 2018.  As always, the list was difficult to put together, but it’s always so much fun to look back at all of the movies I’ve seen!  So here we go, sound-off in the comments with your agreements and disagreements, and we can all look forward to 2019 and all the mayhem it has in-store! Continue reading

Tony's Take

BEN IS BACK review

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A Shocking, Realistic Portrait of Drug Addiction

Over the next few weeks, the box offices will be flooded by numerous films; plenty of them filled with cheer and joy.  However, “Ben is Back” follows a much different path entirely.  Ben (Lucas Hedges) surprises his family by coming home on Christmas Eve without any prior warning.  His mom, Holly (Julia Roberts), is beyond excited, but seeing the reaction from his sister, Ivy (Kathryn Newton), and his step father, Neal (Courtney B. Vance), clearly this is a dark and troubling past to Ben.  As it slowly comes into-focus, we learn that Ben is a recovering addict and was given Continue reading

Tony's Take

ROMA review

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There Are Periods in History that Scar Societies and Moments in Life that Transform Us as Individuals

Alfonso Cuarón (“Gravity”, “Children of Men”, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”) is truly one of the greatest storytellers working today.  His latest offering, “Roma”, just might be his masterpiece.  Taking place in the early 1970’s Mexico City, a family of six navigate life in an upper class home.  With them, two employed domestic workers and a dog as well.  The film provides a unique, in-depth scope into all of their lives, but specifically Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio).  As the family is falling apart and the father has left them on their own, Cleo Continue reading

Tony's Take

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS review

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Bow To No One

For her directorial debut, “Mary Queen of Scots”, Josie Rourke elected to tackle the story of Mary Stuart in sixteenth century as she navigates her duties as Queen of Scots and her claim to the English throne.  Upon being widowed, Mary (Saoirse Ronan) returns home to her native Scotland as she assumes her place as Queen.  In England, Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie) worries about her “sister” as she fears of her claim to the Throne.  In an effort to control her desires, Elizabeth offers her a husband, nobleman Robert Dudley (Joe Alwyn) to attempt to persuade her.  Aware of her deceitful desires, Mary Continue reading