All Entries in the "Movies" Category
Oscar Roundtable
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Shutter Island: Scorsese and DiCaprio team up once again for an engaging psychological thriller
Set aside the gangster stories and the New York character dramas of the Martin Scorsese you know, because “Shutter Island” showcases the master filmmaker in a fresh mind-bender mode he’s never been in before. He directs an elaborate, ever-deepening search for the truth through an atmospheric maze of deception and the unexpected, all leading up [...]
From Paris with Love: John Travolta gives character to uneven but entertaining action flick
Now this is more like the John Travolta I know and love.
If it weren’t for him, “From Paris with Love” would just be another formulaic, secret agent shoot-em-up with some decent action sequences but little to make it stand out. However, with the benefit of Travolta’s rowdy, gleefully over-the-top and undeniably charismatic performance, “From Paris” [...]
Jeff Bridges’s Oscar-worthy performance enhances simple story of ‘Crazy Heart’
If “Avatar” proved one thing, it’s that a film doesn’t need an original plot to be terrific – if something else can make up for the copied story. But in the familiar tale of a faded star dependent on alcohol, searching for redemption through a good woman, overcoming those conventional origins calls for something more [...]
Daybreakers: Gory genre flick injects fresh blood into vampire cinema
After the rise of the Twilight phenomenon in today’s culture, the vampire genre seems to have lost its bite. What used to be seen as a vicious, blood-soaked and scary creature that feeds off humans is now thought of as an over-sensitive, whiny and wimpy pretty boy who courts a vulnerable teenage girl. Vampire fans [...]
“Youth in Revolt” receives a good review
Before seeing Youth in Revolt, I was banking on another stereotypical Michael Cera role featuring extremely uncomfortable conversations, the pursuit of a “perfect girl” and enough vintage t-shirts to clothe a Decemberists concert. In short, just another quirky coming of age film along the same lines as Juno and Superbad. Everything I counted on was [...]
Fan-friendly Boondock Saints sequel serves as a terrific follow-up to shoot-em-up predecessor
It’s been a decade since “The Boondock Saints” was released, and over the past ten years, the film has grown from its humble origins as just a little-known, independent action flick to one of the most widely appealing, watch-it-over-and-over-again cult classics of our time. Despite not receiving a legitimate theatrical release, it became an underground [...]
‘Christmas Carol’ provides genuine holiday cheer
I wanted to see Avatar.
But no. On the early morn of Christmas Eve, promptly 11 a.m., my mom told me I had twenty minutes to get ready for a family trip to the theaters.
Bah humbug.
It’s Winter Break, and I don’t taking my showers until 1 or 2 p.m. anyway. But in the spirit of Christmas, [...]
The Men Who Stare at Goats Review
In its trailer, “The Men Who Stare at Goats” had a man jumping off a roof, George Clooney flying through the air with imaginary daggers, it even had a goat keeling over apparently having been killed psychically. After watching it, one wouldn’t have more than a faint idea of the story that was told. That’s [...]
The Box: How Far Would You Go to Earn a Million Dollars?
Richard Kelly (“Donnie Darko,” “Southland Tales”) is a writer/director known for making very bizarre, perplexing thrillers that audiences either love or hate. His latest effort, “The Box,” continues this style. This adaptation of an old Twilight Zone episode, full of outlandish themes, is one of his most puzzling films to date.
“The Box” begins regularly enough, [...]
An Education: Artful dramedy teaches entertaining lessons in life and love
As the mainstream fall failures fade out of theaters, so the impressive dramas of Oscar season begin rolling in. Among the first wave of these is the period dramedy “An Education,” an engrossing coming-of-age tale set in 1961 London, and a lesson in solid feel-good filmmaking.
Jenny (Carey Mulligan), an intelligent 16 year old in an [...]
Top Ten Favorite Horror Movies
1. The Shining (1980) – Master director Stanley Kubrick’s epic slow-build creepfest is not only one of the scariest films ever made, but also one of horror’s most iconic and successful displays of style, story and suspense. A family lives in and works as a ghostly hotel’s caretakers during its closed winter months, while the [...]
‘Basterds’ makes for a bloody good time at the movies
Right from the start, Quentin Tarantino’s (“Pulp Fiction,” “Kill Bill”) comedic war thriller “Inglourious Basterds” oozes with the acclaimed writer/director’s unique style. Long camera takes, lots of engaging, realistic dialogue, fast-paced plotting, witty, offbeat humor and a sense of foreboding all come together to build the suspense, until it explodes in a violent climax of [...]
Paranormal Activity: Spine-tingling independent gem shocks audiences to the core
Forget “The Blair Witch Project,” “Cloverfield” and “Quarantine,” “Paranormal Activity” sets a new standard for the faux-documentary fright-fest. Never have I been so consistently creeped out during one movie as with this subtle, yet truly eerie story of a supernatural haunting. From hardcore horror fans to those who just like to be freaked out once [...]
There are a ton of movies vying for your weekend time, but few make the cut. Let Movie Professor Alex Lamb school you on what’s worth your lawn-mowing money.
Where the Wild Things Are
Remember reading this book with mom or dad when you were a kid, every night before bed? I know I sure do, and now that a live-action, larger-than-life version is finally hitting the big screen (in IMAX, no less), I can’t wait to relive this beloved aspect of my childhood.
In case [...]
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