The tagline for Chappie is “Humanity’s last hope isn’t human.” There’s a lot of potential in that statement, and in the premise of this film. Sadly, the tagline should read “Science fiction’s last hope is not Neill Blomkamp.” Oh, I wanted him to be. District 9 was an excellent sci-fi film with social commentary without…
Jupiter Ascending *** (out of five) You get an awful lot of movie for your sixteen – or whatever – bucks with The Wachowski’s Jupiter Ascending, a crazy, fun, infuriating, difficult, fun, bonkers, expensive, fun, ludicrous, romantic, fun flick. It is flawed but is full of… fun. I had a great, cheesy time. Jupiter Jones (surely a…
When I first saw the trailer I was a little shocked to tell you the truth. I was expecting a movie that would be a darker version of Mr. Holland’s Opus. Wrong. This is one heavy music related drama that holds nothing back. J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller are amazing. They both give solid performances…
Just when you thought your only response to another vampire-based movie would be rolling your eyes and grabbing the nearest crucifix and garlic, along comes What We Do In The Shadows and turns that frown upside down. I’ve only seen maybe, one episode of Flight of the Concords, but Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi have written a rather funny take on the vampire via a mockumentary style reality film.
If you liked The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, there’s more of the same for you here. Indeed, The Second Best Exotic Marigold is the very definition of an unnecessary sequel, and its title tells you the truth straight up. It’s the second best.
There’s a lot of spitfire razzle-dazzle but barely any wit, panache or charm in Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman The Secret Service, a huge bloated misfire of a movie that sits like a spew stain on the impeccable jacket of Colin Firth’s body of work. While the bounteous fight sequences have verve and style, the rest…
Okay, so here’s the deal–I’m a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey. I get the haters, and there’s a lot to target. I’m educated. I have an English degree. I know good writing and I love great literature. I understand that the books are terribly written. I mean I could barely…
I love superhero movies and TV shows, but it’s become a bit too much. Did you know that you can buy adult Underoos at Target? I don’t think I’ve seen a movie, in the theater, in the last couple years that was NOT superhero related. I count Chef. At least…
For many musical theatre types, Into The Woods is a master work, one of the best pieces by Stephen Sondheim, the anti-populist, intellectual, “difficult” composer and lyricist. Into The Woods is one of his biggies, featuring great music and songs, strong characters, and a fun storyline that subverts a bunch of fairy tales. Huge in…
I met Paddington the Bear at a very tender moment in my life. I had been moved to London from Sydney at age seven, an only child, with no friends in my new city and a total sense of displacement. My parents immediately bought me a Paddington Bear, who became my fast friend. I could…