“The Black Dahlia” Run time: 2:01 This will be two reviews: one for the movie itself and one for the theater in LA where we saw it, The Arclight. The movie is very loosely based on the famous unsolved Black Dahlia case. It’s a movie with 4 leads and what seems multiple storylines, but none …
Category Archives: Movie Reviews
Review: Beerfest
“Beerfest” Run time: 1:50 I don’t drink, but I do enjoy Broken Lizard and “Beerfest” was funny. Not “Super Troopers” funny, but I wasn’t wishing I had passed up the opportunity to see it (see “Idiocracy”). The story is about two brothers that stumble upon the uber-secret (see what I did there) drinking contest called, …
Review: Idiocracy
“Idiocracy” Run time: 1:24 Ouch. The name fits. I love Mike Judge’s previous work and I can see the political satire he was going for here, but…wow. There were some laugh out loud funny parts, but not enough to sustain me through the whole movie. Luke Wilson must owe Mike Judge a favor. Fox dumped …
Review: She’s The Man
“She’s The Man” Run time: 1:45 Based on William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”, this movie is a modern day take on “woman posing as man” and it is funny. Laugh out loud funny. Amanda Bynes is flat out genius in this. Her facial expressions were priceless throughout and she had me rolling with her performance as …
Review: The Illusionist
“The Illusionist” Run time: 1:40 No. No. No. Punctated by some stupid lady two seats over that felt the need to comment on EVERY effing thing in the movie. I can’t even rant about the movie or it will spoil it for those of you that dare to see it. I really like Paul Giamatti …
Review: Little Miss Sunshine
“Little Miss Sunshine” Run time: 1:41 The darling of this year’s Sundance, “Little Miss Sunshine” is a dark comedy/road trip/dysfuntional family movie that gives a wonderful cast a wonderful script to work with. Directed by MTV Video Awards winners Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, this movie is full of stereotypical characters, but it is so …
Review: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
“Talldega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby” Run time: 1:37 After such box office turds as “Kicking & Screaming” (which I saw) and “Bewitched” (which I was smart enough not to see), Will Ferrell reunites with “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy” co-writer and director Adam McKay for “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”. …
Review: Clerks 2
“Clerks 2” Run time: 1:37 The sequel to the critically acclaimed independent feature that cost $27k and put Kevin Smith on the map, “Clerks 2” is not just a sequel. Hell, “Clerks” isn’t necessarily even required viewing to get the point. What is necessary is good listening skills (Smith’s dialogue is notoriously bulky) and a …
Review: Strangers With Candy
“Strangers With Candy” Run time: 1:37 The prequel to the critically acclaimed Comedy Central series featuring Jerri Blank, a 46 year-old ex-junkie, ex-con who returns to high school in a bid to start her life over in effort to revive her dad from a coma. Did I mention it’s presented like an after school special? …
Review: Superman Returns
“Superman Returns” Run time: 2:37 Remember what I said about Bryan Singer in my X-Men 3 review? Well, “Superman Returns” is a movie with a great script and a top level director. The story is a new idea and not based on a particular comic storyline and I enjoyed it. This is not the tongue …
Review: Cars
“Cars” Run time: 1:56 I love Pixar movies. Yeah, I said it. I love the fact that they take everyday objects, in this case all things cars, and turn them into a world of it’s own and make a movie that entertains kids, but also isn’t too simple for adults. “Cars” is about a race …
Review: Nacho Libre
“Nacho Libre” Run time: 1:40 If you know me, then you know I enjoy a movie about a preist that moonlights as a mexican luchador as much as the next guy, and “Nacho Libre” is one of those movies. Jack Black is the star and ball of energy in this movie whose childhood dream was …
Review: The Break Up
“The Break Up” Run time: 1:46 I can appreciate the attempt to bring a new twist to the romantic comedy genre. I can appreciate Vince Vaughn’s sense of humor. I can look at Jennifer Aniston for extended periods of time with no problem, either. However, I’m married so if I wanted to see a movie …
Review: Over the Hedge
“X-Men:The Last Stand” Run time: 1:27 I love movies like this – meant for kids, but with plenty of references adults will get a chuckle out of. “Over the Hedge” is funny. Really funny. The characters are loveable, the story moves quickly and the all-star cast of voices is the icing on the cake. Bruce …
Review: X-Men:The Last Stand
“X-Men:The Last Stand” Run time: 1:44 Yes, one man can ruin a movie — or the absense thereof. Brian Singer’s direction on the first two X-Men movies was great, but I have to admit he had excellent scripts to work with. In this one, not so much. Brett Ratner gets a script that takes one …