The Conjuring Review

Over the last few years, the horror genre has shifted from focusing on films about torture and murder to stories about the paranormal. Despite the shift, the genre has continued to receive poor criticism from the media and has been received with tepid support from audiences. James Wan, coming off his financial hit "Insidious," manages to elevate the quality of the genre with his latest effort "The Conjuring."

The movie is based on the Harrisville Haunting, a case taken on by demonologist Ed Warren and his clairvoyant wife Lorraine. The two ghost hunters were controversial in their day and reportedly engaged in thousands of mysterious paranormal cases including the well-known Amityville Horror. The Harrisville case is said to be the couple's most daunting task as it follows the Perrons, a family of seven, and the excruciating horrors they endured in their new Rhode Island country residence. Continue Reading

Pacific Rim Review

With such hits as "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Hell Boy," Guillermo del Toro has turned into one of the great cinematic visionaries of the modern era. The director's films are known for their visual splendor, their ability to create expansive fantastical worlds, and their memorable characters. Experiencing a del Toro film proves to be more than just thrilling escapism; through his fantastical world, the auteur reveals our deepest fears and wildest dreams.

After a year hiatus filled with side projects, del Toro has returned to the director's chair to bring "Pacific Rim," a film set in the near future that showcases the battle between massive robots known as Jaegers and Kaiju, monsters from another dimension hell-bent on destroying civilization. The concept is novel and has a tremendous amount of potential, but the final product represents del Toro's first major directorial misstep with its superficial treatment of its characters and its over-reliance on repetitive action. Continue Reading 

Man of Steel Review

More than any other super hero in comic book history, Superman may be the one filled with the most contradictions and paradoxes. He is an alien that grew up as a human; he is also a common citizen and a godly superhero. He has two fathers and two mothers, but has never met his biological parents. He grew up on earth but strives for his homeland. The idea of the double identity not only dominates the narrative thrust of Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel," but also illuminates the movie's form.

As the film commences, the viewer is taken to Krypton where the birth of Kal-El (later known as Clark Kent and Superman) is taking place. His father Jor-El (Russell Crowe) sends him to earth to avoid the destruction of his home planet. The opening prologue also introduces the viewer to the film's principal antagonist Zod (Michael Shannon). The general hopes to utilize a special code to recreate the Kryptonian species. Unfortunately his military coup goes awry and the code is stored away in the shuttle with Kal-El. Continue Reading

Conciliation Screens on June 5th

Our Film Conciliation will Be Screened on June 5th at the Elmont Library at 6pm. It will be Screened as Part of the "Best of Fest" from 2012's Long Island International Film Expo. Q&A will be held after the film. Many great films will also play as part of the program which will begin at 1pm and end at 9pm

Star Trek Review

Back in 2009, J.J. Abrams brought the "Star Trek" franchise back to the forefront with a solid reboot. The film was noted for its relentless pacing, its solid cast of newcomers, and its ability to re-establish the magic that created legions of Trekkies. It also introduced the world to the technique of exaggerated lens flare.

As is often the case, a sequel creates a great sense of excitement and anxiety in the same measure. Fans anticipate seeing their favorite heroes embark on a new journey, but are also wondering if the tremendous artistic success of the original will reappear in the sequel. In many ways "Into Darkness" not only lives up to these expectations but exceeds them on many fronts. Continue Reading

Late Text

I want to announce a new film that I produced which will be going to the festival circuit. "Late text" directed by Andrew Musso is a cautionary tale about driving and texting. Join Our Facebook to continue and get updates. https://www.facebook.com/LateText

The Great Gatsby Review

"The Great Gatsby" is undoubtedly one of the great American novels of the 20^th century. Its complex narrative of the faltering American dream presents a portrait of an increasingly disillusioned world that continues to have ramifications in the modern world. While its current adaptation for the cinematic medium presents no surprise, the choice of director could have many spectators worried. However, the current Warner Brothers adaptation of the wondrous novel is a fascinating display of the cinematic brilliance. Continue Reading