Reviewing The Queue

In Theaters: Boondock Saints II

2009-10-29T18:18:00.003-04:00

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.

Lucky Number Slevin

2009-08-20T14:16:00.002-04:00

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.

Reduced Shakespeare Company

2009-08-20T14:14:00.001-04:00

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.

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

2009-07-30T13:56:00.003-04:00

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.

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox

2009-07-28T22:45:00.003-04:00

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.

Sweeney Todd

2009-07-28T17:37:00.004-04:00

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.

In Theaters: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen

2009-07-24T13:07:00.004-04:00

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.

Role Models

2009-07-22T18:09:00.005-04:00

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 instead of prison mentors into heroes of an interesting variety.

The Wrestler

2009-07-21T21:19:00.003-04:00

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.

Burn After Reading

2009-07-17T00:26:00.003-04:00

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.

The Assassination of Jesse James

2009-07-17T00:22:00.003-04:00

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.

The King of Kong

2009-07-17T00:20:00.003-04:00

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.

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-07-17T00:16:00.001-04:00

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.

Tropic Thunder

2009-07-17T00:14:00.001-04:00

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.

Wordplay

2009-07-17T00:11:00.001-04:00

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.

Michael Clayton

2009-07-17T00:09:00.001-04:00

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.

War, Inc.

2009-07-17T00:06:00.002-04:00

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.

Tom Dowd and the Language of Music

2009-07-17T00:03:00.001-04:00

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.

What Just Happened?

2009-07-16T23:59:00.001-04:00

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.