THE OPTIMIST - MOVIE REVIEWS

    The horror genre is one of my favorite pools to dip into when it comes to storytelling. If you're an avid reader of this blog, this is not news to you. It's just one of the funnest types of movies to see in a theater. The build up of tension and then that epic release--it's a movie-going staple that I find thrilling, and it's one that has had its fair share of studs and duds. The Curse of La Llorona , the latest spooky flick to hit theaters, dips into folklore and mythology while attempting to deliver some serious scares. I knew nothing about the story, other than this was a tale children were often told by their parents when they misbehaved. From the initial trailers, this movie looked to be your standard spectral encounter, not unlike the ever-growing Conjuring universe. Little did I know that that observation would hit closer to home than expected.     The Curse of La Llorona is a story about loss and survival. Then again, isn't every ghost/evil spirit...

     Okay, so... Hellboy .      Let me just start by saying that I was on board with this movie the moment I watched the first trailer for it. Was I bummed that the Guillermo Del Toro brand was missing? Sure. Was it weird to see someone other than Ron Perlman don the horns? No doubt. But gall all mighty...seeing Hellboy riding a demon dragon while wielding a flaming sword was so effing metal! Look, I get that franchises get rebooted all the time, and I'm not surprised that this one followed suit. From the marketing of this movie, I was promised one hellavu time, and I will say this: this iteration does not fall short in the spectacle arena, that's for sure. However, it's a lot to take in. If movies were like meals, then Hellboy was the most unhealthy, greasy meal that was delivered with the same amount of pomp and circumstance as a Thanksgiving feast.      In this version, Hellboy (David Harbour) is caught between the supernatural a...

    As a movie-lover and an avid cinema-goer, I can say without hesitation that 2019 is off to a great start. There have been so many wonderful and amazing films that have come out, both on the big screen as well as the small (thanks to the ever-growing streaming world we live in). Genre films seem to be king of the box office, with Captain Marvel raking in over $1 billion globally. One of my favorite genres is horror, and it's one that doesn't get enough love by the critical community. Audiences love them because there's something inherently enticing about getting scared in a controlled environment, but critics tend to dismiss the craft behind the making of these movie, and it's sad. That all being said, one of my most anticipated films of the year opens this weekend, the latest adaptation of a Stephen King novel, Pet Sematary . I've been looking forward to this movie for a couple of reasons. One: the latest batch of King adaptations has been really, truly grea...

     Despite their huge financial success, DC has struggled out of the gate with their shared cinematic universe. Opinions aside, it’s only true. The amount of division among fans, and between critics and audiences, highlight this unsavory characteristic, from Man of Steel up to present day. For what it's worth, I have enjoyed all of the DCEU films, some more than others, and I’m aware that a lot of them have their flaws. But dang it, if they aren’t all entertaining, then I don’t know what is! As of late though, DC has begun to prove themselves capable of delivering films that speak to a fan base that knows and wants great films, while also appealing to critics. Wonder Woman was a huge breath of fresh air after the dower nature of Man of Steel , Batman v. Superman , and Suicide Squad ( all of which I thoroughly enjoyed ) . It was leaps and bounds above the lot, for sure. Justice League , despite its many flaws, was an extremely fun film, and I still think it’s a...