Ryan Beltram, journalist

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Film Fanatic: ‘Cold Pursuit’ Review

'Cold Pursuit' tries to be pulpy and clever but ends up feeling like one of those copycat Tarantino movies from the '90s. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’ Review

'Velvet Buzzsaw' fails to live up to its intriguing premise, a slasher movie set in the contemporary art scene, due to wild tonal shifts, underdeveloped characters and a stail visual look. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Glass’ Review

M. Night Shyamalan's once promising superhero franchise ends with a whimper. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Free Solo’ Review

'Free Solo' is a white-knuckle ride about one man's desire to become the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's El Capitan Wall. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Escape Room’ Review

'Escape Room' is a sometimes clever, mostly silly horror thriller that wears out its welcome as the film progresses. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ Review

'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' is not only one of the best Spider-Man movies ever made, it's the best animated movie of the year. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Blindspotting’ Review

Despite tackling such heady topics as race, police brutality and gentrification, 'Blindspotting' is a smart and funny film thanks to terrific direction, wonderful perfomances and a sharp screenplay. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Halloween’ Review

'Halloween' is the best sequel to the original classic, but that's not saying much. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Venom’ Review

'Venom' is an outlier in today's superhero landscape by embracing the silliness of the genre for better or worse. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘BlacKkKlansman’ Review

Despite its relevancy on current events, 'BlacKkKlansman' fails in its execution due to tone and lack of character development. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Mile 22’ Review

Mile 22 is a forgetabble and ugly action movie that fails on every level. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Eighth Grade’ Review

'Eighth Grade' is a gloriously awkward look into the life of a 13-year-old girl in the age of social media. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ Review

'Mission: Impossible - Fallout' is the best action movie of the year and the reason we go to the movies in the first place. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Skyscraper’ Review

Not even The Rock can save 'Skyscraper' from feeling like a generic action movie. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ Review

'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' is a lazy sequel where characters make moronic decisions. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Tag’ Review

Despite a likeable cast, 'Tag' fails to live up to its clever premise due to one-dimensional characters and not enough self awarness. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ Review

'Solo: A Star Wars Story' ignores lore and pathos and instead embraces the fun and light-heartedness of Star Wars. But did we really need a Han Solo movie? Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Deadpool 2’ Review

'Deadpool 2' delivers more of the same humor and bloody violence you loved from the original. But is that a good thing? Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Tully’ Review

'Tully' is both an emotional roller coaster and satirical celebration of motherhood. Keep Reading

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Film Fanatic: ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Review

Avengers: Infinity War is the culmination of 10 years and 18 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Keep Reading

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Forecast For 06/18/2019

Today's High: 79

Today's Low: 47

Tomorrows High: 74

Just a bit cooler with lots of sunshine today.

ADVISORIES

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UNTIL 9 PM WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON. HEALTH ADVISORIES: A PERMANENT HEALTH ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTH UMPQUA RIVER BAR. POOLS IN THE BEDROCK ALONG THE RIVERS EDGE ARE KNOWN TO DEVELOP BLUE-GREEN ALGAE (CYANOBACTERIAL) BLOOMS THAT CAN BE HARMFUL TO PETS AND PEOPLE IF ACCIDENTAL INGESTION OCCURS. SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED ALONG SEVERAL ACCESS AREAS ALONG THE RIVER.

Weather Pattern

An Upper Level High Pressure Ridge (Shaded “Arch” shaped area with arrows) over the Pacific Ocean is strengthening and along with a thermal (heat induced) low along the coast will be keeping us seasonably warm. The graphics for days 1-3 shows a frontal system pushing through by this AM. The graphics for days 3-7 show no major frontal systems in the Pacific Northwest from Thursday through next Monday. Note: Summer officially begins at 8:54 AM PDT with the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year) this Friday June 21st ushering in Astronomical Summer. Meteorological Summer began June 1st.

Eugene Area Forecast

Some AM clouds, mostly sunny and a bit cooler this afternoon, clear tonight,
Mostly sunny and a bit cooler Wednesday, mostly clear at night,
Partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of AM showers, partly cloudy and a bit cooler Thursday afternoon and Thursday night.
highs 79-68 lows 49-47.
Mostly sunny and a bit cooler Friday, mostly clear at night,
Partly cloudy and a bit warmer Saturday and Saturday night,
A mix of clouds and sun and a bit cooler with a slight (20%) chance of showers Sunday and Monday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Sunday night.
highs 73-75 cooling to 72 Sunday lows 47-52. (seasonal averages high 74 low 48)

Umpqua Forecast

Partly cloudy this AM, sunny and a bit cooler in the afternoon, mostly clear tonight,
Sunny and a bit warmer Wednesday, mostly clear at night,
Mostly sunny and a bit cooler Thursday, then mostly clear Thursday night.
highs 85-73 lows 52-48.
Mostly sunny and a bit cooler Friday and Saturday, mostly clear Friday night, partly cloudy Saturday night,
Partly cloudy and a bit warmer Sunday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers at night,
Then partly cloudy and a bit cooler with a slight (20%) chance of showers Monday .
highs 75-78 cooling back to 75 Monday lows 50-53. (seasonal averages high 76 low 52)

Coos Bay Forecast

Some AM clouds, sunny this afternoon, mostly clear this evening, partly cloudy late tonight,
Sunny and a bit warmer Wednesday, then mostly clear Wednesday night,
Mostly sunny Thursday, then mostly clear Thursday night.
highs 63-66 cooling to 64 Sunday lows near 48.
Mostly sunny Friday, partly cloudy at night,
Partly cloudy Saturday and Saturday night,
AM clouds, a slight (20%) chance of showers and a bit warmer Sunday afternoon, then partly cloudy and a bit cooler with a slight (20%) chance of showers at night and Monday.
highs 63-65 cooling back to 63 Monday lows near 50. (seasonal averages high 62 low 51)

Cascades Forecast

Mostly sunny and a bit cooler today, mostly clear tonight,
Mostly sunny and a bit cooler Wednesday, mostly clear at night,
Partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of AM showers, just partly cloudy and a bit cooler Thursday afternoon and evening, partly cloudy late Thursday night.
free air freezing level 15,000 ft. today and tonight, 14,000 ft. falling to 13,000 ft. Wednesday afternoon, 13,000 ft. falling to 11,000 ft. late Wednesday night, snow level 6,000 ft. Thursday, then free air freezing 14,000 ft. falling to 13,000 ft. late Thursday night.
highs 72-56 lows 42-36.
Clouds and sun Friday AM, mostly sunny and a bit warmer in the afternoon, partly cloudy Friday night,
Some AM clouds, mostly sunny and a bit warmer Saturday afternoon, partly cloudy at night,
A mix of clouds and sun with a slight (20%) chance of showers and a bit cooler Sunday and Monday, partly cloudy with a slight (20%) chance of showers Sunday night.
free air freezing level 9,000 ft. rising to 10,000 ft. Friday afternoon, 11,000 ft. Friday night and Saturday, 12,000 ft. Saturday night, snow level 7,500 ft. Sunday, 7,500 ft. Sunday night, then 7,000 ft. Monday.
highs 62-64 cooling to 58 Monday lows near 40.

More Trailers & Reviews

‘Dark Phoenix’ Trailer 2

By Ryan Beltram

20th Century Fox has released a new trailer for Dark Phoenix. The follow-up to X-Men: Apocalypse sees our mutants attempting to control Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) as she struggles to harness her powers. This trailer reveals a possible major plot twist. But between the bad buzz this film has gotten (Multiple reshoots and bad test screenings) and Disney purchasing Fox, Dark Phoenix looks like an expensive flop that will officially end this iteration of X-Men on a whimper. The movie looks fine. But that's sort of the point. Dark Phoenix opens June 7.No Current Trailer

‘Rocketman’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Paramount has released the second trailer for Rocketman. The biopic follows Elton John's (Taron Egerton) rise to becoming one of the most beloved rock stars in the world. Music biopics are in right now so this was inevitable. I'm still a little concerned with Egerton singing as opposed to just lip-syncing John's voice. I'm not against real singing if it works (See: Walk the Line), but Egerton just doesn't sound like John and it might take me out of the movie. Rocketman opens May 31.No Current Trailer

‘The Highwaymen’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Netflix has released the first trailer for The Highwaymen. Starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson, the film follows a pair old school Texas Rangers trying to track down the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. Whereas 1967's Bonnie and Clyde glorified the outlaws, this film paints them as ruthless killers. Costner and Harrelson seem like an interesting duo to pair up and while I'm not a fan of director John Lee Hancock's past work, this could be an entertaining Depression-era gangster film. The Highwaymen arrives on Netflix on March 29.No Current Trailer

‘Leaving Neverland’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

HBO Films has released the first trailer for Leaving Neverland. The documentary follows Wade Robson and James Safechuck, two men who allege that pop singer Michael Jackson abused them as boys. There have been allegations against Jackson for many years yet the late singer has somehow managed to avoid much negative press. This controversial doc might shed some new light on his sordid past. Part one of Leaving Neverland airs on HBO on March 3rd and part two airs the following night.No Current Trailer

‘Long Shot’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Lionsgate has released the first trailer for Long Shot. The comedy follows an unlikely romance between a shlubby political writer (Seth Rogen) and his first crush and former babysitter who also happens to be Secretary of State (Charlize Theron). Director Jonathan Levine has a great track with Rogen (50/50, The Night Before) and the pairing of Rogen and Theron is so unique it just might work. Long Shot opens May 3.No Current Trailer

‘Ma’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Universal has released the first trailer for Ma. Octavia Spencer stars as a lonely woman who lives in a small Ohio town. When a group of teenagers ask her to buy them booze, she does them one better by letting them party in her basement. But this kind gesture eventually leads to obsession. This looks like another run-of-the-mill thriller in the vein of Single White Female. But it's nice to see Oscar-winner Spencer having a blast. Ma opens May 31.No Current Trailer

‘Yesterday’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Universal has released the first trailer for Yesterday. Directed by Danny Boyle, the film follows Jack Malik (Himesh Patel), a struggling musician. When Jack gets knocked out during a global blackout, he awakens to learn that no one other than him remembers the songs of The Beatles. Now he can finally live his dream of being a successful musician. But at what cost? This is a great premise that hopefully balances the "artist trying to find his own voice" story with the romance. Yesterday opens June 28.No Current Trailer

‘Shaft’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

New Line Cinema has released the first trailer for Shaft. A sequel to the long forgotten 2000 film, Shaft stars Samuel L. Jackson in the titular role as a badass private eye cleaning up the streets. I kind of enjoyed the 2000 film because it was treated as a throwback cop movie from the '70s plus Christian Bale and Jeffrey Wright were terrific bad guys. This new version seems to be going in an entirely different direction as more of a buddy cop movie. It makes sense considering its summer release, but I'm a little worried. A lot of the jokes fall flat and director Tim Story doesn't have a great track record. Nevertheless, Shaft opens June 14.No Current Trailer

‘Dumbo’ International Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Disney has released a new international trailer for the live-action remake of Dumbo. Tim Burton directs the classic Disney tale of a baby elephant born with big ears who has the ability to fly. While Burton seems like an out-of-the-box choice for this, he certainly has a track record for telling stories about outsiders so this might be the perfect fit. Dumbo opens March 29.No Current Trailer

‘Hobbs & Shaw’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Universal Pictures has released the first trailer for Hobbs & Shaw. A spinoff of the Fast & Furious franchise, the movie follows Dwyane Johnson and Jason Statham's characters reluctantly working together to stop a madman (Idris Elba) from destroying the world. This trailer is exactly what I was hoping for. A fun buddy cop movie with ridiculous action sequences and Johnson and Statham essentially winking at the camera and having a blast. Hobbs & Shaw opens August 2. Take my money.No Current Trailer

‘Hanna’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Amazon Studios has released the first trailer for their upcoming series, Hanna. An adaptation of the underrated 2011 film of the same name, Hanna follows a young girl trained to be a killer by her father (Joel Kinnaman). Mireille Enos also stars as the CIA agent trying to track her down. This trailer feels like a carbon copy of the 2011 film. But it's an interesting concept and I'm intrigued to see this world expanded into a series. The trailer also reveals that the first episode will be available to watch for Prime members for 24 hours following the Super Bowl. The entire series will be available to stream in March.No Current Trailer

‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

The first trailer for Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile has been released. Zac Efron stars as Ted Bundy, the notorious serial killer from the 1970s. The vibe from this trailer is not what I was expecting. Instead of being a dark, psychological exploration into the mind of Bundy, Vile appears to be more of an examination with the celebrity and media fascination with serial killers. Maybe it's just a bad trailer with horrible music, but this looks like a misfire. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile will make its debut at this year's Sundance Film Festival. A release date has not yet been set.No Current Trailer

‘The Beach Bum’ Redband Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

Neon has released a new redband trailer for The Beach Bum. Matthew McConaughey stars as Moondog, a mostly high individual bouncing around Miami. This looks like a cross between Lebowski and McConaughey's real life persona as a laid-back dude just livin life. Director Harmony Korine's signature neon-colored tone is on full display and the supporting cast, including Jonah Hill, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg and Zac Efron, is eclectic. The Beach Bum opens March 22.No Current Trailer

‘The Hummingbird Project’ Trailer

By Ryan Beltram

The first trailer for The Hummingbird Project has been released. The film follows cousins Vincent (Jesse Eisenberg) and Anton (Alexander Skarsgard) as they plot to run a line of fiber-optic cable underground from Kansas to New Jersey in order to gain an edge in high-frequency trading. The plot of this movie is so random and preposterous, I half-expected it to be based on a true story (It isn't). Nevertheless, it looks like the team behind it knows this and just wanted to make an entertaining movie. We'll wait and see. The Hummingbird Project opens March 15.No Current Trailer

Local Cinema Watch

Hello local cinephiles. With Christmas coming on Sunday it's a predictably light week for new movies. But that doesn't mean there's nothing new opening this week. The Bijou has one new film debuting and it's about the end of the world. Kind of depressing for the holidays but if that doesn't interest you, they're also holding a special two-night screening of It's a Wonderful Life. Now that's more like it. Read more →

Fighting Alzheimer’s with Music: The Love Music Revival

The Love Music Revival has traveled up and down the Colorado River, from Las Vegas, Nevada to Yuma, Arizona. Read more →

BJ’s Weekend Report

Hi there everybody - its BJ! Thanks for stopping by my little corner where every Friday I'm going to let you in on some ''where, when and what'' is happening for the weekend. Read more →