Two things I know to be guaranteed as I write this review: “Star Trek” will not hold on to the top box office spot this weekend, and despite Tom Hanks ruffling many a Mormon’s feathers last January, calling them “Un-American” for supporting Proposition 8, those same folks will be lining up in droves this weekend to forgive Hanks as he reprises his role as symbologist Robert Langdon in “Angels & Demons.” The cash and clemency are both deserved, because the …
Category: Reviews
I am not a Trekkie. I have never dressed up as a Klingon or, for that matter, any member of the U.S.S. Enterprise. I think the phaser is an effeminate weapon that doesn’t come close to sheer awesomeness of the lightsaber or a blaster. Yes, Spock’s ears bug the crap out of me, as such I’ve never said “live long and prosper” and might consider socking someone in the gut who did. Furthermore, with the exception of “The Wrath of …
After a number of screenings, reviews are coming in for this weekend’s Summer Opener: X-men Origins: Wolverine… and they’re pretty much what you would have expected from a crown spoiled by two previous X-Men films by Bryan Singer: slightly worse than middling. Which is fine, considering tracking date knows you better than you know yourself and demands a super high probability that most everyone who likes watching explosions in the dark will see this one no matter what critics say. …
“State of Play” is an intelligent, seamlessly paced political thriller that will most likely be overlooked and even steamrolled this weekend by the Zac Efron Love Train. Who wants to watch a chubby Russell Crowe and a graying Ben Affleck attack D.C. corruption when Efron’s rippled abs can be had for the better part of two hours? Maybe you might, but I’ll take the former “Gladiator” star and his acting chops any day over Captain High School Musical. Love him …
I didn’t get a chance to screen “Adventureland” before its release today, but I traveled to the thriving metropolis of Ogden, Utah, even to the late Larry H. Miller’s newish Junction Megaplex, to catch a late show with my sisters. Based on the redband trailer and the helmsmanship of director Greg Mottola, I was expecting crass and crude, something like “Superbad.” But that’s not what was served. What I saw was a charming, smart, heartwarming (and yes, sometimes crass) comedy …
When it comes to animated movies, Pixar (and likewise Disney) has set the gold standard with pretty much anything they spit out. Whether it’s “Toy Story” (1995) or “Wall-E” (2008), the CGI animation studio in Emeryville, California is a lock for critical acclaim and box office success. They could make a movie about a pair of talking underpants and people would stream to the cinema to soak it up. Even with all glory, laud and honor going to the studio …