|
|
Anhoni Patel Administrator Besides being Managing Editor of SF Station, Anhoni Patel writes fiction and reviews. She is the author of "All Good Things Die in L.A." and is currently at work on her second novel. Her many passions include movies, food and books. Check out her web site and read her book! |
|
|
 | Chick Lit Let me sum up this movie in two words: chick flick. Think [b]Steel Magnolias[/b] and [b]Beaches[/b] but with nothing remotely redeeming. If you're looking for a good date movie or something to see with your mother or friends, this is not the movie to pick. Go eat dinner or have some ice cream or talk about your feelings instead, and expect to see [b]The Jane Austen Book Club[/b], directed by Robin Swicord, running on the "Lifetime" channel shortly.More |  | The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love (maybe) The first of day school as a student fresh off of summer vacation is always a bit harrowing. The first day of school for a teacher is much, much worse. Especially for those teachers portrayed in first-time director Mike Akel's mockumentary [b]Chalk[/b]. If the kids aren’t stealing chalk or getting into fights then the teachers and administration are completely exasperated.More |  | Harry Grows up and Gets Darker By the time Harry Potter reaches 18, it wouldn't be surprising if he will have dyed his hair black, pierced his face, gotten a few tats and walked around wearing a Joy Division t-shirt. Such is the arc of this young man's angst-ridden, tumultuous life. Of course, author J.K. Rowling's final edition to her beloved [b]Harry Potter[/b] series comes out on July 21st and who knows who Harry will turn out to be. What can be said is that the film adaptation of book 5, [b]Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix[/b], is as dark, mysterious and wondrous as ever. Much like adolescence itself.More |  | An Instant Cult Classic One of the most anticipated movies of the summer, [b]Stardust[/b], lives up to expectations and delivers so much more. It succeeds as both a fantasy film and as a romantic comedy, which is a difficult feat. Some have compared it to the cult classic [b]The Princess Bride[/b], but while [b]Stardust[/b] references other films, it is essentially unique.More |  | Fact and Fiction Jane Austen is considered by many to be one of the world's greatest authors. Well, she certainly knew how to write chick lit. That is, the complexities of courtship and affairs of the heart. However, Austen herself never married and had no significant known relationships. How is it then that someone with no such experience could write about love so insightfully? [b]Becoming Jane[/b] has its own theory on that matter.More |  | Never Fear, the Supercop is Here Meet Sergeant Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), policeman extraordinaire. He graduated top of his class, he's an expert marksman, and he can can engage in a highspeed chase with the best of 'em. Along with a stacked resume, he also has an arrest rate 400% higher than anyone else in his department. In any other normal action movie, this would only be an asset to the hero but, then again, [b]Hot Fuzz[/b] is no ordinary film.More |  | What Makes Us Who We Are Names are important. They are what make us who we are in both a literal and profound way. They are how the world sees you and how you see yourself in the world. I was named by one of my aunts and I am grateful that she gave me a powerful, unique appellative; my name means "something which is not possible" in Hindi. However, it was a difficult name to have growing up in this country around non-Indians who neither knew its meaning nor knew how to properly pronounce it. One of the protagonists in the film [b]The Namesake[/b] has had a similar experience to mine.More |  | The Boys Bring It At first glance [b]Blades of Glory[/b] looks like unsophisticated drivel. And, essentially it is. But it is also very, very funny. The point is it KNOWS what it is and accepts it with relish. If you want good old fashioned laughs, then this is the movie for you.More |  | A Shot of Testosterone to the Head [b]300[/b] is like a piece of liquor store candy. It's got no substantive value and two seconds after digesting it you'll forget all about it, but it's tempting and you just can't help yourself. A big budget marketing campaign in which the principle characters are displayed in captivating hues and enthralling poses with the words "Prepare for Glory", and the promise of Frank Miller's artistic genius are all one needs to be lured into the theater.More |  | Depressing and Indigestion Inducing Chances are if you've read Eric Schlosser's breakthrough book [b]Fast Food Nation[/b], you've either become a vegetarian or abstained from all fast food. The book examines the fast food industry including its origins, marketing, production and workers. It is exceedingly thorough and what you learn is grisly. Directed by Richard Linklater ([b]Slacker[/b], [b]School of Rock[/b], [b]A Scanner Darkly[/b]), the movie adaptation is even more searing.More |
|
