Exit Through the Gift Shop — 3 stars — Opens April 28, 2010

Loopy loony documentary on the world of street art, focusing on graffiti artists Banksy—known for his art pranks and realistic style—and would be artist Thierry Guetta—who begins this movie as Banksy’s documentarian and ends as the subject of the film.  The whole thing feels like a prank but has a fun playfulness that left me enjoying the trick. What is art anyway? Continue reading Exit Through the Gift Shop — 3 stars — Opens April 28, 2010…

The Secret in their Eyes (R) — 3 stars — Opens April 16, 2010

Won the Oscar for best foreign film.  A retired prosecutor’s assistant returns to solve a decades old case and to resolve his unspoken love for his former boss. In Spanish with subtitles.  Set in Argentina. Continue reading The Secret in their Eyes (R) — 3 stars — Opens April 16, 2010…

Kick Ass (R) — 3 1/2 stars — Opens April 16, 2010

Get ready for jaw dropping outrageous comedy and action not always in the best of taste.  “Kick Ass” turns the superhero action movie on its ear, both poking fun and delivering the kind of action that makes fans demand more.  High school student Aaron Johnson longs for some adventure, so he buys a scuba divers suit and puts on a mask and goes out and fights crime.  Unfortunatey You Tube picks up his adventures and soon he touches off an underworld crime war.  Real crime fighters Nick Cage (aka Big Daddy) and his young daughter played by Chloe Moritz (aka Hit Girl) go on the prowl, while the kid best known as McLovin’ takes the identity “Red Mist”.  Let the comedy and action begin.  I loved “Kick Ass” for its creativity.  Some may be shocked at the language used by 12 year old Chloe Moritz—I know it shocked me.  So notice the “R” rating—about as hard an “R” as can be earned these days, and go at your own risk.  And prepare to scream and laugh. Continue reading Kick Ass (R) — 3 1/2 stars — Opens April 16, 2010…

Death at a Funeral (R) - 2 1/2 stars - Opens April 16, 2010

Remake of a 2008 British farce using the talents of Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, and Tracy Morgan.  Daddy dies and things go wrong starting with the wrong body in the casket, followed by a family friend nobody knows, and a battle of valium actually holding LSD.  Get ready for plenty of bathroom humor thanks to Danny Glover’s elderly uncle character.  The audience I watched with laughed long and loud.  Although sometimes “Death at a Funeral” appears to try a little too hard.  Those who saw the original British version might want to skip this one. Continue reading Death at a Funeral (R) - 2 1/2 stars - Opens April 16, 2010…

The Perfect Game — 2 1/2 stars — Opens April 16, 2010

Recreates the 1957 victory of the Monterry, Mexico team that enters and wins the little league championship.  Often gets stereotypical, but has a sweetness that overcomes it.  Cheech Marin has a nice turn as a priest.  Clifton Collins Jr. also does good work as the team coach.  “The Perfect Game” has the feel of the disney movies of the 1950’s, wholesome and uplifting.

Continue reading The Perfect Game — 2 1/2 stars — Opens April 16, 2010…

The Joneses (R)—2 stars—Opens April 16, 2010

Interesting idea, Demi Moore and David Ducoveney head a “perfect” family who move into a wealthy subdivision in order to entice their neighbors to buy the latest products and gadgets.  “The Jones” feels a little bit like “The Truman Show” but soon turns predictable.  Continue reading The Joneses (R)—2 stars—Opens April 16, 2010…

Date Night — 2 stars — Opens April 9, 2010

Tina Fey and Steve Carroll qualify as two of the funniest people on television.  they’ve also both done excellent film comedy.  So the two of them raise expectations, I’m afraid, a little above what “Date Night” delivers. Married several years with children and a suburban life, Steve and Tina vow to put a little zip into their marriage.  They go to the big city and try to get a table as a hip restaurant without a reservation.  Someone calls a name and no one comes forward so they take it and touch off a comedy of mistaken identity which leads them into a walk on the wild side.  Some funny moments include a shirtless Mark Wahlberg as a security expert.  ”Date Night” has some laughs, but it won’t be remembered as the comedy of the year. Steve Carroll and tina Fey remain A list comics who did what they could with a C list script. Continue reading Date Night — 2 stars — Opens April 9, 2010…

The Runaways (R) — 3 stars — Opens April 9, 2010

Based on a book by Cherie Currie, “The Runaways” captures the grit and grunge of the 1970’s rock scene.  Teen girls Kristen Stewart, who plays Joan Jett,  and Dakota Fanning, who plays Cherie Currie, form an all girl rock band with the talented Michael Shannon as their manager.  Shannon puts them on the road as a test of failure or success.  They succeed. This true story, which could have turned into just another “Behind the Music” spins a compelling tale of drugs and music and growing up too fast. Kristen Stewart manages to get beyond her “Twilight” poses and makes Joan Jett come alive.  Dakota Fanning steals the movie as a girl from an alcoholic family chewed up by freedom and drugs.  Truth trumps fiction in this well acted exciting movie. Continue reading The Runaways (R) — 3 stars — Opens April 9, 2010…

City Island — 2 stars — Opens April 9, 2010

Andy Garcia stars as the blue collar head of an Italian family who has a secret: He wants to act.  As the story progresses, we learn everyone else in the family has secrets too, including a son from the past, a daughter stripping to save money for college, and a wife who takes too much of a shine to the long lost son.  “City island” feels a little like “Moonstruck” and shares many of that great comedy’s themes—it just never gets to the level that made “Moonstruck” a classic as opposed to just another so so comedy.  Continue reading City Island — 2 stars — Opens April 9, 2010…

Clash of the Titans — 2 stars — Opens April 2, 2010

“Clash of the Titans” replays Greek mythology in 3 D.  I find it interesting this version follows the film version of Rick Riorden’s book “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.”  Frankly I found Riorden’s update easier to follow and more fun.  In both stories, Zeus gets angry at us on earth and sends his brother Hades to set us straight. But Zeus has a son on earth, the demigod Perseus—played by Avatar hero Sam Worthington.  With a little help and the head of Medusa, Perseus saves the day and defeats several nasty looking crab like creatures leading to “The Kraken”—a king kong looking thing that rises from the sea.  “Clash of the Titans” adds a new phrase to our vocubalary—”Relase the Kraken”—use it carefully and at your own peril.  Note the 3 D looks shaky and average and feels like a marketing gimmick.  With Liam Nesson and Ralph Fiennes. Continue reading Clash of the Titans — 2 stars — Opens April 2, 2010…