Robin Hood Misses Its Mark
May 15th, 2010 by Gregg Senko
This film actually snuck up on me in the not so distant past. I wasn’t even aware work had wrapped up on a new Robin Hood story, let alone through the direction of the great Ridley Scott. Well here we are in the third weekend in May and Robin Hood has arrived. Starring the controversial Russell Crowe (at least that’s the way the media has portrayed him), we find ourselves going back to 12th century England where the good old English are still butting heads with the French and corruption is in good supply. Continue reading ‘Robin Hood Misses Its Mark’
After many, MANY various adaptations of the same story, Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien) has directed a re-visioning of the classic tale of Robin Hood, with an all star cast including Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Danny Huston and Max von Sydow. Many people say it looks just like another Gladiator, but my review will tell you why the trailers are completely misleading… as usual. Check it out! 
Dr. Heiter (Dieter Laser) is a retired German surgeon who used to specialize in separating Siamese twins. But retirement can get boring, so it’s good to have a hobby. Dr. Heiter’s hobby is trying to surgically connect three people together, mouth to anus. Why would anyone want to do this? I don’t know. Why were Bela Lugosi and George Zucco always trying to transplant human brains into the bodies of gorillas in those poverty row horror flicks from the thirties? 
In 2008, Iron Man was released to an audience that wasn’t very familiar with the character and with a lead actor that had a history of personal demons that never allowed him to achieve the success his talent deserved. It turned out to be an explosive combination that raked in over $535 million worldwide. By taking the risk of giving Downey Jr. the role of a lifetime in Tony Stark, Director Jon Favreau pulled off a an amazing success story for both the movie and for Downey Jr. personally. 
Robert Downey Jr. returns as the now considerably more famous Tony Stark, in the sequel to the movie that made Iron Man more popular then he had ever been before. This action adventure boasts a terrific cast including Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell and Samuel L. Jackson. It is directed by Jon Favreau. Click on the link below for my review! 
Disney found success in 2009 with its nature documentary, earth. Disney decided to revisit this genre this past Earth Day (4/22), bringing us Oceans, an aquatic documentary narrated by Mr. Class himself, Pierce Brosnan. As an admirer of nature and the many mysteries it has to offer, I was immediately intrigued when I first came across the movie poster in the midst of another bitter Midwest winter. 
After going through months of anticipation for this film, it has finally arrived. I almost did a double-take when I first learned A Nightmare on Elm Street was to get a reboot. Produced in part by Michael Bay (who also co-produced the remake of Friday the 13th) and directed by Samuel Bayer, the film joins a growing line of movies that Hollywood feels the need to remake. Now let’s get straight to the point. 
From the moment I saw the trailer back in January, I was instantly convinced that The Losers was going to be a fun-filled action flick with moments of over-the-top action, a little naughty Saldaña, and a whole lot of happy triggers. Now it’s three months later and opening weekend for the film and as for all those assumptions I made back in January, they were pleasingly true. 
Don’t let the movie’s name deceive you. If you are looking for a wild romping good time this weekend with no brain power required, then look no further than your local cinema to check out Dark Castle’s adaptation of the Vertigo and DC Comics comic book series of the same name, The Losers. The film features very improbable and intense action sequences, frequent comedic relief moments, the sensuality of the beautiful Zoe Saldana and a very funny villain. 
There hasn’t been much promotion for John Cusack’s latest work, Hot Tub Time Machine. If you are expecting an incredibly ludicrous premise for this film based on that title, then your expectations will be met. The story focuses on four guys; Adam (John Cusack), Nick (Craig Robinson), Lou (Rob Corddry), and Adam’s nephew, Jacob (Clark Duke). After Lou nearly does himself in after a night of drinking, on-again off-again friends Adam and Nick decide to take Lou to an old alpine lodge where the trio used to live up their younger days. 
I went into Wednesday night’s screening of Death at a Funeral with a bad attitude. My day was lackluster. It was one of those days you just simply eek through life and would rather forget. So long story short, I went into the preview screening already expecting to hate it. That’s always a bad thing in my world, but in the film critic business, the results can vary. How you ask? Let’s put it this way. What if you were forced to watch something against your will and you ultimately end up liking it? Ordinarily, that’s a good thing. 
Want to make this a Date Night? Sure, why not? Steve Carell and ex-SNL veteran Tina Fey make a great couple who just want to have a peaceful night out, but just can’t seem to get a break. These comical actors have a gift for improvisation and the ability to be funny without appearing to be trying, but do their comedic talents fit in with the action subplot? Inquiring minds want to know! Check out my video review below to find out! 
When I discovered late last year that one of my favorite childhood movies was going to be remade, I was jittery with excitement. Clash of the Titans was a film I enjoyed time and again, but notice I said ‘was’. Let me preface this; Star Wars is a movie that used, for its time, cutting-edge special effects. Even though they are no longer the latest and greatest effects, it is a movie that can still be enjoyed today. The original Clash of the Titans is similar in that it too used what were once modern visual effects. 
How do you tell who the hero is in Clash of the Titans? He’s the one with the buzz-cut. Sam Worthington of Avatar fame dons the role of Perseus, son of Zeus himself, played by Liam Neeson (who has now been a jedi, a martial arts master, and the trainer of Batman for goodness sake) in a role that is destined to be remembered for it’s costume over it’s performance. CGI creatures and fun battles galore, but can Clash of the Titans work beyond a brainless popcorn flick? 
After recently suffering through the 1981 adaptation of Clash of the Titans on Blu-ray (see review 
My original reaction from the trailer of How To Train Your Dragon was that it might be a fun little piece of forgettable fluff, maybe even less. But that’s because the filmmakers chose to do the rare feat of not giving away all the best parts in the trailer! The last time I was this surprised by a children’s movie was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. A children’s movie is rarely this smart, moving, funny and action-packed all at once. Check out my video review and enjoy the movie, because I know you’ll trust me… right? 
Let the following statements exist purely to serve as my disclaimer. I went into the press screening of How to Train Your Dragon this past Saturday morning with zero expectations. I had never heard of the children’s book before and I knew nothing about the plot other than what my fellow reviewer, Gregg Senko, told me in a car ride conversation that seemingly went in one ear and out the other. Truthfully, I was probably paying more attention to the road (as I was the driver) than I was to his synopsis. 
It was only recently in February when I saw an oversized poster for an upcoming animated film called How To Train Your Dragon. I really wasn’t over-enthused or anxious to see it, but anything with a dragon is intriguing enough for me so I did have at least a little bit of anticipation in looking forward to this film’s release. It is a DreamWorks production and while they typically put forth good quality, they never seem to reach that level of animation stardom that Pixar’s works do. 
