Out in Theaters: THE LONE RANGER
The true shame is that even with so much talent involved and a massive money-belt, the watered down result is hardly minor enjoyment even in light of some padded but…
REVIEW
REVIEW
Weekly Review 27: JESSE AND CELESTE FOREVER, FAST FIVE, MAMA, UPSTREAM COLOR, OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, THE LAST EXORCISM: PART 2
It’s been a long, long time since the last edition of Weekly Review so this installment should realistically read more like Monthly Review butlet’s just pretend together here. Aside from some at home viewing that included getting through the first season of BBC’s Luther, which I’ve really begun to enjoy, some easily digestible watching with...
REVIEW
Out in Theaters: THE HEAT
By far, the film's largest problem is that when it's not funny, it's annoying. It's like watching a game made up solely of Hail Mary's that shows no sign of…
FESTIVAL
SIFF Review: A HIJACKING
“A Hijacking” (Kapringen) Directed by Tobias Lindholm Starring Pilou Asbæk, Søren Malling, Dar Salim, Roland Møller, Gary Skjoldmose Porter, Abdihakin Asgar, Amalie Ihle Alstrup Drama, Thriller 99 Mins R Tracking a fictional hijacking situation at sea, Tobias Lindholm‘s film values process over progress, where the “heroes” and “villains” play a politicking game of...
REVIEW
Out in Theaters: BEFORE MIDNIGHT
Throughout it's 109 minutes, there is not an ounce of narrative fat asking to be skimmed off nor is there any pandering to a broad and blasé audience. The tender…
REVIEW
Out in Theaters: MAN OF STEEL
Contrasting Man of Steel to Bryan Singer's Superman Returns, it is head and shoulders superior. DC Comics continues along the path set out for them by Nolan where a sense of reality is…
FESTIVAL
Wrapping Up the Seattle International Film Festival
46 Days and 447 Films From Thursday, April 25 (with an official start date of May 16) to Sunday, June 9, the Seattle International Film Festival has screened 447 films, 31 of which I had a chance to watch. From opening with Joss Whedon’s Shakespearean piece Much Ado About Nothing, which I called “a...
FESTIVAL
SIFF Review: THE BLING RING
“The Bling Ring”Directed by Sofia Coppola Starring Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, Emma Watson, Leslie Mann, Claire Julien, Taissa Farmiga Crime, Drama 90 Mins R In a funny way, The Bling Ring is Sofia Coppola‘s most accessible film to date. As cognizantly distant and empty-headed as the teens-on-a-tear at the center of the film are, Coppola...
FESTIVAL
SIFF Review: LAST I HEARD
“Last I Heard” Directed by Dave Rodriguez Starring Paul Sorvino, Renee Props, Michael Rapaport, Andrea Nittoli, Lev Gorn, Steven Bauer, Chazz PalminteriDrama, Comedy For a film whose focus is character, Last I Heard is pretty inept at characterization. Leading man Paul Sorvino does the best he can with his ex-mobster character Mr. Joe but he...
FESTIVAL
SIFF Review: WISH YOU WERE HERE
“Wish You Were Here”Directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith Starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Price, Teresa Palmer, Antony Starr Drama, Mystery 89 MinsR Cautionary tale and psychological thriller, Wish You Were Here is the worst of vacation nightmares realized. Veering around chronological storytelling, director Kieran Darcy-Smith twists an introspective journey into a taut thriller. With silence that feels...