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Film Archive
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The Oscars: Who Will Win in 2010?
by Freeman Montaque
Well, it's finally time. As quickly as 2009 came and went, the 82nd Annual Academy Awards are now upon us. All the other precursor awards given out during the year were leading up to this, and for the most part, it looks like things will play out in more or less the same fashion.
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Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island
by Freeman Montaque
Sometimes, I really wish movies didn’t have trailers. That, or I wish the people behind the previews would find more creative ways of garnering your attention without giving away too much. Shutter Island is one of those films that I guarantee you would have been much more effective had you gone in with the most limited amount of information. At the end of the day, it’s still a worthy movie-going experience, but don’t be too surprised if you solve the mystery long before the film ends.
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FYI: On DVD/Blu-ray This Week – February 16, 2010
by Freeman Montaque
After the first two weeks of February yielded a lot of films from essentially the same genre, this week sees a wide variety of titles. There’s a spoof with the star from Spawn in the lead, a very nice collection of movies in honor of one of Warner Bros.’ biggest stars, a critically acclaimed drama from a talented writer/director whose name happens to be Steve McQueen, and a thriller about a killer who continues to commit murders even while he’s locked up.
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FYI: On DVD/Blu-ray This Week – February 9, 2010
by Freeman Montaque
Just in time for Valentine's Day, there are a bunch of romantic titles hitting the shelves this week, albeit some pretty unmemorable ones. Also included are a thriller that’s pretty much by the book, a comedy series with Jay Mohr at front and center, and a recent Best Picture nominee from the Coen Brothers, one that easily ranks among their all-time best.
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James Cameron, Avatar
by Freeman Montaque
With its groundbreaking effects and innovative filmmaking techniques, Avatar has just raised the bar for what future features can accomplish. It’s not quite a masterpiece, but it’s a pretty unforgettable experience nonetheless.
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Tom Hooper, The Damned United
by Freeman Montaque
I was hesitant to spend the little money I had left post-Black Friday on a movie I didn’t know too much about. Sports movies are typically hit-or-miss, and except for The Big Green (which isn’t exactly a masterpiece), I hadn’t seen or even known of too many other films centered around soccer. And yet, Athens’ Cine theatre was only showing the film for one more night, and I decided to bite the bullet. I’m glad I did. Very glad indeed.
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GOLDEN GLOBES 2010: Predicting the Nominees
by Freeman Montaque
Tuesday, December 15, the nominees will be announced for the Golden Globe awards. I'm never up-to-date with television, and there's way too many shows to watch, so I won't even bother with those nominees. Instead, I'll focus on who I think will get nominated in the motion picture categories, which is what the awards show is really about anyway.
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Lone Scherfig, An Education
by Freeman Montaque
Anybody who’s been following awards buzz all year long has no doubt heard good things of Carey Mulligan. And those high marks are not unfounded. It’s something when an actor can almost single-handedly pull you into a story with seemingly little effort. It’s even more impressive when they can do it at a relatively young age.
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Lee Daniels, Precious
by Freeman Montaque
When a film comes along that grabs hold of you and effects you so deeply you nearly forget you’re watching moving images on a screen, you know you’re witnessing something special. The Sundance crowd seems to have thought Precious was such a film, presenting it with their prestigious Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize award, as well as a special trophy for Mo’Nique’s fierce performance. It looks like they were right on the money.
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Spike Jonze, Where the Wild Things Are
by Freeman Montaque
Just because a kids movie follows the vivid imagination of a hyperactive child doesn’t mean it’s necessarily targeted at the Spongebob Squarepants crowd.
Sure, the previews make this look like a fun escape from reality, particularly those TV spots that include the upbeat song “All is Love.” But audience members may be surprised by how incredibly subdued (and almost depressing) this is.
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Oren Peli, Paranormal Activity
by Freeman Montaque
Remember 1999, when The Blair Witch Project was all the rage, with critics and audiences alike calling it one of the scariest things ever? Remember when you finally saw it, and it didn’t even come close to matching the hype it had accumulated? Well, it’s déjà vu all over again.
I will admit, I don’t really scare too easily when it comes to movies, but I’m not impossible. Seeing cute little Regan do a spider-walk down the stairs with her head facing the other way still keeps me from popping in The Exorcist at night. And seeing Donnie Wahlberg in his underwear from The Sixth Sense is disturbing at any time of the day.
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Jane Campion, Bright Star
by Freeman Montaque
For all intents and purposes, I should not have liked this movie. Costume dramas and period pieces are rarely my cup of tea, and scripts that meander with a clouded sense of purpose typically force me to frequently check my watch in hopes that it will all be over soon. That was the case in 2007 with Atonement, but, fortunately, history did not repeat itself here.
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Hayao Miyazaki, Ponyo
by Freeman Montaque
There aren’t many filmmakers around today that can deliver consistently intelligent, entertaining films, let alone movies that can appeal to adults as well as kids. Hayao Miyazaki, however, seems to do it every time he decides to make a new movie. I’ve seen all of his films, thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them, and his latest fits into his impressive resume of imaginative projects with relative ease.
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Neil Blomkamp, District 9
by Freeman Montaque
I always admire films willing to try a few new things, even if those efforts come up short in the long run. Science fiction in particular is something typically marred by clichés: aliens invade, humans have a war, humans win, the end. District 9 is a fresh addition to the genre that definitely had a lot of potential, but it inevitably fails to capitalize on what it could have been.
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Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
by Freeman Montaque
War films about U.S. soldiers in Iraq aren’t exactly box office gold mines. Moviegoers tend to spend their summers watching wizards and superheroes, not dramatic reminders of what goes on in far-off countries. However, audiences should make an exception with The Hurt Locker. Despite its sensitive subject matter (and its admittedly odd title), this is not only a memorable war film, it’s one of the best things to come out of 2009 so far.
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Sam Mendes, Away We Go
by Lauren Hoessly
The best part of Sam Mendes’ Away We Go is the soundtrack by Alexi Murdoch. Ok. Maybe that is a little harsh. I am a huge fan of Dave Eggers, John Krasinski, and indie film, but this quirky story just didn’t do it for me. The dialogue was genius, but the story moved so slowly that I caught myself yawning a few times. However slow, the film did offer quite the laughs and a very positive theme: sometimes –no matter how far you search, your home is where you decide to love another person.
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David Yates, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by Freeman Montaque
For five years, the third installment in the Harry Potter franchise (The Prisoner of Azkaban) has remained the most impressive of the cinematic adaptations. Director Alfonso Cuaron’s unique style and innovative vision allowed that film to outshine its predecessors, as well as the two movies that followed. Now, it looks like Prisoner might have to relinquish its crown to a half-blood prince.
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ON THE SHELF: Cristian Mungiu, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)
by Freeman Montaque
2007 was a popular year for unplanned pregnancies. Cinematically, I mean. It was an especially kind time for movie characters that decided to keep their unexpected guests and live happily ever after. But one film went a different path. It struck a more serious tone, avoided any cliché ending, and went on to claim numerous awards and widespread critical praise. It may not have been as commercially successful as either Juno or Knocked Up, but what it lacked in commerce it made up for in quality.
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McG, Terminator Salvation
by Freeman Montaque
Every once in a while, that rare summer blockbuster will come along that can both please its target audience and restrain critics from thinking up new ways of saying, “It sucked.” Most times, however, actions films released between the months of April and August are short on substance and, ultimately, quickly forgotten. Last year’s Christian Bale-starrer The Dark Knight definitely fell into the first category. This one, however, not so much.
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Now On DVD/Blu-Ray: Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler
by Freeman Montaque
Wrestling. Film. It seems the two are more or less the same in many respects. Performances are rehearsed, storylines are drawn up, and at the end of the day, the suits ultimately run the show. Yet, when performers from one medium crossed over into the other (Stone Cold Steve Austin in The Condemned, Goldberg in Universal Soldier: The Return), or when movies about the sport were created (Nacho Libre, Ready to Rumble), it just didn’t work. In 2008, at long last, audiences finally found something that did.
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James Gray, Two Lovers
by Freeman Montaque
It’s 2007. I’m in France at the Cannes Film Festival, and one of the movies I make it my mission to see is We Own the Night, a James Gray film starring Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix. Despite the French audience reaction, I find the film to be one of the most generic, forgettable cop movies I’ve seen. It’s 2009. I recall those same feelings as I enter the Cine theatre for the presentation of Two Lovers. It’s the same director and the same leading man. The results are a little different, though. I kind of like this one.
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ON THE SHELF: Billy Wilder, Double Indemnity (1944)
by Freeman Montaque
When I think of classic Hollywood film noir, I think of this. Black and white picture, cigarettes smoked like they were made of candy, crazy dames, some unintentionally funny, dated dialogue (“They know more tricks than a carload of monkeys”). It’s the perfect rainy day companion, and for a movie made in the early ‘40s, it never gets old.
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"Kings" Rules Sunday Nights
by Nathalie Espinol
It’s been a bad day in the kingdom, which - naturally - makes for some good TV on NBC’s newest epic drama “Kings” (Sunday 8 p.m.). The series’ second episode, “Prosperity,” amps up the court intrigue revealing some tantalizing plot points that could help the show become the new Sunday night addiction.
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ON THE SHELF: William Friedkin, The French Connection (1971)
by Freeman Montaque
Search for a film with a thrilling car chase scene today, and more often than not, you’ll have to settle for a movie that’s big on style and short on substance. But there was a time when films put just as much thought into developing their stories as they did in timing collisions. The French Connection did just that in 1971, earning 5 Academy Awards (including Best Picture), widespread acclaim and tons of respect from those in and outside of the industry. It deserved every bit of what it got.
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ON THE SHELF: Six Feet Under: The Complete First Season (2001)
by Freeman Montaque
It’s kind of hard to believe that in the show’s five-year run, it never won the Emmy for the top prize of Drama Series, nor did any of its principal actors ever claim a trophy (though eventual guest actress Patricia Clarkson won twice). It truly is a show that’s one of a kind, unmatched by anything since in the realm of television or film. So if you get the chance, hang with the Fishers. To borrow a line from one of the commercials, they put the “fun” back in “funeral”. Well, sort of.
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The 81st Annual Academy Awards: Predicting All the Winners (Part 1)
by Freeman Montaque
After an impressive year for the movies, it’s time to hand out the hardware to the ones that really left an impact. While some categories have been sewn up for a while now, there are still a few surprises that could pop up here and there on Oscar night. I’ll attempt to correctly guess the winners in all 24 categories, even the ones I have absolutely no clue on. So, let’s not waste any more time and get right down to it.
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THE YEAR THAT WAS 2008: The Top Ten Films of the Year
by Freeman Montaque
For the better part of the year, I was confident that 2008 would not be a good year for movies. Following the act of 2007 seemed like a tall order, and after the last month of summer showed little more than a handful of notable films, it seemed my original notion might be correct. But then came the fall, and an embarrassment of cinematic riches was upon us. I still wouldn’t say 2008 was a better year for movies than its predecessor, but it managed to turn into quite a memorable period that churned out some real beauties.
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Who Will Take Oscar Home?
by Stephanie Allerdice
Just when you think an 81-year-old man can’t surprise you anymore, good, old Oscar reveals that he still has a few tricks up his golden sleeves. In my 21 years of watching the Academy Awards (and 15 years of actually being aware of what I was watching), I think this years Oscars will not only be one of the most memorable awards ceremonies but it will also be one of the most competitive and unpredictable ones. That being said, I’m going to try and predict the winners.
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ON THE SHELF: Otto Preminger, Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
by Freeman Montaque
You might think a nearly 3-hour, black-and-white courtroom drama from the late 1950s would be a little dated by today’s standards. If not, consider Witness for the Prosecution, another courtroom drama released just two years prior to this one, filled to the brim with excessive overacting. Conversely, Anatomy of a Murder holds up quite well, thanks in large part to its all-star casts’ stellar performances.
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ON THE SHELF: Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke (1997)
by Freeman Montaque
I don’t watch a whole lot of anime. And really, between Shin Chan and the stuff by this film’s director, what else is there to see? Hayao Miyazaki has often been referred to as the Japanese Walt Disney, and you can see why: he knows how to construct interesting animated tales, usually with strong female characters at the center. While he’s made some truly entertaining, sometimes masterful, films throughout his career, this fantasy feature from the late 90s has to be his best work, so far at least.
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2009 Academy Award Nomination Predictions: Dark Knight Rises?
by Freeman Montaque
Just two days after an historic and, dare I say it, exciting inauguration on Tuesday (which is, appropriately enough, the day after Martin Luther King’s birthday), award watchers will have to get up early on Thursday morning to see if Kate Winslet becomes a double nominee, or if The Dark Knight breaks the mold as the first ever action hero movie based on a comic book to be nominated for Best Picture. Even if the film fails to score a nod for the top prize, Heath Ledger’s name is expected to be announced as a Supporting Actor nominee on the exact same date he died one year ago.
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Now On DVD: James Marsh, Man on Wire
by Andre Gallant
In August 1974, Phillipe Petit attached a tightrope between the north and south towers of the World Trade Center, walked across it eight times, then stopped in the middle for a sit.
But what makes Man on Wire, the 2008 film about the event, so thrilling isn't the footage of the 110-story tall high-wire walk, it's watching the tightly wound protagonist and his scheme mature and unfold.
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Ari Folman, Waltz With Bashir
by Stephanie Allerdice
In 1982 Christian Phalangists broke into the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila and murdered women, children and elderly people in order to avenge the death of their leader, Bashir Gemayel. Waltz With Bashir is an animated documentary dealing with this subject. Yes, an animated documentary. Not words used together often, or ever, to my knowledge. By combining a real subject with the unreal nature of animation, this documentary became a movie worthy of the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and possibly even the Oscar and is definitely worth seeing.
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ON THE SHELF: All the President’s Men (1976)
by Freeman Montaque
Several films have been made that delve into the field of journalism, and many of those have been good. Absence of Malice, Shattered Glass and Good Night, and Good Luck. are notable titles I can think of just off of the top of my head. But one film stands a cut above the rest as the absolute best representation of what the cinema has to offer when it comes to making the job of a reporter seem not only interesting, but downright exciting. That is what you get with All the President’s Men, a movie that should be required viewing for each and every journalism student.
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Golden Globe Predictions 2009
by Freeman Montaque
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, it’s not Christmas anymore. No, it’s not the wishful thinking of a flawless new year. No, it’s not the Presidential inauguration (well, it’s not just that). It’s awards season for the movies. The week of January 5 through January 11 should prove to be the most exciting, next to the Oscar nominations of course. You’ve got the anticipated nomination announcements for the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the Directors Guild of America (DGA), the Art Directors Guild, and, lastly, the announced winners for the 2008 Golden Globe Awards.
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ON THE SHELF: Blade Runner (1982)
by Freeman Montaque
You’ve got Harrison Ford at his most brooding, Daryl Hannah at her most flexible, and Rutger Hauer at his weirdest. Not to mention that Sean Young makes the idea of sleeping with a potential robot seem very appealing. What’s not to love? Sure, the ending (depending on which version you’re most familiar with) can be a little hard to wrap your head around, but ambiguity isn’t exactly a new thing for science fiction.
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I Want My MTV Back
by Carrie Dagenhard
Growing up in the boy band-riddled, teenybopper heaven of the late 90’s doesn’t exactly arm me with the nostalgic credibility to say this, but I’m going to anyway. What the hell happened to MTV?
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Clint Eastwood, Changling
by Stephanie Allerdice
Clint Eastwood has done it again. He has created the movie most likely to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, if not others as well. Maybe there will even be a best original score for Eastwood, since he composed the movie’s score, which is perfectly matched to his movie. And I have come to expect nothing less from Mr. Eastwood.
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Spike Lee, Miracle at St. Anna
by Freeman Montaque
I really wanted to like Spike Lee’s World War II homage to black soldiers. Truly, I did. There seemed to be an interesting story to tell, and we’d get to see the war from a perspective that we rarely do. I even know of some who, while they generally dislike Lee’s films, were blown away by the trailer. Earlier this year, the director had a public scuffle with Clint Eastwood over his failure to include African Americans in either of his 2006 war releases (Flags of Our Fathers, and the superior Letters from Iwo Jima). He confessed that he feared the altercation would cost him an Oscar nomination. Fortunately for him, that’s not the problem. The film’s failure to stand on its own is why Lee won’t see his name on any awards shortlist.
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Oliver Stone, W.
by Freeman Montaque
If you’re looking for a lot of laughs from Oliver Stone’s new film, you’re going to be disappointed. If you thought the director was going to spend a little less than two hours assaulting President Bush, you’re way off. The Oliver Stone of the 90s, the man behind such risky, edgy films as JFK and Natural Born Killers, is no more. Now you’ve got the conscientious observer, the man behind World Trade Center, the director who just sees the facts and passes them along. With W., Stone had the chance to recall his earlier days and stare controversy in the face and smile. With Bush’s popularity at a historic low, it would not have been hard for Stone (or anyone, for that matter) to deliver jab after jab without shame or remorse. But instead, he doesn’t. He does the exact opposite: he humanizes Bush. He delivers up a story that is less concerned with plot and more involved with getting to know Bush the man from his point of view, and it’s a decision that ultimately pays off.
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Greek Stars Promote Declare Yourself
by Stephanie Allerdice
Declare Yourself is an organization aimed at getting young people to vote. UGA Students got a dose of that election spirit Tuesday afternoon when the Scott M. Foster and University of Georgia Alumna, Tiffany Dupont, stars of the hit ABC Family show, Greek, visited the UGA Bookstore to promote Declare Yourself and sign autograpghes for fans of the show.
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Clark Gregg, Choke
by Carrie Dagenhard
When it comes to film renditions, I’m usually a “the book was better” type. But with the wildly successful Fight Club as its predecessor, I sat down for Choke on Friday night and prepared myself to be blown away.
Writer/director Clark Gregg crammed a 300 page, emotionally intricate novel into 89 minutes. I’ve seen TV series finales about that long, and with less plot holes. Gigantic portions of background were either severely underexplained or missing altogether and left those who had not read the book in a haze of “what the hell is going on?”
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Ben Stiller, Tropic Thunder
by Kathryn Durfee
With Tropic Thunder, actor Ben Stiller reprises a role he hasn't played since 2001: director. Having conquered the comic world of male models with his last hit Zoolander, Stiller turns to poke fun at the industry responsible for his own fame. Though Tropic Thunder isn't as zany or quotable as Zoolander, it's an accessible comedy about the movie business that boasts an all-star cast and proves undeniably entertaining. Plus, it just may have saved Tom Cruise's career.
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David Gordon Green, Pineapple Express
by Kathryn Durfee
Around this same time last year, writing buddies Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg conquered the August heat by entertaining audiences with high-school comedy Superbad. Their latest project, Pineapple Express is a darker and more violent buddy comedy than Superbad in which the heroes are chasing the perfect high and being chased by rival drug lords, giving new meaning to the paranoid pothead.
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Fred Wolf, The House Bunny
by Stephanie Allerdice
First week of school got you down? Well, then it is time for some laughs. The House Bunny is the perfect mindless cure for the start-of-school blues.
Shelly (Anna Faris) was an orphaned, ugly duckling when she was younger, but now she is a Playboy Bunny and living the life of her dreams. When she finds herself evicted from Hef’s Mansion (she reaches her expiration date), she needs a new place to live. She finds her new home in the Zeta Alpha Zeta sorority house, which is full of socially awkward girls. She helps the girls to realize their potential and save their house, which is in danger of losing its charter.
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Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
by Kathryn Durfee
Love may be a many-splendored thing, but that doesn't mean it’s easy. In Woody Allen’s latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, his most successful since Match Point, the prolific director explores the complications and hardships of love, all while proving that sometimes three is not a crowd.
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Chris Carter, The X-Files: I Want to Believe
by Chris Flippo
Let’s get this out of the way first: I am a very casual fan of The X-Files. I am the shorts and T-shirt kind of fan. I know that there were cracks in Mulder and Scully’s “platonic” relationship during the series, but I had no idea that they had conceived a son named William. I know about the Cigarette-Smoking Man, but had only recently discovered his surprising connection to Mulder. As far as fans go, I’m a relative lightweight.
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Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight
by Freeman Montaque
Amazing. Enthralling. Spectacular. Masterful. The best super hero movie of all time. I’m running out of positive adjectives and good descriptions that can accurately sum up just how good Christopher Nolan’s second Batman attempt is. What I can convey quite easily is this: whether you’ve been anticipating the film for a short while, or, like me, you’ve been expecting it for months (okay, years), the wait has been well worth it. Trust me. This review comes after viewing the film twice in just under seven hours. Needless to say, it’s one of those rare movies to come out of Hollywood: a film that doesn’t just live up to the hype, it surpasses it.
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Guillermo Del Toro, Hellboy II: The Golden Army
by Kathryn Durfee
With Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Mexican director Guillermo del Toro reenters the world of Mike Mignola's comic book series with mixed results. Flashier and noisier than 2004's Hellboy, Hellboy II matches its predecessor in wit and action but falls short of bettering the earlier film, stumbling over clunky dialogue and cheesy romance.
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Peter Berg, Hancock
by Kathryn Durfee
Let's face it: being Will Smith has got to be exhausting. He's a megawatt star who brings people of every race, class and gender to the theater, he's proven his range with action, romantic comedy, thriller and dramatic roles, and he's got a family-man, squeaky-clean image. Whether he likes it or not, he's a role model. Thus, the opportunity, albeit a risky one, to play a vulgar, alcoholic, sloppy superhero must have been attractive. In Peter Berg's intriguing Hancock, Smith shows that even the most despicable characters have a shot at salvation. This innovative take on the superhero flick is both entertaining and carries an emotional weight not often seen in the genre, but it loses track halfway through and rushes towards an ending that is less than satisfying.
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Timur Bekmambetov, Wanted
by Kathryn Durfee
In the opening scene of Wanted, a man in business attire runs down a hallway at the top of an office building and bursts through a plate-glass window, leaping across to another rooftop in a shower of glass. This Matrix-style scene is only the first of many, giving the audience a taste of all of high-intensity action sequences to come. However, with all of the over-the-top violence and non-stop action, Wanted disappoints with the lack of a strong script or intriguing story.
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Andrew Stanton, WALL-E
by Kathryn Durfee
Leave it to Pixar to take a post-apocalyptic theme, a protagonist reminiscent of silent movie comedians, and an environmental message and create a film that is at once humorous, touching, and romantic. WALL-E, directed by Andrew Stanton, is the tale of the little robot who, after 700 years alone, ends up saving our devastated planet, and all because of a pretty girl. Looks like things won't change too much in the future.
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Peter Segal, Get Smart
by Kathryn Durfee
A product of the director of Nutty Professor II and the writers of Failure to Launch, Get Smart, the feature adaptation of Mel Brooks' zany 1960s comedy series, surprises audiences in that it actually works. The fact that it does, however, is more a result of clever casting than anything else.
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Louis Leterrier, The Incredible Hulk
by Kathryn Durfee
In 2003, Ang Lee unleashed Hulk to poor reviews and disappointed audiences. It therefore seems a little odd that Marvel would try to resuscitate the franchise just five years later but lo and behold, they have. Though Louis Leterrier's film The Incredible Hulk doesn't deserve to be called incredible, it still makes for a thoughtful summer action film.
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M. Night Shyamalan, The Happening
by Freeman Montaque
Remember when The Sixth Sense came out in 1999, and M. Night Shyamalan seemed like the next big thing to hit Hollywood? Well, it’s been almost a decade since that film graced our theatres, but it seems like it's been longer. While he’s had a healthy number of movies released over the years, none of the director’s films released after The Sixth Sense has even come close to matching that film's level of excellence. In fact, a new trend has started to emerge with movies attached to his name: the more recent the film, the less likely its chances are of being good. With his latest project, The Happening, Shyamalan continues his cold streak, producing what may be his most disappointing project to date.
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John Stevenson and Mark Osbourne, Kung Fu Panda
by Kathryn Durfee
Nearly every summer, the folks at DreamWorks Animation serve up a predictable but entertaining family film about the importance of believing in oneself. Kung Fu Panda, the studio's latest, is no deviation on the formula. Though entertaining for a single viewing and a triumph in computer animation, Kung Fu Panda will be quickly forgotten.
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Steven Spielberg, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
by Freeman Montaque
I can’t even tell you the last time I went into a movie that had so much excitement built around it. As I stood in a long line for Steven Spielberg’s latest installment in the Indiana Jones franchise, I noticed people smiling, singing the anthem to the films, and just seeming to be altogether thrilled about what lay in store for them. They responded favorably towards all the previews, cheered when the film actually started, and when the movie was over... nothing. No applause, no cheers, no response except for leaving the theatre in silence. There’s a justifiable reason for why the crowd reacted as indifferently as it did: the movie’s a bit of a letdown.
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The Wachowski Brothers, Speed Racer
by Chris Flippo
Speed Racer is the kind of movie that critics look forward to reviewing because you can never really go too far in your critique of it. Some have said in their reviews that it is akin to an LSD trip or one of Hunter S. Thompson’s fevered nightmares. I, for one, was going to say it was like eating cotton candy, but I have recently found out that this one was already taken (damn!).
Instead, I’m just going to say that it’s like watching Cartoon Network on fast-forward while someone else shoots roman candles at you. No, this is not an experience I’m familiar with (yet), but if I had to guess what this is like, I believe Speed Racer would be a good frame of reference.
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Now On DVD: Todd Haynes, I’m Not There
by Freeman Montaque
I’m Not There is an eccentric, innovative take on the way movies do biographies. As a result, it is also a film that is likely to alienate people with its somewhat experimental tendencies. But while the movie itself may not necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea, the 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD contains a variety of bonus features that should appeal to all.
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Jon Favreau, Iron Man
by Kathryn Durfee
Look out, Spider-Man, Superman, and the Fantastic 4. Your sequels have been disappointing audiences for some time now, but director Jon Favreau has rejuvenated the superhero flick with the kickoff of the summer movie season, Iron Man.
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Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
by Kathryn Durfee
At first glance, Julian Schnabel's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly seems doomed to be a depressing tale of loss, regret and heartache. The film triumphs in presenting audiences with a respectful and honest portrait, and though sad, succeeds in becoming 2007's most powerful and uplifting work of cinematic art.
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Stefan Ruzowitzky, The Counterfeiters
by Kathryn Durfee
The horror of the Holocaust is territory frequently explored on film, which is why you may wonder what new material writer-director Stefan Ruzowitzky could offer with The Counterfeiters. A true story of a master counterfeiter who, while in a concentration camp, bartered his skills for better living conditions, "The Counterfeiters" is an emotionally and morally challenging film that proves that there are still many stories to be told from this tragic period.
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Now On DVD: Friday Night Lights - The Second Season
by Freeman Montaque
It’s got some of the best acting, writing and direction on TV today. It tackles issues like racism, sex and drug use without coming off as overbearing or preachy. It’s one of the few dramas on television that has remained consistently good throughout its run. . .and I bet you’ve never even seen an episode. Well, now that both seasons of the critically acclaimed (but criminally underwatched) drama Friday Night Lights are on DVD, you really have no excuse for not treating yourself to some fine primetime television.
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Cristian Mungiu, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days
by Lauren Kulwicki
4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days is a film which reinforces the notion that in order to be heard, whisper. The film whispers through 113 minutes, allowing the audience to feel the internal struggles of the characters on their own without being steered a particular direction by the presence of ominous music or fancy camerawork. The camera never prods, but rather incorporates unhurried long takes throughout, acting as a silent, omniscient observer. In 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days we are truly experiencing a day in the life; the authenticity of the setting and situations are crushingly realistic on their own.
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Michael McCullers, Baby Mama
by Freeman Montaque
Baby Mama seemed to have the right ingredients for the making of an enjoyable comedy. It stars Tina Fey, who has proven with "30 Rock" that she has the comedic acting chops to play the straight man capable of delivering big laughs. By her side is fellow Saturday Night Live colleague Amy Poehler in a film written and directed by Michael McCullers, another SNL alumnus. Adding to that, funnyman Steve Martin (yet another SNL alumnus) and Sigourney Weaver have brief turns here as two very different types of bosses. While this may all seem to point to extreme hilarity on the horizon, what we get instead is a hit-or-miss comedy that is ultimately forgettable and, worst of all, not very funny.
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Now On DVD: Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
by Freeman Montaque
One of the best-reviewed films of the year finds its way to DVD this week with The Savages, Tamara Jenkins’ award-winning offbeat comedy. Had it been released just a week earlier, it would have hit the shelves the exact same day as three other films written by female screenwriters. But perhaps it’s meant to stand out from the pack because, unlike those films, Jenkins doubles as both the film’s writer and director. Whatever the reason, or whatever the week, the film is one that should be seen and appreciated for what it has to offer.
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Rob Minkoff, The Forbidden Kingdom
by Chris Flippo
The Forbiddon Kingdom is best seen as Jackie Chan or Jet Li 101. It’s a decent introduction course, but not much more. Sure, you have the nice mix of action, comedy, and pathos for which these two superstars are known. However, the film just seems too generic and by-the-numbers to stand out in either star’s extensive filmography.
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Now On DVD: Jason Reitman, Juno
by Freeman Montaque
April has proven (and continues to prove) to be a great month for DVDs. The first week saw Sweeney Todd hit the shelves, There Will Be Blood just last week, and this week alone, three of the best reviewed films of 2007 become available to own. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Lars and the Real Girl, and, of course, the critical and audience darling, Juno, all come out this week. What separates the quirky teen-pregnancy comedy from the rest of the pack is the fact that it is not only a good film, but it’s also a DVD that is unlikely to disappoint.
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Gil Cates Jr.' s Deal
by Nicole Owen
Gil Cates Jr.'s, Deal, looked to have been dealt a good hand for ratings based on the trailer. However, there was no tell that it would have a plodding plot and low levels of excitement.
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Nicholas Stoller, Forgetting Sarah Marshall
by Kathryn Boyd
First came Knocked Up, and then came 40 Year Old Virgin. Now, the same producer that brought you those blockbuster comedies hits another home run with Forgetting Sarah Marshall. They took the premise of a movie that would usually be pegged a “chick flick” and transformed it into a film that anyone would not only love, but would also laugh the entire way home from the theater.
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Now On DVD: Craig Gillespie, Lars and the Real Girl
by Freeman Montaque
Perhaps it’s no coincidence, but the week of April 15 saw three independent films (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Juno, and Lars and Real Girl) come to DVD with one thing in common: they’re each written by female screenwriters. Two of those women went on to receive Academy Award nominations. Lars in the Real Girl, written by Academy Award nominee Nancy Oliver, is undoubtedly the most eccentric of the three, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
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David Ayer, Street Kings
by Chris Flippo
After a bad movie, most moviegoers will tell you that they didn’t like it “because it didn’t have a plot.” For the most part, that’s a valid argument. However, I find that lately movies have been suffering from a bad case of “over-plotting.” You may recognize the symptoms. There are lots of twists and turns and unexpected character betrayals, but there just seems to be something missing. The fact is, at the end of the day, that there may be plenty of plot, but the story itself is tired and dull. Street Kings, despite the high pedigree of its cast, is such a film.
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Now on DVD: Jason Reitman, Juno
by Nicole Owen
Juno ended up being a sore disappointment for all those Superbad fans out there ready to see Michael Cera up to more shenanigans. Refreshingly, he took a back seat in this movie in a plush vintage arm chair and provided us with only the necessary ingredients to land Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) with a bit more than just a "food baby." Luckily for viewers, Ellen does not remain in the same type-casted rolls, and plays a quick-witted, nonchalant teenager who finds herself preggers. Not to be confused at all with Shadowcat, a girl that can walk through walls in X-Men: The Last Stand.
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Stephen Walker, Young@Heart
by Ashley Owen
Never have the lyrics of The Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive” rang so true as when the members of Young@Heart sang them. Young@Heart is a choir based out of Northampton, Mass. The average age of the members is 80 years old. The group covers songs from groups such as The Clash and The Ramones. This film is their story.
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Degrassi: The Next Generation on The N Network
by Jim Diffly
The N Network’s slogan is: Real. Life. Now. But how realistic is it?
There is cause for concern for parents whose children watch the racy original program on The N, The Network for Teens, called Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Degrassi: The Next Generation is The N’s top rated original program now in its seventh season.
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Martin Scorsese, Shine A Light (Part 2)
by Chris Flippo
Does the world need another Rolling Stones documentary? On the evidence we are presented with in Shine A Light, the new concert film by Martin Scorsese, the answer just might be, "Yes." Though this is indeed the same Stones that people have known for years, it is that fact alone that justifies the film’s existence. Not many bands make it to their fifth anniversary, much less their fortieth. If this milestone is not worth capturing on celluoid, then what musical achievements are?
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Noam Murro, Smart People
by Courtney Fennell
If you are in need of a breath of fresh air, Smart People comes through. Filled with insightful characters, an amazing director, and talented actors, Smart People first opened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. A beautifully written piece filled with romance, drama, and comedy, Smart People mixes dry humor with drops of heartfelt human emotion.
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Now On DVD: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
by Freeman Montaque
Sometimes great films just don’t translate into great DVDs. Either the section for extras is relatively bare and underwhelming, or there are no extras at all. You might think that There Will Be Blood, Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest gem, would follow in the footsteps of Boogie Nights and Magnolia, two of the writer/director’s other films that stand out as good movies and good DVDs. Unfortunately, the 2-Disc Collector’s Edition, while it might look nice, doesn’t offer as much as it should.
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The Return of The Office: That's What She Said
by Monica Padman
If you find yourself muttering the phrase, “That’s what she said” after every other sentence or drawing “I heart Jim H.” all over your notebook, you are one in thousands that are counting down the tedious minutes until 9 p.m. Thursday.
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Now On DVD: Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners, The 11th Hour
by Freeman Montaque
Coming just a year after the Academy Award-winning An Inconvenient Truth, last year’s globally aware documentary The 11th Hour played in just a few theatres before quietly making its debut on DVD this week. While it doesn’t pack as much of a punch as its more well-known predecessor, the film is still a documentary worthy of your time and consideration.
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Wong Kar-Wai, My Blueberry Nights
by Freeman Montaque
It opened this past year’s Cannes Film Festival. It’s director Wong Kar-Wai’s first film in English. It includes an all-star cast composed of a Grammy winner, an Academy Award winner and three Academy Award nominees. There was a lot My Blueberry Nights had to live up to, but unfortunately, it doesn’t come close to capitalizing on its expected excellence.
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Nadine Labaki, Caramel
by Rebecca Elmquist
The beauty shop setting of this charismatic drama fits, but is rather misleading. While initially superficial, after watching Caramel I was both enlightened and moved. If one was uninformed about the country of Lebanon, after watching this movie they would never have guessed how war-tormented the country actually is. This film is a celebration of culture, love, generational differences and the capital, Beirut itself.
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George Clooney, Leatherheads
by Kathryn Durfee
George Clooney's Leatherheads, which is receiving more attention for the resulting fallout between Clooney and the WGA than for being a good film, is a mildly entertaining romantic comedy that has heart, a can-do spirit, and a nice pace but fails to recapture the spunk of the classic screwballs on which it was based.
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Shine A Light Review (Part 1)
by Chris Flippo
Okay, full disclosure: I have not actually seen Shine A Light, the new Rolling Stones concert film by Martin Scorsese. However, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. I drove to the Mall of Georgia, bought my ticket, and fought my way through a hundred or so of the most passionate Stones fans.
After a minute or two of that weird IMAX voiceover explaining the process (in a very creepy, HAL-9000 type of monotone), the lights came up and the theater’s managers came out and explained what was wrong in terms only Geek Squad sergeants could understand. To put it simply, there was no battery to power the IMAX projectors.
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Writers' Strike Fallout: What's The Up Side?
by Kalie Watch
First of all, I want to assure all of you that I hated the absence of my favorite shows just as much as the next devoted couch potato, but there were a number of positive results from the writers' strike. The Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) is essentially a union that represents film, television, and radio writers. Without the WGA, writers would have to fend for themselves on issues like health insurance and other quite essential employee benefits. The WGA also represents writers as a whole in order to obtain fare wage agreements, which was the main cause behind the 100-day strike in 2007.
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Robert Luketic, 21
by Kathryn Durfee
Robert Luketic's 21 is the sort-of true story of five MIT nerds that use the "simple math" to their advantage and take Sin City for hundreds of thousands of dollars. But, though a knowledge of mathematics can lead to a big payout, luck always runs out.
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David Schwimmer, Run Fatboy Run
by Kathryn Durfee
We shouldn't like Dennis Doyle. He's slovenly, working a dead-end job, and for reasons unknown, left his pregnant fiancée at the altar. But somehow, Dennis manages to capture our hearts from the beginning, and we cheer him on until the end.
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Film Therapy: Selections For Every Mood
by Monica Padman
In the midst of an ever-changing atmosphere, life often calls for some less than extraordinary moments. It is imperative to lay back on your couch and relax with a blanket, a bowl of popcorn and your DVD player every so often. There is something intrinsically satisfying about gawking at Hollywood’s finest in the comfort of your own sweatpants.
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Steven Brill, Drillbit Taylor
by Chris Flippo
The ads for Drillbit Taylor announce that it is the new comedy from Judd Apatow, even though his role is just limited to producer. Unlike previous films that had the director’s Seal of Approval, Drillbit Taylor isn’t as funny or as polished. Though its easy-going nature almost salvages it, Drillbit Taylor proves that the Apatow brand can, occasionally, turn out a disappointing film.
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Masayuki Ochiai, Shutter
by Freeman Montaque
For a while there, it seemed like Shutter might not be so bad. The odds were stacked against it from the beginning, seeing as how it is a modern horror film and, therefore, likely to incorporate bad dialogue and overacting. A few minutes go by without anything too absurd happening, and you wonder if you underestimated the film’s potential. Once things are set into motion, however, and the plot begins to unfold, the film’s begins to lose a lot ground, and moments are created that are so ridiculous at times, they are laughably bad.
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Martin McDonagh, In Bruges
by Kathryn Durfee
Bruges is the capital and largest city of West Flanders in Belgium. The city is known for its historic value as most of its medieval architecture is intact. Bruges is a quiet town that looks as if it's been preserved in a fairy tale. Enter Ray and Ken. In Bruges, theatre writer Martin McDonagh's first feature-length film, is an energetic romp that not only presents the viewer with great characters, but it also offers a tour of a beautiful city.
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Roger Donaldson, The Bank Job
by Kathryn Durfee
No one seems to have learned the cardinal rule of bank heists: there's no such thing as a sure thing! Roger Donaldson's The Bank Job, the "true" story of a London team of villains trying to pull off a major score, starts slow and pays off at the end, but still fails to stand out in the genre.
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Winter: The Movie Dead Zone
by Emily Saeger
January and February bring not only frigid temperatures and torrential downpour, but this is also the time of year when the movie companies dump the bottom of the barrel on us. So, even if you're willing to drop $10 in exchange for a couple of hours of entertainment, there is much to be desired at a theatre near you.
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Michael Haneke, Funny Games
by T.O. Lawrence
Let's be honest here. Nobody likes rich white people and people especially don't like rich white people who play "name that tune" to tracks of Vivaldi and Rachmaninoff in their spare time. So it seems prudent to assume a movie about the explicit torture and murder of rich white people would be an easy score for a low-budget filmmaker but unfortunately, it's a little bit tougher than that.
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Jeff Wadlow, Never Back Down
by Freeman Montaque
Every once in a while, a movie comes along that you have such low expectations for, that you expect to fail on virtually every level, it manages to rise above those reservations and, for the most part, work for the type of film it is. While the previews may portray it as being a high school knockoff of Fight Club with acting about as believable as what you’d see in The Fast and the Furious, Never Back Down is a surprisingly watchable movie that fails to collapse within itself like you might imagine.
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Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino, Horton Hears A Who!
by Kathryn Durfee
I've never been big on Dr. Seuss, but one of the only stories I actually enjoyed was Horton Hears A Who!, which I received both in book form and on VHS sometime around my eighth birthday. That version was produced by Dr. Seuss himself and was in good ol' fashioned 2D animation. In recent years, Dr. Seuss's cannon has been resurrected in live action films (2000's How the Grinch Stole Christmas and 2003's The Cat in the Hat), but not to much success. So the question with Blue Sky Studio's Horton Hears a Who! is whether or not the return to animation, this time in 3D, could salvage the Seussical adaptations. The good Doctor can rest assured, for the folks at Blue Sky have created an adaptation that is both respectful and enjoyable.
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Mark Palansky, Penelope
by Lauren Hoessly
Penelope is not a classic movie or one that will be remembered for its greatness, but if you do not see it, you will be missing out on a whimsical and endearing story of what it means to find yourself.
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Richard Kumble, College Road Trip
by Freeman Montaque
Live action Disney comedies generally seem to follow the same formula. The overwhelming score forces us to recognize when something is meant to be goofy and when we’re supposed to cry. The characters go through hard situations but end up learning their life lessons just in time so that all is well before the film is over. The protagonist, particularly if she’s female (i.e. Miley Cyrus, Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan), sings at some point during the movie, whether or not it aids in the storytelling at all. And, ironically enough, Disney comedies usually aren’t altogether funny, unless dumbed down humor is your forte. It’d be nice to say that College Road Trip breaks from this norm and does something a little different. Yeah, that’d be nice.
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Gus Van Sant, Paranoid Park
by Freeman Montaque
Not many people could take a group of mostly non-actors from a casting call on MySpace and put them in the forefront of a film about a teenage skateboarder who lives aimlessly throughout the entirety of a movie. Then again, not many people know how to tap into the psyche of the modern teenager like Gus Van Sant. As he has shown in the past with projects such as Elephant and My Own Private Idaho, Van Sant proves yet again how he has a handle on the quiet, indifferent adolescent with Paranoid Park, one of his best films to date.
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Roland Emmerich, 10,000 B.C.
by Chris Flippo
Prehistoric epics are hard films to make. There are only so many stories you can tell about mammoth hunters. Besides, dialogue mostly consists of grunts, and, to top it off, most actors just look like they’re playing dress-up. Roland Emmerich’s 10,000 B.C. doesn’t escape these trappings, but I’m almost just happy to see the genre attempted at all. Of course, if Emmerich’s ambition had yielded a worthwhile film, then I’d have been even happier.
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Bharat Nalluri, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
by T.O. Lawrence
In life as in love, one must try to be compassionate, understanding and, in the end, forgiving in order to achieve the best of everything. These are the lessons Miss Pettigrew tries to teach us in Bharat Nalluri’s new film Miss Pettigre Lives for a Day. But even with the healthiest doses of high-grade moral fiber and massive quantities of alcohol, passing Miss Pettigrew through my system was one of the most painful movie experiences I’ve had this year, and yes, I already saw Semi-Pro.
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Now on DVD: Sean Penn, Into the Wild
by Freeman Montaque
If there was ever any doubt what Sean Penn was capable of behind the camera, let those reservations now be put to rest with Into the Wild, his best film to date. Gorgeously shot, sharply written and superbly acted by performers all around, Into the Wildx should go down as the actor-turned-director’s crowning achievements, as well as one of the very best films of the year 2007.
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Justin Chadwick, The Other Boleyn Girl
by Meghan Jones
The primary reason I went to the teenager-crowded movie theatre on Friday, February 29, is that Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, two of my favorite actresses, would finally be on screen together in The Other Boleyn Girl. The film, based on Philippa Gregory’s popular novel with the same name, had been pretty hyped before its Leap Day debut, and all of the exposure had worked its magic on me: I couldn’t wait to see it. I even broke my standard book-turned-into-film rule - always read the book first - for the occasion. I just couldn’t wait to see it, and besides, I’m in the middle of another book that I don’t want to put down (Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, another review for another time.)
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Pete Travis, Vantage Point
by Chris Flippo
A couple of months ago I commented on how We Own The Night seemed like it was the first draft of what could become a great movie. Now, here it is in the second month of 2008, and I’m feeling much the same way about Vantage Point. The ingredients are all here for a remarkable film, but they never come together to form something worthwhile. Why do so many films with such great potential feel rushed?
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Jon Poll, Charlie Bartlett
by Kathryn Durfee
Looking at the synopsis for Charlie Bartlett, it seems as though it could be an old John Hughes movie. Bartlett sets itself apart from films like Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink by portraying an oddly optimistic high school student body that is capable of being united. Here, not only does the geeky guy get the girl, but he brings everyone from the jocks to the special education kids together in a happily ever after ending.
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Mike Gondry, Be Kind Rewind
by Jamie Henson
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a great movie; an excellent script by the innovative Charlie Kaufman, an endlessly entertaining soundtrack, and wonderful work by the director Michel Gondry. After the 2006 Science of Sleep, Gondry takes another step at becoming one of this infant millennium's best writer/directors with Be Kind Rewind.
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Ingredients For The Perfect Oscar Party
by Kathryn Durfee
The perfect Oscar party. If you're like me, you've always wanted to have one but never knew where to start. All the preparation, all the stress! Well fret no more; here's how to pull off an evening worthy of a red carpet and a host of stars without wearing yourself out in the kitchen or spending hours in front of the mirror.
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2007 Oscars Preview: Ten Films You Should See Before Oscar Night
by Freeman Montaque
2007 will go down as one of the best years for film. In fact, too many good films were released in the past year, leaving some films (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Into the Wild, Sweeney Todd) out of categories in which they might normally have been competitive. In a year that saw so many great titles, some films (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Hairspray, Zodiac) were left out of the Oscar party altogether. Nonetheless, the Academy has spoken, and to help guide your attention, I’ve compiled a list of ten films you would do well to see before the big night on Sunday.
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Jericho Commentary: Episode Two "Condor"
by Len Neighbors
Last night's episode began with the IRS lady telling Stanley over breakfast that she's a type A personality, which we already knew. Then the laugh a bit about how boring we are, which we also already knew. The second it became obvious that they were going to end up together, which was roughly three and a half seconds after they appeared on screen together in season one, their relationship became useless as part of the plot. Don't get me wrong... I like they IRS lady and I like Stanley, but in order for them to work in the story they have to do something besides each other.
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Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
by Freeman Montaque
It’s something when a film is able to grab hold and speak to you in such a profoundly, deeply moving way, it resides in your memory for days or weeks (or even months) on end. It’s even more of an accomplishment when it is able to leave such an impression on you when it is in another language. I was fortunate enough to see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly at this past year’s Cannes Film Festival, and I have been unable to shake off its lasting effect ever since.
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Vincent Paronnoud, Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis
by Kathryn Durfee
Film adaptations of graphic novels have taken many forms in the past few years. Some are grounded in realism, like Sam Mendes' screen version of Collins and Rayners' Road to Perdition. Others are highly-stylized, like Robert Rodriguez's adaptation of Frank Miller's Sin City. Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi's 2007 film Persepolis, which recounts one woman's memories of growing up during the Iranian Revolution, manages to be both, creating an honest tale that unfolds like a delicate French fairy tale.
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WGA Strike: Was It Worth It?
by Kathryn Durfee
Looking back at the past three months, I wonder if the strike was worth it. With the growing popularity of watching television shows online, there's no doubt that the new deal is a winner. It may not give the writers much, but it's better than nothing and a good place to start. In three years, who knows how much money streaming video will be generating for the industry (my guess is that it will include lots and lots of zeroes). With this precedent in place, it will be easier for the writers to negotiate for more in the future.
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Oscar Watch: Jason Reitman, Juno
by Kathryn Durfee
Clint Eastwood's 2004 award winner isn't the only million dollar baby to hit theaters in recent years. This year's surprise hit Juno has just crossed the $100 million mark, broken a whole mess of records, and has earned 4 Oscar nominations. So what is it about little Juno MacGuff that's got the whole nation talking?
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Oscar Watch: Todd Haynes, I'm Not There
by Chris Flippo
Editor’s Note: We’re trying to double back to get all the Oscar-nominated films we may have missed. Tune in to the Academy Awards telecast on February 24th to see if Cate Blanchett wins for I’m Not There.
Todd Haynes’ I’m Not There is one of the few films where you may know less about the artist after seeing their biopic. You may think you know Bob Dylan, that iconic folk singer who enjoyed confusing the press and who made a big stir when he went electric. You may know him as the non-sequitur spouting madman from “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” Of course, according to Haynes, you really don’t know Bob at all.
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Valentine's Day Movies: Recommendations To Please Both Of You
by Chris Flippo
Guys, has there ever been a better dating tool than the movies? You can take her out for a few hours for (relatively) cheap. You get to sit next to her in the dark. You can tell a lot about a person by the movies that they enjoy. If your date loves Casablanca, you may have yourself an idealist. If your date loves Wes Anderson movies, you may have a hipster on your hands. If your date loves Meet the Spartans, you may have found yourself a very intelligent monkey.
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Ridley Scott, Blade Runner Final Cut
by Chris Flippo
Writer's Warning: this is as much a retrospective as it is a review. Stop here if you want to avoid spoilers.
Dear Blade Runner,
Are you really 25 years old? You’ve aged so well! It seemed like only yesterday that Warner Brothers gave you some silly voiceover narration and sent you out into the real world. Out there you didn’t fare too well at the box office (thanks to that bully E.T.), and you retreated back to the world of home video. But that’s not where you stayed, was it?
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WGA Strike Should Provide Time To Rethink Television Staples
by Len Neighbors
I'll admit it. I find the various iterations of CSI entertaining, despite all they have going against them. In every episode, the killer is discovered, or the real killer separated from the other enticing suspects, through some deus ex machina bit of scientific magic that doesn't really hold up under anything approximating scrutiny.
A fluff of flamingo hair is found in the cuff of the victim's pants tells Horatio that the killer must be the guy who rents exotic fowl for parties in South Beach. Grissom discovers an hypatiaea putatia in larval stage, an exotic bug no one studies whose presence just happens to be mapped by the city of Las Vegas and can be cross references with old salt mines, phosphorous deposits, and places frequented by extreme mountain bikers. It was the mountain biker, in the desert, near the salt mine, with the semi-radioactive hunk of shale.
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Love and Fear: The Brave One and Feast of Love
by Jamie Henson
Love is the oldest reason for drama. This goes back to the Greeks, who were the first to write about it, and even farther in verbal story telling I’m sure. In the new release Feast of Love, the story revolves around all aspects of people falling in and out of love along the systematic lines of the ancient stories.
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Now on DVD: The Motorcycle Diaries
by Chris Anthony
Che Guevara is a polarizing figure. For many leftists, Guevara is a cult hero that is idolized across several continents. For others, he is a violent communist who received his due in the midst of the Cold War. But as the narrator of The Motorcycle Diaries tells us, “This isn’t a tale of heroic feats. It’s about two lives running parallel for a while.” Director Walter Salles and executive producer Robert Redford do not focus on Guevara the revolutionary, but rather a young Guevara traversing a continent that has become idealized in his mind. Ernesto “Che” Guevara and close friend Alberto Granado explore South America in search of love, compassion, and adventure, but in the end they find something that changes them profoundly.
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Gregory Hoblit, Untraceable
by Chris Flippo
There are times when I regret that Athens Exchange doesn’t go by the star system. It would be a nice crutch to have when a movie comes along that neither impresses you nor insults your intelligence. Untraceable is a movie like that. When the credits started rolling, I realized that what we I had just seen was a two and half star movie. It’s a movie that I can’t quite recommend, but if it’s a rainy day and the matinee is cheap enough, why not?
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More Details Revealed About Ledger
by Kathryn Durfee
More details surrounding the untimely death of 28-year-old actor Heath Ledger emerge as his housekeeper releases her side of the story.
Teresa Solomon, Ledger's housekeeper, arrived at the apartment at around 12:30 p.m. About half an hour later, she entered Ledger's bedroom to change a light bulb. According to Solomon, he was lying face down in bed, covered in a sheet. She later told the police that she heard him snoring and therefore thought nothing was out of the ordinary.
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Heath Ledger Autopsy Inconclusive
by Kathryn Durfee
Authorities say the autopsy performed this morning on actor Heath Ledger, who was found dead in his Manhattan apartment yesterday afternoon are inconclusive. Ellen Borakove, the spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office says it will take about 10 days to determine the real cause of death through a series of more thorough tests.
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Matt Reeves, Cloverfield
by Chris Flippo
As preposterous (or even routine) as that description may sound, Cloverfield is a movie I can’t quite shake. There have seen dozens of monster movies before, featuring every type of reptile, gorilla, or dinosaur imaginable, but there has never been anything like this. Somehow the experience of actually watching Cloverfield is so... real. The film is smart enough to know that looking down at a monster attacking the city is not that scary. However, a monster looking down at you is actually quite scary, and Cloverfield mines this for all that it is worth.
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Heath Ledger Dies at 28
by Kathryn Durfee
Oscar-nominated actor Heath Ledger was found dead Tuesday at his downtown Manhattan residence. Though official cause of death has yet to be released, police suspect no foul play and believe drugs to have been a factor.
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The WGA Strike: A View From The Other Side
by Kathryn Durfee
Now, I know that in the past, my articles have had a light tone, but let it be known that this does not mean that I don't take my writing seriously. That being said, I was recently contacted by a writer-producer on a popular primetime television show. He offered me a look at the strike from the writers' point of view. Not only from the guild's point of view, but from the eyes of a working writer who is being financially devastated by the strike. Of course, any source I use will be biased, but I hope the following offers some insight to what real-life writers are actually going through right now. I will keep my source anonymous in gratitude for his willingness to share his story with me.
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Tim Gane & Sean O'Hagan, La Vie d'Artiste
by Lauren Baggett
Tim Gane of Stereolab and Sean O’Hagan of High Llamas have teamed up again for the first time since their band Turn On released its self-titled album in 1996. This go around they’ve come together to compose the score for the new French comedy La Vie d’Artiste.
The overall mood is mellow. The score’s main melody boasts ample use of violins and keyboard to soothe you and keep your head bobbing to a steady beat with shakers, techno beats and some steel drums every now and then. The tracks are quirky and perfectly fit the attitude of the film.
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Somebody To Be: UGA Grad To Make Television Debut
by Chris Flippo
Starting next spring, UGA’s own Hadjii Hand will make his television debut in a show based off his award-winning film, Somebodies (2006). A coming of age story about a man facing the threat of post-college life, the film was shot last year on minuscule budget around the Athens- Clarke County area. The film went on to several festivals, including Sundance, and received an enthusiastic response from the audiences. Now, as the production date for the show draws closer, Athens Exchange met with Hadjii to talk about the upcoming project.
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Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
by Kathryn Durfee
Writer/director Tamara Jenkins' newest film The Savages was released at the end of November, 2007 but is just now arriving at Athens Ciné. An unlikely Christmas film, The Savages centers on two middle-aged siblings that are put in charge of caring for their declining father.
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Anne Fletcher, 27 Dresses
by Stephanie Allerdice
Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride. Try 27 times a bridesmaid, and every time the dress is just downright ugly. The screenplay writer of The Devil Wears Prada has another comedic success with this hilarious tale of a woman in love with weddings...and her boss.
Katherine Heigl stars as Jane, a high-strung, overly giving wedding planner who has been a bridesmaid 27 times. She is also hopelessly in love with her boss, George (Edward Burns.) But when George meets and falls in love with Jane’s pampered, high maintenance little sister Tess, Jane faces her 28th time as a bridesmaid. Throw in a ton of sexual tension with cynical wedding writer, Kevin (James Marsden) and you have got yourself a wonderfully delicious romantic comedy.
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Anton Corbijn, Control
by Chris Flippo
Control begins with everything falling into place for Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis. He marries, becomes a father, and writes music that manages to cross the considerable gap that exists between an artist and the audience. However, you would be hard-pressed to call the film a joyous experience. The tragic events that close Control hang over he film from the first frame, and you sense that it is only time before Curtis collides with his dark destiny. The film takes us on a very difficult journey, but it is not an unrewarding one. Art doesn’t always have to leave you feeling good.
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Athens Exchange Is Giving Away Two Tickets To Control At Cine - Do You Want Them?
by Len Neighbors
Anton Corbijn's feature length film Control will open at local Athens art house theater Cine this Friday (January 11) and run until next Thursday (January 17). The event is a trilateral collaboration between Buddies Helping Buddies (Gordon Lamb & Mike Turner), Cine and Wuxtry Records.
Buddies Helping Buddies has a pair of passes available for Athens Exchange to give away for any screening on Tuesday, January 15. Showtimes are 4:15, 7:15 and 9:45 PM.
All you have to do to get the tickets is answer the following trivia question:
In 1976 the members of Joy Division and several other to-be-formed groups witnessed a galvanizing performance by The Sex Pistols in Manchester, England. Where was this gig held?
E-mail your answer to athensbuddies@gmail.com no later than 5 PM Monday, January 15. Put "Athens Exchange/Joy Division" in the subject line and the first response that correctly answers will get the tickets.
You can read the Athens Exchange review of Control here.
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Best Movies Of 2007: Chris Flippo
by Chris Flippo
First off, before I get into yet another year-end list, I’d like to say that this article is NOT about the best movies I’ve seen this year. Rather, it is about my favorite films of the year. This may seem like a rather small point that I’m trying to make, but I really think it’s a crucial one. I’ve always thought that, in a few years time, we’ll be thinking of our favorite films long after the we’ve forgotten the “best” films (a small litmus test: when was the last time you thought about A Beautiful Mind?).
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Best Movies Of 2007: Kathryn Durfee
by Kathryn Durfee
As the year draws to a close, I look at my frighteningly large stack of movie stubs in hopes that the majority of it is made up of movies that were worth the eight bucks. As usual, not many were (am I the only one out there that didn't like Knocked Up?). From rats to sex dolls, 2007 was a year of variety.
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Mike Nichols, Charlie Wilson's War
by T.O. Lawrence
We are America. We have bombs, we have guns, we have ideals. We have vast quantities of resources commanded by elected officials and faceless bureaucrats which have shaped the fates of nations and changed the course of history. This has been going on for years and will undoubtedly do so into perpetuity, each decision compounding on the last, rolling up into one massive ball of dung called Politics. This is a no man's land for audiences these days, but Director Mike Nichols has found us the perfect guide in Charlie Wilson along with an incredible script to boot.
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Colin And Greg Strause, Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem
by Chris Flippo
Before I start this review, I just want you to know this write-up is going to seem like a cop-out. That’s because Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem is what some people would call “critic-proof.” This is a term that I’ve noticed is thrown around a lot, but for some movies, it’s the only term that can apply. Most people who are going to see this film are not going to care about the reviews and have most likely already bought their ticket. To put it simply, you’re either in or you’re out. However, my job today is going to tell you guys on the fence what you’re getting yourself into should you sign up. This is the kind of film where you don’t have criticism so much as you offer disclaimers.
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Jason Reitman, Juno
by Chris Flippo
Jason Reitman’s Juno is sweet, funny, and surprisingly perceptive. Every time I thought I had a handle on the film, Juno threw a plot point or a punch line that knocked me to the floor. It’s a film that goes a little bit further than most comedies, and that’s exactly what makes it so endearing.
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Denzel Washington, The Great Debaters
by Kathryn Durfee
I'll take an inspirational sports movie with a side of white guilt, please. Denzel Washington's new film The Great Debaters is a well-acted feel-good movie about Wiley College's 1935 debate team and its rise above racism, love triangles, and politics to achieve victory.
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Jake Kasdan, Walk Hard
by T.O. Lawrence
It's the holidays. It's a time of shopping, singing and cheer. It's a time of family, love and forgiveness. It's also a time that makes you want to do hard drugs, have machete-fights with your siblings and sex it up with as many random women as possible. And you know what? I think Dewey Cox can relate. And when he relates, he relates pretty damn well.
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The WGA Strike: A Consumer Guide
by Chris Flippo
You’ve seen pictures of Tina Fey picketing and you’ve noticed how The Daily Show isn’t as up-to-date as it used to be, but do you understand why the Writer’s Guild of America is going on strike? It’s a complicated issue that is causing plenty of grief on both sides. However, the question remains: will it all be worth it?
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Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd
by Kathryn Durfee
Sweeney Todd is not a pleasant film, but director Burton has stayed true to the source material. Be prepared for buckets of blood, raw gore, and a touch of cannibalism. It's also probably a good idea to be a fan of Tim Burton's work. If I haven't yet convinced you that Sweeney Todd is a triumph, I will leave you with one last tidbit: Stephen Sondheim, very protective of his work, has prevented this musical from being adapted into a film since its opening. Only when presented with Burton's vision did the composer allow the project to move forward. The result is a fluid and faithful adaptation of the original work, and a bloody good film.
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Richard LaGravenese, P.S. I Love You
by Stephanie Allerdice
Alright, ladies. Grab your girlfriends, a box of tissues and wipe off your mascara. Be prepared to cry and then laugh through your tears at P.S. I Love You.
This film, based on the novel by Cecelia Ahern, is one of the best romantic comedies that I have seen in years. This is saying a lot, since I am a romantic comedy junkie. The plot is original, which is rare for a film of this genre. The dialogue is witty and wonderful, and the characters’ personalities are so big they fill up the screen and envelope the audience.
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Noah Baumbach, Margot at the Wedding
by Kathryn Durfee
My great grandmother used to shake her fists and exclaim, "Everyone goes to the well!" We would smile and nod, confused. We later learned that this is the first part of an old Italian saying. In a nutshell, everyone in the village dumps their problems into a well in a "grass is greener" sort of deal. No matter how bad they think their problems are, people will always choose to take back their own rather than shoulder the burdens of others. This is how I felt while watching Noah Baumbach's latest film, Margot at the Wedding.
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Now On DVD: John Carney, Once
by Chris Flippo
The small Irish gem Once came to the Athens Ciné last August, and those who saw the film were nothing less than enamoured with it. Yes, it’s a love story, and yes, it’s a musical, but I’m glad to say it’s not as clichéd as the former or as contrived as the latter. It sidesteps all the trappings of those genres to become one of the most engrossing films of the year.
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Joe Wright, Atonement
by Kathryn Durfee
I've known it for years: no good comes from having a younger sibling. Joe Wright's new film Atonement, based on the best-seling British romance by Ian McEwan, shows just how much a young girl's misunderstanding can affect the future.
Looking through her bedroom window one day, fledgling writer Briany sees an erotically-charged encounter between her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and the servant's son Robbie (James McAvoy). After intercepting a secret letter, Briany misconstrues their relationship, tells a lie of epic proportions, and sends young Robbie to jail for a crime he did not commit, irrevocably changing the lives of all three forever.
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How Will The Writers Guild Strike Affect The Film Industry?
by Kathryn Durfee
So now that we probably won't have anything to watch on TV come January, what can we expect to see at the multiplex? The WGA strike effects movies, too, but to what extent? Since the production period for a feature-length movie is much longer for that of a television show, effects of the strike may not be seen until late 2008 or even early 2009. Most films scheduled to be released in the spring are already in-production with finished scripts. A summer of bad movies wouldn't be anything new, but what about the fall?
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Kevin Lima, Enchanted
by T.O. Lawrence
Children don't get nearly enough credit. I mean sure, they're always sticky and they tell stories about as entertaining as the back of a box cereal. But they're special and should be taught to avoid movies like Enchanted.
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Francis Lawrence, I Am Legend
by Kathryn Durfee
Every day, Robert Neville and his dog Sam wake up, exercise, pick out a DVD at the video store, play a bit of golf, and have a quiet dinner at home. And every evening, Neville completely covers all of his windows and descends into his lab to try and find a cure for the virus that has ravaged the human population and turned many people into vampire-like zombies that roam the city at night in their search for flesh.
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DVD Festival: Political Corruption In Harry Potter And The Bourne Ultimatum
by Jamie Henson
Political corruption. We all fantasize with both incredible interest and fear that it actually exists in our daily lives. It’s so ingrained into our social fears that I think they’ve started teaching it in elementary schools. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and The Bourne Ultimatum are the two big releases this week. Also being released is Lost: Season 3, but if you're waiting for your fix, no matter how many times you watch it, you still won't have a clue as to what's going on. These sequels, Bourne in his final installment and Potter, the fifth of the heptalogy, are sure to top shopping lists this season for both young and old lovers of this dark fantasy of political corruption.
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Chris Weitz, The Golden Compass
by Cree Boyechko
When a movie is created from a book, it should become a second entity. The film should be as enthralling, exciting, and endearing as the novel without demanding that the viewer know the backstory. hereThe Golden Compass had all the elements to become a really great movie, which is probably why Phillips Pullman, the series' creator, has had such a wide enough following to spark the interest of movie execs. It was writer/director Chris Weitz who left the audience uninformed, disconnected, and unsatisfied.
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Joby Harold, Awake
by Stephanie Allerdice
Every year during surgery, one in 700 people will experience a phenomenon known as “Anesthetic Awareness.” This occurs when too little anesthetic medication is used for a patient’s body weight. The patient is paralyzed, but awake and aware. And they can feel everything.
Anyone who has to undergo surgery soon should steer clear of Awake. This thriller will leave you with a nagging since of dread.
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Now On DVD: Lars Von Trier, Boss Of It All
by T.O. Lawrence
As peculiar as he is eccentric, writer/director Lars von Trier has again concocted a filmic brew love-drunk on cinema and all its possibilities. His work has spanned from the chalk-drawn stages of Dogville to the bizarre tragedy/musical of Dancer in the Dark. Though hardly digested easily, his peculiar fantasies never cease to push boundaries and open doors. With his latest film, The Boss of it All, this is again the case.
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Ang Lee, Lust, Caution (Se, jie)
by Chris Flippo
If you’ve heard about Lust, Caution before reading this review, then you’ve heard about its graphic depictions of sex. There’s just no way around that. The trade publications have been doing articles on that aspect of the film ever since it took top prize at the Venice Film Festival. However, it’s a shame, because director Ang Lee’s latest is much more than sexploitation. It’s an espionage thriller that owes at least a tip of the hat to Hitchcock. Lust, Caution is an assured, tense piece of filmmaking which sits comfortably in the Ang Lee canon.
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Now On DVD: Goran Dukic, Wristcutters: A Love Story
by T.O. Lawrence
Goran Dukic. No, I haven't heard of him either, but it looks as if he's been making a name for himself with his new indie flick, Wristcutters: A Love Story. Starring Patrick Fugit, Tom Waits and Shannyn Sossoman and backed by a catchy and unusual soundtrack, this quirky romantic comedy has all the makings of a masterpiece but ends up relying on its understated charm rather than taking a courageous leap into brilliance.
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Sean Penn, Into The Wild
by Jamie Henson
Most of the literature coming out of Naturalism around the time of the Industrial Revolution praised nature both for its beauty and its cruelty. Most stories of the period concluded with man defeating the wild as well as the beast within himself.
Today, few stories deal with defeat, especially true stories, because who wants to hear a story about losing? Into the Wild does exactly this: it is the true story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), aka Alexander Supertramp. After graduating from Emory University in 1990, McCandless fears becoming a product of civilization like his parents (Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt). In a bold move to avoid this fate, he donates his $24,000 law school fund to charity and ventures “into the wild."
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Guy Fawkes Lecture: Elizabeth's Reign More Iron Than Gold
by Helen Bennett
The elderly Catalonian man fiddled with a laser pen as he consciously enunciated in English, standing in front of a projected map of 16th century Europe.
Dr. Henry Kamen, the imperial historian of the higher council for scientific research in Barcelona, spoke to an audience of 80 people Wednesday afternoon for the annual Guy Fawkes Lecture put on by the British and Irish Studies Program.
His lecture, sponsored by the English department and Franklin College of Arts & Sciences and titled ‘Elizabeth I – The Not-So-Golden Age,’ focused on setting the facts straight about the newly released movie, Elizabeth I: The Golden Age.
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Now On DVD: Werner Herzog, Rescue Dawn
by T.O. Lawrence
Though Werner Herzog’s Rescue Dawn draws in his old fans with promises of the terrible beauty which have made him a directorial legend, it is fundamentally designed for a more diverse audience. These viewers may not yet revel in the joy of little yellow subtitles or the screech of a Lynchian baby, but they are the kind that could dip their toes into the pond a bit to find the water murky but cool.
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Sidney Lumet, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
by T.O. Lawrence
To whomever is shipping the Oscars: Give regards to the Academy and just send the box of trophies to the cast of Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead along with most of the Golden Globes, those MTV popcorn things and a couple of Grammys just to be safe. There is no way to overstate the tremendous performances in this film. And though director Sydney Lumet doesn’t really do anything new, he conducts the camera beautifully and intelligently, giving the audience a fantastic vantage point from which to witness the brilliance of the actors in their roles.
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Xavier Gens, Hitman
by Kathryn Durfee
Call me a skeptic, but I do raise my eyebrows when I see previews for movies based on video games. But hell, Pirates of the Caribbean was the spawn of a ride at Disney World, and it was and still is hugely entertaining. If only I could say the same for Hitman.
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Robert Zemeckis, Beowulf 3D
by T.O. Lawrence
Seventy-two feet of digitized bloodspray rockets through the air while screams of pain echo around you, calling helpless from every side of the room. Bodies crash left and right sending out shattered swords, severed heads and splintered limbs the size of Kentucky into your lap and all you can do is sit and stare. Children scream at the sheer size of the violence while grown men roar and cheer at the magnificence of the bloody spectacle. Beside you, your mother grabs your shoulder and shields her face from an oncoming attack but there is nothing you can do for her except offer another bite of popcorn.
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Kirsten Sheridan, August Rush
by Stephanie Allerdice
"I believe in music the way some people believe in fairytales." - August Rush.
This from the boy who was transported to Neverland alongside Johnny Depp. Talk about a dream come true! But I digress. Director Kirsten Sheridan's August Rush is a modern fairytale centered on a gifted boy that uses his musical skills to find his long-lost parents.
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Frank Darabont, The Mist
by Chris Flippo
The end credits for Frank Darabont’s The Mist came up, and I walked out of the theater and out to my car. No, that’s not right. I lumbered out of the theater and toward my car. It was like a cloud was hanging over me, but then, a strange thing happened: I smiled. No, not 'cause The Mist left me happy, but because of the gamble Darabont took and how well he pulled it off.
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Mike Cahill, King of California
by Kathryn Durfee
King of California is clever, darkly funny, and touching. It's always nice when a film offers the audience new characters and an original story. A new twist on both the father/daughter relationship and a modern-day heist film, California is a crowd-pleaser. The story is absurd, but the audience is more than willing to go along on the quest. King of California is definitely worth seeing, a welcome change from predictable blockbusters with no heart.
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Mike Newell, Love in the Time of Cholera
by Kathryn Durfee
In 2005, fans of the Harry Potter book series walked out of the theater feeling cheated by Mike Newell's film adaptation of the fourth book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This week, fans of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's classic novel Love in the Time of Cholera will exit the local multiplex with a similar feeling, again thanks to director Mike Newell.
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Robert Zemeckis, Beowulf
by Chris Flippo
“Are you the one they call Beowulf? Such a strong man you are. A man like you could own the greatest tale ever sung.”- Mama Grendel
Adverbs be damned, Beowulf is gloriously, beautifully, thoroughly square. I don’t know if there are enough people out there interested in the film to justify its existence. But, you know what? Right now, as I write this review, I don’t seem to care. Beowulf will probably have a small audience, but that small audience will be stunned. I know I was.
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Julie Delpy, 2 Days in Paris
by Kathryn Durfee
This quirky, original film is certainly not to be missed. With a sharp and witty script, Delpy proves that she is worth keeping an eye on. What could have been a charmless, predictable tale of romance in the City of Lights is in fact a very realistic look at serious relationships and the risks taken when giving your heart to someone else. Jack and Marion learn more about each other over these two days than they seem to have over the past two years. The couple discovers that you can't force relationships, and that no matter how much energy you expend trying to get to know someone, the case may be that they aren't someone you really want to know.
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What's Real About Reality TV ?
by Jessica Smith
Attention seekers, fake, and conceited.
These are just a few of the adjectives college students used to describe reality TV stars in the Reality TV discussion group on Aug. 28, 2007.
Dr. Carolina Acosta-Alzuru, an associate professor at Grady College, spoke on reality TV. In her lecture, she focused on two important aspects of reality TV: its stereotypes and the possibility of social experimentation.
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DVD Festival: Paris Je T'Aime, Ocean's Thirteen
by Jamie Henson
Now that most of the movies from this summer’s “Gala de Merde” have been, for the most part, past us in DVD release, the better stuff is coming out of the cracks.
Paris Je T'Aime (Paris, I Love You) had a short run at Ciné a couple of months ago, but on Tuesday we’ll all be blessed with the ability to buy it. It is a collection of 18 vignettes of optimistic and glorified love in Paris (if it wasn’t obvious from the title). Each short is written, directed, and acted by different people finding strange love in the various boroughs of Paris.
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Robert Redford, Lions For Lambs
by Kathryn Durfee
If you pay attention, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Hollywood is against the war in Iraq. I know, I am as shocked as you are.
Robert Redford's new film Lions for Lambs intertwines three (or four, depending on how you separate them) story lines in order to comment on the current political scene and war in Iraq. Lambs proves that while newsreels are no longer shown before the feature, propaganda films are alive and well.
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Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country For Old Men
by Chris Flippo
No Country For Old Men, the new film by Joel and Ethan Coen, is an examination of violence and greed on both sides of the law. Though it may sound like familiar territory, the film gives the directing duo enough new angles on these themes to make sure that there is hardly a stale moment. Walking out of the theater, I had the feeling that this just might be one of the year’s best films. If its not, then 2007 will be one hell of a year at the cinema.
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Ridley Scott, American Gangster
by Kathryn Durfee
Pay attention, business majors. In the 1970s, Frank Lucas became the new Godfather of Harlem with a foolproof business plan. He cut out the middle man by buying his product direct from the source. He bought only the highest quality product. And he sold it for half the price of his competition. By selling a product twice as good but half as expensive as his competitors, he developed a monopoly through simple economics rather than bloody turf wars. His product? Heroin.
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Menno Meyjes, Martian Child
by Stephanie Allerdice
It’s been awhile since a movie has made me cry in a theatre. I mean a real ugly cry. Martian Child did not break that record, but it was a tearjerker and I did get a little misty at moments.
In a world where fitting in is paramount to survival, Dennis, an abandoned boy, could not find anyone to whom he could belong. That is until he meets David Gordon, a widowed writer, who was maladjusted as a child as well.
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Wes Anderson, The Darjeeling Limited
by Kathryn Durfee
In my humble opinion, Wes Anderson is one of the best directors of our time. Rather than churning out emotionally-empty blockbusters, he has maintained his personal style, taking his time and infusing each film with an incredible attention to detail and heartfelt sentimentality. His characters are typically on some sort of personal journey, from learning how to cope with unrequited love to tracking down the jaguar shark that killed a beloved partner. His latest film, The Darjeeling Limited, portrays three American brothers on a spiritual trip through India in hopes of reuniting with one another after their father's death.
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David Bruckner, Dan Bush, and Jacob Gentry, The Signal
by Chris Flippo
The Signal is frustrating because, in fits and starts, it is one of the best horror films I’ve seen in years. However, the film falls short due to inconsistent plotting and an uneven tone. If it had stayed the course of its brilliant second act, The Signal would no doubt be one of the best pieces of genre film making this year.
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Darren Lynn Bousman, Saw IV
by Chris Flippo
You know how some singers keep coming out with number one hits even after they’re dead? Well, it turns out that ol’ Jigsaw is kind of like that. Sure, he may have departed our dimension, but the man is still finding new ways to torture junkies. You can call him a lot of things, but you can’t call him lazy.
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Susanne Bier, Things We Lost In The Fire
by Kathryn Durfee
It seems that in the South, the only way to tell that fall has arrived is by checking out the new releases at the theater. Most of the leaves may still be green, and I may still be able to comfortably wear short sleeves, but the Oscar hopefuls are starting to trickle in, signaling the turn from summer blockbusters and gross-out comedies to the more serious and realistic dramas of the winter season.
One of the first of what is sure to be many is director Susanne Bier's Things We Lost in the Fire. This is Bier's first English-language film; the Danish director is internationally known for films such as last year's After the Wedding and 2002's Open Hearts. With Fire, it is apparent that she not only has an impressive handle on the English language but is also very capable of executing the "big Hollywood drama."
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Gavin Hood, Rendition
by Chris Flippo
Remember how upset I was about The Kingdom a couple of weeks ago? (Wait for response). Oh, its okay, I know you don’t. I forgot about The Kingdom, too. But I said in my review that it was “shallow and insensitive film making.” Now, just three weeks later, we are given Rendition, one of the better films that have been made about living in a post-9/11 world. In it we have the film that The Kingdom should have been.
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David Slade, 30 Days Of Night
by Glenn Fullington
Silver bullets? Nope. Wood stakes? Definitely not. Blonde cheerleaders? Thank God, no. Axe decapitations? Yeah, some of those.
To call 30 Days of Night a violent vampire flick would be an understatement. The film is quite possibly the most gory representation of vampirism I’ve ever seen, and it is awesome in a very disturbing, I-can’t-look-at-raw-meat for a while kind of way.
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Ben Affleck, Gone Baby Gone
by Kathryn Durfee
It's final. Ben Affleck's acting career is over. Well, this may have been final a long time ago (Gigli anyone? Daredevil perhaps?), but at least now we can genuinely encourage him to do something else. With his directorial debut Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck appears to have far more talent behind the camera than he does in front of it.
Based on the bestselling novel by Denis LeHane, the author of Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone is the story of the search for a missing little girl named Amanda McCreadey. If you've ever read a detective novel or seen a movie of the genre, you know that the case is far more complicated than it first appears.
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Indy-pendent Filmmaking: Shot For Shot Raiders Remake Comes To Athens Ciné
by Chris Flippo
Every week, it seems that Hollywood is churning out another remake, some more inspired than others. For some, remaking a classic film like Raiders of the Lost Ark might seem as sacrilegious as, well, opening the Ark of the Covenant. However, you might be surprised to learn that a remake of the film was met with applause at its Athens premiere last Friday.
In the summer of 1981, teenagers Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos saw Steven Speilberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. Excited about the possibilities of the world of film, the two embarked on a seven-year journey to remake this film, virtually shot-by-shot, with themselves and their friends in the lead roles.
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Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
by Kathryn Durfee
Overall, Clayton is a must-see for lovers of the genre, fans of the actors, or anyone who wants to see a well-crafted story realized nearly flawlessly. Michael Clayton doesn't seem to have much going for him, but when he inadvertently gets involved in a massive cover-up, he stands up for what he believes in even though it puts his life in danger.
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James Gray, We Own The Night
by Chris Flippo
James Gray's We Own The Night feels like the first draft of what could become a great movie. All the ingredients are here for something pretty remarkable, but the film is not as polished or as developed as some of the better entries in the crime genre. If the movie had provided us with a fresh approach to the mayhem, then the creators just might have had an exceptional film on their hands.
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Robert Benton, Feast of Love
by Kathryn Durfee
The film, though beautifully shot and well acted, falls short on many levels. We have seen all these stories before: the grieving parents, the guy looking for love in all the wrong places, the youngsters whose love for each other cannot save them from the cruelties of the world, and the unfaithful spouses. Unfortunately, Feast of Love does not offer us anything new. There are no twists; each tale is flawlessly set up, played out, and tied up in the end.
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Seth Gordon, The King Of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
by Chris Flippo
Video games seem unlikely as a subject for engaging documentaries. However, King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is so joyous in its execution, there probably isn’t an audience member out there who wouldn’t be absorbed by it. This is really one of the year’s best.
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Julie Taymor, Across The Universe
by Stephanie Allerdice
The cast is lead by Jim Sturgess, who is not only nice to look at but clearly a very talented actor/singer. I have to give him props for singing during a fist fit. Lucy is played by Evan Rachel Wood whose singing and performance will strum your heartstrings. And Joe Anderson plays Maxwell phenomenally through all his triumphs and tragedies. There were also unforgettable cameos by Bono as Dr. Robert and Eddie Izzard as Mr. Kite.
Across the Universe was a unique moviegoing experience among all the explosive Middle Eastern conflict films and the teen romances. Do yourself a favor and see it when you can. It might not change your life, but it will certainly change the way you listen to The Beatles.
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Peter Berg, The Kingdom
by Chris Flippo
"There's no such thing as an anti-war film." -Francois Truffaut
Don't let the shaky camera work and the Saudi Arabian backdrop fool you. The Kingdom is a Hollywood action movie. That would be fine in some cases, but in a movie that visually references 9/11 and journalist Daniel Pearl, this all just comes across as shallow, insensitive filmmaking.
After an American facility is bombed, the FBI assembles a team led by Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) to investigate the tragedy. As the team unravels the clues, they place themselves more and more at risk. As the case comes to a close, the team finds themselves the target.
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Russell Mulcahy, Resident Evil: Extinction
by Chris Flippo
Sorry, gamers. Resident Evil: Extinction is not the movie that will buck the trend in lame video game adaptations. Teenage boys may like it while they are watching it, but it will be forgotten before we get a Resident Evil 4. My advice? Go rent a Romero film. They’re fun, well-made, and, afterwards, you’ll still be able to look at yourself in a mirror.
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David Cronenberg, Eastern Promises
by Kathryn Durfee
I don't want to spoil any plot twists, but I will say that I walked out of Promises feeling the same way I did after Violence. I wasn't ready for the film to end, not necessarily because of the quality but because I wanted more answers. I have now deduced that this is Cronenberg's schtick. His goal is not to deliver riveting plots tied up in nice little packages that set you up, give you all the information, and send you home happy. He instead aims to present his audience with a glimpse into the lives of others. For this director, the who and what are not as important as the why. Promises, like Violence, is a character study. Who is Nikolai? Where did he come from? Why does he get involved with Anna's quest?
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Mark Helfrich, Good Luck Chuck
by Stephanie Allerdice
Good Luck Chuck is the romantic comedy of the moment. A blend of sweet moments and gross out comedy that will satisfy both guys and girls, it might be a great date movie if you don’t mind sitting through about thirty gratuitous sex scenes.
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Neil Jordan, The Brave One
by Chris Flippo
The Brave One is a bland exploitation film dressed up as an Oscar-contender. Though the acting is superb and nearly saves it, the film isn’t able to pull off the balancing act of being both a thriller and a character study. What a shame. On paper, this must have seemed like a formula for success.
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Michael Davis' Shoot 'Em Up
by Chris Flippo
I finished watching Shoot ‘Em Up almost twenty minutes ago, and my mind is still reeling. This is a film that waves goodbye to good taste and takes sex and violence to such an extreme level that it leaves gratuity behind and reaches a kind of surrealism. Ten minutes into the film, our hero delivers a baby and then proceeds to shoot off the umbilical cord. See what I mean?
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James Mangold's 3:10 To Yuma
by Gage Henry
If you’re looking this weekend for a film that will leave you with that warm feeling inside of your stomach as you’re walking back to the car, then I can’t promise you 3:10 To Yuma will do the trick. I would encourage you to throw all of your preconceptions about cowboy movies to the wind. This film uses both the classic and modern Western, and there is plenty of room in town for both of them.
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Philip Atwell's War
by Kathryn Durfee
War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. This bloated entry into the kung-fu genre fails to impress. I'm not a kung-fu fan by any means, but I dragged my boyfriend to Ratatouille, so I figured I'd accompany him to a movie of his choosing. Plus, I'm always willing to give movies a shot; I mean, who knows, it could be good. Alas, I think I'll stick with the rats.
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Paul Greengrass' The Bourne Ultimatum
by Kathryn Durfee
I was promised there would be shooting. Lots of shooting. I was misinformed, but that's only because I had forgotten that shooting isn't really Bourne's style. Unlike most action/thriller characters, Jason Bourne isn't dead set on killing everyone in his path; he only wants to find out who he is. If only all these pesky assassins would just let him be, or I don't know, tell him what's going on?
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Danny Boyle's Sunshine
by The Bridge
I'm in a bit of a mood today, so I have decided to give Danny Boyle's latest flick, Sunshine, a pissy review merely because he totally dropped the ball on the soundtrack. Slipping "It's Getting Hot in Herrrre" into the mix would have been so dumb that it would pass funny, go back to dumb, and then somehow wing a u-turn in to Hilarity Land.
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David Yates' Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
by Kathryn Durfee
Phoenix opened strong but may soon be overshadowed by the release of book 7, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the last of the series. Those who love the books have probably already seen the movie and already know what's coming next, but for what it's worth, the summer is the time for big-budget blockbusters, and Phoenix delivers.
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Brad Bird's Ratatouille
by Kathryn Durfee
I'm 20 years old, and the films I still look forward to the most are animated films. While I spent most of my childhood watching those classic Disney 2-D films, there is a special place in my heart for computer animation. I therefore anticipate Pixar films like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. Since their first short film in the late 1980s, Luxo Jr., which starred the small desk lamp that is now part of the Pixar logo, the Pixar animation team has succeeded in creating worlds of near-photographic reality and made audiences fall in love with the most unlikely creatures. Now as an amateur animator and student of filmmaking, I can easily deduce how the folks over at Pixar create these masterpieces but I prefer to be childlike about it and conclude that it's magic.
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