Review: Goon

Goon made it onto 241 screens during its theatrical release and at first glance most people would say that was 241 too many.  We all know what a good sports comedy flick looks like – Slap Shot, Happy Gilmore, Wildcats – and for much of the film, this one resides on the opposite end of the spectrum from those movies.  The script is sophomoric; vulgar for the sake of being vulgar; and void of any real humor.  To say that it plays like...

Read More

August 2012 Movie Guide

Celeste and Jesse Forever – August 3, 2012 Starring: Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones, Emma Roberts, Elijah Wood Why You Should See It: Because it seems to have a nice indie flair and sensibility about it. Why You Should Avoid It: Because it’s being marketed as a RomCom, but upon closer inspection, I get the feeling that it will play more like a Debbie-Downer-drama. And the Magic 8 Ball Says:  Girlfriend rules are applicable here. Total...

Read More

Review: Friends with Kids

Friends with Kids is a textbook example of the good ole bait and switch.  Trailers, one-sheets, and other marketing materials feed the consumer with a steady diet of Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, John Hamm, and Chris O’Dowd.  The goal clearly is to create an association between this film and the quartet’s last project together - Bridesmaids.  In doing so your expectations align to that film experience – the laugh out loud humor, the...

Read More

Review: Lockout

Here’s the deal with a project like Lockout.  With some decent script rewrites, a director with an eye for visual flair and a special effects budget to match, as well as an A-list talent attached to this project, what you might have on your hands is a summer tent-pole.  And without these elements, what you’re left with is a few vaguely familiar faces going through the motions in a stale forgettable film that barely warrants a short theatrical...

Read More

Review: The Dark Knight Rises (With Spoilers)

My review of The Dark Knight Rises in no way panders to that segment of comic book fans who have far too much invested in and an odd sense of entitlement over iconic superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Spiderman, et al.  Those fans are nearly impossible to please unless filmmakers deliver the exact film that these zealots have envisioned in their minds’ eyes.  Most often this does not happen and those individuals are left to rant and...

Read More

July 2012 Editorial: Top 30 Superhero Movies of the 21st Century

My favorite superhero movie of all-time is Richard Donner's Superman starring the late Christopher Reeve.  It isn’t a perfect movie, but no actor has ever personified a character lifted from the funny pages better than Reeve as the Man of Steel.  I would like to think that the movie has aged very well these past three decades but I am sure there are plenty who would disagree as superhero narratives – the way they are...

Read More

Review: Wrath of the Titans

One scene in Ted that really resonates with me is when Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane describe the 80’s cult classic Flash Gordon as “so bad but so good.”  I don’t know if a movie has ever been more accurately described in five simple words.  Another movie that I think falls into that category is the original Clash of the Titans starring Harry Hamlin.  The earnest attempt at special effects and the hit-and-miss acting all came...

Read More

Review: Savages

When I think of Oliver Stone movies, I think of Kevin Costner’s voice saying “back and to the left; back and to the left,” while the same set of frames from the Zapruder film are shown repeatedly.  Sure, Stone has directed over 20 films, but it’s his films associated with some sort of political or social agenda for which he is best remembered.  In regards to his latest movie, Savages, I’ve seen it written that Stone has seemingly made...

Read More

Review: One for the Money

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the po...

Read More

Review: To Rome with Love

If you have never been to Rome, you will long to visit the eternal city after watching To Rome with Love.  And if you’ve been before then you will find yourself itching for a return trip.  Woody Allen’s latest film does an amazing job of framing captivating visuals of some of the most tourist-friendly parts of the city.  As one who has been a few times before, I found myself easily navigating the geography of the city during the...

Read More

Review: Man on a Ledge

The trailers for Man on a Ledge really did nothing for me.  The supporting cast looked excellent on paper with Eddie Burns, Elizabeth Banks, Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, and Jamie Bell, but Sam Worthington as the lead dulled my interest.  I know he has a big following post-Avatar, but this is the same person who was the lead in Clash of the Titans, The Debt, and Terminator Salvation.  So in my mind, a Sam Worthington...

Read More