— 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.[...]
Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
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[...]
Under Review: ‘Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Based off the first three books in the “Guardians of Ga’Hoole” series from Kathryn Lasky comes a new adventure from the studio that brought us “Happy Feet.” Director Zack Snyder — who is known for making “300” and “Watchmen” — takes on a [...]
Under Review: ‘The Virginity Hit’
— by ADAM POYNTER — In high school, four friends Zack (Zack Pearlman), Justin (Justin Kline), Jacob (Jacob Davich) and Matt (Matt Bennett) make a pact to get together and have a celebratory hit from a special bong when each of them loses their virginity (hence “The Virginity Hit[...]
Under Review: ‘Waking Sleeping Beauty’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Don’t be thinking that this doc even mentions “Sleeping Beauty” – ever. But do believe in the metaphorical illusion. This is a documentary on saving an institution that helped shape us in our youth, developing our nascent sense of hope, virtue and courage. This[...]
Under Review: ‘Easy A’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) is a pretty and smart high school student, but completely anonymous to her fellow classmates. Her life and popularity take a giant leap when she is overheard telling her best friend Rhiannon (Alyson Michalka) about her crazy weekend wher[...]
Under Review: ‘Devil’
— by JESSIKA OWENS — Very few movies have gotten the reaction in their final moments like “The Sixth Sense,” and in my opinion NONE of M. Night Shyamalan’s movies have come close to touching the surprise reveal in the way “The Sixth Sense” did[...]