DVD Review: The Wolfman
Posted on Jun 01, 2010 @ 12:43PM - Add a comment
Being a body-shredding beast is such a drag, especially when it’s all your dad’s fault. In The Wolfman, Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) returns to his hometown in 19th century England to find out how his brother was killed, but learns way more than he bargained for. As he digs deeper into local lore, the clues (and a nasty animal bite) lead him ever-closer to the scary truth and soon he’s in a fight for his life as the local body count jumps, one punctured artery at a time.
DVD Releases for May 25, 2010
Posted on May 25, 2010 @ 12:13PM - Add a comment
Dear John (PG-13)
It doesn’t take long for Channing Tatum’s shirt to come off in this romantic story of love, distance and roads not taken. Adapted from a novel by Nicholas Sparks -- also known as the man who brought us The Notebook and A Walk to Remember -- Dear John follows the trials and tribulations of a couple that keeps a long-distance romance alive through letters and imagination. While Channing’s character is off at war, his mellifluous lady of choice has some big choices to make of her own, and her decision impacts them both amid painful loss. (Channing Tatum [John Tyree], Amanda Seyfried [Savannah Curtis])
The Road (R)
Death, doom and yes, even cannibalism are in the depressing mix in this film about post-apocalyptic survival as only novelist Cormac McCarthy could imagine. Viggo Mortensen appropriately stars as a father who travels a ravaged America with his wife and young son, doing his best to keep them all alive and savoring each moment that his son’s heart is still beating. Of course, there are only two outcomes possible -- and in this landscape drawn in heart-chilling greys and dingy yellows, neither one is very appealing. (Viggo Mortensen [The Father], Charlize Theron [The Mother])
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman (Not Rated)
Who is Julius Shulman? According to this 2008 documentary, the late architectural photographer was one of the godfathers of American modernism, and his influence places him in pantheon of visionaries that includes titans like Frank Gehry, Richard Neutra and Rudolf Schindler. Narrated by Dustin Hoffman, Visual Acoustics introduces Shulman to us laypeople, and shows how his vision for space and design impacts everyday life, whether we realize it or not. (Dustin Hoffman [Himself, Narrator], Tom Ford [Himself], Kelly Lynch [Herself])
DVD Review: Invictus
Posted on May 18, 2010 @ 08:35PM - Add a comment
To the average American, men in tight shorts tossing around a leather ball and tackling each other without padding may not seem like the answer for a country that’s suffering from deep wounds and cultural strife. But to Nelson Mandela, rugby -- with its brutal athleticism and sweaty heroics -- was a tool to unite his nation in the wake of apartheid; a potential rallying cry that might bridge racial rifts and inspire the world.
Invictus tells the story of the former South African president's mission through the eyes of Clint Eastwood, who brings a sweeping sense of power and beauty to the story -- albeit at arm’s length. Morgan Freeman plays Mandela, who’s taking office as the country’s first president elected by both whites and blacks. It’s 1994, and the tremendous sense of change and anticipation are palpable on the streets and in the halls of government, where his new security team becomes a microcosm of South Africa’s bigger picture, and he himself sends a message of reconciliation to the outgoing president’s caucasian ranks. These early scenes reveal the kind of guy we’re dealing with, which is to say: one who’s far smarter, compassionate, philosophical and ambitious than ourselves.
DVD Review: Edge Of Darkness
Mandela, it turns out, also knows a thing or two about what makes people happy. Just as the national rugby team is about be dismantled as a bygone symbol of apartheid, the aging leader insists not only on keeping it, but getting black South Africans to cheer for it, too. With just one non-white player and virtually zero non-white fans, the Springboks are both beloved and maligned, and definitely not very good at playing rugby. In a brilliant PR move, Mandela makes friends with team captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), and kicks off a personal campaign to get the ‘Boks winning both games and hearts.
Valentine’s Day
Damon is wholly believable as a jock with integrity, even if he doesn’t say much and his family isn't down with the inspiration wagon. Mom and dad Pienaar don’t like the new president, dismissing him on TV while their black maid quietly irons in the living room. Francois, it seems, is blessed with a bigger worldview and while the ‘Boks are trotted out to townships and slowly rebranded, he undergoes ostensible transformation himself. Out on Robben Island, he has a quiet moment in Mandela’s former prison cell, in which an imaginary Mandela appears. He also communes with the pres’s favorite piece of inspiration: Invictus, the poem by 19th century scribe William Ernest Henley. (The title means “unconquered.”)
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Yet, for all the heavy moments and apparent transcendence, Francois is mostly a bland enigma with a beefed-up physique and buns of steel. We know he’s thinking deep thoughts: The night before the big game, his GF is warming up for a roll in the sack, but Francois’s eschewing sexy small-talk to ponder Mandela’s stunning capacity for forgiveness. Damon’s intensity and the swiftly moving story make it seem like his character might be interesting, but we never find out. Francois, sadly, isn't explored beyond the accent (which seems real enough, thanks to Damon’s six months of pratice), the bod (see previous) and calls to greatness (Francois to 'Boks: “Thees ees our destiny!”).
Similarly, while we see Mandela’s bottomless well of generosity, his liking for the ladies and hints of painful family dynamics, he, too, remains two-dimensional. He’s brilliant and inspirational, but even with Freeman’s powerful performance, the leader is more of a figurehead than a man. It’s too bad for a movie that could have been close to perfect with more emphasis on character development and a few tweaks to the soundtrack. Invictus is moving, visually striking and impressive in scope. Being that close to greatness, though, makes the absence of a human connection -- anyone will do! -- that much more disappointing.
Iron Man 2
New Releases
Posted on May 18, 2010 @ 06:12AM - 1 comment
Extraordinary Measures (PG-13)
With a tag line like “Don’t hope for a miracle. Make one,” there’s no way around this film’s feel-good effect, in a story of parents who will stop at nothing to find a cure for their daughter’s rare disorder. Despite the inspiration overload, Harrison Ford keeps things real as the curmudgeon of a researcher whose help is key to saving the little girl, but needs some convincing before taking the plunge. (Brendan Fraser [John Crowley], Harrison Ford [Dr. Robert Stonehill], Keri Russell [Aileen Crowley])
Invictus (PG-13)
What do rugby and politics have in common? For Nelson Mandela, the so-called gentleman’s sport was a way to rally South Africa in the wake of apartheid, when the former president was fresh out of jail, newly elected and trying to heal a fractured nation. Matt Damon stars as the team captain willing to wear tight shorts and take unpadded poundings for his country, while shouldering the hopes his new leader had for World Cup victory. (Morgan Freeman [Nelson Mandela], Matt Damon [Francois Pienaar])
The Spy Next Door (PG)
It’s a familiar scenario: Tough-guy crime-fighter is suddenly tasked with taking care of little kids, and can’t control them. Cue broad, physical comedy, a man in an apron and lots of burnt food. This time, martial arts master Jackie Chan is the unfortunate babysitter mired in domestic awfulness, until a new assignment lets him turn his pre-pubescent agitators into bad-ass assistants. (Jackie Chan [Bob Ho], Amber Valletta [Gillian], Billy Ray Cyrus [Colton James])
Movie Review : Letters To Juliet
Valentine’s Day (PG-13)
Stars from Julia Roberts to Taylor Lautner assemble for a film about America’s most stressful day of the year. Despite everyone’s Hollywood looks and adorable one-liners, no one’s relationship is what is what it seems, and the truth comes out as holiday hype sends each character into over-drive. (Jessica Alba [Morley Clarkson], Bradley Cooper [Holden], Topher Grace [Jason], Ashton Kutcher [Reed Bennett] and many more)
Leno's Ratings Starting To Slide
Posted on Mar 05, 2010 @ 12:08PM - 13 comments
Jay Leno’s return to the Tonight Show is proving to be a ratings bonanza for NBC even though his lead is sliding, RadarOnline.com has learned.
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On Monday, when Jay returned to the 11:30 p.m. time slot, he almost doubled David Letterman’s ratings at CBS.
But by Thursday night, Leno’s lead slide to a 15 percent lead. For the record: Jay had over 4 million viewers. One of Jay’s biggest nights was Tuesday when Sarah Palin wowed the audience with a standup routine.
The Princess And The Frog Hops To Front Of Box Office
Posted on Dec 11, 2009 @ 07:12PM - 5 comments
Somewhere, Kermit must be smiling that a frog is number one.
Disney's animated fairytale The Princess And The Frog hopped to the front of the box office, taking in an impressive $24,500,000 in its debut weekend in wide release.
The film opened in limited release in New York and Los Angeles on November 25, and so far has taken in $27,379,870.
