— by JAMES SHAW — We are now in a time when Hollywood seems to be translating every young adult novel to the big screen (everything from “Twilight” to “Mortal Instruments”). The most successful novel series since Harry Potter is The Hunger Games trilogy and despite being only one[...]
Author Archive
Review: The Best Man Holiday
— by JAMES SHAW — “The Best Man Holiday” is a sequel to the 1999 film “The Best Man,” with both films directed by Malcolm D. Lee. “The Best Man Holiday” deals with the aftermath of the first film, so I would suggest re-watching “The Best Man” so it’s easier to understan[...]
Review: Thor: The Dark World
— by JAMES SHAW — A little background first: I am an avid Marvel comic book reader, so I know what goes on in the Marvel Universe and my least favorite character is Thor. I have always found Thor to be a boring character and I only enjoy him in his storylines with Amora. As […][...]
Review: 12 Years a Slave
— by JAMES SHAW — This year already has delivered several Oscar nominee-type films — including “Fruitvale Station,” “Gravity,” “Prisoners” and “Captain Phillips” — but Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” has moved right to the top of the list. In my opini[...]
Review: Carrie
— by JAMES SHAW — It is very hard to make original movies these days, so Hollywood tends to re-make, create sequels or spin-off from past popular films. The original 1976 version of “Carrie” was based on the 1974 Stephen King Novel, a story about an out-cast teenage girl named Carrie[...]
Review: Concussion
— by JAMES SHAW — I am not one for clichéd movies and the following scene is all too familiar. A married couple with kids has their relationship tested either through personal complications or temptations. The relationship loses its spark and gets dull and repetitive. One person usually[...]
Review: Machete Kills
— by JAMES SHAW — Machete is a spoof character from the Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez double-feature movie “Grindhouse” and the character was not only given its own movie, but, unfortunately, a sequel as well. Danny Trejo returns as the title character in “Machete Kills” and[...]
Review: Runner Runner
— by JAMES SHAW — “Is your life worth the gamble?” Brad Furman’s “Runner Runner” is an exaggerated film that seeks to expose the seedy world of online gambling. Online gambling brings in a lot of revenue for owners, but can you really trust them? Richie Furst (played by Justin [...]
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Trailer
— by JAMES SHAW — In “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” which takes place right after the events of the first film “An Unexpected Journey,” Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and 13 dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield travel to Erebor to reclaim their kingdom from Smaug. The new trailer fo[...]
Review: Baggage Claim
— by JAMES SHAW — “Girl, open your eyes” is the best statement I can use to describe “Baggage Claim,” a film about a flight attendant, Barbie type named Montana Moore (Paula Patton), who travels over 30,000 miles to reignite old flames as she is pressured into marriage by her mot[...]
Review: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
— by JAMES SHAW — “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” brings back the voices of Bill Hader (Flint), Anna Faris (Sam Sparks) and Andy Samberg (Brent McHale), and brings in newcomers Will Forte as Chester V, Kristen Schaal as Barb and Terry Crews, who replaces Mr. T as Earl. The voic[...]
Review: Battle of the Year
— by JAMES SHAW — “Battle of The Year” is a dance movie … I mean marketing ploy … for director Benson Lee’s 2007 documentary “Planet B-Boy.” “Planet B-Boy” describes how B-Boying has evolved and illustrates the Battle of the Year competition: the Oly[...]