To say that fighting is hockey’s worst-kept secret is a bit too optimistic – for many who play or follow the sport, it’s a point of pride. Goon is a raucous ode to the brawny subculture of hockey brawls, a surprisingly heartfelt sports comedy that approaches its problematic subject with brutal honesty, then dares the [...]
American Reunion was absolutely hilarious, which was surprising since the past movies were just mediocre. This outing was strides ahead of the past two films in the franchise. I don’t think the theater stopped laughing at the childish, vulgar humor that these movies are famous for. The entire orignal cast is back, but Stifler (Sean William Scott) [...]
In the grand tradition of unnecessary sequels that retroactively improve the reputation of their less-than-stellar predecessors, Wrath of the Titans operates with the philosophy that if it ain’t broke, then the first guy simply wasn’t trying hard enough. It essentially amounts to a desperate checklist of cosmetic changes to 2010′s Clash of the Titans, itself [...]
The Hunger Games isn’t just an adaptation of author Suzanne Collins’ bestselling YA novel. It’s also an update of various dystopian social critiques, from the dark rites-of-passage in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Logan’s Run; to the futuristic bloodsports of Death Race 2000 and Rollerball; to its closest comparison in tales of overwrought teenage violence [...]
If the film were satiric, I could sing it praises. Unfortunately, the intention is for us to take it at face value. If this were an elaborate visually stunning joke at the expense of privileged miserable hipster wannabe artistes, who even under the imminent threat of destruction fail to create a meaningful human bond, I would be applauding. Sadly, the scene where Leigh’s Skye patronizingly embraces the delivery boy, is quite sincerely meant to display the character’s level of enlightenment. In reality, it is a somewhat shameful display of what the upper class understands under compassion and charity. We are expected to believe that TV commentators abandon their posts to be with their families, yet delivery boys will keep running errands, quietly and obediently live out their purpose of serving the rich until their bodies disintegrate.
As the lights dimmed on the crowded press screening, all the chatter revolved around the other Snow White movie – Snow White and the Huntsmen. Talk of Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart dominated the conversation right up until the film started. Then immediately after the film ended, the conversation still steered back to Theron and [...]
This film is as polarizing as its protagonist Will Ferrell, even though this is not your typical “Ferrell” movie at all. In Casa De Mi Padre he is a welcomed addition to a production that is very unique and “niche”, to an extend that might confuse and even alienate audiences who are not familiar to [...]
“That bag doesn’t have any feelings that you can hurt,” shrugs Mr. Barthes (Adrien Brody) when an angry pupil hurls it across his classroom, then adds pointedly, “And neither do I.” Thus the inspirational teacher archetype is turned on its ear in Detachment, a film about a substitute in a hellish New York public high [...]
It’s time to play the music! It’s time to light the lights! It’s time to go out and buy The Muppets movie on Blu-ray! The darling movie of last year that reawakened the kid in all of us and introduced a number of actual kids to some of America’s favorite characters is available to own [...]
Paddy Considine‘s Tyrannosaur has arrived on DVD in the U.S. thanks to Strand Releasing. I had heard such great things about this movie, that when I was offered the chance to review it. I could not pass up the offer. The film is based on Considine’s 2007 short film Dog Altogether, which won a BAFTA and a [...]
More than anything, Boy is about failures. Adults are failing children, New Zealand’s government is failing the Maori population. Unfortunately, the film never takes a real political stand, and the redemption and reconciliation come all too easily: all the difficulty is glossed over with camp. Hell, there is a Bollywood style ending. While it might be cute and all, the cast dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller video choreography, it’s beyond derivative. Regardless of whether it’s homage to Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle, 2008) or a five a.m. wouldn’t-this-be-neat idea, it adds very little to the movie. Everything that has gravitas is turned into a joke, because audiences surely wouldn’t want to be bothered with any uncomfortable topics.
Casa De Mi Padre. This movie is basically an 84 minute Saturday Night Live sketch, which was very disappointing. First of all, the entire movie is spoken in Spanish. This slowed down the film and made the jokes fall even flatter. Through its repetitive jokes and constant reading, I only summoned a few laughs. I am [...]