GREENBERG (2010)

Cast: Ben Stiller, Rhys Ifans, Gerta Gerwig, Mark Duplass, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brie Larson, Max Hoffman, Jake Paltrow, Juno Temple, Chris Messina, Dave Franco

Written & Directed By: Noah Baumbach
Story By: Noah Baumbach & Jennifer Jason Leigh
Cinematography By: Harris Savides
Editor: Tim Streeto

PAPER HEART (2009)

Cast: Charlene Yi, Michael Cera, Jake M. Johnson, Martin Starr, Seth Rogen, Demetri Martin, Derek Waters

Directed By: Nicholas Jasenovec
Written By: Nicholas Jasenovec & Charlene Yi
Cinematography By: Jay Hunter
Editor: Ryan Brown

THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE (2009)

Written & Directed By: Rebecca Miller
Based On The Book By: Rebecca Miller
Cinematography By: Declan Quinn
Editor: Sabine Hoffman

CAST: Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Monica Belucci, Blake Lively, Maria Bello, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Mike Binder, Zoe Kazan, Cornel West, Shirley Knight

ROCK SCHOOL (2005)

Directed & Cinematography By: Don Argott
Editor: Demian Fenton

DARE (2009)

Cast: Zach Gilford, Emmy Rossum, Ashley Springer, Cady Huffman, Ana Gasteyer, Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming, Rooney Mara

Directed By: Adam Salky
Written By: David Brind
Cinematography By: Michael Fimognari
Editor: John F. Lyons

This film starts off as a low budget teen movie but then becomes more of a psychological mind game for it’s characters.

44-INCH CHEST (2010)

Cast: Ray Winstone, Tom Wilkinson, Stephen Dilllane, Joanne Whalley, John Hurt, Ian McShane, Melvil Poupaud

Directed By: Malcom Venville
Written By: Louis Mellis & David Scinto
Cinematography By: Dan Linden
Editor: Rick Russell

This film is a major disappointment considering it is by the writers of the great SEXY BEAST. It is still a dark film set in the world or career criminals but left more ambiguous as to what they actually do. I think added with the fact that it’s directed by a first time director is what makes the equation of the is film disappointing.

TRAILER PARK OF TERROR (2008)

Directed By: Steven Goldmann
Written By: Timothy Dolan
Cinematography By: Jeff Vinditti
Editor: Jarred Buck

CAST: Nichole Hiltz, Priscilla Barnes, Trace Adkins, Lew Temple, Tracey Walter, Ryan Carnes, Duane Whitaker

Better then you would think this being a straight to home video film now with that title alone I knew I would enjoy it. I wasn’t wrong.

If you are expecting something great or new with this film you will be sadly disappointed this film is based on the comic book of the same name and it plays like a mix of tales from the crypt mixed with a b-movie.

The title is so cheesy you expect a subpar movie. This film reminds me of the 1980’s that don’t have a care. TheFilms were a pure product and that’s it. Some of the movie is tongue in cheek but it plays like most horror movies aimed at teens the victims are picked off fast and as violently as possible.

The storyline is two decades ago a girl from a trailer park who has had bad-luck and hard living her whole life finally finds a way to leave the trailer park and after a accident that dream is smashed so she goes on a shooting spree massacaring the residents now every few years people traveling around the area disappear so of course this is the perfect time and place for a youth group filled with troubled kids and a youth preacher to travel through. The film has a already downtrodden feel to it. The girl’s past is so troubled you wouldn’t wish it on anybody so as she says it is true she never had a chance. I won’t spoil the movie



Let me just say that this film has the old staples of anyone who doesn’t follow the rules and if they sin even a little there is no mercy for them they are picked off. The film doesn’t let you really get to know each character through and through but you know there types it doesn’t make there deaths effect you in anyway but you watch to see the interesting waves they are dispatched.



Once you get to know the characters you already can predict who will live and who will die but the film does violate it’s own rule by eliminating a character who really did nothing wrong.

The film achieves what it wants along the way you don’t like the victims but you do feel sorry for them when they are being stalked and killed but the film also creates these monstrous evil characters who are interesting so you can alos kind of root for them to catch these characters and do there worst to them. Which is strange as before they were pieces of shit as hman beings but they are more likeable in there later incarnations. I guess because you expect the worst from them already they don’t have the mask of being a so-called human being.

I believe so that the filmmakers can make this film a franchise like Jason or Freddy Kruger. The possibilities of that happening I don’t know but I wouldn’t be surprised if this film gains popularity.

It’s a strange film but I was never bored.

GRADE: C

TRANSFORMERS (2007)

Directed By: Michael Bay
Written By: Alex Kurtzman & Ronerto Orci
Story By: Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman & John Rogers
Cinematography By: Mitchell Amundsen
Editor: Tom Muldoon & Paul Rubell & Glen Scantlebury


CAST: Shia Lebouf, Megan Fox, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, John Turturro, Jon Voight, Anthony Anderson, Josh Dummel, Tyrese Gibson, Zack ward, Amaury Nolasco, Bernie Mac, Rick Gomez, Tom Lenk

At this point I have to recognize Michael Bay as a auteur. He has 2 films in the Criterion Collection ARMAGEDDON and THE ROCK. When he makes a film you know it is his he puts his own signature on his films, That at first were produced by Jerry Bruckheimer the perfect producer for his style of filmmaking. Which seems to have rubbed off on the director as there films usually employ, Loud sound, Light plots, plenty of action, inventive shots, quick cuts and attractive actors who are more or less like mice in a maze ping ponging and running from one explosion to the next. The man has a certain filmmaking style that I’m not sure anyone else could make or would really want to but he will certainly be around for a long time because his films make money and audiences love them.

This film has all usual touches but for this type of film it actually fits. There is no way you can tell the story of the transformers in any realistic way based on the cartoon series of the 80’s which mainly consists of the battle of the Autobots (The good guys) VS. The Decepticons (The bad guys) The Subject is ripe for bay’s bombastic style of movie making. This time produced by the one and only legend Steven Spielberg.

There is no subltlety in this film everything is ham fisted with a good cast that strangley makes this popcorn movie watchable. The action sequences and effects are both excellent. The only problem is towards the end of the film when the transformers are fighting the bad guys it’s hard to tell who is who because they all look the same, like hunks of metal.

Another staple of Michael Bay is to install stale awkward jokes or bad comedic scenes into his action oriented films. Though it is usually a macabre humor like the BAD BOYS films but in those films it at least fir the criteria. In this film there are full on scenes of physical comedy. There are also important characters who are more comedic invention and act that way then being serious characters. For the comic relief they cast Anthony Anderson which also is nice to have the black guy be the smartest guy in the film which I haven’t seen in a sci-fi movie since VIRUS.

I will give Bay some credit he Is a good technical director. He is just lacking in the aspects of making a film though he does bring the goddess that is Megan Fox to the big screen in a substantial role her role as a love interest for Shia Lebouf. It’s a role that is unbelievable. She is so gorgeous like a Angelina Jolie Clone that she doesn’t seem real. I don’t know what role she could ever be cast in and be believable or look natural.

This film is so big it actually goes global bringing together the members of the cast who have survived numerous attacks from the Decepticons to face them in a building destroying fight in Los Angeles to save the world.

In the end this is a entertaining Perfect popcorn movie for a rental. If yo like his previous films you will like this one.

GRADE: C

WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU (2008)

Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke, Amamda Peet, Angela Featherstone, Lindsay McKeon, Brian Goodman, Donnie Wahlberg, Eddie Lynch, Will Lyman

Directed By: Brian Goodman
Written By: Brian Goodman & Donnie Wahlberg & Paul T. Murray
Cinematography By: Chris Norr
Editor: Robert Hoffman

The problem with this film is that since it is based on a true story there are only a certain amount of liberties you can take with the story.

It would have been nice to learn a bit more about the side characters who are actually more interesting then the lead character but we only get slight glimpses into there lives which leaves you wanting more.

That alas is the movies big problem it is interesting and you can get into it but it feels like a story you have seen plenty of times before and the things that could set it apart isn’t going to be in it because it is based on the director’s life and wants to stay as true to the situations that it allows. So whle you would expect more sex and or violence it remains rather tame in both.

This film doesn’t glamorize the criminal life but shows it’s more mundane day to day existence there are some joys but many lows and not as much money as you would expect and you have to keep hustling and making deals just to make a nice chunk of change and have a continuing income.

The film does have it’s dramatic scenes as it tells of criminal life redemption addiction and trying to do what’s right by friends and family due to obligations and getting clean and your life in order. Mostly through one character’s eyes but you always have a sense of what’s going to happen next there is little to no surprise in the film.

It doesn’t help that the film and it’s story is presented it comes off devoid of color and bland. Since it is a story of redemption if you are looking for a violent gangster story this is not the type of film for you. It tells one characters story who is not that deep into the gangster life.

It tries to tell the life story of the lead but the early scenes while defining the code of the streets goes by so fast you don’t really feel it gives any deeper insights into the characters plus the film jumps around in times a few times that it leaves you to wonder what exactly happened during those years and how it may have changed them. Like for instance when he becomes addicted to drugs I understand it is from the pressure but they could have explained it a little better because it seems he just drinks then the next scene he just want to get high no build-up at all. One scene while in prison with a child molester and there beating him up seems more like a scene there to make the characters sympathetic and just.


Donnie Wahlberg who has proven himself a good actor after moving on from his music group the new kids on the block not only appears in the film but also helped co-write it. The film feels authentic but not a story that seems that filmable. It is a nice attempt and it has potential but turns about disappointing.

Mark Ruffalo is a actor I always though of as dependent but has never impressed me that may be the allure of him as a actor to critics and filmmakers he doesn’t showboat but you totally believe him as the character he is playing because he easily immerses himself so thoroughly and doesn’t take away from his fellow actors while garnering attention for himself at the same time.

Ethan Hawke seems to be making a habit at this point in his career by playing criminals, hoods or cops. Much more dangerous characters then when his career first started and he is good at it. I really liked his character and wished he was in more of the film.

It’s a ok rental

GRADE: C

LAST ACTION HERO (1993)

Cast: Arnold Schwartzenegger, Austin O’Brien, Brigette Wilson, Mercedes Rheul, Tom Noonan, F. Murray Abraham, Charles Dance, Anthony Quinn, Robert Prosky, Sharon Stone, Robert Patrick, Art Carney, Damon Wayans, Chevy Chase, Hammer, Maria Shriver, Frank McRae, Ian MckKellen, Joan Plowright, Tina Turner, Noah Emmerich, Angie Everhart, Bobbie Brown, Michael V. Gazzo, James Belushi, Colleen Camp, Little Richard, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Melvin Van Peebles

Directed By: John McTiernan
Written By: Story: Zak Penn & Adam Lieff; Screenplay: Shane Black & David Arnott
Cinematography By: Dean Semler
Editor: Richard A. Harris & John Wright

This is what I would consider a fun movie it’s so bad that after awhile it kind of wins you over and keeps you entertained if it wasn’t specifically big budget action this would be a excellent midnight movie it’s campy over the top and ridiculous

Where the movie I believe went wrong is that it thinks of itself as a satire and making fun of the action clichés but then it goes so way off the path. (The animated cat being partnered with the rookie while is a good dig at the ridiculous cop partnerships in films it still is a little much) that it ceases to be funny and your left just shaking your head about how half of these supposed jokes made it into the movie.

This is obviously a vanity project for Mr. Schwartzenegger allowing him to make fun of himself and look like a good guy for doing it.he maybe been first but George Clooney did it better in ocean’s twelve while he did it with style and grace. Schwartzenegger does it like a dork laughing at his own jokes while no one else is laughing with him. That is sort of what this film is like it’s making jokes and elbowing you in the ribs so that it’s not really subtle and soon you are just laughing at them trying to make you laugh so pathetically. It’s a great bad movie. Though one of the reasons I think tho movie bombed was that if you are a fan of action films and particularly of Arnold it seems like it is talking down to you and making fun of the very things you enjoy

The plot is a young movie fan from New York goes to a secret early screening with a magic ticket from Harry Houdini who while watching the film get’s sucked into it he tries to tell everyone they are a movie but no one believes him until the movies villain gets ahold of the ticket and comes into the real world and the boy and the action hero come back to the real world where the action hero has a hard time dealing with reality instead of movie magic written for him.

Now don’t get me wrong the movie does have it’s moments it’s not totally horrible but
I think it’s more enjoyable if you are a movie fan to begin with and know a bit of film history. Originally the film was supposed to be about living your own life and not having imaginary adventures through movies at least in the original script it also put a emphasis on reading but for a big budget movie that just wouldn’t work telling the audience to stop seeing these kind of films so they changed it to a action spoof that get’s heart in the last act.

One of the other problems with this film is that while I like John McTiernan as a director die hard is after all one of my favorite films and favorite action film of all time he just wasn’t the right director for this film even though he does get to spoof the shot from die hard where Alan Rickman falls off the roof. He just seems to boxy and restrained for this type of film and uncomfortable with comedy he never reaches the right groove. Too many close ups and small spaces.

One of the things that does work is that this is a all-star film so seeing all these respected actors playing for laughs is hilarious and kind of sad but more hilarious then anything. Anthony quinn in particular. Charles dance as the villain is strange but common as the British Shakespeare trained actor playing the villian in a popcorn film to feed the masses

I say give it a shot a Strange but maybe enlightening rental

GRADE: C

FRIDAY THE 13th: Part 5 - A NEW BEGINNING (1985)

Cast: Shavar Ross, Miguel Nunez Jr., Anthony Barrie, Todd Bryant

Directed By: Danny Steinman
Written By: Danny Steinman & Martin Kitrosser & David Cohen
Story By: Martin Kitrosser & David Cohen
Cinematography By: Steven L. Posey
Editor: Bruce Green

They Lied. Een though the film does live up to it's title

(SPOILER ALERT)

This whole review is a spoiler

I Give this film credit as it is a ruse and kind of a cop out since there is no real Jason in the film but it is a continuation in the series as young Tommy Jarvis grows up and is put in a home for troubled teens. Corey Feldman was supposed to reprise his role but he was too busy filming “The Goonies” Wise decision or not you decide.

You know where this film is headed when the first kill is not by Jason but some random disturbed character that we think or hope we won’t be seeing again. The guy they kill is expendable because not only is he mentally challenged but fat. But the ending makes no sense since the guy who killed his son is behind bars why not kill him and get it over with instead of killing all these people who didn’t really have anything to do with it.

The film has a few good ideas of continuing the series sort of like Halloween 3 but a lot better. This film still keeps up the high body count and plenty of violence but in the end you find out that Jason is a imposter. You can tell early on look at the mask it has blue marks instead of red ones. But there are plenty of problems with the film even though it is supposed to be a typical Jason film why is it made lie a who done it the director makes it seem like certain members of the cast are killing everyone off even though we see it is Jason I can understand the characters in the film thinking this but why make the audience also think it.

Now I know the Friday the 13th films are short on logic but if this is a imposter Jason how come he has almost as much strength which borders on supernatural.

Now A the end and once you think about it you can see how the imposter came to be seeing as what happened earlier in the film how it could scar them to be driven to do this almost similar to what made Jason become the killing machine we know him as though without the strength and mongoloidism.

The pleasures of this film though are Shavar Ross who will be familiar to fans of television as Dudley of different strokes as one of the first African Americans in the series and as a about face the first to actually survive. In going with all these breakthroughs he also has the realest reactions of a character in a horror film when he sees the killer monster he screams like a girl and hightails it out of there leaving his friend to fend for herself she is a afterthought. It also features Miguel Nunez in full bad 80’s rock gear complete with a jheri curl as one of the first African American characters killed by Jason and in the toilet none the less. Pure magic and hilarious

Later I found out there was a heavily edited Scene where Jason kills the punk rock girl originally he was supposed to stab her right in her privates and we watch her bled out that way instead of the usual slash in the intestines. Now most of these films it ends up as violent as they are the MPAA has declared war on these films citing it for being sexist and excessive I’m sure they are and certain age groups shouldn’t be allowed to watch these films but that is the responsibility of the parents these films are made for pure entertainment not social statements they don’t preach a certain rhetoric and just like I am reviewing them, you take what you believe from them attacking them doesn’t stop them as you can see they still come out in fact you stump the audience and creators by not showing the story to the best of there abilities I know how ridiculous this all is for a movie that is sub-par but it needs to be said.

The ending is just bizarre as the ghost of Jason sets up Tommy in the hospital to become the new Jason. Which doesn’t exactly happen but we don’t find that out until the next film. For now this is truly the only Jason movie that really has no Jason in it. Kind of a rip off but a interesting experiment for the series.

GRADE: C