When director David Cronenberg is good, he is really good, but when he is bad, it’s difficult to sit through his films. A History of Violence will always be his modern masterpiece in my mind, and often his best work has been with Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises, A Dangerous Method). Mortensen dropped out of this […]
Wild Tales is a remarkable film from Argentina showing in six vignettes a range of human emotions and coping techniques in response to stress. In all the tales, emotional press (animal instincts, perhaps, in that beautiful close-ups of animals in the wild are shown during the initial credits) usurps logic and good old problem solving
I’m not much of a fan of vampires, but I really chuckled during What We Do in the Shadows, a mockumentary about four vampires who are flat mates in Wellington, New Zealand. I was a fan of HBO’s Flight of the Conchords for a two years, with Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie. Now, Clement and
Writer/director Mike Binder (The Upside of Anger, Reign Over Me) has good intentions with his latest film Black or White. While it’s not exactly what you think it’s about, even the lead character, played by the 2015 comeback kid Kevin Costner, constantly explains why it’s not a color issue. Black or White has its sights
Kevin Hart has become the go to guy for movies opening up when people just need something to do. The hard hitting Oscar films are all out, it’s a New Year, and here comes Kevin Hart with his “brand” again, continuing to prove he is the new franchise comedy master. Hart seems to understand the
Paddington is an encouraging departure from the regular stupidity seen in family films. Based on the best-selling children’s book and filled with positive, reinforced family values, this star studded 90 minute adventure is fun for young eyes and grown up minds. Visually exciting, not only is the live action capture of the Paddington bear as
It should have been called “All the Same” or “All Related.” I was into this film in the first 20 minutes; it seemed like a script that was interested in pursuing a young man’s interest in an older mature woman over a younger blond bimbo. The juxtaposition had me intrigued. Connie Nielson (Gladiator) is looking
I am really bothered by the fact that in the movie Frank, not only is SXSW mentioned, but they actually attend. Sure, Austin is mentioned in a majority of the films that have played the film festival, but this one seems to actively campaign in order to be accepted. Of course, the star power doesn’t
This was the most out of this world film I saw at SXSW. Space Station 76 takes 70’s soap opera drama into space–literally. It almost feels like a joke until the joke wears thin. The elevator music, classic songs, wardrobe and acting that mirrors That 70’s Show at times all work together to present this
Continuing the 2014 SXSW obsession with teenage coming of age stories, Ping Pong Summer is the least impressive in the crowded field (see Hellion, Boyhood, and Wilderness of James for better examples). Sure, they have Susan Sarandon in the film for maybe ten minutes total, but her presence is so underserved here. It also occurs