Flash Frames

I’m in my catch-up period for this year’s new releases, so this is gonna be a lot of fun. __________________________________________________ Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 "You there?" Director: Emma Tammi Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Theodus Crane, Freddy Carter, Skeet Ulrich, Wayne Knight, Mckenna Grace, Teo Briones, and Matthew Lillard Synopsis: “One year after the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, the stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town's first ever Fazfest. With the truth kept from her, Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, setting into motion a terrifying series of events that will reveal dark secrets about the real origin of Freddy's, and unleash a decades-hidden horror.” I’m a big fan of the Five Nights at Freddy’s games, so I’m well aware that for this, I gotta separate the fan-brain and the critic-brain. I didn’t even hate the f...

We gotta lock back in again. No days off for this movie stuff. I’ve only been to the theater like twice in the past month or so, I’m stepping up my game now. __________________________________________________ TRON: Ares "No going back." Director: Joachim Rønning Cast: Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, Gillian Anderson, and Jeff Bridges Synopsis: “A highly sophisticated program called Ares is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind's first encounter with A.I. beings.” Maybe it’s the low bar that I had for myself, but TRON: Ares ended up being just fine. For a series of movies that never did too well commercially, the $200 million+ budget confuses me. Unlike a lot of recent blockbusters, though, that money is put onto the screen. It’s very pretty to look at with all of its sleek CGI and the occasional glimpses into the Grid can be stunning. I also think Ares boasts one of ...

I know this is later than I hoped, but hey, at least it’s up at all. Let’s get it done. __________________________________________________ Train Dreams “All the wondrous, devastating layers of an entire life.” Director: Clint Bentley Cast: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Clifton Collins Jr., Kerry Condon, Will Patton, and William H. Macy Synopsis: “A logger leads a life of quiet grace as he experiences love and loss during an era of monumental change in early 20th-century America.” I was really blown away by Train Dreams , which comes from the same team behind last year’s Sing Sing (one of my favorites of that year). It has the same qualities of the newer Terrence Malick movies, specifically The Tree of Life , that really made me feel spellbound by its philosophical take on a man trying to hold onto what he has left in the changing world that surrounds him. Edgerton really shows up here, especially when he’s paired with Jones. Macy is also fantastic in his small role, as always. Bryce ...