— by JESSIKA OWENS — “And the Oscar goes to …” Yes, folks, I have Oscar faith in “Conviction.” From start to finish, this film commands your full attention and I think it’s going to succeed at the next Academy Awards on both the acting as well as techn[...]
Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Review: It’s Kind of a Funny Story
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — Believe it or not, I’ve actually been institutionalized (albeit for only a short period of time) during one part of my life, which I’d like to call “The Dark Ages,” simply for dramatic effect. Now whether you consider me a sociopath or just another[...]
Under Review: ‘Max Manus’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Trapped by the Germans in his own Oslo apartment, Max Manus escapes by jumping out his window. Surrounded by five guards in a hospital, he regains consciousness but is trussed up in a cast. In traction, while guards take a smoke outside his room, Max uses metal clipper[...]
Under Review: ‘Life as We Know It’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Most people have a plan for their lives pretty early on: finish school, get a degree, begin a promising career and then start a family. Well, in Warner Bros.’ new romantic comedy “Life as We Know It,” director Greg Berlanti shows us just how quickly that “[...]
Under Review: ‘When We Leave’ (aka ‘Die Fremde’)
— by BEV QUESTAD — It is hard enough for a woman to make the decision to leave a marriage. But what if she doesn’t have a skill or an education? What if she has a young child? What if that child is being mistreated? What if she’s Muslim? It is important to note[...]
Under Review: ‘Tibet in Song’
— by BEV QUESTAD — “They will arrest you as easily as taking a hair from butter.” Our director, Ngawang Choephel, is thinking there should be no problems. After all, it is 1995 and he is just going to be taking footage of Tibetans singing folk songs.[...]
Under Review: ‘Let Me In’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Typically, people reading this review will either have seen (or at least have heard of) the Swedish novel or subsequent movie “Let The Right One In,” or they are intrigued by the trailers of “Let Me In” and have no idea it’s an American re-make. I am in betw[...]
Under Review: ‘High School’
— by H.G. WATSON — The high school movie. It’s a genre that can be difficult for film critics to grapple with psychologically. For one thing, it’s a genre that’s populated with some loathsome examples of implied misogyny and racism. Think of “She’s All That” which, infamously[...]
Under Review: ‘Stealing the Light’
— by BEV QUESTAD — “This film is dedicated to the children of Afghanistan who have not had an education. Those who cannot read or write are blind,” states Mohammed Khan Kharoti. “Learning is light. It shows you the way to go.” This is the triumphant story of Kharoti, born in 1943[...]
Review: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
— by JOSUE SANCHEZ — Once again, Warner Premiere has graced us with another spectacular animated treasure. I am referring to its latest upcoming animated feature film: “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse.” In following with the tradition of the previously-released DC video features,[...]
The Final Day of the Akron Film Festival
— by CHRIS HYATT — The third and final day of the Akron Film festival brought lighthearted fun in the form of a program of shorts, including Denis Villanueve’s “Next Floor” (the story of opulent diners making ritualistic carnage out of sophisticated food), Andrew[...]
Under Review: ‘Rock Hudson – Dark and Handsome Stranger’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Perhaps intended as a tribute, a love poem, or an attempt to chronicle an icon, this begging cup is rattling empty. It’s as if those close to Rock Hudson scurried like bugs under an overturned rock, denying access to these filmmakers. No interviews with Doris Day[...]
Day One of the Akron Film Festival
— by CHRIS HYATT — The first day of the Akron Film Festival belonged to the hometown crowd. “The Real Bold Badmen” and “Sincerely, P.V. Reese” were the first movies screened at the third annual festival, and it was only fitting that they were shot locally in the A[...]