PROJECT HAIL MARY – Review by Susan Granger

Directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord’s optimistic adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 best-seller follows an earnest molecular biologist who befriends an extraterrestrial in an effort to save both their planets from extinction. The story begins as utterly confused Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) awakens from years of induced hyper-sleep – alone – on a spacecraft. He’s not an astronaut; he’s a middle-school science teacher from Cleveland who’s been reluctantly recruited to unlock the mystery of the solar parasite Astrophage, a single-celled micro-organism that’s devouring the energy of stars – like the Earth’s sun

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PROJECT HAIL MARY – Review by T.J. Callahan

Based on the Andy Weir novel of the same name, Project Hail Mary shoots a human farther into the universe than any mortal has ever flown, to relay a down to Earth story of perseverance, bravery and mercy. Black dots are eating away at the sun. In 30 years our planet will be colder, hungrier and less populated. A group of scientists from around the world, in connection with NASA, plan a massive endeavor to thwart the source to save mankind. Science teacher Ryland Grace, played by Ryan Gosling, is the chosen one to part the heavens for this meticulous mission.

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PROJECT HAIL MARY – Review by Susan Kamyab

Project Hail Mary is the second film adaptation of a book by Andy Weir and is directed by the hilarious dynamic duo, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Their comedy is prevalent throughout the film, but the whopping two hour and 36-minute runtime needs more than humor to keep audiences engaged. To be clear, Project Hail Mary is not bad, it’s just not what audiences might expect after seeing space films like The Martian, Gravity, or even Interstellar. And in all honesty, that may be a good thing.

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PROJECT HAIL MARY – Review by Valerie Kalfrin

Ryan Gosling’s considerable charm almost meets its match in a rocklike alien full of wit and pathos in Project Hail Mary, an uplifting adventure about learning you really do have the right stuff. Including breathtaking IMAX imagery, this big-hearted sci-fi story hinges on an enchanting interstellar friendship that doesn’t hit one false note. In sports, a Hail Mary is a last-ditch effort with your back against the wall. In Project Hail Mary, that effort scores an enriching friendship, a balm for two souls in the vast and the dark and encouragement for anyone who thinks they can’t meet the moment.

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THE FALL GUY – Review by Susan Granger

After their appearances on many TV talk shows, it’s obvious that Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are playful co-stars and had great fun filming their new action comedy The Fall Guy. So it’s too bad that the film kind of fizzles. Loosely based on a similarly titled TV series, it revolves around the trials and tribulations of movie stuntman Colt Seavers (Gosling), who has been working for years doubling for Hollywood superstar Tom Ryder, (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who claims he does all his own death-defying stunts.

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THE FALL GUY – Review by T.J. Callahan

The Fall Guy is a movie about a big screen stuntman told from the eyes of a stuntman so everything is bigger, louder and more dangerous. It’s a movie within a movie within the making of a movie based on a TV show. If you can follow that, there’s a good chance you can keep up with this action-packed, tongue-in-cheek homage to the unsung heroes of film. Loosely based on the 1980’s Lee Majors television action series about stuntman Colt Seavers who moonlights as a bounty hunter, this Fall Guy puts pretty boy Ryan Gosling in the crosshairs of conspiracy as a down and out daredevil, fresh off an almost career-ending accident, now tasked with tracking down the missing movie star of his ex-girlfriend’s blockbuster film in order to save his own life.

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THE FALL GUY – Review by Susan Kamyab

Ryan Gosling takes on his most thrilling role yet in Universal Pictures newest comedy, The Fall Guy. It’s best not to take this film too seriously, it’s based on the 1981 television series and pays tribute to stunt work, taking full advantage of any opportunity for high-flying tricks. To say this film is action-packed would be an understatement. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt dazzle on-screen. The two of them surprisingly convey enough heart to charm audiences even while they make you burst out laughing from their several comedic scenes. “The Fall Guy” is an exciting moviegoing experience, providing jaw-dropping action, loveable leads, killer soundtrack, and ridiculous chaotic fun. Making it the perfect popcorn flick.

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THE FALL GUY – Review by Nadine Whitney

The Fall Guy is the kind of film which is throwing everything at the wall and hoping some of it sticks. Thankfully most of it does. David Leitch might have mentioned at some point he used to be a stuntman. In fact, it is his stock and trade along with Chad Stahelski – and it’s how they came up with 87North formula which gave audiences John Wick, Nobody, and a plethora of other action films. Bombast and heart – being ridiculous, over the top, and violent. Frantic, frenetic, and sometimes absolutely nonsensical.

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AWARDS INTELLIGENCER: The Snubs Heard Round the BARBIE Dreamhouse Bubble – Thelma Adams Reports

I empathize with the director’s need to come from her heart. I honor the genuine disappointment that Gerwig and her star Robbie might have experienced after riding their wave of hype and success. Still, let’s insert a little context here. Barbie, despite its eight Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Ryan Gosling) and Actress (America Ferrara), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and two Best Songs, is not your typical Oscar-winner.

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BARBIE – Review by Jennifer Green

Less than a week into its release, Barbie was already well on its way to becoming a social phenomenon. That seems fitting for the source material. Director Greta Gerwig is extremely faithful to Barbie’s style, history and various incarnations, and her team has done a dazzling job of creating a life-size world of Dreamhouses, pink convertibles and candy-colored props. Also like its namesake doll, the movie’s global appeal is reinforced by the simplicity of its messages. There’s nothing subtle about Barbie. We like playing with her without having to think too hard.

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