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Hitman - A Review
I bit the bullet, and spent $6 to go see the film adaptation for the highly praised video game, Hitman.
Was it as bad as everyone thought it was going to be? Read more
The Mist - A Review
Apology: I didn’t really mean to see this. I had a pass to see a sneak preview of Atonement, but missed it. So we decided to see The Mist instead.
The Mist is based on one of the 2.7 million formulaic novels churned out from a program somewhere on Stephen King’s computer. You know the drill: Creative guy (this time, a painter) who lives on the eastern seaboard (Maine) encounters a strange force (mist) with additional repercussions (monsters) and overwrought characters (this time, a religious nutcase and an overbearing black man) while trapped in an isolated location (this time, a supermarket).
Ugh … who keeps buying this shit?
Michelle Shocked - A Concert Review
Let me start by saying that I have never been a fan of Michelle Shocked. More accurately I was never very familiar with her work. On Ray’s insistence I ended up a at Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room uncertain about what I might see. I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised.
Michelle Shocked - Concert Review
After seventeen long years away, America’s last great storyteller returned to St. Louis - one of the great cradles of blues music - and lit up the stage at the legendary Blueberry Hill venue with a fiery and confident performance on Saturday night.
This won’t be much of an objective review, I’m afraid. I’ve loved Michelle Shocked since the very beginning.
American Gangster - A Review
A film directed by Ridley Scott. A pairing of two of our generations best actors. A period piece about the rise and fall of one of America’s most notorious criminals. It is no wonder that American Gangster was one of the most anticipated films of the year. I admit I was one who fell in love with the idea of this movie from the first showing of the trailer earlier this year. But don’t believe the hype. Read more
No Country For Old Men - Chris’ Review
Ray’s review of No Country For Old Men, is exactly right. This is a near perfect film. The performances are career defining. And there is little that the words of even the best reviewers can do to really explain its brilliance. The reason is simple.
Like with all great films, i.e. The Godfather or Citizen Kane, interpretation is individual. If you ask ten people what The Godfather meant to them you may very well get ten different answers. It is a tale off the mafia and how crime leads to more crime. It is the story of a hero’s tragic but inevitable downfall. It is a film about family. The same is certainly true of No Country. In talking with Ray after seeing the film (his second viewing) we both saw different messages in the film and had different ideas about what they might have meant. This is the mark of great filmmaking. Read more
No Country For Old Men - Ray’s Review
This will be one of the shortest reviews in history, and certainly the shortest anything I have ever banged out.
No Country For Old Men is near perfect. At equal turns harrowing, terrifying, hilarious, and honest, this film is as brutal and unflinching as anything seen on American screens in quite some time.
Career-best work from writers/directors Joel and Ethan Coen. Brilliant performances by Tommy Lee Jones and especially Josh Brolin, who redefines his career here. Towering over everything is the astonishing Javier Bardem as villain Anton Chigurh. We now have the successor to Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter thanks to Bardem’s magnetic and unforgettable performance.
Don’t listen to what others have said about the ending - it perfectly captures the hopelessness and bleakness that drenches this film.
Four words: GO SEE IT IMMEDIATELY!
Beowulf - A Review
The landmark eighth century poem Beowulf receives a digital facelift through the powers of Robert Zemekis, a hundred million dollars, and vast teams of computer artists. However, do the pixels add up to anything more than a series of pretty pictures?
RECommended Renting - SiCKO
One of the most talked about films of the summer finally was released this week on DVD. Michael Moore’s most recent documentary,SiCKO, stirred a lot of discussion this year about our country’s health care system, and regardless of which side of the fence you sit regarding this matter, discussion in matters like these is a good thing.
The film follows several stories of how the American system is abandoning its own people. Insured Americans living with out proper care so the insurance companies, drug companies, and our own government can reap the benefits of the cost savings. As if this is not enough to make you blood boil, Moore, taps into our jealousy by showing us how universal health care benefits citizens of Canada, France, and Great Britain. Read more
Into The Wild - A Review
In 1990, Christopher McCandless graduated from Emory University with a double major in History and Anthropology. Immediately following his graduation ceremony, McCandless cashed out his life savings of $24,000 and gave it away to charity, burned all of his credit and identification cards, and set out on the road. His two year series of adventures ended tragically in Alaska, where he died of accidental poisoning and starvation near a national park.
The young man’s short life was recreated in a 1996 book by Jon Krakauer entitled INTO THE WILD, which has now been adapted by actor/activist/professional jerk/director Sean Penn and starring Emile Hirsch as the doomed idealist.
RECommended Renting - American Splendor
I am an idiot. You know how sometimes when a film comes out, you say “I am definitely seeing that one,” and then for some reason or another you never get around to it? Then, when it comes out on video you girlfriend wants to get something with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, so you agree because you think it might get you laid. Before you know it you completely forget about that movie. Until, you’re walking around the video store one night, trying carefully to avoid Hugh Grant’s enticing smile on every other box cover, and you finally remember, “oh yeah I’ve been meaning to see that!” Read more
Elizabeth: The Golden Age - A Review
It is the rare sequel that lives up to expectations; The Godfather Part II, The Empire Strikes Back, The Color of Money. Most, however, fail in trying to continue what is already finished. The Godfather Part III, is a prime example of this. The story told in the brilliant 1998 film Elizabeth is only the beginning of the very interesting reign of Queen Elizabeth I, so it made perfect sense that if you could bring back all of the major players of the original, a sequel could become a very special film.
In the Valley of Elah - A Review
The film award season has officially begun, and why shouldn’t it be kicked off by Paul Haggis? Everything he has touched lately from Million Dollar Baby to Crash to Letters From Iwo Jima has turned to gold. Haggis’ latest In the Valley of Elah is a worthy follow up to his previous efforts. Read more
RECommended Renting - Knocked Up
I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Judd Apatow strikes gold again, with this summer’s hit comedy Knocked Up. It seems that everything that Apatow touches lately has been golden. From 2005’s The 40 Year Old Virgin and another 2007 hit Superbad. I thought 40 Year Old Virgin was hilarious but for my money Knocked Up tops it in so many ways.
Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl are hilarious as unlikely parents to be, when a night of too much drinking leads to some serious bed squeaking. My favorite, however, is the brother -in-law, Pete, played by Paul Rudd. An Apatow favorite, Rudd might be the most seen actor that nobody knows. He’s appeared in Night at the Museum, 40 Year Old Virgin, Anchorman, and Clueless, not to mention numerous guest appearances on television. Read more
Dumb Idea # 12,569
I admit I am a sucker for a clever commercial and the Geico.com auto insurance ads do tickle my fancy. Read more
Eastern Promises - A Review
David Cronenberg, the director best know for weird sci-fi films such as Scanners and The Fly, has recently taken a turn for the more mainstream drama. I use the term “mainstream” loosely because his two most recent films are normal by his standards if not the general public’s. 2005’s A History of Violence was a very good film starring Viggo Mortensen as a man with a hidden past trying to live a normal family life. This weekend’s release of Cronenberg’s newest film Eastern Promises brought much anticipation for more of what made Violence so good. It unfortunately misses the mark. Read more
RECommended Renting - We Are Marshall
For the students of Marshall University and the people of Huntington, West Virginia, November 14 1970 is a date that no one will forget. The team charter that carried seventy-five players, coaches, boosters, and flight crew were killed when the flight crash just short of the Huntington airport.
Just released this week on DVD is the 2006 film, We Are Marshall, which depicts these events and the attempt to rebuild it football program. Matthew Fox stars as the assistant coach, Red Dawson, who, by chance, chooses not to take the flight. Dawson must help new head coach, Jack Lengyel, played by Matthew McConaughey, rebuild the devastated football program and in turn the whole town.
Sappy premise to say the least. And the film will turn out exactly as you can imagine. What makes this worth seeing are three things. One, the performance of Fox. He is perfect here as the reluctant coach. Second, the performance of Anthony Mackie, who plays defensive back, and one of the few varsity players who was not on the 1970 flight, Nate Ruffin. Mackie, normally playing very small roles, takes on a bigger one and delivers an inspiring performance. Third, it is a feel good story.
Most sports films are, from Rocky to Rudy to Seabiscuit, they are notorious crowd pleasers and tear jerkers. We Are Marshall is no different. And that’s fine with me.
If you’re in the mood for a good emotional story and not much else, then this might be right up your alley. Sometimes films like this are just enough to curb that sappy itch.
RECommended Renting - Black Snake Moan
Lost in the shuffle of the disaster that was the spring movie season (Wild Hogs), is a film that might turn out to be one of the best of the year. Black Snake Moan is really a powerful film about redemption, second chances, and a dirty little slut.
Christina Ricci plays said slut in a performance that is most certainly her best to date. Samuel L. Jackson, as good as you would expect, is the man who who tries to cure the slut right out of her. And the best surprise of the film is Justin Timberlake as the slut’s military bound boyfriend. Coming of a respectable performance in Alpha Dog, there was reason to believe that Justin really had more than singing and dancing chops. He proves it here.
This is anything but a light-hearted movie. It is in your face and at times difficult to watch. For director Craig Brewer this is a brilliant follow up to 2005’s surprise hit Hustle and Flow. We may need to pay a bit more attention to the name Craig Brewer; he has definitely got talent.
Much like last year, it has been a really tough year for good films. I am holding out hope for this winter’s “awards” releases, but 2007’s first quality release was Black Snake Moan.
MEGA ‘FUCKING’ DETH - A Concert Review
Last night Megadeth brought their United Abominations tour to St. Louis (actually Pops in Sauget, IL).
After many lineup changes and a couple sub par albums (Risk, Cryptic Writings) the band has been making it’s way back atop the metal scene. The band is out to promote their latest and eleventh album United Abominations. The band’s return to old school thrash, a return that began with The World Needs A Hero, then The System Had Failed has now hit full circle.
Concert Review - Megadeth
My ears are still ringing and I’m sure Eric’s ass still hurts. We both had the privilege of seeing one of the granddaddies of metal in a small personal club last night. Megadeth is the brain child guitar great and former Metallica member Dave Mustaine.
Aggressive, political, and loud are the best ways to describe any of their albums from Killing is my Business and Business is Good through their latest United Abominations. Their live shows are no different. After seeing the original lineup in the early 90’s, I know first hand what Megadeth is about. The new lineup(only Mustaine remains) doesn’t lose much of the original sound. Still political, as show in a new tracks like Washington is Next, Megadeth is sticking with what they know. The mid to late eighties, when they first came on the scene, were times of relative peace. Just imagine what they are writing about now. Read more
