Quantum of Solace — 3 stars — Opens November 14, 2008
November 13, 2008 on 2:38 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsQuantum of Soolace gets going right off the bat—as Daniel Craig takes chase in his newest Aston Martin—grinding the car into a pulp in the process. Quantum’s a sequel and picks up after the death of Bond’s beloved Vesper Lynd—the only spy he ever loved. Now wanting revenge, he discovers a turncoat in his midst and picks up Ukraninian model Olga Kurylenko who’s on a revenge mission of her own. This time the bad guys hope to corner the water supply in Bolivia. That plot raises the issue of the new script—it’s pretty light—why not the WORLD’s water supply. However, fans know the formula and they’ll get enough of it in this one—beautiful people, wonderful locations, and enough explosions to keep your popcorn popping. Daniel Craig has signed up for two more Bond adventures. If this isn’t the best one ever (and it’s not quite)—then it’s the one we’ve got and it’s good enough to provide some much needed fun and adventure at the movies. Continue reading Quantum of Solace — 3 stars — Opens November 14, 2008…
Slumdog Millionaire (R) - 3 1/2 stars - Opens November 12, 2008
November 10, 2008 on 3:42 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsAn orphaned street child played by Dev Patel gets a chance on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” and procedes to answer every question based on the hardship esperiences of his life. Freida Pinto plays Patel’s lost soul mate who could reunite if he answers the final question. A mixture of Bollywood and Dickens that ends with a rousing finale. Rated R for brutality and direcrted by the excellent Danny Boyle(”Trainspotting” “Millions” “28 Days Later”) Continue reading Slumdog Millionaire (R) - 3 1/2 stars - Opens November 12, 2008…
Role Models (R) — 2 1/2 — Opens November 7, 2008
November 3, 2008 on 6:06 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsBetter than expected comedy with Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott as slackers sentenced to 150 hours of community service in a big brother style mentoring program. They, of course, draw two incorrigible kids—young Bobbe J. Thompson who can deliver a punch line with the best of them—and Christopher Mintz Plasse—best known as McLoving from “Superbad”—a nerd obsessed with medieval fantasy meetings. The great Jane Lynch adds her twisted humor as head of the mentoring program with issues of her own. Elizabeth Banks also joins as Rudd’s on and off girlfriend/lawyer. The script has a sweetness in spite of the “R” rated humor. The jokes fly with unexpected zing. Continue reading Role Models (R) — 2 1/2 — Opens November 7, 2008…
Soul Men (R) — 2 1/2 stars — Opens November 7, 2008
November 2, 2008 on 1:25 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsA sad swetness hangs over “Soul Men”—one of the last appearances by the gifted comic Bernie Mac, as well as music legend Issac Hayes. The movie ends with a tribute to both men, particularly Bernie Mac with outtakes and an interview discussing his approach to comedy and performing. The story reprises the plot of “The Sunshine Boys”—-former soul singers Bernie Mac and Samuel Jackson reunite to perform at a tribute to the leader of their group, who left them to work as a solo. Jackson and Mac performed as a duo for a time until various grudges and events drove them apart. The two leave L.A. in Mac’s lime green classic Cadillac Eldorado and bicker all the way, while having adventures in various towns and even picking up a long lost daughter played by Sharon Leal. The story feels familiar, and the comedy gets an “R” for downright raunch, but Bernie Mac’s untimely departure turns “Soul Men” into a tribute to a decent and very funny man. Continue reading Soul Men (R) — 2 1/2 stars — Opens November 7, 2008…
Synecdoche (R) - 1 star - Opens November 7, 2008
November 1, 2008 on 5:27 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsFrom the brilliant Charlie Kaufman, creator of “Adaptation” and “Being John Malkovich” comes the story of a theater director who gets a grant to stage a continuing play based on the everyday events of his life. In other words, life’s a play and then you die. Starring Philip Seymore Hoffman, Catherine Keener and many many other talented actors and actresses. Good luck making any sense of this. Thanks, but I pass. Continue reading Synecdoche (R) - 1 star - Opens November 7, 2008…
RocknRolla (R) — 2 stars — Opens October 31, 2008
October 28, 2008 on 11:52 am | In Uncategorized | No CommentsGuy Ritchie goes back to his “Lock, Stock, and two Smoking Barrels” roots—in this complicated convoluted gangster picture that begins with crime lord Tom Wilkinson making a deal with a Russian gangster who lends him a lucky painting which immediately goes missing. Meanwhile, Gerard Butler borrows several million from Wilkerson for a real estate deal, only to have the money stolen. Wilkinson’s stepson, a rock and roll star/drug addict who fakes his death to hype his new album, touches off one front of what turns out to be gang warfare. Crooked accountant Thandie Newton adds to the mix with her own schemes. Ritchie adds to the fun with ear splitting music and slam bang editing, but I honestly dare you to keep up with this head banging plot. Continue reading RocknRolla (R) — 2 stars — Opens October 31, 2008…
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (R) - 1 star - Opens October 31, 2008
October 28, 2008 on 11:38 am | In Uncategorized | No CommentsKevin Smith, the very funny filmmaker who brought us “Clerks”, “Dogma” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” jumps back on the “R” rated comedy bandwagon, casting Seth Rogen as a slacker sharing a house with Elizabeth Banks, his good friend but not girlfriend. Times get tough and they lose power and water and turn to desperate measures—they elect to make a low budget porno and get rich. Of course, when Kevin and Elizabeth as Zack and Miri share sex on screen, they discover they like each other more than they knew. Smith throws in every dirty word you can think of—from A to B to C to D to F to you get the idea—as well as enough outrageous situations to keep the squeemish squirming. I laughed some but mainly felt assaulted. And the biggest question remains: why can’t Kevin Smith be Kevin Smith instead of cashing in on Judd Apatow’s R rated style. Zack and Miri gives a nice spotlight to stand up comic Brandon “Superman” Routh—he’s very funny and has a great future in movies. As for the movie, think of it as a very vulgar version of “When Harry Met Sally”—but I’m not sure if even that will help. Continue reading Zack and Miri Make a Porno (R) - 1 star - Opens October 31, 2008…
High School Musical (G) — 3 stars — Opens October 24, 2008
October 23, 2008 on 3:33 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsEven the basketball team sings when they win the big game in “High School Musical 3″—led by Zac Efron and cheered by his on and off screen girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens. Long on enthusiasm and short on plot, “High School Musical 3″ features a break up, a make up, and a lot of backstage scheming from the very ambitious Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans. The dance numbers look great and the movie makes you smile. Every generation needs a “Fame” or a “Grease” or Mickey and Judy putting on a show out in the barn. “High School Musical 3″ does that for the G rated crowd. Continue reading High School Musical (G) — 3 stars — Opens October 24, 2008…
Changeling (R) — 3 stars — Opens October 24, 2008
October 22, 2008 on 12:45 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsClint Eastwood’s new film recreates the true story of a Los Angeles telephone operator in 1928 whose young son vanishes. The L.A. Police, portrayed as corrupt and inept, find a boy in Illinois and return him to his mother, played by Angelina Jolie. She insists the boy is not her son, but wanting to appear to have solved a case, the L.A. police refuse to believe her. When Jolie perserveres, they begin a plan to systemically discredit her, even committing her to a mental institution for a time. The film successfully combines the story of a mother’s determination with horrifying scenes of the serial killer who possibly found, tortured and killed her son. Eastwood takes his time with this story, but fans will enjoy his slow but steady pace. “Changeling” looks beautiful, like an Edward Hopper painting. Some of the characters seem a little thinly drawn, with one note personalities. Angelina Jolie underplays but still never lets us forget she is Angelina Jolie. ”Changeing” tells a very disturbing even horrifying story with mixed acting success that looks beautiful. Overall, there’s more to appreciate than quibble about in Clint Eastwood’s latest masterpiece. Continue reading Changeling (R) — 3 stars — Opens October 24, 2008…
Pride and Glory (R) — 1 star — Opens October 24, 2008
October 22, 2008 on 12:26 pm | In Uncategorized | No CommentsA collection of some of our time’s very best actors can’t save this violent over the top difficult to watch overwrought Shakespearian wanna be drama about a family of New York City policemen with corruption in their ranks. Early on we learn that Colin Ferrell heads a unit of policemen working on the take for a drug dealer. Father of the clan Jon Voight instructs his son played by Edward Norton to investigate the ambush killing of four men in blue not knowing his son and law set them up. Noah Emmerich plays another brother, with Lake Bell as the sister married to Ferrell. Lots of yelling and screaming and fighting and drinking and Irish cliches, but no real reason to care about the story of pay to watch this. The Departed did this already and a whole lot better. Continue reading Pride and Glory (R) — 1 star — Opens October 24, 2008…
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