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2010 Oscar Shorts – Live Action Program – film reviews
Written on 18 Feb, 2010 at 21:41 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review The Door Directed by: Juanita Wilson and James Flynn Running Time: 17 minutes PLOT: In Russian (with subtitles), this is the story about a tragedy of a sick daughter and the tradition of a burial ceremony involving a door. OVERALL The beginning is easily... (Continue reading)
Oscar Shorts 2010 – Animated Program – film reviews
Written on 18 Feb, 2010 at 21:41 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 4 Comments
Quickcard Review French Roast Directed by: Fabrice O. Joubert Running Time: 8 minutes PLOT: A man is stuck at a cafe drinking coffee, trying to figure out how to pay after he loses his wallet. OVERALL This is CGI, but it’s below anything you’re used to... (Continue reading)
A Town Called Panic
Written on 14 Feb, 2010 at 11:21 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 1 Comment
Quickcard Review A Town Called Panic Directed by: Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar Cast: Horse, Indian, Cowboy Running Time: 1 hr 15 mins Rating: unrated COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival Country: Belgium PLOT: This stop-motion animated film tells the story of accidental troublemakers Indian and Cowboy.... (Continue reading)
The Wild Hunt
Written on 14 Feb, 2010 at 10:35 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review The Wild Hunt Directed by: Alexandre Franchi Cast: Mark A. Krupa, Tilo Horn, Ricky Mabe Running Time: 1 hr 35 min Rating: unrated COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival PLOT: A live action role-playing event goes out of whack after being infiltrated by... (Continue reading)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Written on 14 Feb, 2010 at 10:26 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 1 Comment
Quickcard Review The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Män Som Hatar Kvinnor) Directed by: Niels Arden Oplev Cast: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Peter Haber Running Time: 2 hr 30 min Rating: unrated COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival PLOT: A disgraced journalist is hired by... (Continue reading)
The Wedding Song
Written on 13 Feb, 2010 at 10:09 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review The Wedding Song Directed by: Karin Albou Cast: Lizzie Brochere, Olympe Borval Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: PG-13 COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival PLOT: When the Nazis occupy Tunisia, it strains the friendship of Myriam (Brochere), a young Jewess, and... (Continue reading)
Welcome
Written on 13 Feb, 2010 at 10:06 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Welcome Directed by: Philippe Loiret Cast: Vincent Lindon, Firat Ayverdi, Audrey Dana Running Time: 2hrs 15 min Rating: R COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival PLOT: Bilal (Ayverdi), a seventeen-year-old Kurdish refugee, arrives in France. He needs to get to London, where the... (Continue reading)
Bluebeard (Barbe Bleue)
Written on 12 Feb, 2010 at 7:00 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Bluebeard (Barbe Bleue) Directed by: Catherine Breillat Cast: Lola Créton, Daphné Baiwir, Dominique Thomas Running Time: 1 hr 20 min Rating: unrated COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival PLOT: Two little girls read the horrifying fairytale “Bluebeard” while hidden away in an attic,... (Continue reading)
A Prophet
Written on 11 Feb, 2010 at 14:31 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review A Prophet Directed by: Jacques Audiard Cast: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Hichem Yacoubi Running Time: 2 hr 30 mins Rating: PG-13 COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival Country: France PLOT: Frenchman Malik El Djebena (Rahim) is part Arab and part Corsican. He’s... (Continue reading)
Terribly Happy
Written on 11 Feb, 2010 at 14:30 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Terribly Happy Directed by: Henrik Ruben Genz Cast: Jakob Cedergren, Lene Maria Christensen, Kim Bodnia Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins Rating: Unrated COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival Country: Denmark PLOT: Robert (Cedergren) is a Copenhagen cop who gets transferred to a small,... (Continue reading)
Ajami
Written on 11 Feb, 2010 at 14:28 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Ajami Directed by: Scandar Copti, Yaron Shani Cast: Shahir Kabaha, Ibrahim Frege, Eran Naim Running Time: 2 hrs Rating: unrated COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival Country: Israel PLOT: Palestinians’ and Israelis’ lives intersect, usually in violent ways, in an interracial neighborhood in Tel... (Continue reading)
Sweetgrass
Written on 11 Feb, 2010 at 14:27 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Sweetgrass Directed by: Ilisa Barbash, Lucien Castaing-Taylor Cast: John Ahern, Pat Connolly, lots of sheep Running Time: 1 hr 40 min Rating: unrated COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival Country: United States PLOT: The filmmakers document the final 150 mile trek that two shepherds... (Continue reading)
For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism
Written on 11 Feb, 2010 at 14:27 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism Directed by: Gerald Peary Cast: Roger Ebert, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Molly Haskell Running Time: 1 hr 20 min Rating: unrated COMPLETE COVERAGE – 33rd Portland International Film Festival Country: United States PLOT: The history of film... (Continue reading)
The Young Victoria
Written on 31 Dec, 2009 at 6:00 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Cast: Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, Jim Broadbent
Running Time: 1 hr 59 mins
Rating: PG
Release Date: December 25, 2009
Final Score: 7/10... (Continue reading)
Sleepwalking Land
Written on 17 Dec, 2009 at 17:06 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Cast: Nick Lauro Teresa, Aladino Jasse, Helio Fumo
Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: December 18, 2009
Final Score: 5/10... (Continue reading)
The Messenger
Written on 4 Dec, 2009 at 8:08 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Cast: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton
Running Time: 1 hr 48 min
Rating: R
Release Date: December 4, 2009
Final Score: 8/10... (Continue reading)
My Time Will Come
Written on 4 Dec, 2009 at 8:07 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Cast: Manuel Calisto Sánchez, Ramiro Logroño, Randi Kraup
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min
Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: December 4, 2009
Final Score: 6/10... (Continue reading)
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Written on 28 Nov, 2009 at 15:16 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 9 Comments
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Michael Sheen
Running Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: November 20, 2009
Final Score: 5/10... (Continue reading)
Getting Home
Written on 27 Nov, 2009 at 8:38 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Getting Home (Luo Ye Gui Gen) Directed by: Zhang Yang Cast: Zhao Benshan, Hong Qiwen, Song Dandan Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes Rating: Unrated Release Date: November 27, 2009 Global Lens 2009 PLOT: An older man brings his dead friend to his home in the... (Continue reading)
More than a Game
Written on 20 Nov, 2009 at 8:39 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review More than a Game Directed by: Kristopher Belman Cast: Lebron James, Dru Joyce II, Dru Joyce III Running Time: 1 hr 45 min Rating: PG Release Date: October 2, 2009 PLOT: A documentary about five young men, including Lebron James, who play ball together from... (Continue reading)
The Men Who Stare At Goats
Written on 6 Nov, 2009 at 4:40 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Men Who Stare At Goats Directed by: Grant Heslov Cast: Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins Rating: R Release Date: November 6, 2009 PLOT: Based on the true story by Jon Ronson, it’s a story about a... (Continue reading)
Fish Tank – CIFF Quickcard Review
Written on 30 Oct, 2009 at 4:03 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review – Chicago International Film Festival Review Fish Tank Directed by: Andrea Arnold Cast: Katie Jarvis, Michael Fassbender Running Time: 2 hrs, 3 mins Rating: R PLOT: A 15-year-old girl (Jarvis) who lives with her mother and sister in public housing has dreams of becoming... (Continue reading)
Gigante – CIFF Quickcard Review
Written on 25 Oct, 2009 at 20:06 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review – Chicago International Film Festival Quickcard Gigante Directed by: Adrian Biniez Cast: Hermando Camadule, Leonor Svarcas Running Time: 1 hr 25 mins Rating: NR PLOT: A department store security guard has a crush on a janitor he monitors. But he can only watch her,... (Continue reading)
Saw VI
Written on 24 Oct, 2009 at 15:20 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 4 Comments
Quickcard Review Saw VI Directed by: Kevin Greutert Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Mark Rolston, Shawnee Smith Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: R Release Date: October 23, 2009 PLOT: Jigsaw blah blah blah death traps and torture blah blah blah sixth installment in the horror... (Continue reading)
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire – CIFF Quickcard Review
Written on 24 Oct, 2009 at 11:07 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 4 Comments
Quickcard Review – Chicago International Film Festival Review Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire Directed by: Lee Daniels Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins Rating: R Release Date: November 6, 2009 CLICK HERE for interviews with Tyler... (Continue reading)
The House of the Devil – CIFF Quickcard Review
Written on 23 Oct, 2009 at 3:00 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review – Chicago International Film Festival Review The House of the Devil Directed by: Ti West Cast: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Greta Gerwig Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: R Release Date: October 30, 2009 (Limited) Complete coverage of the Chicago International Film... (Continue reading)
Shorts 2: Animation Nations – CIFF Quickcard Review
Written on 16 Oct, 2009 at 8:50 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
One of the best ways to experience the abundance of creativity that runs rampant in a film festival is with a collection of shorts. In the case of Shorts 2: Animation Nations, fresh filmmaking is freed from the standards of... (Continue reading)
Law Abiding Citizen
Written on 16 Oct, 2009 at 7:05 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 1 Comment
Quickcard Review Law Abiding Citizen Directed by: F. Gary Gray Cast: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Colm Meaney, Leslie Bibb Running Time: 1 hr. 48 mins. Rating: R Release Date: October 16, 2009 PLOT: A man (Butler) decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea... (Continue reading)
An Education – CIFF Quickcard Review
Written on 12 Oct, 2009 at 16:18 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review – Chicago International Film Festival Review An Education Directed by: Lone Scherfig Cast: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins Rating: PG-13 Release Date: Oct 12, 2009 (CIFF) Oct 16, 2009 (Limited) CLICK HERE for complete TSR coverage of the Chicago... (Continue reading)
Antichrist – CIFF Quickcard Review
Written on 12 Oct, 2009 at 16:16 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review – Chicago International Film Festival Review Antichrist Directed by: Lars von Trier Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe Running Time: 1 hr, 50 mins Rating: NC-17 Release Date: Oct 12, 2009 (CIFF) Oct 23, 2009 (Limited) CLICK HERE for complete TSR coverage of the Chicago International Film... (Continue reading)
Paranormal Activity
Written on 11 Oct, 2009 at 17:16 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 21 Comments
Quickcard Review Paranormal Activity Directed by: Oren Peli Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs Running Time: 1 hr. 30 mins Rating: R Release Date: 10/09/09 CLICK HERE to read Morrow McLaughlin complete TSR PLOT: Micah (Micah Sloat) decides to video tape the paranormal experiences that are occurring... (Continue reading)
Big Fan
Written on 2 Oct, 2009 at 13:18 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Big Fan Directed by: Robert D. Siegel Cast: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Rapaport, Marcia Jean Kurtz Running Time: 1 hr. 28 mins Rating: R Release Date: October 2, 2009 PLOT: Paul (Oswalt) is a die-hard football fan and his team is the New York... (Continue reading)
Toy Story 2 in 3D
Written on 2 Oct, 2009 at 8:00 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Toy Story 2 in 3D Directed by: John Lasseter Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Wayne Knight Running Time: 1 hr 15 min Rating: G Release Date: October 2, 2009 PLOT: When Woody (Hanks) attempts to rescue a toy in distress, he is... (Continue reading)
Toy Story in 3D
Written on 2 Oct, 2009 at 7:56 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Toy Story in 3D Directed by: John Lasseter Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles Running Time: 1 hr 15 min Rating: G Release Date: October 2, 2009 PLOT: A cowboy toy named Woody (Hanks) is threatened when a new, spiffy space toy replaces him as... (Continue reading)
World’s Greatest Dad
Written on 18 Sep, 2009 at 3:53 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
World’s Greatest Dad Directed by: Bobcat Goldthwait Cast: Robin Williams, Alexie Gilmore, Daryl Sabara Running Time: 1 hr 39 mins Rating: R Release Date: September 4, 2009 Plot: Robin Williams stars as Lance Clayton, a writer who has learned to settle into his role as a... (Continue reading)
Thirst (Bakjwi)
Written on 5 Sep, 2009 at 15:58 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Thirst (Bakjwi) Directed by: Park Chan-wook Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Ok-vin, Kim Hae-sook Running Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Rating: R Release Date: August 21, 2009 Plot: Priest Sang-hyon (Song) offers himself as a guinea pig in an experimental treatment for a deadly disease.... (Continue reading)
Post Grad
Written on 21 Aug, 2009 at 7:30 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Post Grad Directed by: Vicky Jenson Cast: Alexis Bledel, Zach Gilford, Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: PG-13 Release Date: August 21, 2009 Plot: Ryden Malby (Bledel) graduates from college and is forced to move back into her childhood... (Continue reading)
Adam
Written on 13 Aug, 2009 at 20:00 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Adam Directed by: Max Mayer Cast: Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher Running Time: 1 hr 37 mins Rating: PG-13 Release August 21, 2009 (Portland) CLICK HERE to read De Salvo’s complete Scorecard Review – 8/10 CLICK HERE to read De Salvo’s interview with Hugh Dancy... (Continue reading)
Ink
Written on 30 Jul, 2009 at 14:27 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 1 Comment
Quickcard Review Ink Directed by: Jamin Winans Cast: Chris Kelly, Jessica Duffy, Quinn Hunchar, Jeremy Make Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: Unrated Release Date: July 24, 2009 CLICK HERE to read Megan Lehar’s complete Scorecard Review Plot: A small budget sci-fi flick where a child’s soul... (Continue reading)
The Hurt Locker
Written on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:05 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review The Hurt Locker Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow Cast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty Running Time: 2 hrs 11 mins Rating: R Release Date: July 10, 2009 PLOT: Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner) becomes the new team leader for an Army bomb squad in... (Continue reading)
Away We Go
Written on 17 Jul, 2009 at 13:57 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Away We Go Directed by: Sam Mendes Cast: Maya Rudolph, John Krasinski, Maggie Gyllenhall, Allison Janney Time: 1 hr 37 mins Rating: R Release Date: June 5, 2009 Plot: Burt (Krasinski) and Verona (Rudolph) are a young couple looking for a place to call home... (Continue reading)
Whatever Works
Written on 26 Jun, 2009 at 4:57 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Whatever Works Directed by: Woody Allen Cast: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr. Running Time: 1 hr 32 mins Rating: PG-13 Release Date: June 26, 2009 Click here to read Nick Allen’s complete Scorecard Review of Whatever Works Plot: Boris (David) is... (Continue reading)
Imagine That
Written on 13 Jun, 2009 at 9:12 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Imagine That Directed by: Karey Kirkpatrick Cast: Eddie Murphy, Yara Shahidi, Thomas Hayden Church, Nicole Ari Parker Running Time: 1 hr. 40 mins Rating: PG Release Date: June 12, 2009 Plot: Evan (Murphy) is a successful financial executive who is obsessed with work. But it’s... (Continue reading)
Up – Disney Digital 3D
Written on 12 Jun, 2009 at 1:00 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 4 Comments
Quickcard Review Up – Disney Digital 3D Directed by: Pete Docter Cast: (Voices) Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins Rating: PG Release Date: May 29, 2009 Click here For Megan Lehar’s complete Scorecard Review of Up Click here for the He Said... (Continue reading)
Fados
Written on 29 May, 2009 at 0:07 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Fados Directed by: Carlos Saura Cast: Lila Downs, Carlos Do Carmo, Lura Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: Unrated Release Date: May 30, 2009 Plot: Fados is a collection of performance pieces of “fados”, a kind of Portugese folk song. The pieces come together... (Continue reading)
Disney’s Earth
Written on 22 Apr, 2009 at 11:34 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 4 Comments
Quickcard Review Disney's Earth Directed by: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins Rating: G Plot: The first documentary from Disney Nature, shows the life of animals on our planet for one year, with the focus on polar bears, elephants and whales. Who’s... (Continue reading)
Dragonball: Evolution
Written on 11 Apr, 2009 at 10:39 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review Dragonball: Evolution Directed by: James Wong Cast: Justin Chatwin, Jamie Chung, Chow Yun Fat, Emmy Rossum Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: PG Plot: A young man (Chatwin) trained in super martial arts must stop an ancient evil force from ending the world. Who’s... (Continue reading)
Sunshine Cleaning
Written on 9 Apr, 2009 at 8:23 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Sunshine Cleaning Directed by: Christine Jeffs Cast: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: R Plot: Rose Lorkowski (Adams) works as a house cleaner to support her son. Her sister, Norah (Blunt), is recently unemployed... (Continue reading)
The Haunting in Connecticut
Written on 27 Mar, 2009 at 8:52 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 1 Comment
Quickcard Review The Haunting in Connecticut Directed by: Peter Cornwell Cast: Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Elias Koteas Time: 1 hr 20 min Rating: PG 13 CLICK HERE for Morrow McLaughlin's complete Scorecard Review Plot: A teenager (Gallner) has cancer, and the family moves closer to... (Continue reading)
I Love You, Man
Written on 20 Mar, 2009 at 9:46 in Film Reviews | viewed times | 0 Comments
Quickcard Review I Love You, Man Directed by: John Hamburg Cast: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: R Plot: Now that Peter (Rudd) is engaged, he realizes he needs a best man. But he really doesn't have any guy... (Continue reading)