It might be hard for someone unfamiliar with the Harry Potter universe to catch the nuances of HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 1. Fortunately, the larger themes are intact, despite some liberties taken with the chronology of the books and the usual necessity of streamlining a richly plotted novel into a workable screenplay.… Read More »
CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, THE — THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER
There is no stinting on the sumptuous factor in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA — THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER. Once the action shifts from World War II England to the magical kingdom ruled by Aslan (Liam Neesons sonorous voice), the wise lion and stand-in for Christ, every frame is filled to the brim with… Read More »
GULLIVER’S TRAVELS
GULLIVERS TRAVELS is a distressingly wretched updating of Jonathan Swifts classic tale. Denuded of Swifts deadly satire, it has become a dull vehicle for Jack Black to mug and frolic and generally find a million ways to not be entertaining. He plays the eponymous Gulliver, first name Lemuel, in a world where Swift never wrote… Read More »
GULLIVER’S TRAVELS
GULLIVERS TRAVELS is a distressingly wretched updating of Jonathan Swifts classic tale. Denuded of Swifts deadly satire, it has become a dull vehicle for Jack Black to mug and frolic and generally find a million ways to not be entertaining. He plays the eponymous Gulliver, first name Lemuel, in a world where Swift never wrote… Read More »
I AM NUMBER FOUR
For a film focused on teenage angst and invaders from other planets, I AM NUMBER FOUR shows a curious tameness. Based on the book by Pittacus Lore, directed by D.J Caruso, who made EAGLE EYE and DISTURBIA so much fun, co-scripted by Marti Noxon of Buffy fame, co-produced by Michael Bey of blowing things up… Read More »
THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
The particular brand of unhinged paranoia of which Phillip K. Dick was a master, and then some, gets a respectful treatment in THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU, based on one of Dick’s short stories. It takes the warm and fuzzy notion that someone or something is keeping the universe creaking along according to a plan, as opposed… Read More »
RED RIDING HOOD
RED RIDING HOOD begins well in its misguided attempts to plumb the rich territory of what lies beneath the surface of the most persistent of fairy tales, wallowing in the subtext that goes directly to the subconscious, but disguised in a form easily assimilated the most delicate of sensibilities. That remains true here, the unreality… Read More »
BATTLE LOS ANGELES
BATTLE LOS ANGELES is a rousing and rip-roaring action flick expertly crafted by people who know what they are doing. And by that, is meant that rather than actively fighting the clichés inherent in this genre, they have consciously, even joyously, embraced them. By doing so, they revisit why the clichés have persisted, and by… Read More »
THOR
THOR is an exuberant blend of spectacle and fun. More in keeping with vintage Saturday morning movie serials than the fantasy and sci-fi blockbusters of more recent date, it is, nonetheless, not lacking in nifty special effects to showcase its stalwart heroes, black-hearted evil-doers, and the fine comic relief in the form of a slacker… Read More »
X-MEN – FIRST CLASS
X-MEN FIRST CLASS begins splendidly. The subtle character development, the rich backstory rooted in real history and equally real human experience, the vibrant storyline that is both a sharp consideration of the best and worst of human nature, and a thumping good adventure. And then, once the audience has been lulled into a sense of… Read More »
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