Movie Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT (2018)

When I first saw the trailer for Mission: Impossible – Fallout, I was instantly hooked.  The action, the music… it was perfect.  It became my favorite trailer of the year and has stuck with me ever since.  So I knew I would have to go see this in the theaters, and in order to do it justice I would need to do a full rewatch of the series, and boy, am I glad I did.  This film is a fantastic sequel, branching directly off of the previous film, while also being a beautiful callback to all the other M:I films that came before it.

Movie Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION (2015)

Ethan and his team are back, and this time they are hunting down a mysterious terror organization called The Syndicate.  Does that name sound familiar?  Well it should, as that was the mission given to Ethan at the end of Ghost Protocol.  This marks the first time a Mission: Impossible film leads in directly from the previous film, and it's about time.  It’s a true connecting point, and as you see throughout Rogue Nation, the events of Ghost Protocol weigh in heavily here, and that is one of the many things that make this such a great film.

Movie Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL (2011)

In 2006, audiences thought they had seen the last of Ethan Hunt, but little did they know that just five years later a new mission would begin that would change this franchise forever.  Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol was a shot in the arm for this seemingly dead franchise, and much like with Fast & Furious, this fourth installment has brought with it a new found life and a series of fantastic sequels.

Movie Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 3 (2006)

Back in the day, trilogies were the cool thing to do with a film franchise, and it seems that Mission: Impossible wanted to follow that trend.  M:I-3 feels like the conclusion to Ethan Hunt’s story while also serving as a sort of soft reboot of the series.  It’s very much a sequel, but can be watched as a stand-alone film with no problem.  You don’t lose out on anything, other than a few visual references, if you’ve never seen the first two films, but you do appreciate it more after the train wreck that is M:I-2.

Movie Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 (2000)

There are few times when one can say a sequel surpasses the greatness of the original film - The Empire Strikes Back, The Godfather Part 2, and Captain America: Winter Soldier are just a few examples.  And I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that Mission: Impossible 2… is NOT one of those films.  After such a good film, one that has remained in the pop culture zeitgeist, it is mind-boggling that this was what came next.   

Movie Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996)

The 1990’s were a breeding ground for action films, with such fare as Face/Off, Bad Boys, Die Hard, and The Matrix, but one of the most influential and longest lasting franchises also came out of this decade – Mission: Impossible.  The first film in this long-running series hit theaters in 1996 and grabbed the audience in a way that no one thought would, or even could, happen.

Trash Bin: ROCK OF AGES

Welcome to another installment of the TRASH BIN, where we watch the worst movies Hollywood has to offer, according to the critics, and give you our thoughts, good or bad. This week's pick is the electrically charged 80's themed musical, ROCK OF AGES from 2012. It was adapted from the Broadway musical of the same name.

EDITORIAL: Hollywood’s Other Glass Ceiling

There has been a lot of discussion in social media and news stories concerning the inequality in pay between men and women. It’s part of what’s known as the 'glass ceiling’.  The issue has been affecting actresses in the entertainment industry at all levels for years.

In an August 2016 article in the Washington Post, the author stated that the top ten highest paid actresses in Hollywood still made less than half of what the top actors earned.  While this is a hot topic of discussion that gets media and audience attention, there is another ‘Glass Ceiling’ in Hollywood movie making that rarely gets any kind of attention. Just like the one that does get attention, this other ‘Glass Ceiling’ has been created and controlled by money.

Movie Review: COLLATERAL

Collateral is a film about a cab driver and a hit-man, played by Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise respectively, who come together for one unexpected night. It's directed by Michael Mann and written by Stuart Beattie.

I was recommended this film by a bunch of friends who really love it. So going in I had my expectations set pretty high, and I have to say this film did not disappoint. The whole feel of the movie was cold and yet vibrant. They were able to convey so many ideas and themes between the scenes of action that once the film finishes you start to feel uncomfortable with the feeling of doubt on if you as a human being will make an impact on society.

Retro Review: THE COLOR OF MONEY

Welcome to another installment of RETRO REVIEW where we take a look at films made before the year 2000. Today, I will be reviewing the 1986 Martin Scorsese film THE COLOR OF MONEY.

Trailer Review: THE MUMMY (2017)

The first trailer for Universal Studios' upcoming monster movie reboot, The Mummy, has officially hit the web, and The Merc is here to give you his thoughts.  You can check out the synopsis, trailer, and review below.

Movie Review: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION

Ethan Hunt is back and better than ever in the newest installment of the highly popular Mission: Impossible series, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation.  I have been enjoying these films for the last almost 20 years, and I've grown to love this franchise more and more after each turn.