Author Archive

Jennifer Aniston’s recent dramedy The Break-Up, which raked in $38.0 million in its opening weekend, proves that breaking up can sometimes be a good thing even if it’s difficult—in real life and on screen.
The film has been well marketed so you would have had to be living in a bubble in order to not [...]

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is another tired reworking of a typical family comedy, yet is still made enjoyable due to its main cast.
What’s new in this film now that the novelty of having a bunch of kids is gone? The parents, Tom and Kate Baker (Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt) are starting to [...]

Directed by Rob Riener, Rumor Has It is a sophisticated, complicated and charming comedy that although is not “haha” funny, it still manages to be endearing due to the characters and actors.
Jennifer Aniston plays a recently engaged and confused woman (Sarah Huttinger) who learns that her family was the inspiration for the book and [...]

Overall Grade: B+
Written and directed by Nicole Holofcener of the indie hit Walking and Talking, Friends With Money is an independent character drama and social comedy about three wealthy married women, their husbands and their lone single friend who they feel sorry for.
The story itself is simple and unfolds like a bunch of conversations [...]

Final Grade: B-Release Date: May 12, 2006
Like most accident thrillers, the remake Poseidon is full of unbelievable twists and turns, but it also makes for a fun action packed ride despite its story shortcomings.
The plot consists of a colossal tidal wave in the North Atlantic Ocean hitting Poseidon, a luxury cruise ship, on New [...]

For the Tribeca Film Festival’s last day it concluded with the premiere of the upcoming thriller and remake by Wolfgang Petersen (Troy, Neverending Story) Poseidon starring Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Josh Lucas & many more.
This was by far the largest media turn out I’ve seen yet during the festival, the [...]

Final Grade: B-
In a cinema verite film, the makers of The War Room follow comedian, political writer and liberal radio show host, Al Franken, in the documentary feature in God Spoke, exposing right wing bias in the media while showing Franken’s struggle during the 2004 presidential campaign against O’Reilly and the forming of his Air [...]

I’m filmed out after seeing all these films this weekend at the Tribeca Film Festival and taking notes. Not that I’m complaining I just feel a bit 2D. To break it up a bit, I got to briefly ask questions to the talented Laura Linney and Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint at the premiere of Driving [...]

Overall Grade: A-
Everyone knows the story is about two gay cowboys but the full story is their struggle with accepting their sexual identity as well as their family’s reactions. It starts off the two young men with Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) searching for work as sheepherders and [...]

With the Tribeca Film Festival in full force, and me armed with my approved Tribeca/Film School Rejects press pass, I attended the media screening of The Groomsmen, written and directed by Edward Burns (who I loved in 15 Minutes and Life or Something Like It) The film stars Burns, Matthew Lillard, John Leguizamo, Heather Burns, [...]

Final Grade: C+First let me write that I know that many of the critics are panning this film and yes, American Dreamz is far from being spectacular but it was still enjoyable and funny in its goofiness. It’s also not just an American Idol spoof but a commentary on American politics as well. In fact, [...]

Final Grade: C+
The sentimental drama Neverwas is an independent film festival flick with a big picture cast and a polished artsy feel, evoking the very fairy tale imagery, which the story is centered around. Unfortunately despite the cast and stylish filming the film misses its high set mark.
Psychiatrist Zach Riley, played by [...]

During the 80’s and Cold War times Hollywood turned to super macho action films like Die Hard, Rambo, Predator, The Terminator etc. in order to feel safe and reinforce the idea that America is secure and can kick communism despite current political turmoil. In the end, Rocky did beat the Russian and Arnold Schwarzenegger was [...]

Final Grade: B
Based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, She’s the Man is a teen flick that older audience members can enjoy too.
The Film:
She’s the Man is like the many cross dressing films before it, where girls dress up like guys or guys dress up like girls in order to win some contest and [...]

Final Grade: B-
DVD Release Date: March 7, 2006
Prime is a sophisticated, character driven comedy set in New York City about a divorced woman dating a younger man, which is a basic enough story until it turns out the man she is dating, is her therapist’s son.
The Film
Newly divorced Rafi (Uma Thurman), 37, [...]

Release Date: March 14, 2006
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio stars Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson and is based on a true story and book, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less, which describes the focus of the movie.
The Film
Evelyn Ryan (Moore) is [...]

Release Date: February 28, 2006
Going with the recent industry trend of making old films, comes yet another remake but of the family classic Yours, Mine and Ours, (which didn’t need to be remade in the first place but nonetheless has) and delivers another cute family film that unfortunately pales in comparison to the original 1968 [...]

Release Date: February 21, 2006
Based on a true story, North Country, focuses on sexual harassment in the workplace before there were laws protecting employees against misconduct. The film directed by Niki Caro (Whale Rider) unfortunately was released earlier in the year before the typical year-end Oscar release period and made just a quiet splash among [...]

The independent film Transamerica, which did well at film festivals across the country and honored with an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, is more than just a film focusing on hyped up subject matter and dealing with gender, but is also a journey film of self discovery while trying to fit in with society. [...]

For performances by an actress, supporting and leading, it seems to be the year of fresh faces and younger stars who have not been nominated previously by the Academy and are receiving acting credit and attention pretty much for the first time. Except for Oscar winners Judi Dench and Charlize Theron that is, who of [...]