Author: Staley Sharples

Transformers: The Last Knight Will Please Its Target Audience and That’s About It

Transformers: The Last Knight Will Please Its Target Audience and That’s About It

Posted by | Jun 22, 2017 | , |

Overview: As their planet Cybertron begins to collapse, Transformers must partner with Earth-bound humans in order for both of them to survive. Rated PG-13; 149 minutes, 2017; Paramount Pictures. Bay, The Maximalist: Transformers: The Last Knight marks the newest nosedive into Michael Bay’s maximalist style of filmmaking, piling on visual stimulation through action sequences in exotic locales and sarcastically ridiculous comedic scenes. Never one for subtlety, Bay’s been ramping up the intensity of his Transformers franchise for a decade. Though Transformers: The Last Knight can be an assault on the senses at times, its decibel levels and explosion count...

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Father’s Day Reflections: Dad’s Movie Nights

Father’s Day Reflections: Dad’s Movie Nights

Posted by | Jun 18, 2017 | |

Around the holidays, my mom would usually have several important conference calls with Santa scheduled. While Mom was busy talking to the big guy, my sister and I would get some quality Dad time. On those nights where it was just the three of us, we’d head to one of our favorite restaurants (Chik-Fil-A or the ultra-garlicky Fazoli’s was often the top choice, much to my mom’s chagrin), take our food to Dad’s office, pop in a VHS from my Dad’s collection, and have a movie party together. Comedies were always our favorites; I can’t count the number of...

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‘The Circle’ Doesn’t Complete Itself

‘The Circle’ Doesn’t Complete Itself

Posted by | May 4, 2017 | |

Overview: A young woman lands a highly coveted job at tech giant The Circle, but soon finds herself challenged by a host of moral dilemmas when her boss asks her to participate in an experiment for the company. STX Entertainment; 2017; Rated PG-13; 110 minutes. All Eyes On You: Based on Dave Eggers’s 2013 novel of the same name, The Circle carries a premise that is equal parts ridiculous and believable. Though this sounds like a bizarre contradiction, the film taps into the overblown tech anxiety buzzing everywhere from The White House to personal consumers and amplifies those fears...

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‘Unforgettable’ is a Flawed Movie Destined to be More Hated for Being Honest About Itself

‘Unforgettable’ is a Flawed Movie Destined to be More Hated for Being Honest About Itself

Posted by | Apr 25, 2017 | , |

Overview: A divorcee (Katherine Heigl) gives her ex-husband’s new girlfriend (Rosario Dawson) the worst welcome to the neighborhood of all time. Warner Bros.; 2017; Rated R; 100 minutes. Is Katherine Heigl Our Joan Crawford?: Watching Unforgettable in a half-empty small theater, I thought to myself, “poor Katherine Heigl.” Her show Doubt was canned after just two episodes this February. Her attempts at big screen comebacks have led her to winning the Razzie for Worst Actress. Now, with the erotic thriller Unforgettable set to bomb in its competition against the eighth installment of ultra dudebro action franchise F8 of the Furious,...

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Three Words That Will Stick With Matt Novack Forever

Three Words That Will Stick With Matt Novack Forever

Posted by | Apr 6, 2017 |

Having worked on the Adult Swim TV Show Children’s Hospital and feature-length comedies such as Role Models, They Came Together, and the upcoming How To Be A Latin Lover, Matt Novack is an experienced composer with a keen ear for just the right music to compliment comedy. I had the pleasure of speaking to Matt Novack about his work on these projects, and how he goes about developing a score with some of the most well-known actors and directors in comedy. — Staley Sharples (AE): Tell me a little more about your background. How did you first get started composing?...

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