Movie reviews
Read reviews of recent movie releases.
September 21, 2007
movie review
Resident Evil: Extinction
The world has become a vast wasteland following the events of the first two “Resident Evil” films, with the few remaining humans (including “Heroes” star Ali Larter and singer Ashanti) banding together in groups of evade the hoards of hungry zombies roaming the planet. Humankind’s greatest hope remains Alice (Milla Jovovich), a genetically-altered security expert with superhuman powers.
September 21, 2007
movie review
Good Luck Chuck
Lonely dentist Charlie (Dane Cook) endures a curse that makes girls find true love only after they sleep with him. That earns him a lot of one-night stands but threatens to screw things up with accident-prone penguin expert Cam (Jessica Alba, dumber than her birds), the first girl Charlie truly doesn't want to let slip away. Dan Fogler ("Balls of Fury") co-stars as Charlie's friend, a disturbingly chauvinistic cosmetic surgeon.
September 21, 2007
movie review
Eastern Promises
The death of a teenage prostitute causes a British midwife (Naomi Watts) to search for answers within London's Russian mob, leading to a chain reaction of violence and betrayal involving the boss (Armin Mueller-Stahl), his son (Vincent Cassel) and the son’s mysterious and loyal driver (Viggo Mortensen). It all unfolds in the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
September 21, 2007
movie review
In the Valley of Elah
Shortly after coming home from war, Iraq soldier Mike Deerfield (Jonathan Tucker) disappears from a Tennessee army base and is soon found dead in a field nearby. His military vet father Hank (Tommy Lee Jones) leads his own search for answers when neither the military nor the cops can get it together. Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon also star.
September 14, 2007
movie review
The King of Kong
In 1982 Billy Mitchell set the world record on "Donkey Kong" and took on the title "Gamer of the Century." 21 years later, a newly unemployed family man, Steve Wiebe, attempted to beat Mitchell's high score. And did. Or did he? The controversy leads to a showdown at a Florida game palace.
September 14, 2007
movie review
The Brave One
After random thugs pummel her fiancé to death and deliver a beating that temporarily puts her in a coma, radio host Erica (Jodie Foster) buys a gun and starts discreetly offing criminals because the cops don't seem to do anything about it. Understandably, officer Mercer (Terrence Howard) takes issue with the fact that an unidentified vigilante is doing his job for him.
September 7, 2007
movie review
Shoot 'Em Up
Rough and rugged Mr. Smith (Clive Owen, cool as a government-trained cucumber) looks after a baby and shoots the-population-of-Rhode-Island's worth of bad guys. This upsets Mr. Hertz (Paul Giamatti) and his henchmen who want the child dead, and somehow—take a deep breath before reading on—bone marrow transplants, politics and the second amendment also play a role.
September 7, 2007
movie review
3:10 to Yuma
In need of money because the developing railroad is about to boot him and his family from their land, Dan (Christian Bale) agrees to help escort known murderer Ben (Russell Crowe) across the desert to a train headed for Yuma prison.
September 7, 2007
movie review
The Brothers Solomon
The socially inept Solomon brothers—John (Will Arnett, “Arrested Development”) and Dean (Will Forte, “Saturday Night Live,” who also wrote the script)—decide they need to have a baby to please their comatose dad. A Craigslist ad leads them to Janine (Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live”) who agrees to be a surrogate for $10,000.
movie review
2 Days in Paris
French girl Marion (Julie Delpy, acting like she's still in "Before Sunset") and her American boyfriend Jack (Adam Goldberg, his typical quick-talking intellectual) stop in at her parents' place in Paris before heading back to New York. Gradually, Jack starts to suspect that Marion has had far more experience than she lets on and may have cheated on him.
August 29, 2007
movie review
Balls of Fury
Nineteen years after his ping-pong defeat results in the murder of his father, Randy Daytona (Dan Fogler) strives for revenge against Feng (Christopher Walken), the man who killed Randy's dad and is now the target of an FBI investigation led by Agent Rodriguez (George Lopez).
August 31, 2007
movie review
Halloween
Seventeen years after young Michael Myers (Daeg Faerch) goes on a killing spree, the masked madman (played as an adult by Tyler Mane) escapes from a mental institution on Halloween. Myers stalks his younger sister Laurie (Scout Taylor-Compton) as his psychologist Dr. Loomis (Malcolm McDowell) races to stop the bloodbath.
August 31, 2007
movie review
Death Sentence
Nick's (Kevin Bacon) perfect life is destroyed when his son is the victim in a gang initiation killing. Things don't get any better when Nick murders the murderer and incurs the wrath of the entire clan, leading the white-collar father to go hunting for even more blood.
August 24, 2007
movie review
War
Amid a complicated organized-crime war between the Japanese Yakuza and Chinese Triads, FBI agent Crawford (Jason Statham) hunts down Rogue (Jet Li), a notorious assassin who Crawford believes killed his partner. In other words: Now it's personal!
August 24, 2007
movie review
Illegal Tender
College kid Wilson (Rick Gonzalez of "Coach Carter," "Old School") grows up fast when he discovers his deceased father was a drug dealer. Worse, hitmen are still after him, his mother and his younger brother, so Wilson heads down to Puerto Rico to settle a more than 20-year-old score.
August 24, 2007
movie review
Resurrecting the Champ
Struggling boxing reporter Erik (Josh Hartnett, better than usual) meets a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) who calls himself "The Champ" and says he's former fighter "Battlin'" Bob Satterfield, who most believe to be dead. Still living in the shadow of his well-known and recently deceased broadcaster dad, Erik thinks this could be the story to accelerate his career and earn the adoration of his estranged wife and son.
August 24, 2007
movie review
The Nanny Diaries
Recent college grad Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson) scraps plans to work in the business world in favor of playing nanny for wealthy Manhattan couple Mr. and Mrs. X (Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney). Approaching the gig like an anthropologist observing a foreign culture, Annie embarks on the typical single-girl-in-the-city journey toward self-discovery.
August 24, 2007
movie review
Mr. Bean's Holiday
Stupid and oblivious nincompoop Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) is back to frolic in Paris after winning a trip out of London in a raffle. After he's responsible for separating a kid from his Cannes Film Festival-judge dad, Bean slowly and incompetently helps bring the two back together.
August 17, 2007
movie review
Superbad
Evan (Michael Cera of "Arrested Development") and Seth (Jonah Hill of "Knocked Up") promise their crushes that they'll bring booze to a high school graduation party, but problems arise when a convenience store robbery prevents Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), dubbed "McLovin" on his fake ID, from scoring the liquor.
movie review
Arctic Tale
Narrated by Queen Latifah, this documentary follows the lives and hardships of polar bears, walruses and their respective offspring.
August 17, 2007
movie review
The Invasion
Washington D.C. psychiatrist Carol Bennell (Nicole Kidman) finds herself in the midst of an extraterrestrial epidemic when her estranged husband (Jeremy Northam), an official at the Center for Disease Control, picks up a nasty alien virus at a space shuttle crash site. This latest spin on “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” also stars Daniel Craig as Carol’s doctor boyfriend.
August 10, 2007
movie review
Rush Hour 3
Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and detective Carter (Chris Tucker) are back to their mismatched shtick as they travel to Paris in hopes of finding a secret list of notorious criminals.
August 10, 2007
movie review
Stardust
A young, considerably annoying dreamer (Charlie Cox) promises the hottest lass in the kingdom (Sienna Miller) that he can bring her back a falling star. That leads him to the star herself (Claire Danes, excruciating), the witch (Michelle Pfeiffer) and king (Peter O'Toole) who are hunting her and the flamboyant pirate (Robert De Niro) who's swept up in the mess.
August 10, 2007
movie review
Skinwalkers
Two warring werewolf tribes have different takes on an apparent "Navajo legend" that "a 13 year old boy will bring an end to all skinwalkers" (a.k.a. werewolves). The boy's mother (Rhona Mitra, "Nip/Tuck") tries to protect him as pack leaders Jarek (Jason Behr, “The Grudge”) and Jonas (Elias Koteas, “Zodiac”) duke it out. As Jonas explains: “It's really quite simple: we want the curse to end, they don't.”
August 3, 2007
movie review
The Bourne Ultimatum
Ever since 2002's "The Bourne Identity," Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) has been trying to recover his memory after discovering he was part of a top-secret CIA project to train assassins. Along the way he's picked up unlikely allies in CIA employees Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles) and Pam Landy (Joan Allen), but as Bourne races to uncover the final mysteries of his past he faces one of his most threatening adversaries yet (David Strathairn as agent Noah Vosen).
August 3, 2007
movie review
Hot Rod
Wannabe stuntman Rod ("Saturday Night Live" cast member Andy Samberg) works to raise $50,000 to pay for his step dad's (Ian McShane) heart transplant—just so the old man will live long enough for Rod to finally kick his ass and earn the respect he never received. (You read that correctly.) Meanwhile, Rod lusts after Denise (Isla Fisher), who's dating the typical alpha-male jerk (Will Arnett).
August 3, 2007
movie review
El Cantante
Puerto Rican singer Hector Lavoe (Marc Anthony) becomes a quick star, marries loudmouth Puchi (Jennifer Lopez), does a lot of drugs and dies. To add some, um, authenticity, the movie is organized around recreated black-and-white interviews with Puchi as she reflects on her late husband.
August 3, 2007
movie review
Underdog
After an unremarkable police dog (voiced by Jason Lee) crosses paths with a mad scientist (Peter Dinklage), the beagle becomes canine superhero Underdog. With the help of his new owner (Alex Neuberger) he fights crime and takes down the bad guys.
July 27, 2007
movie review
The Simpsons Movie
It's business as usual for the Simpsons, as Lisa works to stop Lake Springfield pollution only so Homer can blow it and cause the government to cover the whole town with a dome. Only if the big oaf saves the city can he win back the love and respect of his family, who's grown tired of his buffoonery after 400 similar (and televised) screw-ups.
July 27, 2007
movie review
Rescue Dawn
German-born U.S. Navy pilot Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale, "Batman Begins") gets shot down over Laos and becomes a prisoner of war during Vietnam. After he's imprisoned with some other men he hopes to motivate his fellow captives—including Steve Zahn ("Out of Sight") and Jeremy Davies ("Saving Private Ryan")—to escape to freedom.
July 27, 2007
movie review
No Reservations
Feisty chef Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) cares for her niece Zoe ("Little Miss Sunshine" Oscar-nominee Abigail Breslin) after the girl's mother is killed. At work, Kate clashes/flirts with the new sous chef Nick (Aaron Eckhart).
July 27, 2007
movie review
Sunshine
In the year 2057 a spacecraft sets off from Earth with a mission to revive the dying sun. Things get complicated when the crew picks up a distress signal from a previous ship, assumed to be lost in space.
July 27, 2007
movie review
I Know Who Killed Me
Aspiring writer Aubrey (Lindsay Lohan) is kidnapped, but when she turns up—missing part of a leg and an arm—she claims to be down-and-out stripper Dakota. Meanwhile, the world's slowest police investigation searches for the culprit and attempts to determine if there's really a Dakota or if Aubrey just thinks that she's one of the characters in her stories.
July 27, 2007
movie review
Who's Your Caddy?
Rapper Christopher "C-Note" Hawkins (Antwan "Big Boi" Patton of OutKast) claims possession of an estate on the fringes of the stuffy Carolina golf course where his dad used to caddy and allegedly racked up the all-time best round. This doesn't sit well with the conservative country club president (Jeffrey Jones), who liked things better when he could putt without scantily clad women shaking their junk in his peripheral vision.
movie review
Eagle vs. Shark
In the latest "celebration" of oddballs, "Eagle vs. Shark" focuses on wallflower Lily (Loren Horsley, the movie's saving grace) and Jarrod (Jermaine Clement), the awkward and dreadfully uncool object of her affection who plots his revenge against an old high school rival.
July 20, 2007
movie review
Hairspray
Perky, open-minded and overweight teen Tracy Turnblad (likable newcomer Nikki Blonsky) dreams of shaking her stuff on local TV's Corny Collins show despite objections from her mom Edna (John Travolta in drag). When Tracy gets her wish, her presence sets off a dance craze as well as a movement to end the program's "Negro Day" and completely integrate the show's cast. The flick co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron of "High School Musical" and James Marsden.
July 20, 2007
movie review
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Larry (Kevin James) lacks a partner to name as a life insurance beneficiary after his wife's death, so fellow firefighter Chuck (Adam Sandler) does what any good friend would do: he agrees to marry his pal. That causes some problems when Chuck falls for the pair's attorney (Jessica Biel, as vapid as a Victoria's Secret mannequin).
July 10, 2007
movie review
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
When audiences last saw Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) he was coping with the death of a classmate and the return of unspeakably evil arch-nemesis Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). One not-so-pleasant summer vacation later, most of the wizarding world is in denial about Voldemort's reappearance and Harry begins to train his fellow Hogwarts students for battle while suffering the sadistic discipline of new professor Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton).
July 13, 2007
movie review
Captivity
A mysterious psycho who makes how-to-seize-and-punish scrapbooks about his victims captures celebrity Jennifer Tree (Elisha Cuthbert) in his wine cellar. Luckily for Jennifer, chiseled, studly Gary (Daniel Gillies) is there to keep her company amidst all the loud noises, creepy videos and threats of unimaginable pain.
July 13, 2007
movie review
Talk to Me
Extremely outspoken ex-convict Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr. (Don Cheadle) becomes a successful radio DJ in late '60s Washington, D.C. with the help of production manager Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Based on actual events, the film is peppered with R&B classics of the era, plus tight pants, tall shoes and Afros galore.
July 2, 2007
movie review
Transformers
Awkward teen Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf, now officially a star) becomes ensnared in a war between good robots (Autobots) and evil ones (Decepticons) that double as cars, helicopters and other modes of transportation. This not only alerts the military but interferes with Sam's plans to win over the hottest girl in school (Megan Fox). Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and Anthony Anderson also appear.
July 2, 2007
movie review
License to Wed
Before Ben (John Krasinski of "The Office") and Sadie (Mandy Moore) can get hitched, they must pass an oddly confrontational marriage prep course taught by an eccentric reverend (Robin Williams) who may have them on a path to splitsville.
June 22, 2007
movie review
You Kill Me
In many dark comedies from the '90s, humor arose from seeing professional killers dabble in absurdly delicate activities. Whether debating the foot-massage minutiae in "Pulp Fiction," attending a high-school reunion in "Grosse Pointe Blank," or climbing onto a therapist's couch in "Analyze This," the criminals in these movies comically revealed a gooey heart underneath their hardened exteriors.
June 22, 2007
movie review
La Vie en Rose
Edith Piaf, the legendary French singer who rose to prominence in the middle of the last century, possessed a powerful voice that belied her tiny, frail 4'8" frame.
June 29, 2007
movie review
Ratatouille
"Ratatouille" is an instant classic. The latest from the animation wizards at Pixar is one of the celebrated studio's best creations yet, overflowing with imagination, wit and dazzling visuals.
June 27, 2007
movie review
Live Free or Die Hard
There was a time when "Die Hard" was the ultimate in action filmmaking. But, with the release of third sequel "Live Free or Die Hard" nearly two decades after the original film, how is wisecracking everyday hero John McClane (Bruce Willis, as always) supposed to compete in the age of Jason Bourne, a critically acclaimed James Bond and a swarm of comicbook superheroes whose smooth moves are enhanced by CGI wizardry?
June 29, 2007
movie review
Sicko
It's difficult to peg down exactly what kind of movie "Sicko" is. It's funny, it's tragic, it's deeply terrifying, but above all it's uniquely Michael Moore.
June 29, 2007
movie review
Evening
On its surface, "Evening" is a nicely crafted melodrama benefiting from the skillful work of its gifted cast and crew.
movie review
Once
The Irish musical "Once" can easily be classified as a small movie. It was made independently, shot in a grainy, handheld style and its boy-meets-girl narrative is a model of simplicity.
June 22, 2007
movie review
Evan Almighty
Steve Carell seems to have the golden touch, having made his name with quality work in television ("The Daily Show," "The Office") and film ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Little Miss Sunshine"), but he faces his biggest challenge yet with "Evan Almighty." Can Carell make a middling family comedy—one that relies heavily on bird poop for laughs—worth seeing?
June 22, 2007
movie review
A Mighty Heart
Just about everyone knows that Angelina Jolie has four kids with Brad Pitt, but how many people remember she's also won an Oscar?
June 22, 2007
movie review
1408
There's a writer slowly losing his mind in a hotel in this film based on a Stephen King story, but this is not "The Shining." Really, really not "The Shining." File "1408" under "mediocre King adaptations" right next to the last major King film, "Secret Window," which starred Johnny Depp as a writer (what else?) losing his mind.
movie review
Crazy Love
No marriage is perfect, and part of what makes the documentary "Crazy Love" so queasily fascinating is that it leaves judgments about the level of dysfunction in its central relationship up to the viewer.
June 15, 2007
movie review
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Here's all you really need to know about "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer": it's short (just barely 90 minutes), it's cheesy (don't bet on any visual effects Oscar nominations for this superhero saga) and there's a good chance you'll forget you ever saw it before the movie's even over.
June 15, 2007
movie review
Nancy Drew
In the era of Lindsay Lohan's unsettling offscreen antics it's something of a relief to see a cinematic heroine for teen girls as squeaky clean as Nancy Drew. But "Nancy Drew" the movie won't win many fans beyond its target demographic.
movie review
Paris je t'aime
What do you get when you ask 21 directors to create 18 shorts (six directors worked in pairs) about the City of Lights? In the case of "Paris je t'aime" (which translates as "Paris I Love You") the answer is a uniquely charming and consistently entertaining film anthology.
June 8, 2007
movie review
Hostel Part II
"Hostel Part II" is gratuitous in every way possible, which—despite director Eli Roth's obvious skills—makes it hard to recommend to anyone other than those who find this sort of ridiculous repulsiveness to be second nature.
June 8, 2007
movie review
Ocean's Thirteen
"Ocean's Eleven" wasn't exactly a movie that demanded two sequels but, over $800 million in worldwide box office later, here comes "Ocean's Thirteen." The easy-going charm of an ensemble cast led by George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, and the stylishly assured direction of Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh still prove appealing, but revisiting the same territory a third time brings the unavoidable feeling that enough is enough.
June 8, 2007
movie review
Surf's Up
"Surf's Up" might as well be called "Happy Feet Goes Surfing," except it lacks the humor and cleverness that made the dancing penguin film such a hit.
June 1, 2007
movie review
Knocked Up
"Knocked Up" knows that making audiences laugh is serious business, an important insight that results in the smartest, sweetest Hollywood comedy since "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." But don't think that's a coincidence: Both films come from the mind of writer-director Judd Apatow.
June 1, 2007
movie review
Mr. Brooks
Too ridiculous to fully embrace, yet too enjoyably nasty to resist, "Mr. Brooks" is the kind of trashy thriller so ideal for late-night cable viewing it's amazing it ended up in theatres.
June 1, 2007
movie review
Gracie
Based on true events in the lives of the Shue family (including "Melrose Place" cast member Andrew and "Leaving Las Vegas" Oscar nominee Elisabeth), "Gracie" aims to be a heart-tugging "family facing adversity" drama. But this sappy, formulaic tribute to girl-power feels more like a Lifetime movie with pieces of "She's the Man" and "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" mixed in.
May 24, 2007
movie review
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Whenever Johnny Depp's nutty, rum-swilling Captain Jack Sparrow wasn't onscreen, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" took itself awfully seriously. It was overrated by most, but led to an underrated sequel, the clever and more lighthearted "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." Now that "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" arrives to wrap up the trilogy, it's bound to be properly rated by everybody—as a major disappointment.
May 25, 2007
movie review
Waitress
Finding exactly the right recipe for a quirky, sweet-natured comedy is deceptively difficult. Add a little too much eccentric behavior and the characters won't have a well-rounded flavor. Lean too heavily on sentimentality and audiences will gag on the syrupy sweetness. Fortunately, writer-director Adrienne Shelly concocted a winning combination with "Waitress."
May 25, 2007
movie review
Bug
"Bug" is such a repellent mess that it's hard to imagine exactly what audience the filmmakers (including "The Exorcist" director William Friedkin) had in mind. An Off-Broadway play adaptation, it's too gory for the arthouse crowd, yet too dull and talky for horror fans. The film's best hope for appreciation lies in the cult arena, simply because it's so unusual, but the vast majority of viewers will most likely just say 'ew…no thanks.'
May 18, 2007
movie review
Shrek the Third
At this point, you get the feeling that the team behind "Shrek" can probably churn out sequels in their sleep. So even though they get caught napping a few times in "Shrek the Third," they still come through with a thoroughly enjoyable outing.
May 18, 2007
movie review
Away From Her
Making a film about two characters over the age of 65 is a bold and unconventional choice, especially for a 27-year-old directing her first feature. But "Away From Her" demonstrates actress Sarah Polley's ("Dawn of the Dead") natural filmmaking prowess and gift for legitimately moving storytelling.
May 11, 2007
movie review
28 Weeks Later
The U.S. military shows up to help rebuild a decimated London in "28 Weeks Later," a consistently creepy continuation of the zombie saga that began with the sleeper-hit horror film "28 Days Later."
May 11, 2007
movie review
Georgia Rule
Arriving just in time for Mother's Day weekend, "Georgia Rule" is the movie equivalent of a particularly bittersweet box of chocolates. The comedy-drama about three generations of women reconciling their differences maintains an optimistic spirit, even while bluntly tackling issues of sexual abuse and alcoholism.
May 11, 2007
movie review
The Ex
"The Ex" not only fails to break any new ground, it avoids it like the plague. But the comedy's easy-going vibe makes it generally pleasant to sit through, and fortuitous casting lends credence to the theory that Jason Bateman (late of the criminally unwatched "Arrested Development") may, in fact, be a comedic god.
May 11, 2007
MOVIES
Delta Farce
Blue collar comedy sensation Larry the Cable Guy takes another crack at movie stardom with "Delta Farce," which distributor Lionsgate declined to screen in advance of opening day.
movie review
Black Book
Of all the filmmakers to tackle the story of a young Jewish woman's struggle to survive in Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II, the pulp sadist behind "Showgirls" and "Starship Troopers" wouldn't be the most obvious choice. Against all odds, though, Paul Verhoeven succeeds wildly with the period epic "Black Book."
May 4, 2007
movie review
Spider-Man 3
Thanks to fast and frequent action set pieces, a lot of surprising laughs and hands down the best special effects of the franchise so far, Spidey survives the curse of three.
May 4, 2007
movie review
Lucky You
The gambling drama "Lucky You" is tailor-made for those who enjoy televised poker championships. That's bad news for anyone who believes human beings make for more fascinating movie material than playing cards and casino chips.
April 27, 2007
movie review
Next
There's something inherently laughable in pairing Oscar winner Nicolas Cage and "7th Heaven" beauty Jessica Biel as romantic leads. Essentially polar opposites in terms of physical attractiveness and acting talent, watching them flirt and eventually lock lips onscreen in "Next" spurs unintended laughs.
April 27, 2007
movie review
Year of the Dog
"Year of the Dog" proves that sometimes, comedy hurts. This eccentric indie about an average secretary ("Saturday Night Live's" Molly Shannon) whose dog dies mixes tragedy with deadpan comedy for unique results.
April 27, 2007
movie review
The Condemned
For a while there, it looked as though the WWE was going to step up and fill the muscle-bound action hero void left when Arnold got into politics and Stallone started aging disgracefully. But the wrestling organization's movie division follows up John Cena's tepid "The Marine" with the utterly humorless "The Condemned," starring "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
April 27, 2007
movie review
Kickin' It Old Skool
If the words "starring Jamie Kennedy" still haven't ingrained in you the Pavlovian response to stay home and save your money, then how about this: "Kickin' It Old Skool" offers nothing but the broadest jokes cribbed from the talking-head segments of VH-1's "I Love the '80s" acted out onscreen. Did that do the trick?
April 27, 2007
movie review
The Invisible
"The Sixth Sense" meets "One Tree Hill" in "The Invisible," an awkward teen drama with supernatural elements. Never satisfying no matter what genre it attempts, "The Invisible" takes its title a little too seriously—ultimately giving audiences nothing to see.
April 20, 2007
movie review
Vacancy
The husband and wife at the center of failed slasher-flick "Vacancy" are such whiny, constantly bickering nitwits that it's impossible to invest in their dire predicament.
April 20, 2007
movie review
Hot Fuzz
With wits as quick as its fists, "Hot Fuzz" thoroughly satisfies. This British action comedy is particularly well-timed to hit before the impending onslaught of non-ironic summer blockbusters.
April 20, 2007
movie review
Fracture
Ryan Gosling's daring performance isn't the only reason to see the legal thriller "Fracture"—clever dialogue and refreshingly plausible plot twists are two others—but it's the best one.
April 20, 2007
movie review
In the Land of Women
There's only so much eye-rolling the average human head can tolerate. And "In the Land of Women" exhausts that limit. Not so much a film as a science experiment testing an audience's tolerance for clichés, this tedious and ill-conceived project unfolds with all the enthusiasm of a high school drama production.
movie review
Avenue Montaigne
French comedic drama "Avenue Montaigne" has a lot in common with a soufflé: it's light, airy and not very nourishing. Ideal viewing for those who prefer their filmmaking genteel (or French), this frothy intermingling of a group of Parisian artisans is hardly indigestible but deserves a warning label for overriding sweetness.
April 13, 2007
movie review
Disturbia
There's so much to like about "Disturbia" that, in the end, it feels a tad overstuffed. Though most easily classified as a creepy serial-killer flick, the film also packs '80s-style teen comedy, puppy-love romance and a moody study of post-traumatic adolescent stress into its tight 104-minute running time.
April 13, 2007
movie review
Perfect Stranger
The makers of "Perfect Stranger" obviously spent a little too much time in the wrong chat rooms. Every character in this preposterous thriller about the perils of online dating is a complete creep.
April 13, 2007
movie review
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Despite the "Borat"-esque title, "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters" is really nothing more than a 79-minute episode of the cult favorite Adult Swim show. Newcomers should be warned that this "movie" makes zero effort to open doors to the uninitiated. If you have no idea who MC Pee Pants is, stay home.
April 13, 2007
movie review
Slow Burn
The mildly sexy thriller "Slow Burn" starts off as an intriguing puzzle but piles on the twists until they stop making sense, and then pulls out a few more. Filmed all the way back in the summer of 2003, the movie's biggest surprise is that it even made it to theaters on the way to a more comfortable home on DVD and cable.
April 6, 2007
movie review
Grindhouse
"Grindhouse" comes off as more theme park ride than movie— and that's meant as a compliment. Be warned: A ticket buys moviegoers more than two back-to-back movies (Robert Rodriguez's "Planet Terror" and Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof"). "Grindhouse" turns local suburban multiplexes into run-down, seedy bum hotels, churning out a crass, exploitative and balls-out-fun movie experience, complete with fake trailers for crass, exploitative and balls-out-fun movies audiences will be dying to see next.
April 5, 2007
movie review
The Reaping
While the premise of "The Reaping" concerns the 10 Biblical plagues, the film itself is plagued by supernatural horror movie clichés: swarms of cheesy dialogue, a rain of implausible plot twists and overwhelming darkness in place of actual scares. A solid cast and abundance of Southern atmosphere can do only so much to keep apocalyptic silliness at bay.
movie review
The Host
"The Host," a kickass action horror film that drew comparisons to "Jaws" at least year's Cannes film festival and became the highest grossing movie of all time in its home country of South Korea, deserves a chance to compete with the biggest and best Hollywood blockbusters.
April 6, 2007
movie review
The Hoax
Clifford Irving notoriously tricked all of America into believing that he had secured the rights to reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes' memoirs back in 1971, making him the kind of colorful real-life character who is perfectly suited for the movies. Unfortunately, "The Hoax," though full of humor, understated tension and lovably chintzy '70s décor, never gets underneath its enigmatic fibber's skin and brings his story to the screen unevenly.
April 4, 2007
movie review
Are We Done Yet?
Two years after family-friendly road movie "Are We There Yet?" became a surprise hit, Ice Cube and his new family return for a sequel. Whether you asked for it or not.
March 30, 2007
movie review
Blades of Glory
The phrase "great comedic pairs" may bring to mind Abbott and Costello, Sonny and Cher or even Bush and Cheney, but Ricky Bobby and Napoleon Dynamite? Fortunately, the inspired combination of Will Ferrell and Jon Heder creates an epic odd couple in the ice skating comedy "Blades of Glory."
March 30, 2007
movie review
The Namesake
Adapting a decades-spanning novel into a two-hour movie is a tricky feat, and "The Namesake," based upon a book by Jhumpa Lahiri, sometimes strains under the effort. Writer Sooni Taraporevala's adaptation jumps over time periods so quickly it can cause disorientation. In many other ways, however, the film demonstrates what can go so right in making the leap from page to screen.
March 30, 2007
movie review
The Lookout
Even though the main character in "The Lookout" suffers from short-term memory loss, the film steers clear of the unconventional thriller territory already covered by "Memento." It carves out its own identity as an old-fashioned, completely satisfying heist movie that grounds its considerable thrills in complex character psychology.
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