Posted on 04 June 2009
Opening with a bland, dull narration from Hayden Christensen, Jumper is initially confusing… and it never really clears up. It’s energetic, unique action sequences are filled with imaginative shots and globe-trotting adventure. The visual effects also remain strong throughout, but this is a film that barely starts before it’s over.
The concept, one that certain people [...]
Posted on 01 June 2009
Home of the Brave brings yet another look at the Iraq war, this from the view of four veterans who survived an ambush while delivering medical supplies. Irwin Winkler directs a script by first-timer Mark Friedman, who makes some rookie mistakes, but otherwise creates a compelling drama about the after effects of war.
Jessica Biel, Curtis [...]
Posted on 19 May 2009
Following up his Oscar nominated Sixth Sense, M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable is easily his second best film. His follow-ups have been less than stellar, especially The Village and Signs. Unbreakable has a style all its own, and maybe the ending isn’t as spectacular as the one in Sixth Sense, but the direction and concept are [...]
Posted on 16 May 2009
In one of those undisclosed government secret organizations our tax dollars apparently fund, Vin Diesel has been recruited to take down Russian terrorists. He’ll do so in fashion suited for the ADD-impaired, where explosions are as common as bullets. This isn’t intelligent, smart, or even remotely original. It’s overlong, but still fun.
Slapped with the title [...]
Posted on 21 April 2009
Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac could star in anything together, letting their charm carry the entire film. Soul Men was built with these two actors in mind, and there’s no question they’re the reason this road trip movie is a success.
Soul Men isn’t the type of comedy that is willing to take chances. Co-writers [...]
Posted on 07 April 2009
Following the success of Sin City and 300, Lionsgate immediately proclaimed The Spirit as a follow-up, making the critical error of raising expectations the film wasn’t able to meet. The movie tanked at the box office, partly because of expectations, and partly because it’s just not that great of a movie.
Gabriel Macht stars as Spirit, [...]
Posted on 22 March 2009
For an action franchise to succeed, the series must continually up the ante, throwing characters in increasingly unbelievable situations (without going too far). Die Hard – With a Vengeance does just that. It’s fast, it’s funny, and light years ahead of the disappointing Die Hard 2.
Yes, this third edition of the box-office favorite doesn’t try [...]