RSSWeekend Movie Preview: ‘Zero Dark Thirty,’ & ‘Promised Land’
Happy New Year! I thought I’d start out the first week of 2013 with a Weekend Movie Preview column since it’s been a while. Things were pretty hectic last month between the holidays and voting on my favorite movies from 2012 with my colleagues in the Boston Online Film Critics Association. Now that I’m rested up and I’ve seen a few films, I’m ready to tell you my thoughts about them.
The flicks I’m going to discuss today have already received limited release in theaters, but they’re opening in Boston this weekend, which means I’m allowed to talk about them now. Today’s column contains my r...
READ MOREThe flicks I’m going to discuss today have already received limited release in theaters, but they’re opening in Boston this weekend, which means I’m allowed to talk about them now. Today’s column contains my r...
9/11 Victim's Family Angry At Voicemail's Use In 'Zero Dark Thirty'
'Argo' Triumphs At The 2013 Oscars (See The Full List Of Winners)
Q&A: David Chase Talks ‘Not Fade Away,’ Rock n’ Roll, and Ambiguous Endings
David Chase worked in television for over 20 years writing, directing, and producing shows like “The Rockford Files” and “Northern Exposure” before he stunned viewers in 1999 with his epic mob series “The Sopranos.” The show lasted six seasons and racked up numerous awards, but it arguably made its most significant in television history with its ambiguous conclusion, which left many fans angry.
In the years since, Chase decided to explore a new avenue by writing and directing his first feature film “Not Fade Away.” His tale, which is set in the 1960s and follows a young man from New Jersey...
READ MOREIn the years since, Chase decided to explore a new avenue by writing and directing his first feature film “Not Fade Away.” His tale, which is set in the 1960s and follows a young man from New Jersey...
Review: Hooper's 'Les Miserables' Is A Miss For This Fan Of The Musical
Before my review of Tom Hooper’s film “Les Misérables,” I just want to preempt a few nastygrams by saying that I have tremendous respect for this musical. I studied it in school growing up, I’ve watched several performances of it over the years, and I know some of the songs well enough to sing along. Although I’m not exactly a diehard “Les Mis” devotee, I can appreciate the skill with which the story and the music are crafted. Both are woven together in a way that is compelling and enthralling.
That being said, Hooper’s adaptation is a disappointing cinematic regurgitation of the stage sho...
READ MOREThat being said, Hooper’s adaptation is a disappointing cinematic regurgitation of the stage sho...
'Argo' Triumphs At The 2013 Oscars (See The Full List Of Winners)
Will Anne Hathaway's Performance In 'Les Miserables' Bring Oscar Gold?
'The Hobbit': An Unexpectedly Action-Packed Journey
Forty-eight frames per second: a term that has the potential to live in infamy. Whether it actually does or not, depends on who is watching Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”
If you’re a Tolkien fanatic, you may consider this visual treachery a minor offense. Or you might look past it entirely, because you’re thrilled to see a beloved novel come to life. If you’re like me however, and you have just a casual interest in the fantasy genre, there’s a much greater chance that you’ll be aggravated by the film’s higher frame rate.
It’s hard to blame Jackson for attempting some...
READ MOREIf you’re a Tolkien fanatic, you may consider this visual treachery a minor offense. Or you might look past it entirely, because you’re thrilled to see a beloved novel come to life. If you’re like me however, and you have just a casual interest in the fantasy genre, there’s a much greater chance that you’ll be aggravated by the film’s higher frame rate.
It’s hard to blame Jackson for attempting some...
MTV Movie Awards Winners & Fashion: 'The Avengers,' Emma Watson, Will Ferrell & More!
Check Out 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' On DVD, Blu-ray Combo Pack & More March 19
Weekend Movie Preview: 'Killing Them Softly,' 'The Collection,' And 'Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning'
Apologies that I have been MIA the last couple of weeks folks. I’ve been watching movies faster than I can write about them. Since my last column I’ve seen: “Skyfall,” “Not Fade Away,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Red Dawn,” “Promised Land,” and most recently “Les Misérables.” If you haven’t already, definitely check out my reviews of “Skyfall” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” both of which I loved. I also posted my thoughts on “Red Dawn” on my website. In short, it’s not worth your time or money.
“Promised Land” was a very cool screening because actor and co-writer John Krasinski was here ...
READ MORE“Promised Land” was a very cool screening because actor and co-writer John Krasinski was here ...
Interview: Actor Scoot McNairy On 'Killing Them Softly,' The Joy Of 'Argo' & More
'Twilight' Continues Box Office Reign, Brad Pitt's 'Killing Them Softy' Tanks
‘Silver Linings Playbook’: Light and Predictable but Still Pleasurable
Going into David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook,” I was emotionally prepared for a romantic dramedy: ready to laugh and perhaps even to get a little misty if the moment called for it. I was happily surprised however, that Russell’s film actually lands in romantic comedy territory. His movie follows romcom conventions pretty closely, but despite being lighthearted and predictable, “Silver Linings Playbook” is still pleasurable.
Like other romantic comedies, the humor in this flick relies heavily on hilarious misunderstandings. The main reason this film stands out in the romcom genre ...
READ MORELike other romantic comedies, the humor in this flick relies heavily on hilarious misunderstandings. The main reason this film stands out in the romcom genre ...
MTV Movie Awards Winners & Fashion: 'The Avengers,' Emma Watson, Will Ferrell & More!
'Django,' 'Ted' and 'Silver Linings' Score 2013 MTV Movie Award Noms
Bond Is at His Most Beautiful in 'Skyfall'
James Bond films have trends you can set your Omega Seamaster by: exotic locations, expensive cars, cool gadgets, sexy women, and maniacal villains. Given their tendency to be so over-the-top, you never expect Bond movies to emphasize production value beyond their special effects budgets. That’s why “Skyfall,” Bond’s 23rd big-screen adventure, is a surprising game-changer for the 50-year-old franchise.
With Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes at the helm, “Skyfall” feels more like an art house piece than your typical blockbuster. Instead of trying to impress you with action, Mendes gives his...
READ MOREWith Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes at the helm, “Skyfall” feels more like an art house piece than your typical blockbuster. Instead of trying to impress you with action, Mendes gives his...
James Bond Studio Headed To Atlanta
Director Sam Mendes Turns Down 'Skyfall' Follow-Up
The World’s Smallest Violin Plays for ‘A Late Quartet’
“A Late Quartet” seems like it should be a gripping drama. But if I hadn’t been reviewing it, I would have turned off the film halfway through; that’s how bored I was. Classical music can be dry on its own, especially to those who haven’t studied it. And unfortunately this flick makes no attempt to engage a less initiated audience.
The movie centers on the members of a world-renowned string quartet comprised by actors Christopher Walken, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, and Mark Ivanir. After their leader Peter (Walken) discovers that he has Parkinson’s disease, the group must mak...
READ MOREThe movie centers on the members of a world-renowned string quartet comprised by actors Christopher Walken, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, and Mark Ivanir. After their leader Peter (Walken) discovers that he has Parkinson’s disease, the group must mak...
Review: Disney's 'Wreck-It Ralph' Will Please Gamers Of All Ages
Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph” is a fun, playful romp that lives up to its ambitious attempt to appease video game lovers of all ages. It does this by combining the aesthetics of a Pixar film, the same reverence for video games as “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” and zany characters reminiscent of ones from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”
Videogame baddie Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly), isn’t actually a bad person, he’s just tired of being misunderstood. After 30 years of work, he longs to be loved like his nemesis, Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer). Since people in his video game world only appreciate he...
READ MOREVideogame baddie Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly), isn’t actually a bad person, he’s just tired of being misunderstood. After 30 years of work, he longs to be loved like his nemesis, Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer). Since people in his video game world only appreciate he...
Blu-ray Review: 'Wreck-It Ralph: Ultimate Collector's Edition'
Check Out 'Wreck-It Ralph' On DVD, Blu-ray & More March 5
Review: 'Flight' Is A Solid Return To Live-Action For Zemeckis
Believe it or not, the Denzel Washington drama “Flight” is director Robert Zemeckis’s first live-action film, since 2000’s “Cast Away.” Zemeckis has worked on all types of tales, but over the past decade especially, he has truly embraced digital filmmaking, churning out three CG motion-capture flicks. So after 10 years of directing family-friendly animated movies, you would think he'd be a bit rusty when it comes to helming an intense R-rated drama. Thankfully he's not.
“Flight” concentrates on airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington), a man who plays harder than he works, overindul...
READ MORE“Flight” concentrates on airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington), a man who plays harder than he works, overindul...
Denzel Washington watches son graduate from top university
Kerry Washington Wins Big At NAACP Awards - See Red Carpet Pics!
