Ostensibly a mystery, and a nifty one at that, VENGEANCE is much more. BJ Novak has spun a savage takedown of the media and elite presumptions, but one that is also considered, literate, and even a bit compassionate. At least on the level of allowing redemption of sorts for the silly creatures called human beings… Read More »
VALENTINE’S DAY
VALENTINE’S DAY is a mixed bag of genially unchallenging material designed to appeal to the widest possible audience without actively alienating anybody. It’s a formula that leaves little leeway for anything of a whiz bang nature. Using multiple story lines all loosely centered around a florist helps segregate the dreck from the more entertaining snippets,… Read More »
KILLERS
KILLERS, a film released without a press screening, takes ones breath away with the depth, breadth, and sheer scope of its ineptitude. Director Robert Luketic has confused helming a frothy action romp through silliness with remaking Ingmar Bergmans SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE. Star Katherine Heigl may be many things, Liv Ullman is not one of… Read More »
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
NO STRINGS ATTACHED is a sweet and sophisticated comedy that gently navigates the emotionally explosive no-mans-land of modern relationships. No rules, no cookie-cutter blueprints, its a scary place where the friends of those with the biggest questions are the ones who are the quickest to offer advice, and are also the ones with the least… Read More »
JOBS
Steve Jobs lived a life too full, and too complicated, to be fully covered in a two-hour movie. Hence JOBS, the first bio-pic of his life produced after his death, has made the wise decision to limit itself to just one part of it: the relationship the eponymous titan of Silicon Valley had with the… Read More »
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
I’m going to say something now that will be the deciding factor for some of you about whether or not you want to see THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT. Its star, Ashton Kutcher, spends an extended sequence barely wearing a towel, his taut, toned, and ripped physique on display for the multitudes. For the rest of you,… Read More »
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS is a perfectly likeable, perfectly forgettable film with a creaky plot and terrific chemistry between its stars, Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. It attempts nothing novel in its retelling of the couple who don’t realize that they are perfect for each other, aside from positing an unsavory new popcorn topping. Then… Read More »