— by LYNN TACKITT — On April 15, the 146th anniversary of the death of President Lincoln, “The Conspirator” opened in theatres. The film begins on a battleground littered with mostly dead Union soldiers. You are introduced to Frederick Aikens (James McAvoy) and his friend[...]
Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Under Review: ‘Scream 4’
— by JESSIKA OWENS — Opening scenes for horror films set the entire tone for the movie and really get horror fans going. I have heard more applause in theaters during openers for scary movies than anything else. A suspenseful opening with a strong jump moment is usually the way to go, af[...]
Under Review: ‘My Perestroika’
— by BEV QUESTAD — As the Iron Curtain disintegrates, adults who grew up as patriotic children in a communist façade become cynics, chagrined by the duping of themselves and a nation. Robin Hessman, an Academy award-winning filmmaker, interviews five adults who came of age during this m[...]
Under Review: ‘Rio’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Stolen by poachers from his home in Brazil when he was a baby bird, Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) gets adopted by a low-key bookstore owner named Linda (Leslie Mann). Over the next 15 years, they develop a bond that turns out to be an isolated relationship for the both of the[...]
Under Review: ‘Of Gods and Men’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Beautifully and tenderly developed, slow moving and realistically presented, “Of Gods and Men” is the true story of a group of eight heroic French Cistercian-Trappist monks who lived in Tibhirine, located in the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa, during[...]
Under Review: ‘Arthur’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Hollywood loves remakes. They have established characters and a basic storyline; plus, if the original was a success than it probably already has a following. Now, Warner Bros. has re-made the 1981 comedy “Arthur” made famous by Dudley Moore’s performance in[...]
Under Review: ‘Trust’
— by ADAM POYNTER — After teen-aged Annie (Liana Liberato) gets a new laptop for her 14th birthday from her parents, she takes chatting with her online friend Charlie to the next level with constant instant messaging, texting and even talking frequently on the phone. When he reveals that[...]
Under Review: ‘Limitless’
— by JOSUE SANCHEZ — “Limitless” — which stars Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro — has been well received by audiences worldwide. It was No. 1 in its opening weekend. It’s understandable why the movie has done well, since it has a great cast, is fun and has a[...]
Under Review: ‘Hop’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Major holidays are a huge time for movies, especially for anyone who has kids off from school for prolonged periods of time. These are usually when the family-friendly films start to roll into theaters. This Easter we have “Hop,” directed by[...]
Review: Source Code
— by ADAM POYNTER — Mystery, chase, suspense and time displacement are all served up in director Duncan Jones’ “Source Code.” In the movie, Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a decorated army pilot fighting in Afghanistan. He wakes up on a train bound for Chicago[...]
Under Review: ‘Atlas Shrugged: Part I’
— by ADAM POYNTER — “Atlas Shrugged: Part I” was a movie very long in the making; not necessarily in the amount of time it took to shoot, but in the history behind the story. Ayn Rand first published “Atlas Shrugged” — her fourth and final novel — in 1957. Ran[...]
The 34th PIFF Best Film: ‘Incendies’
— by BEV QUESTAD — “Incendies” is a powerful film that eclipses the art of storytelling through time. It has levels of understanding and insight that are so sharp the audience was left silent and still. It was no surprise that “Incendies” won the Oregon Audience Award for best[...]