Archive for the 'Movie Reviews' Category
September 28th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Time travel movies can often be tricky. I am a big fan of films that attempt to utilize the subject, as I like to spend plenty of time thinking about the logic involved. In many cases, regardless of how much fun or how good the film is, the logic is not really sound. Some time travel flicks work because of how much time they spend detailing their own logistics (Primer is the ultimate example of this). Others work because of how little they seem to care about the logic (think Bill & Ted). But then there are time travel films that just fail on all fronts (think Timecop). Writer/director Rian Johnson’s Looper excels at making its time travel premise work, because it smartly sidesteps a lot of its own issues by almost using its setup as a clever misdirect. As characters bend time, the film bends its own meaning, with a smart and original script and solid performances to hold it all together. Continue reading ‘‘Looper’ Bends Time And Breaks Convention’
September 27th, 2012 by Brian White
This is going to be a very easy review for me to blow through simply because both the monster horror fan AND the kid in me had an absolute ghoulishly good time with this one. Of course I’m referring to the 3-D computer animated comedy from Sony Pictures Animation, Hotel Transylvania, hitting theaters this Friday, September 28th. The feature, helmed by Samurai Jack’s creator, Genndy Tartakovsky, features the voices of Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Jon Lovitz, Cee Lo Green, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon and David Spade. I wonder how many more movies the “Dream Team” of Adam, Kevin and David will do together? But nonetheless, like 2010’s Grown Ups, the chemistry mixed monstrously well here. So let’s take a closer look under the microscope and find out why I feel the way I do. Continue reading ‘For a Ghoulishly Good Time: Hotel Transylvania (Movie Review)’
September 24th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Talk about surprises! End of Watch is maybe the best cop drama I have seen since The Departed, let alone the best cop film I have seen in quite some time that does not involve corrupt or undercover officers who get in too deep. This seems like a film that could have been incredibly generic, serving as just another entry in a line of crime dramas and buddy cop movies, while only bringing the notion of found footage to the table as a new take on the genre. Instead, End of Watch turned out to be an incredibly engaging film, depicting too good cops who get in over their heads, after working too effectively. The film works due to the strength of these two lead performances and the sense of urgency that is utilized given the filming style. It is intense when it needs to be, but also quite enjoyable because of how well we come to know the relationship between these two cops who are partners that work hard to stop crime. Continue reading ‘Two Good Cops Work Until The ‘End Of Watch’’
September 21st, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
For a movie that is about brutal violence and maintaining a dark and nihilistic tone throughout, Dredd sure was a pretty film. This second attempt on a theatrical feature about the futuristic cop who serves as judge, jury, and executioner is an exercise in grit and violence, with just a hint of self-satire to keep the whole thing quite entertaining throughout, but its best asset is the visual aesthetic, which makes the ugly world that we find these characters in look quite striking. This seems especially notable, given that the film utilizes simplicity in its structure to keep from feeling to empty overall, but as a fairly non-complex action picture, it has plenty of time to look and feel like a well-made, stripped down genre flick, with plenty of thrills and gunplay to keep up the excitement. For what Dredd has attempted to do, it does it well enough to satisfy the law that Dredd swears by. Continue reading ‘Dredd Is The Law, And He Brings Proper Judgment’
September 20th, 2012 by David Freedman
Rachel, Aaron and Salim review this independent ‘dramedy’ about the cut-throat world of butter-carving competitions. Really – we’re not kidding. Starring Rachel Appelbaum, Aaron Fink and Salim Lemelle. Directed by Sean Wright.
Synopsis: After years as butter-carving champion, Bob is forced to retire. So Bob’s wife Laura decides it is her time to enter the contest. But when three formidable opponents enter the fray, Laura vows to win at any cost.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘Butter Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 20th, 2012 by David Freedman
Teresa, Leah and Sean have some differing opinions on their review of this inner city drama about school reform. Starring Teresa Lo, Sean Wright and Leah Aldridge. Directed by Amy Taylor.
Synopsis: Jamie is a single mother who works two jobs. Nona is a teacher who has lost her drive to inspire students. Fed up with the neglect of their students, they decide to take over their school.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘Won’t Back Down Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 20th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
So a WWII Vet and the leader of a cult walk into a bar…One has no idea where to go and the other appears to have all the answers. A main character finding comfort and solace from a new and enigmatic person in their life has been a theme in other films from writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson. Hard Eight (Sydney) has John C. Reilly learning from a much classier Phillip Baker Hall. Boogie Nights features Mark Wahlberg being taken in as a new, bright shining star by the patriarch of a porn-associated family, played by Burt Reynolds. Punch-Drunk Love has Adam Sandler’s introverted Barry completely changing his life around, as he decides to pursue Emily Watson’s character, as the two seem to be kindred spirits. Anderson’s latest film, The Master, finds Joaquin Phoenix’s character being absorbed into the world of a charismatic intellectual played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. The result is a film that is ambitious, greatly acted, expertly filmed, but also challenging to fully embrace. Continue reading ‘‘The Master’ And His Cause Requires Some Processing’
September 20th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
So Clint Eastwood has returned to the big screen for a movie that does not require a whole lot of effort from him. Trouble with the Curve is a fairly slight film about a number of old American chestnuts, such as baseball, getting older, trusting your instincts, and the father-daughter relationship. It is not necessarily bad, it is just nothing that is all that special, as everything about the film is predictable, lacking in subtlety, and tied up in a nice little package at the end. The reason to show up is for Clint of course, but how much you appreciate him depends on how much you want to put up with his grumpy old man shtick. The likability of Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake add a bit to the film, but overall, it is a fairly slow walk through the ballpark. Continue reading ‘Grumpy Old Clint Finds ‘Trouble With The Curve’’
September 19th, 2012 by David Freedman
Leah, Rachel and Teresa hit a high note on this musical comedy. Starring Leah Aldridge, Rachel Appelbaum and Teresa Lo. Directed by Sean Wright.
Synopsis: Freshman Beca is cajoled into joining a woman’s acapella group. But she discovers that the groups song and dance routines are sorely out of date. Finding the competition fierce, Beca inspires the group to new heights.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘Pitch Perfect Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 19th, 2012 by David Freedman
Rachel, Liz and Sean comment on this found-footage horror anthology. Starring Rachel Appelbaum, Liz Manashil and Sean Wright. Directed by Amy Taylor.
Synopsis: A group of misfits are hired to burglarize a desolate house. Their mission is to retrieve a rare video tape. But when they break in, they find a dead body and more than they imagined.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘V/H/S Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 19th, 2012 by David Freedman
Sean, Leah and Salim review this action thriller re-make based on the graphic novel. Starring Sean Wright, Leah Aldridge, and Salim Lemelle. Directed by Amy Taylor.
Synopsis: Dredd is one of the most feared cops in a post-apocalyptic metropolis. When a powerful new drug hit the streets, Dredd and his team try to stop its spread. But when a vicious drug lord discovers his plan, an all out urban war ignites.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘Dredd Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 19th, 2012 by David Freedman
Salim, Rachel and Greg review the newest period piece drama from Director Paul Thomas Anderson. Starring Salim Lemelle, Rachel Appelbaum and Greg Karber. Directed by Sean Wright.
Synopsis: Freddie is an alcoholic drifter dealing with the trauma of World War Two. By chance, he meets Lancaster, the charismatic leader of The Cause. As Freddie adheres to Lancaster’s religious teachings, the cult’s inner circle sees him as a threat.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘The Master Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 17th, 2012 by David Freedman
Liz, Leah and Sean review this morality tale and drama with an all-star cast. Starring Liz Manashil, Leah Aldridge and Sean Wright. Directed by David Freedman.
Synopsis: Rory Jansen is a struggling novelist who is unable to get a book published. He accidentally finds an unclaimed manuscript that contains some of the best writing he’s ever seen. Rory must deal with the temptation of stealing work that is not his own.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘The Words Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 17th, 2012 by David Freedman
Rachel, Leah and Sean give us their take on this prohibition-era drama, based on a true events. Starring Rachel Appelbaum, Leah Aldridge, and Sean Wright. Directed by David Freedman.
Synopsis: Three brothers are prohibition bootleggers, living the American Dream. Life is good until authorities threaten to cut into their profits. With an unlikely ally, they wage an all out war against the police.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit
Continue reading ‘Lawless Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 17th, 2012 by David Freedman
Sean, Rachel and David have quite the heated argument about this new raunchy comedy about phone sex. Starring Sean Wright, Rachel Appelbaum and David Freedman. Directed by Cooper Griggs.
Synopsis: College enemies Lauren and Katie are forced to share an apartment. Lauren is soon horrified to discover that Katie is a phone sex operator. After losing her job, Lauren joins Katie doing phone sex and finds she is better at it than both could have imagined.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘For a Good Time Call Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 16th, 2012 by David Freedman
Leah, Liz and Sean review the new “JoGoLEv” action thriller. Come along for the ride and see whether it’s a rush or not. Starring Leah Aldridge, Liz Manashil, and Sean Wright. Directed by Amy Taylor.
Synopsis: Wilee is an expert bicycling courier in New York City. Given a mysterious package to deliver, he finds himself being chased by a crazed cop. With the help of his friends, Wilee must ride for his life.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘Premium Rush Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 16th, 2012 by David Freedman
Teresa, Salim and Rachel review this movie from Jewish folklore about the demonic possession of a young girl. Starring Teresa Lo (@TeresaLo_Tweets), Salim Lemelle and Rachel Appelbaum. Directed by Sean Wright.
Synopsis: A young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale. But the box is inhabited by a malicious ancient spirit that takes her over. So her father must team up with his ex-wife in order to end her curse.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘The Possession Movie Review – Just Seen It’
September 16th, 2012 by David Freedman
Sean, Greg and Leah tell us if this remake of the 1976 original is worthy of its name. Starring Sean Wright, Greg Karber and Leah Aldridge(@leeleereads). Directed by Liz Manashil.
Synopsis: Musical prodigy Sparkle and her two sisters struggle for success. But everything changes when she meets a dynamic record producer. The three singers strive to keep sudden fame from tearing them and their family apart.
WATCH US ON PBS SOCAL Saturdays at 6PM or pbssocal.org/justseenit Continue reading ‘Sparkle Movie Review – Just Seen It’
Time travel movies can often be tricky. I am a big fan of films that attempt to utilize the subject, as I like to spend plenty of time thinking about the logic involved. In many cases, regardless of how much fun or how good the film is, the logic is not really sound. Some time travel flicks work because of how much time they spend detailing their own logistics (Primer is the ultimate example of this). Others work because of how little they seem to care about the logic (think Bill & Ted). But then there are time travel films that just fail on all fronts (think Timecop). Writer/director Rian Johnson’s Looper excels at making its time travel premise work, because it smartly sidesteps a lot of its own issues by almost using its setup as a clever misdirect. As characters bend time, the film bends its own meaning, with a smart and original script and solid performances to hold it all together. Continue reading ‘‘Looper’ Bends Time And Breaks Convention’
