BACHELOR PARTY (1984)

Directed By: Neal Israel
Story By: Bob Israel
Written By: Neal Israel & Pat Proft
Cinematography By: Hal Trussell
Editor: Tom Walls

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tawny Kitaen, Adrien Zmed, Michael Dudikoff, Wendie Jo Sperber, Deborah Harmon, Barry Diamond, Gary Grossman

TREES LOUNGE (1996)

Cast: Steve Buscemi, Daniel Baldwin, Chloe Sevingy, Mark Boone Junior, Seymour Cassell, Debi Mazar, Carol Kane, Anthony LaPaglia, Elizabeth Bracco, Rockets RedGlare, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Imperiolli, Mimi Rogers, Samuel L. Jackson, Larry Gillard Jr.

Written & Directed By: Steve Buscemi
Cinematography By: Lisa Rinzler
Editor: Kate Williams

THE COOLER (2003)

Cast: William H. Macy, Maria Bello, Alec Baldwin, Paul Sorovino, Shawn Hatosy, Estella Warren, Ron Livingston, Joey Fatone, M.C. Gainey, Ellen Greene

Directed By: Wayne Kramer
Written By: Wayne Kramer & Frank Hannah
Cinematography By: James Whitaker
Editor: Arthur Coburn

HALL OF FAME - BLUE IN THE FACE (1995)

CAST: Harvey Kietel, Jared Harris, Victor Argo, Keith David, Roseanne Barr, Michael J. Fox, Giancarlo Esposito, Lou Reed, Jim Jaramusch, Malik Yoba, Lilly Tomlin, Mel Gorham, Mina Sorovino, Madonna, Jose Zuniga, Michael Badalucco, Debra Wilson

Written (situations) & Directed By: Wayne Wang & Paul Auster
Cinematography By: Adam Holender
Editor: Christopher Tellefsen

STAR TREK (2009)

Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Written By: Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
Cinematography By: Daniel Mindel
Editor: Maryann Brandon & Mary Jo Markey

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Leonard Nimoy, Bruce Greenwood, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, Eric Bana, Tyler Perry, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, Ben Cross, Jennifer Morrison, Rachel Nichols, Lisa Vidal, Oz Perkins




There is a certain gloss and openness that separates this film from the others that maybe because this s a resurrection of the series with a cast that wasn’t started from the television series. making the cast for this film more big screen ready then previous casts.

This is a restart for the series it is grander even though it takes place before the series and films the technology and effects are way better plus ahead of there time.

The film shows how the enterprise crew came together and gives each member of the crew and cast a scene in which to shine to show how vital they are to the crew. The ymake each cast member essential even the lovely Uhura. The filmmakers also implant a genius idea as to how this and if there are any future sequels don’t necessarily have to follow the adventures we have already seen or have past knowledge of the history of the characters opening it up to novice audiences

The film is well cast especially Simon Pegg as Scotty he is a particular standout he brings energy and much needed humor to the Preceedings. Karl Urban also makes things lively as Dr. McCoy but it still feels mostly like a comedic performance with a dramatic scene here or there. At least he gets a chance to show some range since he is commonly associated with action roles. The give Eric Bana the villain role and while he is scary he doesn’t make a impression on me as a memorable villain.

I have always bee a mild star trek fan I still am a bigger star wars fan but this film instilled a interest in the series for me.

The film still keeps up the philosophy of decisions and technical talk but also adds what most of the movies lacked, general tension and full blown exciting action sequences. Which may have been not as big in the other films due to the age of the cast and the fact the TV episodes were low when it came to action .

J.J. Abrams makes a noticeable improvement in his directing style, Since his last film. There are some scenes of silent comedy, Drama, Physical Comedy, Special effects and action all handled admirably. Though I still feel his direction is still too boxy and Televison styled. Which makes sense, Since that is the medium he has garnered the greatest success in. He still has room to improve but this is his first big screen endeavor that I thoroughly enjoyed .

This is a film well worth seeing and adding to your film library even if you are not a big fan of the series or previous films.

GRADE: B

SHUTTLE (2008)

Cast: Tony Curran, Peyton List, Cameron Goodman, Cullen Douglas, Dave Power, James Snyder

Written & Directed By: Edward Anderson
Cinematography By: Matthew Fimognari
Editor: William Yeh

The film has a basic horror storyline that plays it more like a thriller. But as it goes along sets a certain mood.

The film is very unpredictable at least to me where as instead of trying to guess what would happen next or really think during this film I was so pulled in and on the edge of my seat everything came to me as almost a surprise. The film also made you care about almost every character and you actually cared about there fates. The two female leads are not only beautiful but they have as much talent as they do looks.

Cameron Goodman in particular makes a lasting impression what her character goes through is so immense and you feel her performance not so much through dialogue but through physical reactions and facial expressions and throughout the film you feel she is the vivacious rebellious character who changes the most through her ordeal who by the end is left like a wide eyed innocent lamb going to the slaughter

The movie is about two girls coming back from a Mexican vacation who meet two guys In the airport and decide to hang with them and share a shuttle bus from the airport back t there place. They take the shuttle with another random passenger then before they know it they are driven to a random secluded part of town robbed and taken hostage by the driver. But that is only the beginning the night will bring about many surpises for all of them especially for the ones who survive.

The reason why this film is scary is that it has a realistic quality that makes you feel like this could actually happen in real life.

While at times the story has it’s plot holes you still hang in there and follow it. You are paid back for it tenfold with a tight original thriller that deserves a audience and a good following. Someone should give the director a film deal.

This is partly one of those gimmick films that I have a belief that when young filmmakers finally get enough money to make there first movies they have stories they want to tell but also they want to make a mar in the marketplace and with viewers so that maybe they get another chance to make a film. Some are successful some make horrible first films but somehow get another chance to make another film and redeem themselves and are able to make another film where they prove themselves maybe they learned there lesson making the first one in what not to do. The director Edward Anderson here proves himself a major talent and I look forward to hopefully ore films from him though if not he makes a good impression with this film his debut that will not make you forget it anytime soon

A must see


GRADE: B

AN AMERICAN CRIME (2007)

Directed By: Tommy O’Haver
Written By: Tommy O’Haver & Irene Turner
Cinematography By: Byron Shah
Editor: Melissa Kent

Cast: Ellen Page, Catherine Keener, Ari Gaynor, James Franco, Nick Searcy, Scout Taylor-Compton, Bradley Whitford, Jeremy Sumpter