Finales of any kind have to be difficult for filmmakers to put together. After all, this is the last time a particular story is going to be told and if it isn't done right, the ire of the fans will come forth and understandably so. These are the folks who have stood by a story after all this time so it's only fair they expect everything to be perfect when the time comes to say goodbye.

Which bring us to the sixth film in the Star Wars series, Return of the Jedi, because this is one of those polarizing films for fans of the franchise because I think this is a Star Wars film that you either completely love or completely hate for various reasons. I mean, some folks simply cannot stand the Ewoks and the third act of this motion picture and that's okay.

I personally hold this one near and dear to my heart because it's the first Star Wars film that I was actually able to see in theaters during its initial run in 1983 and to this day the movie remains magical in my memory and despite its flaws, I am of the opinion that this is actually an integral film to the franchise and one that does indeed serve up a perfect finale to a flawed character's journey.

​After all, it is filled to the brim with some classic storytelling, specifically when it comes to the battle between good versus evil and really, who doesn't enjoy that kind of showdown? I mean this is it, this is the film when Luke finally becomes a Jedi and squares off against his father and the Emperor in epic fashion and the struggle that Vader has to go through, since his need to serve the Emperor and his desire to love his son tears his soul apart, has always fascinated me and it makes that magical moment when Vader makes his decision all the more powerful and quite frankly beautiful. 

Not to mention, this movie features one big time and kickass finale. Whether or not you like the film, the Battle of Endor is without a doubt one of the coolest final battles I've ever seen. Sure the Ewoks are a little doofy but who cares, it's not the stuff on Endor that anyone really remembers, it's what happens above in space. To finally see the Empire and the Rebellion go head to head in one final battle, with incredible losses on both sides...well it's a truly epic showdown. One that to this day still sends chills down my spine and leaves me hooting and hollering even though I've seen the movie more times than I count. 

In a way though, this film takes on a bigger role in the franchise than we give it credit thanks to The Force Awakens. I say that because now in a way, this final chapter in Anakin's story, where his redemption comes full circle now becomes a tragedy. For despite the fact that he was able to conquer the darkness within and make amends with his son and in many ways, save the damn universe...the dark shadow that Darth Vader cast will always serve as his legacy, and it inspired a new generation of evil, and it is that new wrinkle to the story that gives this film a fresh feel when it comes to the franchise and I don't think we will ever view it in the same light ever again.

​The Empire Strikes Back is a family favorite within my household. My dad adores this movie the best, and thus we watched it the most. Out of the original series this film was the darkest, and actually the best, to me, as far as plot. Though, I am always secretly rooting for the bad guy in just about anything I watch. 

And this time, with this film, the bad guys won. Isn't that a little devastating!? Here our heroes thought that they would be able to beat the dark side and the Empire, easy! Destroy whatever was left of them and be done with it. Just kidding! Arrogance and cocky behavior ended up being the downfall of our heroes. Some more than others.

It's also the film where a lot of earth shattering moments happen to our characters. The rebels take a hard hit, Leia and Han finally get along for more than 10 minutes and even fall in love, and Luke finds a Jedi Mentor in the form of an old green gremlin. Our first meeting with Yoda will always be memorable. He went from funny to serious in such a short span. This isn't the Yoda we have known previously from the prequels. 

But before those even happened, this backwards talking little thing warmed our hearts with his teaching skills. Move over R2, we have another favorite puppet. Of course, in the end Han is frozen in Carbonite in a moment that features the infamous lines we still know to this day, Leia proclaims her love for him and instead of returning her affection he simply replies with 'I know.' Okay, as a kid, that moment when Han is frozen freaked me out. I legit thought they'd just killed off my favorite character, because yes, Han was my favorite character. Thankfully they didn't, but I didn't know that!

In the midst of it all, Luke loses his hand, which is kind of a big deal, and we learn that Vader is really his father! I can honestly say I was so surprised. Little Shae did NOT see that plot twist coming one bit. By the end, our heroes are scattered, Han is being taken to Jabba, Luke is wounded, and Leia has a lot to answer for. I mean, that famous kiss between her and Luke doesn't get gross until the last episode, but you know, it did happen. Still, as far as the Star Wars films go, this is my all-time favorite.

Time often changes everything when it comes to our favorite films. As we grow older we begin to see their flaws, see how dated they have become and as the years pass they become nothing more than a slice of nostalgia and a collection of good memories when we pop them into our Blu Ray Player or stream them on our television or computer screens.

But some of the films we grew up with, will always withstand the test of time. These are the movies that we watch and find ourselves once again lost in the adventure. It doesn't matter when it was made or how many years it has been since we have seen it, it's instantly magical and whisks us away to a special place and one of those films is the fourth entry in the Star Wars saga...A New Hope.

After all, this is where everything began. This is the adventure that blew all of us away with its special effects and unique story and to this day each and every one of us find this film magical. It's managed to transcend generations, with parents making this motion picture now part of their family traditions and if you don't believe me...just check out a convention near you and see pairs of father and son Jedi running around the con.  

​But what gives this movie that kind of staying power? How on earth does it continue to blow us away every single time we watch it after all these years? Well plenty of folks have done their best to break it down and analyze it and I would venture to say it's a motion picture that has had every aspect of its story dissected. But I think it goes beyond the groundbreaking special effects and fun little story, this film's magic comes from one particular aspect we never really think about in filmmaking...it's genuine. 

After all, this is a movie that came about at the dawn of the blockbuster, and some even cite that it was responsible for the creation of the big-time summer blockbuster and while that may be true, one has to remember a few things. This is a movie that was free of executive influence and a marketing scheme. This came out before the era of tent-poles and remakes and sequels that we live in now and being free of all of that allowed for something special to happen on the screen, it became a story that grew on its own. I'm sure there were rewrites and all the things that happen in the business regardless but it's obvious that George Lucas simply went for broke, threw caution to the wind and told a tale that he wanted to tell. After all, he had nothing to lose and the end result was nothing short of magnificent.

I mean really, this movie has it all. Action, adventure, a grand villain and a wonderful cause for you to root for and you really can't ask for anything more. But at the same time, the scope of it, the power of the universe surrounding these characters took hold in our imagination and captivated us. That comes from the care that went into making this film, the honest performances from the cast on the screen and the fact that fresh new ideas were injected into the science fiction genre. This is one of those rare films that managed to give us something new and exciting and who knew that forty years later we would be sitting here, still celebrating this story and preparing to enjoy another incredible chapter in this magnificent saga.

I still distinctly remember that there was a lot of talk amongst the fans leading up to and following the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and all of it revolved around the fact that at this particular time in the franchise's history...there seemed to be an unhealthy obsession surrounding everything and anything when it comes to Episode IV: A New Hope and this discussion existed with good reason.

After all, The Force Awakens was in many ways the second coming of A New Hope, serving as a 'best of' reel for that film, reminding us of its wonder by paying homage to its finest moments and of course, Rogue One is an outright prequel to that particular film. But the debate as to whether or not this level of nostalgia is acceptable will rage on regardless of anything discussed in this review, so it's far more important we take a moment today and look at Rogue One in an objective fashion and focus on all the important things this story does for the franchise as a whole.

Case in point, this is a motion picture that finally gives us a solid understanding of what life is like under the rule of the Galactic Empire. Yes, we've always known they're an evil bunch, but primarily our dealings with them as fans have come by way of Emperor Palpatine or Darth Vader and while its no secret that Vader pops up in this film as well, by removing the whole Skywalker focus, we are finally taken inside the plight of the everyman by way of Jyn Erso and later on through her new found friends. It is here that we learn that life in the Empire is awful to say the least. It goes beyond being merely oppressed or robbed of basic freedoms...the Empire wants everything and anything it can get its hands on, including one's life if necessary. 

In addition to showing us the pure hell the people of the Galaxy must endure, Rogue One takes things a step further by showing us what kind of frightening freedoms are extended to officers of the Empire by way of Director Krennic. A man whose personal ambition matters above everything else to the point where people will die and die horribly in order for him to enjoy the glory and grace of the Emperor. Krennic is a chilling character, one that reminds us of the evil that men are capable of when it is encouraged and nourished and when consequences simply do not exist.

But giving us all of those darker story elements is critical to this film's success. We need to know what the galaxy turned into under Palpatine's rule for one simple reason...to inspire hope. It's a word thrown around often in this story simply because of the fact there's little of it to be found. Even Jyn Erso is a woman without hope. She has acquiesced to this awful, awful life and it isn't until she loses everything that she understands the need to fight, in part to provide her soul with a sense of peace, but also to right the wrongs that the Empire is forcing innocent people to endure and when all is said and done, it makes for a compelling and dark Star Wars story, one where you root for the characters a little harder than usual simply because the Empire is finally on display as a brutal, and vicious organization that deserves to be dismantled and defeated. 

However, all of that aside, what truly makes this film so magical and enjoyable...is the fact that it is in many ways the reset button for the entire franchise. By stripping away the mysticism of the Force, by removing the Skywalker focus and presenting us with everyday people in the galaxy struggling for a better life, it serves as a fine reminder as to why we fell in love with A New Hope in the first place, the fact that the story of a galaxy, far, far, away was always about one thing; good triumphing over evil. Everything else was merely a bonus, because the saga introduced us to ordinary people, who discovered they had extraordinary talents and they worked together to make their world a better place now and forever and despite this film's harsh ending and gritty nature, we know that the plight of the Rebels in this film is not in vain, they inspired hope...they made a difference, and if giving us hope and revisiting the wonder of what makes this franchise so great is going to continue to pop up in every single film going forward...then I welcome it because it's exactly what makes Rogue One a wonderful tale and a welcome addition to a storied franchise.

In many ways it’s not surprising that Solo: A Star Wars Story was met in lukewarm fashion l in terms of box office and critical reception. You might say that it was setup to fail. In the weeks following its release, I’ve saw a lot of references to what has been called ‘Star Wars Fatigue’ as the main cause of the film’s middling reception. While I am quite sure that that was a contributing factor I would argue that there are more tangible causes to be considered. Opening less than six months after The Last Jedi, a film sporting its own divisive reception and mediocre international box office numbers, Solo combined a worrying production which culminated in 75% of the film being reshot following the termination of the original directing team, the first summertime release for a Star Wars film since 2006’s Revenge of the Sith, and the recasting of perhaps one of the most iconic characters in all of cinema. With its competition being the biggest box office opening weekend in film history (at the time) in Avengers: Infinity War and the long-awaited Deadpool sequel, Solo constituted an uncertain bet following two sure things.
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With all of that being said, the movie is a lot of fun, which is a credit that in recent years has become synonymous with films that are without any other merit. To classify Solo as such is a mistake. There’s a lot this film gets right. Casting for one thing, and if we’re truly honest with ourselves casting is the only thing. How do you recast Han Solo; a man whose bravado and confidence inspired emulation and aspiration (minus the subtle, but still present air of misogyny), whose roguish charm and reluctant heart of gold embodied the skeptical counterpoint to iconic farm boy optimism, one that high fantasy and sci-fi so desperately needed. He’s a mentor, a father figure, a firm friend, a hero, and a scoundrel. This film had to get one impossible thing right. It had to deliver Han Solo without Harrison Ford. This film does just that.

Alden Ehrenreich’s Solo is a little pluckier, a touch less jaded, and a bit more optimistic but the kid learns fast. Han and Qi’ra are Corellian street orphans under the oppressive ‘guardianship’ of subterranean nightmare worm Lady Promixa and her gang of street level malcontents. When a deal involving hyper-fuel goes south, Han manages to escape with enough of the valuable product to punch the orphans’ ticket off-world. The two abscond with the contraband but only Han manages to escape the planet by joining the imperial navy, planning to become a pilot and return to rescue Qi’ra as soon as he can.

We fast-forward 3 years to discover Han reduced to an infantry grunt in the trenches of a futile campaign on some mud-ball planet. Jaded over having been drummed out of the academy, Han stumbles upon a gang of thieves disguised as imperial squad members and in trying to inundate himself to their gang, finds himself thrown into the pit of an imperial brig. We then snap to a Mud-Pit Meet-Cute (patent pending) between a terrified Han and a mud caked Chewbacca who team-up (after Chewie tries to eat Han), escape, and convince the band of thieves to add them to their crew. They pull a job, it goes bad, and only Han, Chewie, and the leader of the Gang, Tobias Beckett survive. The unlikely trio are then tasked to explain to their employer the decadent, fun-loving, and homicidal Dryden Vos what went wrong and how they plan to fix it. 

As they wait to meet with Vos, Han discovers that Qi’ra has found herself in the employ of Vos and the criminal organization of which he is a lieutenant, Crimson Dawn. This happy reunion is overshadowed by Vos’ rage and the hold he has over Qi’ra. So Han, Tobias, and Chewie must improvise their way out of being murdered on the spot. In order to pay Dryden Vos back they plan to procure a ship, run to Kessel, steal some unrefined hyper-fuel, and speed to an abandoned refinery on a distant planet in order to refine the fuel before it explodes. They seek out Lando Calrissian and the Millennium Falcon, and recruit him after a high-stakes, and decidedly larcenous Sabacc game with Han, in which Lando cheats after staking the Falcon. They navigate their way to Kessel, steal the fuel, Lando’s sassy droid first mate incites a robotic revolution, and they hop from frying pan to fire as their escape route is blocked by an imperial blockade. Han takes charge, piloting the Falcon through the dangerous and mysterious Maelstrom, dodging Tie-Fighters and planetoid sized squid monsters to set his most auspicious speed record, making the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs.
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Arriving at the refinery on Savareen the motley crew is ambushed once again by rival gang the Cloud-Riders who foiled their previous heist and we discover this gang to be made up of optimistic freedom fighters (presumably the first whispers of the Rebel Alliance). Han and company minus Beckett who leaves saying he’s going home, and Lando, who runs at the first sign of trouble, decide to help the freedom fighters and go to speak to Dryden Vos. What comes next is a string of betrayal plot twists which rival the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Beckett returns to betray Han to Vos, informing him of his plan to let the Cloud-Riders escape with the hyper-fuel. Han, anticipating this, turns Vos’ ambush on its head which in turn causes Beckett to betray Vos taking Chewbacca hostage and leaving with the hyper-fuel. Qi’ra seems to betray Han as they go toe-to-toe with Vos only to turn the tables and kill her employer at the last second. She then sends Han after Chewie and the hyper-fuel while she reports to the leader of Crimson Dawn (Darth Maul) that Vos was murdered by Tobias. Qi’ra then installs herself as Vos’ replacement and strands Solo and Chewie, taking the ship to rendezvous with Maul on Dathomir. Han has a final showdown with Beckett, resulting in Han shooting first for the first time. Crushed but not defeated by Qi’ra’s final betrayal, Han and Chewie track down Lando, Han wins his ship, and the film ends as the duo hurtle through hyperspace towards a desert planet called Tatooine, a big gangster, and one big job.

Third acts are hard. This does not excuse Solo’s overcrowded, overcomplicated, and poorly paced third act but it is important to remember that it isn’t just Star Wars movies that hobble themselves by trying to do too much in their third acts. Despite this convoluted sag at the end of the film, Solo is briskly paced, sports well executed set pieces, and it’s cast trades enough charisma and chemistry to make the fun of this film outshine its shortcomings. Solo is a great example of the Star Wars films refining the formula for churning out content that resists genre and franchise fatigue. Solo attempted a very clever variation on the opening title sequence that Rogue One awkwardly ignored and botched with an off-putting font choice, and while I still cringe at Disney’s commitment to the ‘A Star Wars Story’ subtitle for these anthology films the title sequence for Solo was surprisingly pleasant. Also, these film makers are slowly figuring out the balance that needs to be struck between nostalgia Easter eggs and new content. There are moments in Rogue One and Force Awakens where the instances of ‘oh hey, do you remember this from Star Wars!?’ cross the border of fan service into pandering territory. Solo does a better, but not perfect, job of balancing these little nods.

Also, Solo is intimate and smaller in scale than previous Star Wars films, which is to its credit. This is another testament, as was Rogue One, of the Star Wars Universe as a setting where all kinds of stories can take place. This film was a ‘scum and villainy’ side story, a heist film, and an origin where whole fleets didn’t have to do battle, Jedi didn’t have to use mind tricks, and the fate of the universe wasn’t at stake. The way I see these Anthology films is as the tempering ground for Star Wars as a setting, a vehicle for all sorts of stories grandiose and minute in scale and impact, rather than a saga exclusively following the history of the Skywalkers and the Jedi. To that end, Solo is a great next step in solidifying this universe as a place where great stories can continue to take place. Until next time, Geek On!

Revenge of the Sith brought a whole new darker tone to the beginning of the series. Having started off kind of weak, we did get a bit of a stronger ending to the prequel trilogy. Of course, who could forget the iconic moment where Anakin finally becomes Vader? I'm still questioning how we went from madly in love with Padmé to slaughtering baby Jedi, but...this is the same franchise that thought Jar Jar was acceptable.

The darker themes in this film played more to that of my favorite original movie, The Empire Strikes Back. This film is filled with betrayal, crazy political moves, and really epic lightsaber battles. Which, seriously, Samuel L Jackson with a purple lightsaber? Still my favorite thing ever. Until he gets killed by Anakin that is. Which, okay, let's take another moment here. 

Say you're the Jedi. And there's literally a lot of you. The Sith always just have two, right? But there is this kid out there who will bring balance to the Force.....I'm not saying I'm really good at math, but a ton of you vs. two of them? I'd say forget the balance, get rid of the kid and go deal with the Sith. Then again, years later, I am still violently upset about what that bastard did to all those Jedi kids! Not cool!

On the subject of not cool, let's talk about Padmé's death scene in general. At least she lived long enough to name her little munchkins. There are debates about that scene and there have been many who speculate that the Emperor steals her life energy to give to our new Darth Vader. But, either way, it was a strange ending to her life, and really...she deserved way better than that.

Having the chance to see this film in theaters was a mix between awesome and strange. Easily it was the strongest of the prequels, since it plays a pivotal role in telling the story. Better yet, knowing just how we got to where we begin with Rogue One and Episode IV  and I guess... Solo​, is a nice way to wrap everything up when all is said and done. Still, it was the end of the franchise at the time, or so we thought.....

I think we can all agree on one thing when it comes to the prequels in the Star Wars universe, they all have an awful reputation. From Jar Jar Binks to some dubious performances, we all have our reasons for despising something about the prequels. But The Rise of Skywalker is about to arrive in theaters, and it's a magical time, so for today's review of Episode II: Attack of the Clones, let's forget about the stuff we hate and celebrate the good about this film.

Now I'm sure someone reading this is raising an eyebrow, wondering exactly what could be good about this film and that's fair, since there's a lot of rough spots in Clones. But here's the thing, whether we like it or not, the second entry in the series is actually an important one when it comes to the Star Wars mythos. After all, it is filled with plot points that would impact the franchise for years to come and if you're thinking I'm out of my mind...well look no further than the Clone Wars.

This is after all where this grand war began and the gravity of this war and everything that would come from it is underplayed upon the first viewing of this film and that's not a bad thing. We aren't supposed to realize that every character in this film is a pawn, we’re supposed to firmly believe that the heroes aren’t being sucked into some awful trap and that the day will indeed be saved. Of course, the grand mystery surrounding Count Dooku helps add an air of skepticism, but the story is engrossing enough that it feels like a euphoric and heroic tale through and through and it isn’t until later on that one realizes that this film is in fact, a grand and sweeping tragedy.

I say that, simply because there's a sadness that settles in upon further viewings, especially when you realize just how far Palpatine's power extends and how intricate his plans truly are. It gives the love story that one can easily regard as fluffy a certain sense of doom as well since this is the last time we will ever see Anakin and Padmé as innocents since the war will change everything. It's those subtle undertones that I applaud when it comes to this film and quite frankly, they allow me to forgive the cheesier moments in this film because let's be honest...there are plenty of them, but they are balanced by the weight of everything set up in this film, and it did such a good job with the setup that all of us had plenty of hearty conversations with our friends about what the third film might hold when it comes to how Anakin turns to the Dark Side.

That alone is why I give the prequels their passing grade, because they brought out the kid and the movie fan in all of us and to top it all off, I do have to give George Lucas some serious credit for blending together multiple genres in this prequel. After all, it is filled to the brim with science fiction wonder, but it also pays homage to the serial adventure stories of the 1940's and 1950's and I know I'll be giving this one a re-watch here in the coming days as I brace myself to return to theaters once again to see what kind of adventure will be waiting for all of us in The Rise of Skywalker. ​

You know what always bugged me? How they called these things episodes. I don't know why, it just did. I hadn't seen any of the films until I was living in Florida with my parents, and my dad was shocked to find out I hadn't seen them yet. An epic marathon ensued. Shortly after Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace came out. I... don't know what happened, but my inner nerd exploded. 

I think I saw that film in theaters more times than anyone should see that film. Yes, it has its down sides and characters that are annoying, but I liked it. It didn't help that I drug my friend Cass to see it constantly. I'm sure she might actually hold a grudge over it to this day! Either way, the thrilling tale of a young kid being a powerful Jedi waiting to happen, was kind of cool.

I can't tell you how many books I ended up owning from this franchise. Or how utterly obsessed I got with the whole ordeal. Sadly, I never have owned any Jedi robes. I did however have some very epic lightsaber battles in the garage with my dad and sister. Which was probably the coolest part about my childhood.

So, I'm not really going to recap the film, because we have all seen it, we all know what it's about, and it's the most hated film in the entire franchise. Which is a total epic feat all on its own. All I'm really going to say is that it's because of this movie coming out in my childhood that I got to experience some awesome nerd feelings. I wasn't old enough (at all!) to ever enjoy seeing any other film like that in my life time. 

I remember how excited everyone was leading up to it. And then the subsequent back lash that the film received. While Jar Jar and Pod Racing weren't really......cool, the film had its upsides. Like Natalie Portman and Liam Neeson being big enough nerds to do things like this, along with Ewan McGregor and of course the introduction of Samuel L. Jackson into the universe. So rag on it all you want, this one holds a special place in my heart because hey...it's Star Wars, and it's fun and that's what I think we forget when it comes to this movie.

​Christmas films have always painted a lovely picture. Regardless of the journey the character may face, be it good or be it bad there is always a happy ending in some form or fashion that celebrates the wonder of this iconic holiday. Yet since film is always our chance to escape, often times these movies gloss over some of the tougher parts of the holiday.  

For example, there are some members of our family that we don't always see until this special time of year because well...we just know better than to spend time with them or spend time talking to them. They are sometimes the black sheep to us, and often times their track record in life has put them in that tough and unique place and it is that gritty look at family and our relationships with those we keep at bay that is central to the movie, Happy Christmas. 

The plot of the film is quite simple.  Kevin and Kelly enjoy a simple life in the city of Chicago. Kevin is a filmmaker, Kelly a budding writer and they are preparing to enjoy a low-key Christmas when Kevin's sister, something of a screw up named Jenny, breaks up with her boyfriend and comes to spend the holidays with her brother and his family.  

The plot really is that easy to deal with because it's simply the catalyst for a fascinating character drama, specifically revolving around what an absolute mess Kevin's sister turns out to be. Jenny, played brilliantly by the talented Anna Kendrick, is a teenager at heart that never wants to grow up. It's all about the party for this twenty-seven year old and her antics quickly put her in an awkward position with her brother and sister-in-law.  

Yet the movie doesn't remain in such dark places for long, taking the opportunity to show that Jenny's outlook on life, while it may be reckless at times, also has its merits as she begins to inspire Kelly to change and evolve when it comes to her writing career. It's here where the film begins to grow as Kelly takes Jenny's advice and ideas on where her craft can go to heart and these are actually some lovely moments to watch as the two of them slowly bond and find a common ground they never knew they shared.

In fact that's what makes Happy Christmas such a lovely film. Despite the fact that it is a decidedly different Christmas film, delving into some ugly spots when it comes to Jenny and the screw up she truly is, it does its best to provide a hopeful and realistic outlook for the holiday. While there may be no angels here or the traditional cuddly finale, at its core it still serves to remind us to never stop hoping and dreaming and that family is still family regardless of their mistakes. Check this one out if you haven't yet, you'll definitely be glad you did.  

We are taught when we are young, that we should go hard in everything we do in life and take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way. Because in doing so, we never miss out on the wild twists and turns that life sometimes drops into our laps, and more importantly, we will be recognized in whatever career we so choose. Which will in turn allow for us to enjoy a comfortable and wonderful life where we can raise a family if we so choose and never have a care in the world because we work hard and earn our stripes on a daily basis. But unfortunately for all of us, we eventually come to learn that those particular lessons aren’t exactly true.
 
For sometimes dedicating one’s self to a job that may or may not value you, over anything else, leads to its own measure of unhappiness. Because some ‘careers’ prompt us to work hard out of fear of losing our job and pouring in that many hours to appease the boss can also prompt a family man or woman to stay away from the people, they cherish the most. But what’s more chilling is the sheer fact that sometimes the twists and turns that come our way, lead us down dark paths that are filled with heartbreak and loss and really the lesson inherent here is to find a path that offers balance and fulfillment, otherwise disaster might strike, and it just so happens that both of these grim elements are explored in great detail in Martin Scorsese’s latest gangster offering, The Irishman.
 
Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a man named Frank Sheeran, who takes the time to chronicle his unexpected career change from truck driver to mob hitman and how he helped to bring down Jimmy Hoffa back in the day and well, that simple plot summary doesn’t do this particular film justice in the slightest because this truly is an incredible masterpiece. For director Martin Scorsese takes the time to provide us with a sweeping journey, one that truly does chronicle Frank’s rise to gangster fame and how his dedication to the mob over anything else shapes his life in heartbreaking fashion and well, it is this exploration of Frank’s dedication to the wrong kind of job that makes this movie such a fascinating venture. 

​Because we truly watch Frank lose himself within the glamour and the glitz of the mob, all because it poses him the opportunity to provide a comfortable life for his family, specifically his daughters. But what he is ill prepared for is the fact that the secrecy that comes from his work and the need to drop everything to put someone down, creates a rift between him and his baby girls, leaving him in vulnerable and lonely places as the film rolls on and his isolation is only further brought about when he’s forced to make the tough choice to put down Hoffa, who is in many ways his best friend in the whole wide world. And I love the fact that this movie dives so deep into how dedication and loyalty to the wrong things can backfire since that is something that I honestly don’t see in gangster themed movies that often and that makes the ending of this film supremely bleak and powerful.
 
Yet a movie of this sweeping nature and epic run time don’t work in the slightest without a powerhouse cast to mesmerize you along the way, and thankfully this film features an incredible cadre of actors. In fact, this is truly a who’s who of Scorsese flicks since his usual go-to guys are present here. After all, Joe Pesci returns to the subgenre he in essence helped to put on the map and he is delightful and powerful in his role as Russell Buffalino and his sublime presence here serves as the anchor to everything in the story and he is beautifully contrasted by Al Pacino’s manic and powerhouse performance as Jimmy Hoffa, one which is wonderfully enhanced by some unexpected humility. But truly the centerpiece of this cast is Robert DeNiro, who plays Frank, and this is DeNiro at his finest. Since he once again plays the everyman in an odd place with the zest and zeal that only he can, and his ability to take us on a nearly sixty-year journey in one man’s life and properly sell every single phase of it is a monumental accomplishment in his already storied career.
 
However, I would be remiss to not talk about the one thing that has everyone buzzing in this film, which would be the special effects, since our trio are digitally de-aged before our eyes here and honestly, I feel this effect worked like a charm. Because it really does sell the grandiose life journey that we go on with these characters and there’s an odd sense of nostalgia in seeing this trio back in their prime so to speak and honestly, I don’t think the story would have worked well without this effect since it helps to sell several important moments. In the end however, this is a must-see film for cinephiles and lovers of the gangster genre and in all honestly, I would venture to say that this is Martin Scorsese’s magnum opus. Because this really is the finest gangster film he’s ever made and thankfully with it being on Netflix, we can now pick apart this masterpiece and savor every last moment because this one, really is something special and powerful, since it draws you into a life and a world that the vast majority of us know nothing about.