Planes Review
Planes is an abomination wrapped inside a bullshit party. That’s
really all I want to write about this endless crap festival of a film
but since this is a review, I’m supposed to keep going. AND I SHALL.
The Way, Way Back Review
The Way, Way Back... is way way awesome!
Groundbreaking? Not exactly, but there’s a reason that certain stories are well-trodden: Because we want to see them again and again. Meatballs is one of my favorite movies. Vintage Bill Murray from 1979. The Way, Way Back is basically the same story: Awkward boy, who nobody appreciates, comes-of-age one summer when he meets the coolest guy in the world, who inexplicably sees something great in him, and brings it out.
The Return of the King of the Monsters and How to Prepare For It.
If you dont know who I’m talking about then sit back and get schooled. Though I suspect many of our readers here know that the King of the Monsters is Godzilla, or Gojira (pronounced “Godjeeda, the ‘j’ much like a soft ‘d’ sound. Listen closely during the scenes in which throngs of Japanese citizens are running hysterically away from the mayhem, you’ll hear it.)
The Conjuring Review
Rock & roll movies are my focus, but I made an exception for The Conjuring because the only thing that rivaled rock & roll for my earliest affections was horror films. I was just as likely to be found reading Famous Monsters Of Filmland magazine as Hit Parader. And I loved the rockers who recognized a market at that particular intersection–Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and later Alice Cooper and KISS. I was delighted to get a “two-for-one.”
It’s Time To Get Ready For Comic-Con 2014
Another Comic-Con has come and gone, and every year I’m amazed when people that I know would love it, tell me they’ve never gone. If you’re one of these people, I suggest you stop listening to your agoraphobic, pseudo hipster, nerd poser, fun impaired excuse for a friend and make the trek. Comic-Con is a blast, especially if you’re attending for the first time, and it should be on every self-respecting fanboy or fangirl’s bucket list. Granted, having a successful Comic-Con adventure can be a bit of an undertaking, so here are some answers to the most common “Con”questions I’ve heard over the years.
R.I.P.D. Review
This is what Comic-Con has begat. This scenario: Some producer with a three picture deal with some studio rushes down to San Diego one summer in a panic, trolling the booths, looking for a “hot property” to license to get all these dressed up nerds into a movie theatre. Over there, in the Dark Horse booth, is one that is about a police department made up of dead cops who have to come back to earth to capture escaped dead people, or dead-o’s as they are called. “Awesome, I’ll take it!” says the producer. Armed with a stack of these newly found comic books, he slams them down on the desk Monday morning in the L.A. production office. “This is the movie we’re making, and the good news is, it’s already storyboarded!!”
The Heat Review
The Heat is both an excellent buddy movie and the most fun I’ve had at a sloppy physical comedy in years. Sandra Bullock has FINALLY found someone who wants to do physical comedy with her and is really really good at it. She’s been trying to do it, in her comedies, forever, and has never had the right foil. Melissa McCarthy is a physical wonder. She is hilarious. I’ve enjoyed her since her, lovely, non-physical dramedy work in The Gilmore Girls.
The Wolverine Review
I was SO looking forward to The Wolverine. Expectations, meet being met. And I have to say, it was an amazingly good time at the movies.
Red 2 Review
All things considered, Red 2 is still a fun way to kill time in a movie theater. It’s not as inspired as it’s originator, but you’ll find plenty worse in theaters this summer, I can assure you. Three kittenhands here for Helen Mirren alone.
Pacific Rim Review
Ladies and gentlemen, we may have a front-runner for the summer season! Though I suppose it’s not without caveat. Pacific Rim may indeed be the most fun I’ve had in a movie theater this summer, but don’t look too closely for a deep, character driven ensemble. You got your conflicted, thinky Man of Steel, now you can just sit back and watch these giant monsters and robots beat the crap out of each other for two hours.