Five Stars (for fans)
If you're a fan of the original, you'll enjoy this one. You can read a great article about Troy Duffy's quest to get the second made here. Billy Connolly, Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery all return in a fun romp.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Lucky Number Slevin
Five Stars
If you haven't seen this, rent it. Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley and Stanley Tucci head an amazing cast in a wildly entertaining film. The extra features are great as well.
If you haven't seen this, rent it. Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley and Stanley Tucci head an amazing cast in a wildly entertaining film. The extra features are great as well.
Reduced Shakespeare Company
Not reviewed.
As a fan of Shakespeare, I had such hopes for this. However, after talking to fellow fans, I decided I didn't have time to watch it. "Community theater gone wrong" was the one comment. Such is life. So many movies, so little time.
As a fan of Shakespeare, I had such hopes for this. However, after talking to fellow fans, I decided I didn't have time to watch it. "Community theater gone wrong" was the one comment. Such is life. So many movies, so little time.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
Four Stars
The movie itself was not quite four, but the extra features were fun enough for the four. Ray Romano, Denis Leary, and John Leguizamo return in the family friendly fare leading their herd away from a great flood. The "No Time for Nuts" short and Lequizamo dance instruction segment are hilarious.
The movie itself was not quite four, but the extra features were fun enough for the four. Ray Romano, Denis Leary, and John Leguizamo return in the family friendly fare leading their herd away from a great flood. The "No Time for Nuts" short and Lequizamo dance instruction segment are hilarious.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox
Five Stars
If you have loved the soap, and/or documentaries telling a uniquely human story you should really enjoy this film by Sara Lamm. For those unfamiliar with the soap, Dr. Bronner's is an organic, fair trade, product that has been around for 60 years. The film chronicles not only the founder, who believed in an "All One" world philosophy, but also the offspring and their relationship with the man and the product. The DVD extras are worth watching to gain an even greater appreciation for the company and it's impact on people. Thoroughly enjoyable.
If you have loved the soap, and/or documentaries telling a uniquely human story you should really enjoy this film by Sara Lamm. For those unfamiliar with the soap, Dr. Bronner's is an organic, fair trade, product that has been around for 60 years. The film chronicles not only the founder, who believed in an "All One" world philosophy, but also the offspring and their relationship with the man and the product. The DVD extras are worth watching to gain an even greater appreciation for the company and it's impact on people. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Sweeney Todd
Five Stars
This is an acquired taste, which I have, but I've known a few folks that really didn't like it. That said, if you liked the musical or vintage horror movies, you'll love Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's film. Great perfomances throughout, with a particularly funny turn from Sacha Baron Cohen.
This is an acquired taste, which I have, but I've known a few folks that really didn't like it. That said, if you liked the musical or vintage horror movies, you'll love Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's film. Great perfomances throughout, with a particularly funny turn from Sacha Baron Cohen.
Friday, July 24, 2009
In Theaters: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen
Two Stars
I realize I'm normally a huge fan of the popcorn movies for popcorn movies' sake, but this had so many continuity issues it was distracting. For example, I've been to DC a bunch, and I must have missed the airplane graveyard in the back of the Smithsonian. I realize Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg are laughing all the way to the bank, but just because you know you're going to make a billion dollars shouldn't mean you make such a disjointed film.
I realize I'm normally a huge fan of the popcorn movies for popcorn movies' sake, but this had so many continuity issues it was distracting. For example, I've been to DC a bunch, and I must have missed the airplane graveyard in the back of the Smithsonian. I realize Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg are laughing all the way to the bank, but just because you know you're going to make a billion dollars shouldn't mean you make such a disjointed film.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Role Models
Four Stars
This is the perfect popcorn comedy. A little slow at the start, but Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott put in fun performances as friends who turn from community service mentors, instead of prison, into heroes of an interesting variety.
This is the perfect popcorn comedy. A little slow at the start, but Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott put in fun performances as friends who turn from community service mentors, instead of prison, into heroes of an interesting variety.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Wrestler
Five Stars
How Bruce Springsteen didn't get the Oscar for his song still blows my mind. Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei were great. Great great film.
How Bruce Springsteen didn't get the Oscar for his song still blows my mind. Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei were great. Great great film.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Burn After Reading
Four Stars
Enjoyed this one. Great cast (Clooney, Pitt, Malcovich, McDormand) in a fun little story. Usual Cohen brother twists, but that's part of why it's a good time.
Enjoyed this one. Great cast (Clooney, Pitt, Malcovich, McDormand) in a fun little story. Usual Cohen brother twists, but that's part of why it's a good time.
The Assassination of Jesse James
Four Stars
Brad Pitt makes a great Jesse James, and Casey Affleck is an excellent Robert Ford. Amazing cast. Only reason not a five star is because I did get rather bored at a couple points, but definitely worth adding to the Queue.
Brad Pitt makes a great Jesse James, and Casey Affleck is an excellent Robert Ford. Amazing cast. Only reason not a five star is because I did get rather bored at a couple points, but definitely worth adding to the Queue.
The King of Kong
Five stars
About the third time I've seen this documentary, and it never gets old. It's about the two best players in the world at Donkey Kong, and their epic battle to claim the world record score. The extra features include film fest Q and A, which are excellent.
About the third time I've seen this documentary, and it never gets old. It's about the two best players in the world at Donkey Kong, and their epic battle to claim the world record score. The extra features include film fest Q and A, which are excellent.
Slumdog Millionaire
Five Stars
Yeah. It was pretty amazing. Now we just have to hope Danny Boyle can lift those kids out of poverty. I saw they bought a house for one, at a cost of $50,000. That's a pittance compared to the film's haul. They need to do more.
Yeah. It was pretty amazing. Now we just have to hope Danny Boyle can lift those kids out of poverty. I saw they bought a house for one, at a cost of $50,000. That's a pittance compared to the film's haul. They need to do more.
Tropic Thunder
Four Stars
Not as rip roaring funny as I thought it'd be. That said, still very good. Ben Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr. and Jack Black make it a lot of fun. The cameos and bit parts are hilarious though.
Not as rip roaring funny as I thought it'd be. That said, still very good. Ben Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr. and Jack Black make it a lot of fun. The cameos and bit parts are hilarious though.
Wordplay
Five Stars
One of the most unique documentaries I've ever seen. Takes a cultural icon in Will Shortz, Editor of the NY Times crossword, and shows his impact on people. Amazing. The bonus features stretch it out to about a three hour experience and it's worth every minute.
One of the most unique documentaries I've ever seen. Takes a cultural icon in Will Shortz, Editor of the NY Times crossword, and shows his impact on people. Amazing. The bonus features stretch it out to about a three hour experience and it's worth every minute.
Michael Clayton
Five Stars
This was flat out awesome. I bought it the day after I watched it.
Anyone who hasn't seen this George Clooney film really should. It's easily my favorite role he's been in since O Brother Where Art Thou. Needless to say, this is completely different.
This was flat out awesome. I bought it the day after I watched it.
Anyone who hasn't seen this George Clooney film really should. It's easily my favorite role he's been in since O Brother Where Art Thou. Needless to say, this is completely different.
War, Inc.
Three Stars
I was really disappointed in this. Granted, the previews led me to believe it was along the lines of Grosse Pointe Blank, but I didn't expect John Cusack to play the exact same guy. Some smart parts, and Ben Kingsley was very entertaining.
I was really disappointed in this. Granted, the previews led me to believe it was along the lines of Grosse Pointe Blank, but I didn't expect John Cusack to play the exact same guy. Some smart parts, and Ben Kingsley was very entertaining.
Tom Dowd and the Language of Music
Five Stars
Great documentary about the man behind so many of the songs people know. This showed at the Waterfront Film Festival years back, and I loved it then and still love it now.
Great documentary about the man behind so many of the songs people know. This showed at the Waterfront Film Festival years back, and I loved it then and still love it now.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
What Just Happened?
Four Stars.
Robert De Niro stars as a movie producer needing a hit as his life falls apart. It was a very funny look at the business. Catherine Keener was a riot.
Robert De Niro stars as a movie producer needing a hit as his life falls apart. It was a very funny look at the business. Catherine Keener was a riot.
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