In his follow-up to the mega-hit (and slightly overrated) “The Hangover,” director Todd Phillips pairs that film’s breakout star, Zach Galifianakis, with Robert Downey Jr. in a “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” redux about two strangers forced to travel across the country together. The comparisons to that previous road movie are inescapable. What matters here is […]
Downey + Galifianakis = Enough laughs in ‘Due Date’ Read More »
Hiring A-list talent to voice cartoon characters is no new concept for Dreamworks Animation. Even in their best films, stars frequently headline the marquee (Jack Black is “Kung Fu Panda,” Mike Myers is “Shrek”). “Megamind” follows the pattern, with comedian Will Ferrell voicing the title super-villain, Tina Fey as the love interest and Brad Pitt
‘Megamind’ lacking mega-laughs Read More »
In the science-fiction chiller “Splice,” Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley play the stupidest scientists on the planet. Sure, they have the brain power to create blobby creatures from the DNA of several animals, and they’re able to splice human genes with those of a pig, chicken, velociraptor, Swamp Thing, etc. But man, these people need
‘Splice’ Lesson #1: Don’t go chasing waterfalls Read More »
Josh Miller takes on the third installment of "The Twilight Saga" As of this writing it’s the fourth highest grossing film of 2010, yet holds a 4.8 on imdb and a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. No matter how hard they try, critics can’t stop this franchise. I found the first two films abysmal in almost every way, but
Guest Review – ‘Eclipse’ Read More »
America’s education system is broken, and, as you might guess, a bunch of people are to blame. While such a statement doesn’t incite much controversy, it also doesn’t stir people to action. The new documentary “Waiting for Superman” will do both. It puts a human face on a staggering national problem and takes a harsh
Waiting for ‘Superman’ makes convincing case for education reform Read More »
Typically known for his methodical pacing and intimate scope, director Clint Eastwood begins his latest effort, “Hereafter,” with a terrifying action sequence. French journalist Marie (Cecile de France) is caught in a devastating tsunami. She dies, experiences something extraordinary, then is miraculously revived. Don’t fret. Eastwood hasn’t totally abandoned his filmmaking style. The rest of
‘Hereafter’ tedious look at afterlife Read More »
Old-timer CIA agents (Retired: Extremely Dangerous division) find themselves on the run from younger colleagues in “Red,” the action-comedy based on a lesser-known DC Comics series. Bruce Willis leads the group of retirees, which include Morgan Freeman, Brian Cox, and most memorably, Helen Mirren and John Malkovich. That premise, however, is deceptive, as much of
Old-timer heroes in ‘Red’ need an aspirin Read More »
Computer programmer isn’t the typical occupation of Hollywood’s heroes and villains. All the more reason “The Social Network” goes out of its way to blur the truth about the creation of Facebook. In what seems like an impossible feat for even the most talented filmmakers, director David Fincher (“Fight Club,” “Zodiac”) and “West Wing” writer
Truth unnecessary in gripping ‘Social Network’ Read More »
With his slick hair and gigantic cell phone, the Gordon Gekko of Oliver Stone’s original “Wall Street” was the villain who made it OK to think Greed is Good. Out of the slammer and plopped back into New York just a few months before the financial meltdown of 2008, the Gordon Gekko of Stone’s sequel
‘Wall Street’ sequel no match against original Read More »
Just like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” the high school comedy “Easy A” has a random musical number with no real connection to the plot. There’s a lot of borrowing from other coming-of-age movies too, from “Say Anything” and “Sixteen Candles” to “Clueless” and even “Mean Girls.” The theft pays off because of “Superbad” alum Emma
Classic high school comedies an inspiration to ‘Easy A’ Read More »
