— by BEV QUESTAD — This film is a Rorschach test that reports what your heart truly feels about the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Outraged, appalled, sickened and disgusted. That’s what I felt after viewing “Restrepo.” Is that how I also really feel about the war? This is what I saw: a [...]
Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Under Review: ‘Knight and Day’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Summer must be here, because it’s all spies, car chases and adventure. Roaring back to the screen in the new action comedy “Knight and Day” is director James Mangold — who has co-written and directed films such as “3:10 to Yuma,” “Walk the Line,” [...]
Under Review: ‘The Legend of Ygg’
— by BEV QUESTAD — “The Legend of Ygg” is an arresting 15-minute thriller art film that merges ancient mythology with current circumstances. Ygg, a nickname for the Norse god Odin, is the name of the Icelandic pony that takes a young woman to a midnight rendezvous in the inky black w[...]
Under Review: ‘Toy Story 3’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — Childhood. Just the word can ignite emotions — whether they be feelings of heartfelt nostalgia for “the simpler days” or immediate disdain for the immaturity and lack of control. Personally, I get a bit of both when recalling such a topic (which explain[...]
Under Review: ‘Jonah Hex’
— by ADAM POYNTER — I will start my review by stating the most obvious point: this film is only 80 minutes long. At only 1 hour and 20 minutes, everything in the film was rushed and nothing delved into deeper because of a lack of time. Due to that fact, I’ll try to make […][...]
Under Review: ‘The Karate Kid’
— by ROB COX — Some films should never be remade. “Jaws” comes to mind, as do “Star Wars,” “The Godfather,” “Die Hard” and many others. Until this updated version of 1984’s “The Karate Kid,” I might have added that film to the list too. And, yet, although director H[...]
Under Review: ‘The A-Team’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — It seems as if stupidity can get a pass on television much more easily than on the big-screen. Perhaps it’s because the majority of television programs are compressed into 30-minute episodes, whereas feature length films usually run in the two-hour range. Plus,[...]
Under Review: ‘Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Frenetic, disciplined, scared, courageous, inappropriate, blisteringly angry, self-absorbed, vain, extravagant, financially observant, caring, gaudy, insecure and a workaholic – so many ways to describe Joan Rivers. Joan can give a great joke and then spin off into[...]
Under Review: ‘Letters to Father Jacob’ (aka Postia pappi Jaakobille)
— by BEV QUESTAD — This is a Finnish film with cold interiors that resonate the interior life of the wretched protagonist who believes there’s nothing good left in her life. This situation is juxtaposed by a vibrantly lush forest and scenic meadowland dappled with a sunlit path leading[...]
Under Review: ‘Son of Babylon’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Some films you just can’t rate. They are too personal, too heartbreaking and too true. But when you go to film festivals, that’s what the audience is asked to do. Rate each movie on a basis of one (low) to five. So what do you do about “Son of Babylon?” [&helli[...]
Under Review: ‘Get Him to the Greek’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Springing to life from the brilliant minds of Judd Apatow, Jason Segel and Nicolas Stoller comes the new comedy “Get Him to the Greek.” It is produced by Apatow (“40 Year Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up,” “Superbad,” “Forgetting [...]
Under Review: ‘Splice’
— by ADAM POYNTER — Definition: SPLICE — to unite or join together different parts. Genetics: to join different segments of DNA together to create a new entity. That is exactly what happens in the new film “Splice” from Vincenzo Natali (director of 1997’s “Cube”) who [...]
Under Review: ‘Alamar’ (aka ‘To the Sea’)
— by BEV QUESTAD — A delicate, artistic visual poem, “Alamar” is graceful in both its beauty and its depth. There is little dialogue, but long visuals with just the sound of the surf and the lapping of water against a fishing skiff. A pudgy, kind-looking blond Italian woman meets a b[...]
Under Review: ‘Thorn in the Heart’
— by ALLISON HIGGINBOTHAM — Director Michel Gondry is known for his innovative and creative video and film projects. It seems surprising that a documentary about his aunt Suzette would be his latest project. However, after seeing the film, it earns its place among Gondry’s other work a[...]