The Bearded Trio

Brad’s April Escape - Part 19 April 29 - Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Each weekday this month, I’ll screen a film from The Bearded Trio Cinematic Universe and list 10 random scenes, characters, musical cues or performances that I particularly enjoy and look forward to upon every viewing. I’d love to hear similar little things you enjoy about these films, and hope you join me in this escape from the present-day world. Next up is the final entry in the Skywalker Saga, coming out on Disney+ next week, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). The Rise of Skywalker - An Introduction This was it. The last film in the Skywalker Saga was finally upon us, just a few short months ago. The story of Rey, Finn and Poe came to a conclusion in a film that can only be described as "big." Big settings, big stakes for our characters, big implications on the rest of the saga. I'll be up front with this - the sequel trilogy, as a whole, did not resonate ...

Brad’s April Escape - Part 16 April 24 - Star Wars: The Last Jedi Each weekday this month, I’ll screen a film from The Bearded Trio Cinematic Universe and list 10 random scenes, characters, musical cues or performances that I particularly enjoy and look forward to upon every viewing. I’d love to hear similar little things you enjoy about these films, and hope you join me in this escape from the present-day world. Next up is a film that effectively split the fan community, but a film I immensely respect, Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). The Last Jedi - An Introduction You probably either loved or hated Episode VIII, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson. After the giddy popularity, and (sorry) predictability of The Force Awakens, Johnson executed his own vision for Star Wars with this entry in the Skywalker Saga. TLJ took chances. It was bold. It wasn't afraid to redefine some traditional Star Wars tropes. It took the beloved Luke Skywalker...

Brad’s April Escape - Part 10 April 16 - Star Wars: The Force Awakens Each weekday this month, I’ll screen a film from The Bearded Trio Cinematic Universe and list 10 random scenes, characters, musical cues or performances that I particularly enjoy and look forward to upon every viewing. I’d love to hear similar little things you enjoy about these films, and hope you join me in this escape from the present-day world. Next up is the film that brought Star Wars into a new era,  Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) The Force Awakens - An Introduction I'll be up front about this - I am not the biggest fan of the Sequel Trilogy. Narratively, it's a mess and suffers from a lot of issues inherent in key decisions about the plot and characters across the three films. But this is not the place for me to air grievances. My presence on this website will be a positive and supporting one. There's enough negativity on the net about Star Wars, and well, pretty much...

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Starring Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega. Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domnhall Gleeson, Kellie Marie Tran, Kerri Russell,  Richard E. Grant,  Ian McDiarmid   and Billy Dee Williams Screenplay Chris Terrio and JJ Abrahms Directed by J.J. Abrams Reviewed by Paul & Patrick Gibbs  Out of Four When we first saw a press screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, most of us who attended the screening fell in love with the film and considered it a masterpiece. When we ran into writer and Star Wars expert Bryan Young later that evening at another screening, we talked between us about how much we loved Rian Johnson's film."I think it's safe to say J.J. Abrams has the hardest job in the world following it", Byan remarked.  Of course it turned out that The Last Jedi became the most divisive film in the entire franchise, loved by some and hated by others. But Bryan was sti...

BLACKKKLANSMAN John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, Topher Grace Based on Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth Screenplay by Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Wilmott and Spike Lee Directed by Spike Lee Reviewed by Patrick Gibbs and Paul Gibbs   Out of Four We're a little late in reviewing this one due to a brief hiatus, but we couldn't possibly let it go by without giving our strongest recommendation. In 1972, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is hired as the first black detective in the Colorado Springs  police department. Stallworth is initially assigned to work in the records room, where he faces mistreatment from his coworkers. Stallworth requests to transfer to go undercover, and is assigned to a local rally by national civil rights leader, Kwame Ture (Corey Hawkins of 24: Legacy and Kong: Skull Island ), who has taken the name of African leaders. John David Washington and Adam Driver. Images Courtesy Focus Features...

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Starring Mark Hamill,  Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyon'go, Domnhall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran,  Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro Written and Directed by Rian Johnson Reviewed by Patrick Gibbs & Paul Gibbs   Out of Four A couple of years ago, in theaters not at all far away, Star Wars: The Force Awaken s took the entertainment world by storm by bringing the beloved franchise back to its place as the hottest property on the planet (Earth) and becoming the highest grossing film of all time worldwide. For some, it was much needed apology for the lackluster prequels, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, some dismissed it as merely a point by point rehash of  A New Hope. We can honestly say that   we sympathize with both feelings, but ultimately do not subscribe to either point of view (you're going to find that a great ma...