Author: Brian Russell

Brian Russell grew up loving super-hero comic books, TV and movies. Star Trek, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Planet of the Apes were his favorites as a kid. He still loves all that cool sci-fi stuff, but now spends about half his screen time with Classic Films. Film Noir is his favorite genre in that realm. He is a Director of Photography with credits ranging from an ESPN 30 for 30, to celebrities like Arianna Huffington, Ed Burns and the entire cast of Saturday Night Live. Check him out at http://www.redshoefilm.com

A Wrinkle in Time sure is a Big Pile of Messy Laundry

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Wow, I sure did want to like A Wrinkle in Time. On the surface it has everything going for it.  Classic story, inclusive cast, big action, special effects bonanza, Hollywood darling-director Ava DuVernay, Captain Kirk, Reese Witherspoon AND Oprah.  It also had a hundred and three million dollar price tag. How could it go wrong?… Continue reading A Wrinkle in Time sure is a Big Pile of Messy Laundry

Darkest Hour

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True confession time:  Joe Wright’s 2005 Pride & Prejudice is one of my all-time favorite movies.  I am in love with both Keira Knightley as Elizabeth, and Matthew MacFadyen as Darcy.  Early Rosamund Pike and Jena Malone performances are icing on this extra yummy cookie dough feast. The cinematography, production design and and all-around world… Continue reading Darkest Hour

In-Justice League

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Zack Snyder’s third entry in the DC Universe speeds along like a Joss Whedon film (no surprise since screenwriter Whedon took over directing and post-production after Snyder had to drop out late in the game.) This might be a good thing under other circumstances — like if it was actually a Joss Whedon film —… Continue reading In-Justice League

Dueling Reviews: Blade Runner 2049: The Edge of Human

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Brian and Chris offer their thoughts on your favorite new neo-noir sci-fi.

Judd Apatow Captures Familial Love in Avett Brothers Music Doc May It Last

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I have a brother and we worked together for close to twenty years. Our “band” broke up in 2006 after we sold our business. Like the Avett’s, we never really had a fight, and also like the subjects of this film, our parents provided us with solid relationship tools and an understanding of the importance… Continue reading Judd Apatow Captures Familial Love in Avett Brothers Music Doc May It Last

King Arthur: Legend of the Bored

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  How does this happen?  I love Guy Ritchie motion pictures, especially his scam/caper films like Snatch, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels and RockNrolla.  But the fast cutting, fast talking, explain everything through flash backward and flash forward editing kills King Arthur. In this retelling, Arthur is orphaned in the films opening minutes as… Continue reading King Arthur: Legend of the Bored