We've all spent some time with the movie rework blues, and today I have a guest post for you from Chris Kavan of FilmCrave.com, who takes a look at the state of Hollywood and it's general lack of originality. Take a look, enjoy, and think about putting your monetary votes behind some more interesting players. According to Box Office Mojo as it currently stands these are the top ten … [Read more...]
The problem we are finding ourselves faced with, as audiences, with the rash of comic-book titles now swarming around theaters, is that they are absolutely committed to the idea that they should "start." The origin story was pretty clearly the right way to go when we started having comic-book titles (Superman, etc.), and when they are done brilliantly (Batman Begins), they make for great films. … [Read more...]
Summer is approaching, and that means that over the course of the next few months we will be treated to several films featuring muscular men in a variety of "macho movie awesome" displays - blowing things up, driving really fast, letting loose with thousands of rounds of ammo, etc. These will all be tremendously stupid films (to varying degrees, let's say). I bring this up, because they will all … [Read more...]
Even a mild John Hughes reference can send your teen angst movie into a tailspin of expectation failure, and Easy A doesn't merely nod at the legendary writer/director, but provides a video montage and dares to include the line, "My life isn't a John Hughes movie." That's treading dangerous ground, but the film pulls it off, largely by way of being smart enough to know exactly what it is, and … [Read more...]
Robert Altman's powerfully funny Hollywood rant, The Player, is now available on Blu-Ray, and the film is as fresh and clever now as ever. With a legendary opening, an unbelievable number of guest spots, and Tim Robbins at his best, the film is among the more perfect examples of must-own titles, because it is nothing if not infinitely rewatchable. With Robbins as not simply a movie exec, but … [Read more...]
There are films that test a movie critic, and I imagine that Eat Pray Love is going to become a solid example of such a film. Back in 1966, a little movie directed by John Huston came out called, The Bible: In the Beginning.... Huston also starred in the film, along with George C. Scott, Richard Harris, Ava Gardner, Peter O'Toole, and several others. You may know it. Upon it's release, not one … [Read more...]
For most purposes, the words "complicated" and "complex" are synonyms. When you dig around a little though, there is a big difference between the two concepts, at least, if you ask a lot of philosophers and thinkers. Generally, a thing is as complex as it is, but it isn't too complex, or not complex enough. At the same time, it makes sense to think of some things as simple and complex. Things can … [Read more...]
If you're a fan of the Alien films, take note, you're about the get the chance to own everything you could ever want related to the iconic series of movies. The Ultimate Collection Featuring All Four ALIEN Films Hatches On Blu-ray from October 25 With Never-Before-Seen Bonus Material And The Debut Of The Exclusive and Groundbreaking Interactive Experience, MU-TH-UR Mode Fans Have A … [Read more...]
Some apps get their value by glitz and wow, but the ones that actually get used on a regular basis simply do work. Usually, pretty simple work too, but in an incredibly convenient way. Such is the case with Movies Now (or MoviesNow, or MoviesNow HD), an app for iPhone and iPad that has been getting a lot of attention recently. It's so simple in fact, that it largely defies description. It's an … [Read more...]
Early next year, the past will really make its way to the future, as a hero popularized through a radio show makes it to the big screen. January 14th, 2011 will see The Green Hornet hitting theaters, and will not only give you an action film decades in the making, but will test the limits of heroic casting efforts by putting Seth Rogen in the crosshairs. As someone who has actually listened to … [Read more...]
There's a pretty clear quasi-joke that comes through in Alain de Botton's first novel On Love, but it's delivered better in the film loosely based on that work (and Essays in Love), My Last Five Girlfriends. This is perhaps because it is actually delivered in the film, but that's to split hairs really. de Botton's novel, which was dealt with rather harshly by a good many critics upon its … [Read more...]
The most fun you've had in a while, especially from the realm of films relating to school, may be on its way to you. Coming in September is what looks like a real treat of film. Easy A, starring Emma Stone, and showcasing a very cool cast of supporting actors, is a unique look at "screwing" with High School life. Take a look at the trailer, and let me know what you think. After a little white lie … [Read more...]
There's a unique sense of fun about the first Iron Man movie, and it's enough to largely overcome whatever difficulties may be present. The villain is overdone. The message of peace overwrought. Generally, the script could have been tweaked. None of it matters a great deal though, because the experience of muddling along with the world's biggest playboy as he comes to terms with having the … [Read more...]
It may just be the season of movies that surprise me. There seem to be an awful lot of movies that don't appeal to me on the horizon, except that most of them are somehow finding a way to appeal to me. It may have started with the actors, the premise, or both, and none of them are remotely likely to be the next greatest thing, but I'm getting sucked into the idea that they might be fairly … [Read more...]
The movie that had people raising eyebrows over its "plot," is after more curiosity attention with its new poster. You might wonder how you put together an entire film out of being buried alive, but you might also wonder what you can put together for a poster to illustrate it. Wonder no more. Are you ready for this one? Is this a crazy poster? Paul Conroy is not ready to die. But when … [Read more...]
The Losers is a film that will try your abilities when attempting to describe, or judge it. You can't avoid comparing it to The A-Team, and then you're left to differentiate it, and that's a tough road. In calculating its merits, it's tricky to get past saying that it's about as good as it was going to be, but that's a turn of phrase that might mean anything. Clay (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) … [Read more...]
