Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Review
RATING: (3 STARS) In 2001, the Harry Potter phenomenon finally hit the big screen. The first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, perfectly captures the sense of childlike wonder any of us would feel if we went to a school of magic. The film adaptation, directed by Chris Columbus, does the […]
Catfish
How does one go about writing a review for the movie you aren’t supposed to know anything about going in? I’ll admit to being a little perplexed about this. I want you to read what I have to say, but I also want you to enjoy Catfish as much as I did. So consider this […]
Waiting for “Superman”
Waiting for “Superman” is a heartbreaking and infuriating look at our nation’s educational system. Any idiot could tell you that American students aren’t getting the best, but I for one had no idea how dysfunctional things in our schools are. Director Davis Guggenheim takes no prisoners when it comes to assigning blame, but what elevates […]
Alien 3 Review
RATING: (3 STARS) The behind-the-scenes story of Alien 3 is almost as interesting as the film itself. Director David Fincher, in his feature debut nonetheless, was reportedly so frustrated with the studio interference that he essentially disowned the cut of the film that audiences saw in 1992. I did not watch that movie, so I […]
Fight Club Review
RATING: (4 STARS) The first rule of fight club (the organization) is that you don’t talk about fight club. The first rule of Fight Club (the movie) should be that you don’t try to write a review of Fight Club, for words can’t do this film justice. It’s something you have to see to believe. […]
Hereafter Review
RATING: (2 STARS) Director, actor, and all-around bad-ass Clint Eastwood has rattled of an unprecedented number of hits in the last few years. Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Letters from Iwo Jima, Gran Torino, and Invictus were all, on one level or another, successful. His latest, Hereafter, is a major bust on almost every level. […]
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2010) Review
RATING: (2.5 STARS) It’s not hard to understand why The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is such a literary phenomenon. It’s also easy to see why it’s first big screen translation doesn’t work. The film runs nearly 150 minutes, yet it feels like a lot of important material is left on the cutting room floor. […]
Groundhog Day Review
RATING: (3.5 STARS) Groundhog Day is one of those films that can please just about every kind of moviegoer. Its charm is undeniable, and even the most cold-hearted viewer can get swept up in the premise’s cleverness and the romance’s tenderness. It’s got terrific performances, solid direction, and some truly timeless moments—what more can you […]
Gosford Park Review
RATING: (3 STARS) It takes great skill to make a film like Gosford Park. Besides the obvious technical work needed to create the world of this film, director Robert Altman also must work hard to manage a group of nearly 25 important characters. And each actor needs to know his or her place in the […]
The Game Review
RATING: (2.5 STARS) The Game is the kind of film that unfortunately doesn’t follow the old adage “The ends justify the means.†We the viewers are dragged along on this roller coaster ride of suspense that’s so relentless it almost makes you crazy. A really juicy ending could have made the chaotic journey worthwhile. But […]
The Princess and the Frog Review
RATING: (3.5 STARS) I’m not sure how this delightful film slipped through the cracks until now, but The Princess and the Frog (like Fantastic Mr. Fox the same year) is proof that Pixar isn’t the only studio that can turn out high-quality animated films that work for both children and adults (granted this is a […]
Panic Room Review
RATING: (3 STARS) Panic Room is arguably David Fincher’s most problematic film. Yet, this is a rare instance in which the technical aspects of the film are so admirable and strong that you can overlook the massive narrative hiccups and actually enjoy the end product. Too often, the needs of the plot drive the actions […]
It’s Kind of a Funny Story Review
RATING: (3 STARS) It’s Kind of a Funny Story might be the most aptly titled film of 2010. It’s sweet, breezy, and kind of funny. It’s not remotely challenging, and I was a little bummed to see writing/directing duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck abandon the hard-hitting realism that made their previous features, Half Nelson […]
Secretariat Review
RATING: (3 STARS) All the comparisons to The Blind Side had me cringing. I’ve railed enough against John Lee Hancock’s saccharine Sandra Bullock vehicle on these pages, but suffice it to say, I wasn’t a fan, and I’ll admit to not being too high on Secretariat as I sat down in the theater to watch […]
Solitary Man Review
RATING: (3 STARS) Solitary Man reminded me a lot of an earlier 2010 entry, Nicole Holofcener’s Please Give. Both are message films that use their flawed characters to motivate the viewers to doing something. Holofcener’s film wants you to be kinder; Brian Koppelman and David Levien’s film cautions you against taking family and friends for […]
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Review
RATING: (4 STARS) Until 2008, David Fincher was primarily a genre director—a damn good one, for sure, but a genre director nonetheless. With Se7en and Zodiac, many would argue that his specialty was serial killer films. So I think it surprised a lot of people that he was taking on a project as complex and […]
