‘The Duke’ isn’t a regal biopic, but it’s a lovely one

“The Duke” (2022) – Roger Michell’s new movie isn’t a biopic about Duke University Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski, but the film’s title would be apropos for one.  Coach K is considered basketball royalty.  He won five national championships and ended his career in 2022 as the sport’s win leader with 1,202 victories against just 368 losses.  Indeed, the man deserves all the praise and adoration in the world, but after the unrelenting, unyielding, and insufferable press from January to April about his last season, this critic is profoundly relieved…

‘Memory’ is forgettable

“Memory” (2022) – “I’m the bad man.  Have been for a long time.” – Alex Lewis (Liam Neeson) Liam Neeson doesn’t always portray bad men in movies, but he’s played violent ones on the big screen for decades.  His prominent milestone performance – that most folks, including this critic, reference – is his turn as Bryan Mills, a one-man wrecking crew, in “Taken” (2008) and its sequels. “I will look for you.  I will find you, and I will kill you,” Mills famously says. “Taken” is the film that launched…

‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’ isn’t a heavy burden. It’s a light, enjoyable, and surreal escape, and at times, it’s a blast.

“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” (2022) – “This is a big night for me.  This is the first time I’ve been on national television on a talk show in 14 years.” – Nicolas Cage on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, April 20, 2022 Nicolas Cage has 110 acting credits (according to IMDb).  He has worked with the best in the business, including the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, Werner Herzog, John Woo, Spike Jonze, Ridley Scott, John Travolta, Kathleen Turner, Holly Hunter, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Penelope Cruz, Chris Cooper, Dennis Hopper,…