|
|
|
Sort By:
 |
Movies
Another Predictable Rom Com
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
While The Proposal has genuine moments of humor and heart, it is ultimately just another rehash of the same old romantic comedy story. The only reason the film doesn’t fall completely flat is due to the casting of Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds (give that Casting Director a cake!). Reynolds, who has unfairly been caught up in the rom-com genre for years, has a natural talent for humor, as does Bullock, and the two are able to give the film just enough lift to actually survive a viewing. More
|
 |
Movies
Supermarket Confidential
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
One of the year’s most important films, Food, Inc. traces the industrial food revolution from its mid-20th century beginnings, when new, profoundly influential restaurant chains like McDonalds introduced the factory-inspired concept of line cooking in their kitchens, to the present, when supermarkets are routinely stocked with genetically engineered meats and vegetables. More
|
 |
Movies
No Imagination Can Save This
Rating: 1 out of 5 stars.
Even as a film aimed at kids, Imagine That lacks any semblance of creative thought. It’s bland, unfunny and, ironically, pretty unimaginative. It’s a children’s movie that centers on adult action and includes incredibly offensive jokes about Native Americans. To the chagrin of many of his fans, Eddie Murphy has settled into a career of mediocre family flicks with the Shrek franchise being the only exception (depending on your opinion). Yet, with all the lows Eddie Murphy has managed to hit in the last decade, this is by far the lowest. More
|
 |
Movies
Action-Heavy Remake Scores (Mostly)
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
In less than two months, Hollywood has inundated multiplexes with prequels, sequels and reboots (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian , Terminator Salvation). This week, Hollywood returns to form with The Taking of Pelham, 1, 2, 3, a suspenseful, action-heavy remake of the gritty, gripping 1974 hostage drama. More
|
 |
Movies
Uneven Relationship Drama
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
A collaboration between filmmaker Sam Mendes and screenwriters Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, Away We Go focuses on the excesses, failings, and complications inherent in the American Dream, at least as seen through the traditional nuclear family. Unlike Mendes’ previous film, Revolutionary Road, Away We Go ultimately presents a far more optimistic take on heterosexual relationships, monogamy, and parenting. More
|
 |
Movies
Bringing Together a Community
Frameline returns with its 33rd San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival. This year finds 210 films from 20 countries promoting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and is being screened over 11 days from June 18-28. However, Frameline33 offers much more than just a portal into the LGBT and exhibits nothing less than an exquisite display of masterful filmmaking. This year offers and incredible array of features and documentaries that beautifully illuminate the LGBT community through film. The longest running film festival to the LGBT community, this year’s theme is The Power of Film. More
|
 |
Movies
A Big, Fat, Greek Mess
Rating: 1 out of 5 stars.
Nia Vardalos made a splash a few years ago with the surprise hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It was a romantic comedy that resonated for just about anyone who has an awkward, overbearing, or otherwise challenging family. In short, it worked for pretty much everyone. My Life in Ruins aspires to leverage the Greek magic Vardalos pulled off a few years ago with results that are far from magical. More
|
 |
Movies
Men Behaving Really Badly
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
In a summer season jammed with big-budget, high-concept sci-fi blockbusters along comes The Hangover, the latest male-oriented comedy from director Todd Phillips. An unabashedly crude, rude and vulgar journey into the male psyche, The Hangover is relentlessly, unmercifully hilarious, skewering everything and anything related to heterosexual male anxiety but never skimping on sight gags or character-based verbal humor. The Hangover succeeds where far too many male-oriented comedies fail: in being consistently, outrageously hilarious from the first scene to the closing credits. More
|
 |
Movies
Should Have Stayed Lost
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
There are only two reasons to see Land of the Lost: Will Ferrell and Danny McBride. This isn’t a shining moment in either’s career, but they are both inherently funny and manage to lift up an otherwise disastrous film into watchable territory. The blame on this one doesn’t fall with its stars but rather director Brad Silberling who concocts a story of perpetual plot conveniences devoid of almost any character development. The only conclusion is that all those involved wanted to have fun making a multi-million dollar film while caring less about how it turned out. More
|
 |
Movies
The Japanese Way of Death
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
People hate the thought of dying so much, it's no wonder whole industries exist to either help us delay the inevitable with medicines or tart us up with embalming fluids when it's our time to lie six feet under. The Japanese are no exception. Any culture that turned the act of pouring a cup of tea into an intricate ceremony long on symbolism could certainly turn a wake into a meaningful ritual that helps families say sayonara to their loved ones. Departures ("Okuribito") provides an illuminating, touching, yet not humorless look inside a little-known profession, even for the Japanese. More
|
|
