G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Idiotic action thriller pits an elite counter-terrorist team code-named G.I. Joe against the evil forces of the organization known as Cobra. This noisy special effects extravaganza bears little resemblance to the Hasbro toy of the 60s and is based rather on the Marvel comic book series, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, which ran from […]
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Charming animated film based on a Roald Dahl book about a sly fox that tries to outwit three feeble-minded farmers who want him killed. Utilizes exquisite stop-motion puppets that recall the Rankin/Bass productions of the 60s. This intelligently written, well acted comedy is captivating. Its quiet charm sucks you in and holds you for the […]
Year One
Rambling mishmash about a pair of cavemen who go on a journey after being banished from their primitive village. Disorganized mess is a lazily written buddy film that lacks cohesion. No plot, but more or less a series of tepid jokes united by biblical events. Frequently wallows in disgusting gross out humor. Makes director Mel […]
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Actor Nicolas Cage’s loopy performance highlights this interesting portrayal of a New Orleans police officer investigating the murder of a family of African immigrants. Neither a sequel nor remake to director Abel Ferrara’s 1992 film, but rather a variation on the same theme with different characters. Certainly director Werner Herzog’s most mainstream picture, it starts out […]
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Ambitiously titled sequel to Twilight (it’s a saga now?) follows the continuing adventures of Bella and Edward, with a third key character, Jacob, thrown in for good measure. Stale soap opera plot is just like every love triangle story you’ve ever seen. I kept thinking I was watching an episode of Days of Our Lives […]
Precious
Emotionally uncompromising portrait of an overweight, illiterate inner city teen who has just become pregnant with her second child. Unflinching study is so raw and harrowing, it’s difficult to watch in parts. Be warned, this is grim stuff. Director Lee Daniels wisely lightens the proceedings with sporadic fantasy sequences that provide some relief, even humor, to […]
2012
Ludicrous disaster film details how the people of earth react after an explosion on the surface of the sun starts events that bring about the end of the world. Hackneyed script full of inane dialogue is hilarious in the extreme. Audiences will have fun counting how many times a character assures everyone that things are […]
The Haunting
Eerie haunted house story follows a paranormal investigator who gathers three people to a large estate to study the supernatural. Understated, low key and elegant, this horror film is based on the novel “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson. Film remarkably builds tension without being explicit, but rather suggesting spooky events of a […]
The Innocents
Atmospheric horror film about an inexperienced governess who comes to a large estate to take care of two children that share a dark secret. Supernatural ghost story uses sumptuous cinematography and eerie lighting for maximum effect. This is a classy production, something few horror films can claim. Not scary, but rather a grim mood piece […]
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
A radiant Audrey Hepburn highlights this adaptation of the Truman Capote novella about a carefree woman who cannot commit to anyone or anything. She can’t even bring herself to name her cat. Indeed it is a tribute to Audrey Hepburn’s talent that she can make this shallow, chain smoking, shoplifting, gold digging free spirit, so […]