— by AMANDA KOEHLER — As a kid, Jason Hewitt had big dreams of making it in the movies. But before hitting it big in Hollywood, Hewitt, born and raised in Louisiana, decided to try a more attainable career in the technology industry. In 1994, Hewitt, now 37, founded a Web site creation a[...]
Author Archive
Three Clips from ‘Drive Angry’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — Oh, Nic Cage. I’d like to say “how the mighty have fallen,” but to be honest, I’ve never been a Cage fan. There’s just something about him that doesn’t click for me. The only movies I’ve seen that I’ve enjoyed him in a[...]
Two Clips from ‘Take Me Home Tonight’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — I’m all about waxing nostalgic about the ’80s. Sure, I was barely 5 when they were over, but still. It was the decade in which I was born, and I delight in remembering the quirky, weird, tacky yet awesome things that made the ’80s what they were (e[...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Meeting Spencer’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — Harris Chappell (Jeffrey Tambor) is a famous director who has recently produced his share of Hollywood movie flops. In an attempt to salvage his career, he decides to return to Broadway and direct a brilliant play, one that will surely get him a Tony and the ability[...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Prom’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — Watching the trailer for the Walt Disney flick “Prom” reminded me of all those great late ’90s, early ’00s teen movies. Remember the prom scene from “She’s All That” when Usher leads the whole senior class in a choreographed[...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Arthur’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — A remake of the 1981 romantic comedy of the same name, “Arthur” is about, well, Arthur (Russell Brand), a spoiled, rich man-child who still has a nanny named Hobson (Helen Mirren) looking after him. Anyway, Arthur finds out he is betrothed to Susan (Jenn[...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Win Win’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — Life isn’t going so swimmingly for Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti). His law practice is struggling, the wrestling team he coaches isn’t doing so well and he is exhibiting physical stress symptoms. To add to his list, he becomes the legal guardian of an eld[...]
Six Clips from ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — We all know the story of “Romeo and Juliet.” Billy Shakespeare’s gem has been revisited, rehashed and reheated in many films … but never in a CGI-animated movie based on garden gnomes. That is, until now. Gnomeo (voiced by James McAvoy) and J[...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Ceremony’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — In “Ceremony,” Sam (Michael Anagarano) convinces his former best friend Marshall (Reece Thompson) to revive their friendship by going to a beachside mansion owned by documentary filmmaker Whit (Lee Pace). What Marshall doesn’t know is that Sam has [...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Perfect Sense’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — I hate when trailers don’t reflect the films they are supposed to represent. Reading about and viewing the trailer for “Perfect Sense” made me feel like I was potentially dealing with two completely different movies. The trailer focuses about 95 pe[...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Happythank youmoreplease’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — Josh Radnor knows a lot about quirky 20-something friends in New York City. After all, he does play one on “How I Met Your Mother.” Radnor decided to use that successful theme again when he wrote and directed “Happythankyoumoreplease.” The fi[...]
Trailer Talk: ‘The Other Woman’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — For a long time, Natalie Portman has been one of my favorite actresses, and I think it’s because she has this wonderful ability to really display the emotions of her character, and make you feel them as well. I’m sure she’ll continue to hone this t[...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Waiting for Forever’
— by AMANDA KOEHLER — You moved away from your childhood best friend when you were 10 years old, and years later, you have the opportunity to reconnect with her. Will that friendship still be there, and can it develop into a romance? That’s what the jobless Will (Tom Sturridge of &[...]