Dancers
Elegant dance teacher begins romance with grungy electrician. Their relationship grows closer until she discovers he has a secret. Solemn drama from Denmark has some moments, but it’s rather slow, even at only 90 min.
Man on Wire
Documentary of French high wire artist, Philippe Petit, who made headlines around the world for his high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in New York City on August 7, 1974. Meticulously documents the careful planning that went into mounting that awe inspiring walk. However it frustratingly lacks any footage of the actual event and glosses […]
Monsters vs. Aliens
On the day of her wedding, a young woman is hit by a meteorite and grows 50 feet tall. Naturally the US government then enlists her help to combat an alien that wants to take over the world. Steals ideas from an impressive list of films: Mothra, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, Men in Black, […]
Blindness
Bleak and depressing drama of what happens when an epidemic of blindness affects a dystopian society. Puerile film can only be described as an ordeal. As director Fernando Meirelles punishes the viewer in scene after scene, his point appears to be how easily civilized society deteriorates when faced with a crises. The problem is, the […]
Happy-Go-Lucky
Poignant, but slight story of one Pauline Cross, nicknamed Poppy, who maintains a pleasant outlook on life. Random vignettes, loosely strung together, present various situations in her life, that test her sunny disposition. Comedy drama is a well acted, seemingly improvised, slice of life. Sally Hawkins as the title character, and Eddie Marsan as Scott, […]
I Love You, Man
Hilarious comedy about a man who sets out to find a male friend so he has a best man for his upcoming wedding. Buddy film is full of pointed commentary on the way men think and act. Rudd and Segel have real chemistry together and their conversations, which are the bulk of the film, are […]
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Child-oriented comedy about a pampered Chihuahua who gets lost in Mexico and must find her way back to her home in Beverly Hills. The various dogs’ ability to act requires a lot of impressive training and decent CGI, but that’s about all to recommend in this poorly written and acted (by the humans) flick. Anyone […]
Rachel Getting Married
Family tensions rise to the surface upon Kym’s arrival home from drug rehab, one day before her sister is to be married. Director Jonathan Demme’s tale is shot in a naturalistic style resembling an actual wedding video. Frequent random distractions give the story an unfocused feel. Despite this, the film is full of wonderfully genuine […]
Weird Science
John Hughes directed teen comedy about a couple of high school geeks who create the perfect woman, à la Frankenstein. She then proceeds to build their self-confidence and improve their social life. Light, goofy 80s cult hit is silly nonsense, but it’s enjoyable nonsense, nonetheless.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Classic 80s odd couple comedy. Steve Martin and John Candy, who had worked together the year before in Little Shop of Horrors , are comedic gold as a mismatched pair who together make their way back to Chicago by any means necessary. Of course, nothing goes right. One classic scene after another: Steve Martin has a […]