The latest interpretation of the massive Frank Herbert novel, Dune, is a sprawling epic about greed, ambition and the cruelty of destiny. While the film is beautiful and the acting impeccable, it is hampered by a ponderous first act that weighs down the entire film. Director Denis Villeneuve (Bladerunner 2049 and Arrival) tried mightily to bring the novel to the screen … [Read more...]
The Sanctum Sangiacomo: Let There Be Carne Asada! I mean, Carnage!
Venom: Let There Be Carnage has everything a comic-loving moviegoer could ask for in a sequel: a logical story, well-placed humor, excellent acting, and brilliant special effects. In a nutshell, it’s as good as the first movie, Venom, was bad. Sony Pictures, clinging to its tiny piece of the Marvel movie empire, had the courage to release the sequel during a pandemic, which … [Read more...]
The Sanctum Shang-Chiacomo: Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting and Other Cool Stuff!
Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is Marvel’s latest foray into the new cinematic cycle without powerhouse actors like Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans – and it is a masterpiece. Shang Chi, a stalwart hero from Marvel Comics since his introduction in 1973, has been through many changes -- including the cancellation of his own series – and … [Read more...]
The Sanctum Sangiacomo: Suicide Squad!
It took a Marvel Studios director to show DC/Warner Brothers how to make a superhero movie. Fans can thank James Gunn (who directed Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy) for writing and directing a DC comic film that can stand up to Marvel’s. Solid characterization, a faithfulness to the original comic characters, incredible special effects and touches of comedy make this a … [Read more...]
The Sanctum Sangiacomo: From One Kajillionaire to Another
Kajillionaire is an interesting, little art house movie that examines a man and woman and their adult daughter who live in a world of lies, theft and deceit – and a complete lack of emotion. Robert (Richard Jenkins) and Theresa (Debra Winger) are borderline insane, living by their wits on the edge of society in modern Los Angeles. Their daughter Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood) … [Read more...]