— by JOEL CRARY — “Last Train Home” is a film that aches. Watching it is akin to experiencing the push and pull of a circulatory system. The heart pumps and initiates a flow. A family is reunited for one brief moment before the call of utility interferes. It will be a year before the[...]
Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Under Review: ‘Please Give’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — As a New Yorker, I have become jaded about the problem of homelessness. It’s extremely rare for me to donate to someone less fortunate than myself because I’ve seen so many homeless individuals. But to my surprise, a couple of weeks ago I became[...]
Under Review: ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’
— by JESSIKA OWENS — However, this remake definitely mirrors the original to such a degree that the previously described feat became impossible. It reminded me of the “Psycho” remake in that I didn’t feel it was so much as a new interpretation or a re-imagining as it[...]
Under Review: ‘The Maid’ (aka ‘La Nana’)
— by JOEL CRARY — There were giggles in the theatre as the title for Sebastián Silva’s “The Maid” popped up on the screen, right as Raquel, played by actress Catalina Saavedra, looks directly into the camera over her supper. What makes Raquel tick? We are invited to take a close, [...]
Under Review: ‘The Square’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — Greed is a powerful thing. It’s not surprising that greed runs people to various evils, including murder and deception. But what powers greed? It can be anything, but the most common instigator is money. Now, many films have been made about the topic but one th[...]
Under Review: ‘Casino Jack and the United States of Money’
— by BEV QUESTAD — The story about Jack Abramoff is not just a sad story of human failure, but a well-documented exposé of a capitalist democracy in trouble. Companies needing legislative favors, whether related to setting up Chinese sweatshops or deregulation of Wall Street, hire persu[...]
Under Review: ‘Under Great White Northern Lights’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — Whether it inspires you or simply makes you jump for joy, music is an important part of most people’s lives. Personally, I enjoy musicians such as The Beatles, Johnny Thunders, The Ramones and, of course, Bob Dylan. But perhaps my favorite band is the[...]
Under Review: ‘The Back-Up Plan’
— by ADAM POYNTER — After years of the dating scene, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) has come to the conclusion that waiting for “the one” is just not going to happen for her. Driven to be a mom, she goes to her “Back-Up Plan” and off to the doctor she heads to be artificially inseminated. [...]
Under Review: ‘The Joneses’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — I can’t imagine myself as an actor or a salesman, and considering a salesperson must act to persuade potential buyers to their cause, I can see myself failing in the business. But in such hard economic times, it’s easy to say the power of salesmanship has[...]
Under Review: ‘The Losers’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — I adore films whose titles have a deeper meaning and it’s up to the audience to delve into it. But up until yesterday, I don’t believe that any title has angered me more than “The Losers.” The reason behind my unimaginable rage is[...]
Under Review: ‘Kick-Ass’
— by H.G. WATSON — Full disclosure: I debated opening with “This film will kick YOUR ass.” But in the interest of avoiding any puns in this review of Matthew Vaughn’s “Kick Ass,” I will say this: the film certainly lives up to its name. There is enough blood, guts and martial a[...]
Under Review: ‘Casi Divas’
— by BEV QUESTAD — Duplicity, estrangement, mistaken identity, passion and emotional upheaval: these are the hallmarks of a great comedy and “Casi Divas” lives up to it all. In addition, “Casi Divas” is complex and deep, making it as rich in its content as its color – of which [...]
Under Review: ‘Death At A Funeral’
— by ADAM POYNTER — “Death at a Funeral” is a oddball comedy romp that takes place on the day an American family comes together to lay to rest a beloved father and husband. As bereaved family members gather together, distressing revelations, old arguments, inappropriate[...]
Under Review: ‘Parallel Lines’
— by KYLA DREWETTE — Despite the blatant product placement, “Parallel Lines” is not just a simple advertisement for Philips Cinema and its televisions. Like 2009’s “Carousel,” “Parallel Lines” is an inventive cinematic project that takes a simple idea and creates a [...]