Reviews

Cop Out Review

Published on: 10th March, 2010

The first scene in Kevin Smith’s latest comedy, Cop Out, sets the tone for the rest of his buddy cop farce.  Belabored by a recurring mispronunciation bit that overstays its welcome, the script — written by Robb and Mark Cullen, not Smith — desperately attempts to establish the concept is an “homage” to classic police [...]

The Crazies Review

Published on: 10th March, 2010

Breck Eisner’s The Crazies is a tense, fun little horror thriller that is heavy on the scares and light on the cultural subtext.  Executive produced by horror legend and director of the 1973 original, George A. Romero, the remake steers clear of any obvious agenda about “zombiefied” Red State denizens and focuses its attention solely [...]

The Ghost Writer Review

Published on: 26th February, 2010

Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer has its own haunt to contend with. The Oscar-winning director is under house arrest in a Swiss chateau nearly 33 years after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old.  The legal controversy over his crimes, potential extradition, and the ensuing public debate has cast a stigma over [...]

The Box Review

Published on: 23rd February, 2010

Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko is a highly-regarded cult classic and a personal favorite of mine.  Even after the disaster that was Southland Tales, I felt obligated to give the writer/director another chance, which is why I was drawn to his third film (now available on DVD) out of eager curiosity towards a (formerly?) gifted young [...]

Shutter Island Review

Published on: 18th February, 2010

In his fourth collaboration with the masterful Martin Scorsese, 35-year-old actor Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a captivating performance as a man haunted by his violent past.  Together these two artists unravel a psychological thriller of suspense and spooks that recalls a classic Hitchcockian style.
In Shutter Island, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) gathers his nerves for a [...]

Valentine’s Day Review

Published on: 11th February, 2010

Valentine’s Day is an assorted box of candy hearts with something-for-everyone situations that deliver a message as heartfelt as “Fax Me.”  Commercialism is packaged with celebrity familiarity and holiday timeliness, distracting from otherwise weak, saccharine stories told countless times before.
Two veterans of “That 70’s Show,” two Taylors, two Jessicas, McDreamy, McSteamy, two Roberts, and plenty more Hollywood coupling, all [...]

Remember Me Script Review

Published on: 5th February, 2010

In 2008, Will Fetters’ script “Memoirs” (now titled Remember Me) gained recognition from Hollywood types, landed on the Black List with six votes, prompted a sale, and will (on March 12) become his first feature credit.
Twilight: Eclipse’s Robert Pattinson is starring in yet another Summit Entertainment release and surrounded with the capable cast of Oscar-winner Chris [...]

Edge of Darkness Review

Published on: 30th January, 2010

After a seven year hiatus from acting, Mel Gibson and his scowling features return to the silver screen more creased and fatigued than you might remember and angrier than he’s ever been.   Channeling the vintage Mad Mel of Payback and Ransom, the 56-year-old glowers his way through yet another revenge plot in a formidable [...]

Michael Jackson’s This Is It Review

Published on: 23rd January, 2010

Michael Jackson’s This Is It is a concert collage, pieced together from various rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage, accompanied by the nagging reminder that the title is eerily accurate.
A title card provides context for the Michael Jackson’s return to the stage, a series of 50 sold out concerts in London at the age of 50 that [...]

Extraordinary Measures Review

Published on: 23rd January, 2010

Based on a true story, Extraordinary Measures examines the great lengths John Crowley (Brendan Fraser) and his wife Aileen (Keri Russell) endure to discover a treatment for Pompe’s disease, a fatal genetic disorder that afflicts their two youngest children.
The MS-like condition means their kids’ weakened, wheelchair-bound bodies are unable to break down glycogen (the stored form [...]

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