— 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 [...]
Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
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[...]
Under Review: ‘The University of Nuclear Bombs’
— by BEV QUESTAD — It is commonly assumed that public universities are solely financed through student tuition and state taxpayer support. Sure, there are grants from foundations, overhead payments from research contracts, and so on, but many have envisioned our universities as pure bast[...]
Under Review: ‘Catfish’
— by ADAM POYNTER — “Don’t let anyone tell you what it is” the tagline for “Catfish” and this is very true. Your entire enjoyment of this particular film is in not knowing where the storyline is headed. So this will be a brief review and I won’t ruin the movie for others, I&#[...]
Under Review: ‘The Town’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Charlestown is a blue-collar neighborhood in Massachusetts and crime can be a way of life there. Families pass down their knowledge and status in the crime syndicate like it’s an antique family heirloom. Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is a smart and intuitive guy. He als[...]
Under Review: ‘Vanishing on 7th Street’
— by KYLA DREWETTE — Directed by Brad Anderson, “Vanishing on 7th Street” is a post-apocalyptic survivor story. A mysterious blackout has caused the disappearance of the most of the world’s population, leaving only piles of deflated clothing behind. Days later, strange shadows and [...]
Under Review: ‘Super’
— by KYLA DREWETTE — Written and directed by James Gunn, “Super” hooks you in from the start. Beginning with the film’s opening credits – a colorful, bloody and crudely drawn cartoon that features the characters in a lively dance sequence – you know you’re about to witness so[...]
Under Review: ‘Secretariat’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Everybody loves an underdog story, whether it is a human or an animal. We have seen many stories about horses (fictional and fact), including “Seabiscuit,” “Flicka” and “Dreamer.” These are all tales of exceptional horses, and all movies I have seen[...]
Under Review: ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’
— by JESSIKA OWENS — The Umbrella Corporation is back in full swing. Alice and Claire, however, are not. “Resident Evil: Afterlife” strips the female duo down to the bare bones of their existence, and it kind of works. I say “kind of” because the film was complete[...]
Under Review: ‘The American’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — George Clooney, who usually uses his physical appearance and inborn charisma, makes a very different and thus perplexing turn as Jack in “The American.” The film ironically won’t please or entertain most American audiences, simply because we, as Americans, [...]
Under Review: ‘A Small Act’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Preparing homework by candlelight, living without electricity, and intermittently missing school to harvest coffee beans, Kimani has still been the top student at a rural elementary school in Kenya where a little bell is rung by hand to begin classes each day. Then the[...]