Category | Movies Reviews

Wonder Woman

Posted on 27 November 2008

Amazon princess Diana rescues Steve Trevor, an Air Force pilot who crashes on her island. Intrigued by her first exposure to the outside world, she leaves the island and becomes the superhero known as Wonder Woman.

Role Models

Posted on 27 November 2008

Director David Wain (WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER) capably mixes the saucy and the sentimental in the bawdy boys-to-men comedy ROLE MODELS. Stuck-in-a-rut Danny Donahue (Paul Rudd) and womanizing man-child Wheeler (Seann William Scott) work together promoting Minotaur energy drink to high school students. But when Danny’s girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks) dumps him because he lacks maturity, his lashing out threatens to land him and Wheeler in jail. Their only way out is to act as mentors at Sturdy Wings, a Big Brother-esque organization run by reformed addict–and unrepentant flirt–Gayle Sweeny (Jane Lynch). There, Danny is paired with the decidedly dorky Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) while Wheeler is the latest victim to take on foul-mouthed Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson). After a bumpy beginning, both Danny and Wheeler connect with their kids over everything from sword-and-sorcery role playing to the chick-scoring power of the band Kiss. But when these two presumptive adults put their charges’ well-being in jeopardy, they face both jail time and the loss of everyone’s respect. With their own friendship on the brink of ruin, Danny and Wheeler–not to mention a little help from the magic of Kiss–must reach deep inside to prove to the world how responsible they can truly be. In the spirit of films like KNOCKED UP and THE 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN, ROLE MODELS features a healthy dose of sharp humor and juvenile gags balanced by a feel-good message that growing up doesn’t mean giving up what makes each of us special.

Transporter 3

Posted on 27 November 2008

This fast-paced action film marks the third outing with Jason Statham playing the role of Frank Martin. For THE TRANSPORTER 3, Olivier Megaton (THE RED SIREN) takes over the directorial reins from Corey Yuen and Louis Leterrier.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Posted on 27 November 2008

As its explicit title suggests, Kevin Smith’s ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO is a foul-mouthed and filthy film that probably isn’t fit for the very young, the very old, or the easily offended. But for those who enjoy Smith’s brand of humor, this raunchy but romantic comedy could be the perfect date movie (though perhaps not for a first date). With mountains of past-due bills piling up, Zack (Seth Rogen, KNOCKED UP) and his roommate/childhood friend Miri (Elizabeth Banks, SCRUBS) aren’t sure how they’re going to stay in their Pittsburgh apartment. But a chance encounter at their 10-year reunion gives them the idea to make a porn movie. When it comes time for the friends to do the deed, they realize that perhaps they’re more than just friends.<br><br>With all the talk of sexual positions and bodily functions, it’d be easy to say that Smith is hopping on the Judd Apatow bandwagon that has dominated the box office in the latter half of the aughts with KNOCKED UP and THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, and ZACK AND MIRI even features a few Apatow alumni. But Smith perfected this schtick down back in the ’90s with CLERKS, when some of Apatow’s fans were still in diapers. ZACK AND MIRI is most reminscent of Smith’s own CHASING AMY; there are plenty of gag- or giggle-inducing moments, but Smith’s script is also surprisingly sweet. Rogen and Banks make a perfect couple, and the always hilarious Rogen could be Smith’s new Ben Affleck or Jason Lee.

Changeling

Posted on 27 November 2008

At first, Clint Eastwood’s CHANGELING could appear to be following too closely in the footsteps of his earlier Oscar winner, MYSTIC RIVER, since both films center on a missing child. But while his previous film was based on a Dennis Lehane novel, CHANGELING carries a particular weight because it is based on a true story, and one that isn’t largely known. Angelina Jolie stars as Christine Collins, a single mother working in 1928 Los Angeles when her son goes missing. A boy is returned to her months later by the police, but she is shocked and disheartened when she realizes that the boy isn’t her son. Joined by a crusading pastor (John Malkovich), Christine battles for justice against the corrupt L.A.P.D. while she continues to search for her child. Eventually her fight against the cops lands her in a mental hospital, where she is surrounded by others with a similar plight. <br><br>At times, CHANGELING is incredibly difficult to watch. Jolie gives an authentic, anguished performance, and the on-screen tragedy is quite disturbing, largely because of its basis in reality. But Eastwood has crafted another Oscar-worthy film that is certainly worth sitting through, even if a tissue or two is required. Screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski had been best known for his work in science fiction (BABYLON FIVE) and graphic novels, but he makes an adept transition to feature drama with this film. Its unusual focus–on the victim and her struggle for justice, rather than on the criminal and the crime–brings further depth to the film. As always, Amy Ryan (an Oscar nominee for GONE BABY GONE) perfectly morphs into her role (this time as a prostitute imprisoned in the mental hospital), and the film’s many child actors are compelling to watch.

Four Christmases

Posted on 27 November 2008

Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn pair up for this Christmas comedy about a couple who has to visit four different sets of parents as a result of divorce. Seth Gordon, director of the highly praised documentary THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS, makes a move into narrative territory with this holiday film.

Revolutionary Road

Posted on 27 November 2008

More than a decade after sharing the screen in the record-breaking TITANIC, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reunite for this adaptation of Richard Yates’s novel. This drama about a married couple in the 1950s is directed by Winslet’s husband, Oscar winner Sam Mendes.

Slumdog Millionaire

Posted on 27 November 2008

British director Danny Boyle takes another intriguing career turn with this heartfelt underdog tale. Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is a street kid (or “slumdog”) who has landed an appearance on India’s version of the hit TV game show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? Jamal exceeds expectations on the show, and the producers alert the police after they become suspicious of his methods. The young contestant is subsequently arrested and is interrogated at the hands of a nameless police inspector (played by Bollywood star Irfan Khan). As the interrogation proceeds, Boyle tells Jamal’s story through harrowing flashbacks that both show the terrible poverty of Mumbai and help explain how he knew the answers to the MILLIONAIRE questions. <br><br>SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a tightly woven story that has been expertly edited into shape. The contrast between Jamal’s upbringing and his chance of escaping it on the show are adeptly juxtaposed. Mumbai is portrayed as a place of terrifying poverty and unforgettable brutality, and Jamal and his brother get into a never-ending succession of challenging situations. But the way Boyle ties together Jamal’s life experiences with his answers on the show is quite brilliant, and the film really does run the full gamut of emotions as we see him growing up, falling in love, coming close to death, and teetering on the brink of escaping from his terrible predicament. The film belongs to Boyle’s cast, who are mostly unknown outside of India. Patel, in particular, gives a startlingly mature performance that audiences are likely to remember long after the credits role on this affecting feature.

Reader

Posted on 27 November 2008

Director Stephen Daldry (THE HOURS) brings another literary neo-classic to the screen with this adaptation of a novel by Bernhard Schlink. In post-World-War-II Germany, an illness brings together 15-year-old Michael and the much older Hanna (Kate Winslet), and their chance encounter begins a forbidden romance. Soon Hanna vanishes without warning, but they are reunited almost a decade later when he discovers that she is on trial for war crimes.

Seven Pounds

Posted on 27 November 2008

Throughout his career, the multi-talented Will Smith has proven equally adept with action, drama, and comedy. After tackling the big budget films I AM LEGEND and HANCOCK, the actor returns to more serious fare with his THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS director, Gabriele Muccino. In SEVEN POUNDS, a man’s efforts drastically reshape the worlds of seven people.