The Trailer for "Dolemite is My Name" Welcomes Back Eddie Murphy

Scene from Dolemite is My Name

For the first time in his career, Eddie Murphy has gone close to a decade without a genuine hit. While he has done the odd project here or there, his last major work came seven years ago with A Thousand Words and the Brett Ratner comedy Tower Heist. It's hard to remember these days why he's an essential figure in film comedy. With his first high profile gig in quite a while, Dolemite is My Name finds him starring with a strong supporting cast for Netflix. Considering that the streaming services is coming off a successful Oscar season, many have argued that this could be Murphy's return to the Oscars for the first time since 2006's Dreamgirls. It may be a long shot, but at least the trailer looks very funny and may revive his stillborn career. 

A24 A-to-Z: #22. "Slow West" (2015)

Scene from Slow West

In case you didn't know, A24 is one of the great purveyors of modern cinema. Since 2013, the studio has found a way to innovate independent cinema by turning each release into an event. As a result, A24 A-to-Z will be an ongoing series that looks at every release from the studio by analyzing its production history, release, criticisms, and any awards attention that it might've received. Join me on a quest to explore the modern heroes of cinema by exploring every hit and miss that comes with that magnificent logo. They may not all be great, but they more than make A24 what it is and what it will hopefully continue to be for ears to come.

Review: "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" is the Most Impressive, Ambitious Blockbuster of the Summer

In 2011, Rise of the Planet of the Apes came out like an unforeseen force as it destroyed notions of the Apes franchise as being campy. As it climbed over the Golden Gate Bridge to sanctuary, there were glimpses of not only a violent uprising to follow, but of how impressively it mixed storytelling with cutting edge visual effects. It tore apart any pretension that man didn't influence environment (in this case negatively) and provided plenty to fear. The new Apes movies wouldn't chew scenery. It would commentate on society via a more slick, dark, and inspiring model that destroys all of its blockbuster counterparts with sheer energy. For those thinking that Rise of the Planet of the Apes felt slight at all, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is an adrenaline shot pushing morals and commentary even further with an all out war between apes and man. More-so than nihilistic counterpart Godzilla, this film packs one of the most amazing punches in a blockbuster with nonstop action that is used effectively for commentary. To sum it up, the Apes franchise is one of the most unexpectedly relevant.

Why "ParaNorman" should win Best Animated Feature

One of the most interesting categories every year at the Oscars is the Best Animated Feature. Many think that it has always been a Pixar-owned category, but the brief 11 year history proves otherwise. Films such as Shrek, Spirited Away, and Rango have defeated Pixar's mighty reign on the family entertainment category. With Brave undoubtedly getting a nomination this year, I am rooting for another strange little feature. One that actually shows ambition and deserves the statue: ParaNorman.