First Man movie review.

Given our many differences and political walls, especially in the modern age we live in, it's easy for us as a people to become cynical and get lost in the shuffle of constant bickering and political biases. But if there's one thing any of us can come together for, it's when witnessing history in the making, of a truly spectacular and transcendental event forever changing the world we know, and that hopefully this change will inspire and unite us for ages to come.

Such was an extraordinary event when the crew of Apollo 11, captained by astronaut Neil Armstrong, successfully landed on the moon and returned safely to earth. Punctuated by Armstrong's powerful declaration "it's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," the image of Armstrong's first step on the moon's surface has become ingrained not only in American culture, but in world history, becoming an iconic and inspirational staple of the wonder man can achieve. In his follow-up to La La Land, director Damien Chazelle reteams with actor Ryan Gosling to bring Armstrong's great achievement to life, in the fittingly excellent First Man.

A Star is Born movie review.

"Remake" is seen as something of a dirty word, often in the context of thoroughly unnecessary cash-ins that only clog the continually unoriginal Hollywood system even more, putting their effort into an idea that most likely has its definitive representation, and in that case what can you really hope to top. And to be fair, remakes like Point Break certainly validate this apathy towards them, but it can also yield better efforts like The Fly. And even if those the likes of A Star is Born, itself a product of three remakes, doesn't necessarily top its earliest predecessor, the template of what that film deals with is still versatile enough to justify different interpretations.

So coming into this new version of A Star is Born, marking Bradley Cooper's directorial debut, I found myself in an interesting position. I have to admit I've not seen prior interpretations to this story. I came into it fresh, so in essence, this new version was tailor made for people like me. And I think this film proves that not only can such a story still hold relevance from decades ago, but detached from its source, it can stand and endure superbly on its own. A Star is Born is fantastic!