The Scorecard Review

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Charles Burns isn’t about reinvention. But he is about taking risks.

The 55-year-old Seattle native is known all over the world for his award-winning and ground-breaking graphic novels, comic series and collected works like Black Hole and El Borbah. His work has earned a cult following for its dark, distinctive themes, and Burns himself is one of the most respected cartoonists of his generation.

His first foray into film comes in the form of Fear(s) of the Dark, a French animated import that contains sequences written, illustrated and directed by Burns. Not surprisingly, these moments of black-and-white creepiness aren’t a far cry from images found in his extensive array of published work.

As he enters a brand new form of storytelling, Burns says he thinks his film’s fresh take on the animation genre ... Continue Reading

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Directed by: Kevin Smith
Cast: Seth Rogan, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson
Time: approx 1 hr, 40 mins
Rating: R

Plot: Two platonic, twenty-something roommates (Rogen and Banks) emerge from their 10-year high school reunion with dead-end jobs, a stack of unpaid bills and not-so-sterling reputations as the dregs of their generation. But, in a stroke of genius, they decide to produce their very own porno flick to help get the lights and water back on. What they don’t expect is that inconvenient sexual tension, stemming from feelings they’ve been avoiding all their lives, to come bubbling to the surface. And I wish I meant “bubbling” metaphorically.

Who’s It For? Teens will love it, if only because Rogen is the star. But it depicts a lack of post-high school career trajectory ... Continue Reading

RocknRolla

Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Jeremy Piven and Ludacris
Running Time: 1 hr 55 mins
Rating: R

Plot: Sometimes it’s easier to actually do the things happening in Guy Ritchie plots than describe them. But here goes: members from the underground and the upper class become intertwined in an intricate scheme involving millions of dollars available from a real estate scam. Problems increase when “rocknrolla” Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell) obtains a painting that Johnny’s scam-involved father, Lenny Cole (Wilkinson), is also seeking.

Who’s It For? This one goes out to anyone who likes a little substance to their gritty rock ‘em sock ‘ems. This isn’t a Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or a Snatch., but it will pacify Guy Ritchie fans who share his enthusiasm for anti-gangsters that ... Continue Reading

I.O.U.S.A

Directed by: Patrick Creadon
Time: 1 hour and 15 mins
Rating: Documentary, unrated

I.O.U.S.A–or, as I like to call it, Saw 5 for Grownups–might just be the scariest movie I’ve seen in a long, long time. The documentary deconstructs and explains each little aspect of this Nation’s skyrocketing debt, and it does a splendid job. Usually, one would use the word “splendid” to describe a nice picnic on a sunny day, but in this context, “splendid” signifies “I miss my ignorance.” Basically, if the government doesn’t figure out how to balance its checkbook sooner than later, it’s all going to hell in a handbasket and our country will collapse and the next few generations will end up having to pay a 50 to 75 percent income tax…truly. Seriously about the 50 to 75 ... Continue Reading

MOVIE OF THE WEEK —

Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Plot: Didn’t you read the title? Two friends (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) are out of cash and attempt to make some money through amateur porn.
Buzz: No, Judd Apatow isn’t directing. In fact, this is Kevin Smith’s chance to get back to being hip and relevant again.

Also Opening:
Changeling (wide)
The Haunting of Molly Hartley
RocknRolla
Fear(s) of the Dark
Ballast
Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story

The Haunting of Molly Hartley wasn’t screened in Portland or Chicago, which is probably for the best. Chace Crawford can only do so much right?

More importanly, we have iterviews from the directors of …
Fear(s) of the Dark
Ballast
and
Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story

and now it’s time to play –

Simply pick the Top 5 movies at the box office this ... Continue Reading

Fear(s) of the Dark

Directed by: Blutch, Charles Burns, Marie Caillou, Pierre Di Sciullo, Lorenzo Mattotti, Richard McGuire
Cast: uncredited
Time: 1hr 25 mins
Rating: Not yet rated

Plot:

Fear(s) of the Dark is made up of a series of black-and-white animation sequences depicting the horror of the unknown. One is about a college student whose childhood obsession with insects comes back to bite him (literally). Another short centers on a Japanese girl forced to relive her nightmares until they actually come true. The final story is about a man who stumbles on the wrong wayward house in a snowstorm, and the terrors he finds there. Each story is strung together by abstract narration, and the chilling images of a man releasing his vicious dogs to do his bidding.

Who’s It For?

It isn’t a Walt Disney Pictures production, so there is virtually no appeal for children. It’s also not for people who demand a clear story line. Connecting each story, and figuring out each story’s layered meaning, may prove too much work for many.

Expectations:

Without looking too far into it, I expected something dark and twisted, which is usually a good thing for me. What I didn’t expect was just how dense its message actually is … allegedly. I still haven’t figured it out. ... Continue Reading

Ballast

Directed by: Lance Hammer
Cast: Michael J. Smith Sr., JimMyron Ross, Tarra Riggs
Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Rating: Not rated

Plot: A man’s sudden suicide affects the lives of the three people whom considered him a brother, husband, and an uncle. (For those who don’t know, “ballast” is defined as dead weight that provides a certain degree of steadiness).

Who’s It For? The dramatic film’s pacing, abrupt editing, lack of soundtrack and general emptiness cater to the art-house crowd. Like other independent films, Ballast demands its viewers’ patience and requires the watcher to voluntarily want to explore its subtexts.

Expectations: Ballast had a lot of buzz at the Chicago International Film Festival. On top of that, it has already won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and is up for four nominations at the Gotham Independent Film Awards … so yes, I was exicted. ... Continue Reading

Quickcard Review

RocknRolla

Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Gerald Butler, Mark Strong, Tom Wilkinson, Toby Kebbell, Idris Elba, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Jeremey Piven, Thandie Newton
Running Time: 1 hr 55 mins
Rating: R

CLICK HERE to read Allen’s full Scorecard Review

Plot: The underworld of London gets blown up (figuratively) in the latest Ritchie film. A huge cast of characters are looking for money, a lucky panting, and a rock star.

Who’s It For? If you check the ‘yes’ box next to liking Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the film Snatch then here’s another one for you. There are moments of sex and violence and tons of foul language to go along with it all. If you saw Ritchie’s other films … and enjoyed them … sorry, I don’t have any sarcastic award to ... Continue Reading

Quickcard Review

Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Directed by: Kevin Smith
Cast: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes, Katie Morgan
Running Time: 1 hr 41 mins
Rating: R

CLICK HERE to read Pardee’s full Scorecard Review

Plot: Friends forever … Zack (Rogen) and Miri (Banks) hit hard financial times and they look for any option to make money for the rent. Zack suggests they make a porn flick, and a group of friends are willing to help. But as the cameras role, the two begin to have feeling for one another and of course, that complicates things.

Who’s It For? It’s easy to say this is for the younger crowd. Those under 40 seem to have a different appreciation for porn, it’s something that can be talked about instead of hid in the ... Continue Reading

A wrap-up from Michael Kutza, the founder and artistic director, of the Chicago International Film Festival ….
50 COUNTRIES, 175 FILMS, 100 DIRECTORS

What more can a city ask for? This year more than ever, the Chicago International Film Festival opened your eyes to things you just don’t see every day. In our 44 years, we have been committed to taking you across the globe to discover some of the most exciting cinema the world has to offer. The new voices, new ideas, new storytellers, new stars. I feel we have the perfect mix of star-studded red carpet premieres and cutting-edge world cinema for serious filmgoers.

The two weeks of the Chicago Festival are still packed full of once-in-a-lifetime events where you will see things that may never hit the Chicago screens again! ... Continue Reading

Lance Hammer’s Ballast is a docile film that has made quite a name for itself in the festival circuit. His first film uses the Mississippi Delta to explore an “underlying sadness,” as he calls it, involving three human beings who are affected by a suicide.

The subtle and moving film won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and is currently nominated four times for the Gotham Independent Film Awards.

It was an honor to discuss the film and the general process of filmmaking with Hammer in a cozy conference room on Michigan Avenue.

Though he was not particularly enthusiastic about his days working on Joel Schumacher’s Batman movies, he had to discuss involving making films that are true to one’s vision. If you’re a fan of films that tell so ... Continue Reading

Stefan Forbes is a courageous documentarian that says what he believes and believes what he says. In his latest effort, Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story he sheds a microscopic light over the life of the Republican Party’s last rock star, Lee Atwater.

While working on both the Reagan and Bush (the first one) campaigns, Atwater found ways to persuade an impressionable American public by using tactically fabricated realities to sway their vote. Though his methods were hardly admirable, they were powerful in the sense that the fables he concocted were not only believed by Americans, but completely accepted on a national level.

Boogie Man reveals the web of lies surrounding Atwater’s systematic stranglehold on Washington for more than a decade, right up to his shocking demise. Forbes provides us with a ... Continue Reading

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, OCTOBER 24-26, 2008

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Total Gross | Week #

1. High School Musical 3: Senior Year - $42.0 million | $42.0 million | 1

2. Saw V - $30.5 million | $30.5 million | 1

3. Max Payne - $7.6 million | $29.7 million | 2

4. Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $6.9 million | $78.1 million | 4

5. Pride & Glory - $6.3 million | $6.3 million | 1

Source: boxofficemojo.com

Just as I predicted … almost.

These were my picks -

1. HSM 3
2. Saw 5
3. Max Payne
4. Pride & Glory
5. Beverly Hills Chihuahua

For some reason I thought Ed Norton and Colin Farrell could somehow manage to make over $7 million and beat a little dog that’s been around for a month now. Next week can we ... Continue Reading

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.

The fight for justice can sometimes be an internal struggle, thanks to the character of the dirty cop. They abuse their power while disregarding their duties to protect and serve; these crooks tend to be the worst of all criminals. In both comedic (the forgotten Blue Streak), and dramatic action forms (the totally wrong Righteous Kill), the story of the dirty cop has been told time and time again (Pride and Glory included). Films concerning such crooked bearers of the badge are scattered throughout cinema history, but the past twenty years have given us plenty to talk about.

Sometimes playing a cop, good or bad, can bring the best out of certain actors. This list is dedicated to those top (dirty) cop ... Continue Reading

Saw V

Directed by: David Hackl
Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Meagan Good
Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Rating: R

Plot: Characters and audiences alike are tortured in the fifth installment of the Saw franchise. Essentially, people die slowly. In the movie or, (for the audience), in their souls.

Who’s It For? 1. People who don’t realize that these films are essentially identical to each other. 2. Gullible teenagers.

Expectations: “I have to pay $8.50 to see this?!!!”

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:
Tobin Bell as Jigsaw: Jigsaw is a heroic villain for a dumb-blooded, naive generation who have no respect for their elders like Jason Voorhees or Mike Myers; (but fear not kiddies! Your Michael Bay-itized remake of the classic Friday the 13th is due out in February!) Jigsaw has this terrible habit of sounding like a

Gavin O’Connor is hardly as exhausted as I anticipate. Just as I’m being walked upstairs to talk to the critically acclaimed director, I’m told this is his last interview of the day.

Not a good thing.

Despite the fear that O’Connor may be spent, I actually find him to be an engaging conversationalist, whose passion for his latest film [Pride and Glory, out tomorrow] is rivaled only by his daughter’s passion for Disney Music.

As we talk, it seems O’Connor is well prepared for the onslaught of attention he’s sure to get once Pride & Glory hits the theaters.

———–

Do you mind if I ask you some “ice breaker” questions so as not to lull you to sleep?

Not at all.

Okay, great. What’s dominating your ipod at the moment?

You now what’s dominating my iPod? ... Continue Reading

Just 12 days before we decided who will be the next President of the United States. And now Ron Howard isn’t just sitting on the sidelines.

But he’s not alone.

I wish I was in the meetings or listening on the phone when Howard approached Henry Winkler and Andy Grittith.

I mean, I feel like he, even more than the two of them, has distanced himself from the iconic characters of Opie and Richie.

Did they both just immediately respond, “You’re willing to do what?!”

Great effort by Opie Cunningham.

It seems too late to say, but you’re registered to vote right?… ... Continue Reading

Changeling

Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Jason Butler Harner
Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Rating: R

Plot: In the late 1920’s, a mother (Jolie) battles uphill against a manipulative Los Angeles police department when the missing son returned to her is not actually her child.

Who’s It For? Anyone familiar with recent Eastwood films like Mystic River or Letters From Iwo Jima should be aware of Changeling’s oncoming sentimentality and rewarding quality. But for some, the emotional intensity of Changeling might be similar to be whipped by a wet towel that has been soaked in tears.

Expectations: Clint Eastwood. The films he has directed in the past have been as powerful as the Smith & Wesson Model 29 that he used to fire off during his Dirty Harry days.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:
Angelina Jolie ... Continue Reading

Happy-Go-Lucky
Directed by: Mike Leigh
Cast: Sally Hawkins, Eddie Marsan, Alexis Zegerman, Samuel Roukin
Time: 2 hrs
Rating: R

Plot: Poppy (Hawkins) is a woman who is always wearing a smile on her face. She walks through life always looking for the positive spin on things in North London with her friends.

Who’s It For? Are you convinced that sunshine always beats rain? This is a film that will test the theory. It’s actually tough to say if this is for people who can’t stand the annoying over-talker in the group, or for those who have no idea they are the one who just can’t shut up.

Expectations: I have been a fan of Leigh but it comes down to one film: Topsy-Turvy. Otherwise Secrets & Lies and Career Girls underperformed for me. ... Continue Reading

Pride & Glory

Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
Cast: Colin Farrell, Edward North, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich
Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
Rating: R

Plot: The Tierney family has been a part of the New York Police Department for two generations and their pride is thicker than the blood that binds them. When Ray (Edward Norton) uncovers a controversial case involving the corruption of the men in blue, the bond that has tied his family together begins to unravel in more ways than one.

Who’s It For?. Fans of shoot-em-ups with a backbone. Edward Norton doesn’t take roles that he could just phone in. You may want to tune in if you don’t mind being left in the dark without having your questions overshadow the thrilling good guy v. bad guy story.

Expectations: On paper, this film has got everything: an exceptional cast, a riveting story, and a gifted filmmaker. With a line up this impressive, it’s difficult to see how it could miss as a critical success. Though there were rumors as to why it wasn’t released in March as originally planned, this is the quintessential buzz film. ... Continue Reading

High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Directed by: Kenny Ortega
Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman
Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Rating: G

Plot: It’s senior year at East High School, and the original gang from High School Musical 1 and 2 come together to create one last musical before graduation and inevitable adulthood (hang on, kids! Don’t do it!).

Who’s It For? Anyone who likes musicals, anyone who has kids, or even anyone with a soul. Vampires need not apply.

Expectations: I had high expectations based on the extreme popularity of the first two movies and the crazy hype of the third. If you get millions of kids that excited and then let them down, you’re liable to find yourself on the wrong end of an angry mob ... Continue Reading

Movie of the WEAK?!

Pride and Glory
Plot: One family has a long history of New York City Police officers. The family’s moral codes are tested when Ray (Edward Norton), investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law (Colin Farrell).
Buzz: Norton is on the short list for top American actor and Farrell can do it (In Bruges) so we’ll see what director Gavin O’Connor (Tumbleweeds, Miracle) can do with this gritty cop drama.

Also Opening:
Saw V
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D (re-release)
Changeling - In Chicago
Happy-Go-Lucky

I am happy and confident to report that Saw V will not win the box office this weekend. But the fact that it will be taken over by HSM 3 … should I really feel good about any ... Continue Reading

Quickcard Review

W.
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Cast: Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Elizabeth Banks
Time: 2 hrs 9 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: The life and time of George W. Bush (Brolin) — from the time he was in college to his current position as President of the United States.

Who’s it For? Liberal minded folks with flock to this film for a chance to laugh at our current President. But I am vastly more interested in people who still respect/admire/follow our current Commander-in-Chief, what will they make us this? The focus is not as mean as I was prepared for, I think there are only two f-bombs and it doesn’t talk about George W. Bush’s cocaine use.

CLICK HERE to read De Salvo’s full Scorecard Review

OVERALL
It’s always good, never great. It’s an amazing time ... Continue Reading

Weekend Box Office Results:

1 Max Payne - $18,000,000
2 Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $11,200,000
3 The Secret Life of Bees - $11,050,000
4 W. - $10,550,000
5 Eagle Eye - $7,343,000

Queen Latifah beats the President. Max Payne kills the chihuahua.

The Secret Life of Bees has the highest per screen average at $6,945.

I haven’t figured out how, but I’m going to change up the box office preview/review. Until I figure out the perfect system, TSR’s Box Office Challenge will be on a slight hold. I’ll still be attempting to predict the order of the top 5, and for the record, I won again …

Jeff Bayer = 9 points

1. Max Payne
2. Beverly Hills Chihuahua
3. W.
4. Sex Drive
5. Body of Lies ... Continue Reading

Hunger
Directed by: Steven McQueen
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Liam Cunningham, Stuart Graham, Liam McMahon,
Time: 1 hr 36 mins
Rating:

Plot: An urgently told story about prisoners confined in Northern Ireland’s H-Blocks in the early 1980s. Despite having had happened a quarter century ago, these infamous tales of torture hit alarmingly close to home in the wake of recent events related to the world-wide war on terror. This story is about young men of a different era, led by Bobby Sands, who undergo a 1981 Hunger Strike in the fight for their human rights amidst an era of nearly unimaginable tyrannical rule.

Who’s It For? Anyone who is a self-proffesed history buff, but who also requires strong authenticity in the retellings. This film cuts close to the bone, and is not for adolescent-laden history classrooms ... Continue Reading

The Class
Directed by: Laurent Cantet
Cast: François Bégaudeau
Time: 2 hrs 8 mins
Rating: Not yet rated

Plot: A middle school teacher (Bégaudeau), in a multi-ethnic public school outside of Paris ,spends a year struggling with a crop of resistant students. As he tries to do his job - which is to teach his pupils how to read, write and speak proper French - he finds himself constantly at odds with their rebelliousness, their sharpening intellect and the surprising things he doesn’t know about them that makes each one an individual. As he works to find the balance between teaching and preaching, he lets his temper get the better of him. Consequences, both for himself and for his students, aren’t far behind.

Who’s It For? Though it’s award-winning, the film is not for those expecting ... Continue Reading

Max Payne
Directed by: John Moore
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Chris O’Donnell, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges
Time: 1 hr 50 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: Based on the popular shoot-em-up video game comes the story of DEA agent Max Payne ( Mark Wahlberg) who now works the cold cases in an attempt to solve (and avenge) his wife and daughter’s murder. Max begins to piece together a conspiracy with the help of an assassin (Mila Kunis).

Who’s It For? Max Payne gamers and fans of Mark Wahlberg. Wahlberg is always fun to watch and he unfailingly respects the role and his audience, even if Hollywood does not.

Expectations: I am a gamer. One of those rabid gamers. Actually, I’m about three inches from dressing up as Lara Croft and heading off to the nearest convention. Therefore ... Continue Reading

W.

Directed by: Oliver Stone

Cast: Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Elizabeth Banks

Time: 2 hrs 9 mins

Rating: PG-13

Plot: The story of President George W. Bush (Brolin). This is a touching story of how our present President came to be, and why he may still be unsure about how he actually got here.

Who’s It For? Not for everyone. In fact, about 24 percent (Bush’s approval rating at press time) of you will absolutely hate the methods Stone uses to present a faux-biopic where no amount of fiction could possibly paint a more honest portrait of the most troubled President in recent memory. Many (you know who you are) will engage in spurts of laughter not often heard in joint cinematic experiences.

Expectations: Stone likes to tackle heated issues, particularly in the political vein ... Continue Reading

Quickcard Review

Max Payne
Directed by: John Moore
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Chris O’Donnell, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges
Time: 1 hr 50 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: Based on the popular, violent video game comes the story of DEA agent Max Payne (Wahlberg). He now works the cold cases trying to avenge his wife and daughter’s murder. Max begins to piece together a conspiracy with the help of an assassin (Kunis) that involves devils and drugs.

Who’s It For? I hope gamers like it. But I heard it was originally an R-rated film, then changed to a PG-13, less violent version. That’s not going to make die-hards happy. And if you aren’t familiar with this world, I wouldn’t bother checking it out. Check out McLaughlin’s full Scorecard Review–which will be up later this weekend–for the ... Continue Reading

Sex Drive
Directed by: Sean Anders
Cast: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke, James Marsden
Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Rating: R

Plot: Clumsy high school senior Ian (Zuckerman) steals his older brother’s prized ‘69 Judge across the country to lose his virginity to online hottie Ms. Tasty (Katrina Bowden).

Who’s It For? Not a far cry from last year’s Superbad, Sex Drive is intended for a more mature teenage to young adult audience. Definitely leave the kids at home on this one to avoid a slew of uncomfortable moments.

Expectations: It’s billed as the next teen gross-out flick, so it’s easy to imagine that excessive profanity, over-the-top nudity and lots of sex jokes will be part of the equation. With all that debauchery, any actual storytelling would be a pleasant surprise.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:
Josh Zuckerman as Ian: Though ... Continue Reading

The Secret Life of Bees
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Paul Bettany
Time: 1 hr 50 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: Based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd, Lilly (Fanning) is haunted by her past and at the age of 14, and she set’s off with her nanny Rosaleen (Hudson) to look for a better life and finds a honey maker (Latifah) who opens her home.

Who’s It For? Fans of the book, and people who need to learn how to love themselves will appreciate this film. It is set in 1964 during the civil rights movement. There is racial tension throughout the film and occasional violence.

Expectations: It’s a great cast and a very popular book, though I had not read it. The previews didn’t give me much faith that this film would have an emotional impact on me.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:
Dakota Fanning as Lily Owens: Wow, Lily has baggage. Tons of it. ... Continue Reading

Sex Drive

Directed by: Sean Anders
Cast: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke, James Marsden
Time: 1 hr 45 min
Rating: R

Plot: A sweet, virginal nerd (Josh Zuckerman) and his silver-tongued best friend (Clark Duke) steals his brother’s (James Marsden) 1969 GTO to meet a girl he met on the internet, and (hopefully) get some tail.

Who’s It For? Primarily, teenagers. The film won’t have mass appeal for an older crowd, unless the older crowd in question has absolutely nothing else to do and unusually low expectations.

Expectations: Based solely on the charm of the previews, I thought this film could be a little comedic gem, which is why you don’t base your judgment on previews. I promise to get help before I start slavishly believing all commercials and everything I read. That being said, I’m off to buy some Clearasil, so I don’t die alone. ... Continue Reading

What Just Happened?
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Cast: Robert De Niro, John Turturro, Bruce Willis, Stanley Tucci
Time: 1 hr 53 mins
Rating: R

Plot: Robert De Niro stars as a once prominent Hollywood producer whose life is spiraling out of control while his career similarly falls from grace. We spend two weeks with him as things go from bad to worse, to better… one too many times.

Who’s It For? Those of you with a sweet tooth for ironic Hollywood satire, made by the same people their particular film is poking fun at, will love the punches What Just Happened? lands throughout.

Expectations: While De Niro’s career has been on a much-talked-about downslide, it seems to be the perfect vehicle to resurrect his own recent shortcomings. Perhaps a film as self aware as this one can ... Continue Reading

OPENING THIS WEEK –

Movie of the Week:
W.
Plot: Oliver Stone directs a film about the life and times of George Walker Bush (he’s the president).
Buzz: All signs point to Josh Brolin’s characterization of the president to be spot on. With Stone, it’s always about the buttons he’s attempting to push, not just the story.

Also Opening:
Max Payne
Sex Drive
The Secret Life of Bees
What Just Happened?

And we will have reviews of all the major movies this week.
Max Payne - McLaughlin (the gamer) and Bayer (the wanna-be gamer, but has never actually played the game)
Sex Drive - both him (Pardee) and her (McLaughlin) perspectivies
The Secret Life of Bees - Bayer
What Just Happened? - De Salvo
W. - De Salvo (it just made sense since he was already seeing one movie that started with a ‘w.’

And now ... Continue Reading

Quickcard Review

Body of Lies
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani
Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Rating: R

Plot: Ed Hoffman (Crowe) pulls the strings from afar, as Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) conducts high-risk missions in the Middle East in an attempt to take down terrorists. Things get complicated with Roger falls for Aisha (Golshifteh Farahani) and must make difficult decisions about who his friends and allies truly are.

Overall: There is definitely enough to keep you interested, but as soon as the film ends, its purpose instantly disappears. What’s the point? The fact that Roger could have turned to Ed and said, “I got to go see about a girl,” (stolen of course from Good Will Hunting), comes close to negating the impact this film should have. The story is the downfall here. DiCaprio’s accent fits better than it did in Blood Diamond, along with Crowe and his method-acting weight gain … both are very good. ... Continue Reading

I saw Crawford in the Spring at SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas. It’s a film all about the tiny little town of Crawford, TX and the man that moved there. It’s a good documentary that gives yet another angle to President George W. Bush and his political machine.

An independent film can be a tough sell and Crawford is the first film to make it’s debut on Hulu.com–a Web site completely worth checking out, if nothing else for it’s “Saturday Night Live” collection.

And here’s an email from the Crawford team … I recommend checking out the film on hulu.com.
After 3 years of filmmaking, we’re thrilled to say: CRAWFORD is yours!

On our new website you’ll find a beautiful double-disc DVD, replete with some truly incredible extras

If Clark Duke isn’t on your radar yet, just wait a year or so.

The up-and-coming actor/writer, who helped launch his career with the self-produced web series “Clark and Michael” with best friend Michael Cera, is starring in the new teen road trip flick Sex Drive. He’s also set to star in A Thousand Words next year alongside Eddie Murphy. In fact, at just 23, Duke has a long list of TV credits behind him and shows no signs of slowing down.

But when I got a a chance to speak with the actor about his new film and his plans for the future, he led me to believe his career may be headed in a different direction in the years to come.

Which kind of work do you prefer, Clark and Michael ... Continue Reading

Can we ignore the fact that Body of Lies failed to hit the top two at the box office this weekend? Instead let’s focus on the positive, like this Reuters article.

And by the way … this opening will kill chances for Body of Lies to get any notice come awards season. Unless this is a very poor year for Best Supporting Actor, and then maybe Russell Crowe and his 45 extra pounds will get a nomination.

By Bob Tourtellotte

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Born of Hollywood, acting as a teenager, Oscar-nominated by age 19, Leonardo DiCaprio is a product of the film studio’s star-making machine.

He made young women swoon in the biggest box office hit of all-time, 1997’s “Titanic,” but his youthful looks meant the transition to strong, leading man ... Continue Reading

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.

Movie producers still have no idea how to make a quality movie out of a video game. They tried for decades to figure out how to make a decent movie out of comic books and it looks like they have comic books figured out (Ironman, Spiderman, Hulk — 2008). There are some hopeful little glimmers on the horizon with Max Payne opening October 17, and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2009).

So, here it is: the Top 7 Movies Inspired By Video Games. Quality can’t be a necessity, because then there would be no list at all. Instead, I’m going to concentrate on the movies that came close (under the circumstances) to represent their namesake.

7. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider/Lara Croft: Cradle of Life

Recap:The ... Continue Reading

This Last Title
1 1 Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $17,511,000
2 N Quarantine - $14,200,000
3 N Body of Lies - $13,120,000
4 2 Eagle Eye - $11,015,000
5 3 Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - $6,500,000
6 N The Express - $4,731,000
7 4 Nights in Rodanthe - $4,610,000
8 5 Appaloosa - $3,340,000
9 20 The Duchess - $3,322,000
10 N City of Ember - $3,200,000

N = new release this week
Source: boxofficemojo.com

Do you feel that? That’s the misunderstanding of the world. A talking dog and a horror film beat out two of the biggest stars in the weekend box office.

I almost feel guilty. Here is the winning prediction from Box Office Preview - October 12, 2008 …
Jeff Bayer = 2 points.
1. Body of Lies
2. The Express
3. Beverly Hills Chihuahua
4. Eagle Eye
5. Quarantine

That’s right. Out of nine predictions, there was only one guess that was right. Eagle Eye in the four hole. ... Continue Reading

Body of Lies
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani
Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Rating: R

Plot: Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) and Ed Hoffman (Crowe) work to outsmart and defuse an effective terrorist cell.

Who’s It For? DiCaprio and Crowe fans, and anyone else who likes fast-paced espionage films.

Expectations: With the alchemical combination of DiCaprio, Crowe and director Ridley Scott, the film has to be rewarding on multiple levels. Scott would have to put a lot of effort into failing.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:

Leonardo DiCaprio as Roger Ferris: DiCaprio is a fine actor, and he has his strong moments in Body of Lies. At the same time ... Continue Reading

City of Ember
Directed by: Gil Kenan
Cast: Harry Treadaway, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Martin Landau
Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Rating: PG

Plot: The people of Ember have been in a wondrous underground city of years, but now it is starting to fall apart and it’s city lights are beginning to flicker. It’s up to two kids to try and figure out a way to solve the problem and find a way out of Ember. Based on the novel by Jeanne Duprau.

Who’s It For? The whole family. I know I sound like a billboard, but this genuinely is a film that will keep both kids and parents interested. The violence is minimal, mainly coming from a giant mole, and even if your little one is afraid of the dark, this film won’t traumatize them for life.

Expectations: I am always hopeful that a kids/family movie will do something beyond talking dogs (I’m looking at you Beverly Hills Chihuahua). ... Continue Reading

The Express
Directed by: Gary Fleder
Cast: Rob Brown, Dennis Quaid, Omar Benson Miller
Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
Rating: PG

Plot: The story of Ernie Davis, (Brown), the first African-American football player to win the Heisman Trophy. A discriminated halfback at Syracuse University, Davis tackled racial differences on and off the field whether it was from prejudiced referees and teammates, segregated hotels and businesses, or the entire state of Texas.

Who’s It For? The obvious bid is for football fans, but the power of this true story widens its audience to anyone who is willing to listen.

Expectations: Sports films tend to be cinematic MVPs, making true stories seem like the most formulaic kind of thing. But once we disregard the Hollywood-injected factors like predictability, the stories they tell are usually able to stand on their own. ... Continue Reading

Narrative Review

Body of Lies
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong
Time: 2 hrs
Rating: R

Our business in Iraq has always been a tough sell, even before our vain attempts to make movies about it. Hollywood has interpreted our presence in the Middle East in many ways, but few films were able to put up “Mission Accomplished” banners. Audiences didn’t care for the wimpy meow of Lions For Lambs; the controversial soldier re-enlistment film Stop-Loss (released to an audience that was MIA); and gung-ho disasters like The Kingdom, which were too busy with glorified violence to treat its mature themes seriously.

An adaptation of the novel by the same name, Body of Lies explodes into multiplexes and speaks the truth about the volcanic potential within such hot-topic films. This political action-thriller confirms that it’s possible for a flick to pack a message as tough as its punch, all while offering a unanimous, nonpartisan source of intelligent, gripping entertainment.

The film’s political points are sharpest in the beginning. Russell Crowe, as big-boned CIA operative Ed Hoffman, delivers a monologue concerning our presence in the Middle East, debating whether a reason to defend our work over there is even necessary. Throughout his speech, (which doubles as a visual introduction of his intelligence partner in Iraq, Roger Ferris, played by Leonardo DiCaprio), Hoffman argues for the sake of surveillance to fight terrorism by saying: “we must keep our foot on the enemy’s foot, or the world will change completely.” Body of Lies is a story about the toes that are stepped on in the process to keep such an imperative balance. ... Continue Reading

Movie of the Week:
Body of Lies
Plot: A CIA operative (Leonardo DiCaprio) uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan.
Buzz: Yeah, the plot is secondary. DiCaprio teaming up with Russel Crowe is the real interest here. And so far, when Ridley Scott directs Crowe, good things happen (Gladiator and American Gangster).

Also Opening:
City of Ember
The Express
Quarantine
Happy-Go-Lucky

The Beverly Hills Chihuahua must be stopped and DiCaprio plus Crowe should be enough to do the trick. Quarantine did not have an advanced screening in Portland or Chicago, so as always be careful with that.

We have two new writers joining our staff this week.
The reviews for the weekend…
Morrow McLaughlin - Body of Lies
Nick Allen - Body of Lies & The Express
Jeff Bayer - Happy-Go-Lucky & City of Ember

And now ... Continue Reading

The film Soul Men might have started out at a comedy-drama, but now it has a different meaning. Bernie Mac stars in the film and Issac Hayes has a cameo. Both are featured on the soundtrack. Stax Records will release the soundtrack on November 4. Here is a press release from Stax.
Authentic soul music and superstar musical performances are the consistent theme and backdrop for the side-splitting comedy, Soul Men, starring entertainment icons Bernie Mac, who passed away on August 9, and award-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson. The film also includes a cameo appearance by Isaac Hayes who died the day after Mac in unrelated circumstances. Soul Men, directed by Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man, Undercover Brother, Roll, Bounce) will be released November 7, 2008 nationwide (Dimension ... Continue Reading

WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, OCTOBER 3-5, 2008

1. Beverly Hills Chihuahua - $29.0 million
2. Eagle Eye - $17.7 million
3. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - $12.0 million
4. Nights in Rodanthe - $7.4 million
5. Appaloosa - $5.0 million

Source: BoxOfficeMojo.com

Beverly Hills Chihuahua also had the highest per screen average with over $9,000. Second was the limited release Bill Maher film Religulous at $6,972 per screen. Barely anyone say Flash of Genius or Blindness.

It’s like my own personal Apocalypse … Audiences flock to a film about a chihuahua, the Iowa Hawkeyes pretty much declare their season is over and the Chicago Cubs … sigh, let’s just say I am canceling my return trip to Chicago for the World Series.

But there is good news as well, the TSR staff won the Box ... Continue Reading

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.

The “Disney machine,” huge in both net worth and influence, is notorious for catching kids young, making them humongous stars then releasing them into the open waters of mainstream media. Once the chord is cut, it’s a toss up as to whether these freshly-baked celebrities will continue to grow their careers and join the ranks of the happy, healthy Hollywood royalty, or end up on the much longer list of child stars gone wrong. Or worse yet, gone nowhere at all.

Here’s a rundown of the Top 7 highest climbers (and hardest fallers) of Disney’s kin who made it out of the Magic Kingdom and found the grass greener on the other side of the moat. This isn’t a list of ... Continue Reading

Another huge slew of films hit theaters this weekend.

An American Carol
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Blindness
Flash of Genius
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Appaloosa

We did see everything except An American Carol and Beverly Hills Chihuahua. I can’t imagine anyone is sad about that.

And now it’s time for everyone’s (or at least 12 people’s) favorite new game …
Here’s how it works, just decide the order. Points are awarded as such …
#1 at the box office = 5 points
2 = 4 points
3 = 3 points
4 = 2 points
5 = 1 point

Your goal: Try to beat us. Our goal: Prove our dominance.
Currently our dominance has not been dominant. In fact, we are 0-2.

Dvaid Pohl
1. Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist
2. Beverly Hills Chihuahua
3. Eagle Eye
4. Flash of Genius
5. How to ... Continue Reading

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Directed by: Peter Sollett
Cast: Michael Cera, Kat Dennings, Alexis Dziena, Ari Graynor, Jay Baruchel
Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: Nick (Cera) is getting over his ex and Norah (Dennings) has baggage of her own. But when she asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for five minutes, they are thrust together in a New York City night of adventure in a world of mix tapes, drunk friends, and live music.

Who’s It For? This is ideally for the high school crowd, but should appeal to a wider audience. You’ll get more of the same from Cera (which is a good thing).

Expectations: I was so excited that I forced the wife to come along for the screening. I had a hope/hunch this could rise above the typical ... Continue Reading