ParaNorman Review
RATING: (3 STARS) In what’s looking like a banner year for animated films, ParaNorman is without question the sweetest we’ve seen so far. The film’s acceptance themes are anything but subtle, but its story is clever, its animation is crisp, and its characters are really charming. A double feature with Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie would make […]
Superbad Review
RATING: (4 STARS) Because comedy is so subjective, I find it the most hit-and-miss of all the film genres. Too often I’ve sat down expecting a laugh riot and found a film completely devoid of humor. Perhaps that’s why I typically revisit one of my old standbys when I’m in the mood to laugh. And […]
How to Train Your Dragon Review
RATING: (3.5 STARS) For the most part, I find Dreamworks animation quite underwhelming. Maybe the tendency to compare their films to Pixar’s far-superior efforts clouds my objectivity, but other than the first Shrek and, to a lesser extent, Kung Fu Panda, I can’t even say I enjoy their films. It’s hard to say whether How […]
Kick-Ass Review
RATING: (3.5 STARS) “Kick-Ass,†the latest from director Matthew Vaughn, is a wild ride from start to finish. Simultaneously a superhero movie and a riff on superhero movies, the film is full of ribald humor, over-the-top violence, and a surprising amount of heart. It’s a tad long, but it doesn’t once wear out its welcome. […]
SXSW 2010: Day 1
Hello from Austin! My first ever SXSW festival began last night with the premiere of “Kick-Ass,” Matthew Vaughn’s adaptation of the popular comic book about a nerdy high school student who dons a wet suit and fights crime in his spare time. The theater was packed as festival attendees circled an entire city block to […]
