‘Sharper’: Engaging performances and brisk pacing are a cut above some semi-farfetched threads

“Sharper” (2023) – “Is this real?” – Sandra (Briana Middleton) “This is real.” – Tom (Justice Smith) This lovely, intimate exchange between two 20-somethings in a New York City bookstore carries a double meaning.  Tom shows Sandra an original edition of “Jane Eyre”, and her question refers to the famous novel and the evident spark between them. Tom has been coping with depression for a while, and now, this beautiful NYU Ph.D. student walks into his shop and makes small talk, and before you can say, “I would always rather…

Despite the story’s grander scale, this ‘Ant-Man’ sequel falls short

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (2023) – “The cracks between the paving stones, like rivers of flowing veins.  Strange people who know me, peeping behind every windowpane.” – “The Real Me” (1973) by The Who “The Real Me” is a track from “Quadrophenia”, which quasi-shares a connection to the third Ant-Man film, a movie that kicks off the MCU’s fifth phase.  The aforementioned lyrics almost describe the setting – the Quantum Realm – of “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”.  The locale is a bizarre spot, a micro-universe on a subatomic…

Five Memorable Movie Kisses

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Here’s to all the couples out there who have found love and are celebrating it…today and all year ‘round. Around here at ArtHouseFilmWire, we like to revel in movies every day. Since it’s February 14, let’s look at Five Memorable Movie Kisses, and note, not all of these kisses are romantic. 1. “No one’s asking you to.” – Francesca Johnson (Meryl Streep), “The Bridges of Madison County” (1995) When Francesca’s family is away at a fair for four days, this Iowa housewife meets photographer Robert Kincaid (Clint…