The Scorecard Review

Austin It was a big day. One interview and four films scheduled. It all began with the documentary "Crawford." It was all about the city that George W. Bush made famous by moving there before his run for presidency. The film is definitely slanted a little to the left and the political conversation has been done before, but it does a good job of capturing the people of the small town and the time when Cindy Sheehan decided to set up her protest. Next I grabbed a bite at Joe's to enjoy the greatest tuna melt sandwich of all time, then I sprinted over to the Four Season's to interview Seann William Scott.

Ouch. Scott didn't show, it's all part of the business and I quickly shrugged it off and prepared to

Mar 11
Mar 11 SXSW 2008 - Day Three

Austin I have been excited about day light savings time for a while. In fact, I think it's George W. Bush's second best move as president. Here's my entire list of great things Bush has accomplished. 1. Gave more money toBono than any other president for AIDS in Africa. 2. Shorten day light savings time. That's it. That's the list.

Well, SXSW has a way of making someone forget about the rest of the world. I woke up at 9:15 a.m. which quickly became 10:15 a.m. once it dawned on me, and luckily I was able to make it to my 11 a.m. screening of "Some Assembly Required."

It's a documentary about middle school kids creating and designing a toy for a national competition. About 20 kids and teachers were in the audience

Mar 10
Mar 10 SXSW 2008 - Day Two

Austin I know you think Chicago does Mexican food well, but you're wrong. El Chilito is the perfect example of why. A small place just outside of the city and it has the best breakfast tacos and pork tacos I've ever had. Breakfast tacos are a standard out here, not a rarity. So the day started with El Chilito, and then I was off to interview Doug Benson, the pot-smoking star of "Super High Me."

Just like pot, and just like the movie, he was nice, relaxing, but really nothing was accomplished. Good times. He asked where I was from, and when I told him Chicago he said, "I'll be there performing April 4 and 5." And while I responded with a sorry, that I would be out of town (taking down

Mar 8
Mar 8 SXSW 2008 - Day One

Day One - SXSW (film festival in Austin, TX) I am popping my film festival cherry. I've been reviewing films for a couple years now and getting paid to attend a fest was a goal of mine. Plus, Texas in March, avoiding the hellacious Chicago winter... what could be better?

I arrived to 38 degree temperatures, rain, and an insane wind. It felt better in Chicago. Everyone I have met up with so far has said, "Thanks for bringing the weather with you." It's like there was a memo sent out, and that's the joke they all decided to go with.

Luckily Friday, with the start of the film festival came 60 degree temperatures. I was a beaver that was eager so I was one of the first in line to register. After

Mar 7
Mar 7 The Bank Job

Inspired by the true story of a 1971 London bank heist that goes terribly wrong, “The Bank Job” has it all: corruption, sex scandals, political intrigue, murder. Despite all of those wonderfully evil things, the film never takes off.

Jason Statham stars as Terry, a car dealer barely making ends meet. Martine (Saffron Burrows), a friend from the old neighborhood, brings Terry a foolproof plan to rob a bank. Terry is torn because he has a family, but the need to provide a better life leads him to get the old gang back together and pull off this “sure-fire” heist.

But as we all know, no bank heist is easy. Martine has some secrets up her sleeve, plus the royal family — and every criminal and politician in London, or so it seems — has something valuable within the targeted vault.

The problem with “The Bank Job” is that it’s not really about the bank job. As it turns out, the actual robbery is easy — it’s what comes after that’s intriguing. But the film takes way too long to get to the dirty, intense aftermath.

Mar 7
Mar 7 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Disheveled and worn down, Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) goes from bad to worse. Before the opening credits of “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” are finished, she gets fired from her job as a nanny, loses all of her possessions and can’t find a bite to eat.

Set in 1939 London, just as World War II is about to break out, Miss Pettigrew must try and make a go of it. What follows is an infectious comedy that becomes a wonderful drama.

Miss Pettigrew steals an employment assignment from her old boss and ends up at a penthouse attempting to become the “social secretary” for actress/singer Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams).

Immediately, we are bounced from one social gathering or high-society problem to another, mainly circling around Delysia’s multiple men.

First we meet Phil (Tom Payne), whom Delysia is trying to seduce in order to secure the lead in a play. Then there’s Nick (Mark Strong), the intimidating nightclub owner Delysia lives with and sings for. Lastly, we encounter sweet Michael (Lee Pace from “Pushing Daisies”), her devoted pianist.

Feb 22
Feb 22 Charlie Bartlett

Narrative Review In the first few minutes of the film, I want to pull Charlie aside and have a heart to heart. I want to explain to him he doesn't have to try so hard, and being popular really shouldn't be that important. But then we wouldn't have a movie now would we? "Charlie Bartlett" is an earnest attempt to tackle the glaring problem of over-medicating today's kids. Unfortunately, a genuine debate is never created, and our lead character isn't really that charming. Charlie (Anton Yelchin) is an optimist who dreams of being the popular kid. After getting kicked out of every prep school imaginable, he moves back home with his drunk mother (Hope Davis) and attends Western Summit High School, a public school run by a principal (Robert

Feb 16
Feb 16 6th Annual TSR Movie Awards - 2007

TSR Awards

And here is the list of winners…(on a scale of 1 to 10) Funniest - Juno 7.80 Scariest - No Country for Old Men 8 Saddest - Away From Her 7.78 Best Blockbuster - The Bourne Ultimatum 8.2 Best Music - Once 8.87 Most Disappointing - Spider-Man 3 6.2 Best Action Hero/Villian/Superhuman - Anton Chigurh - No Country for Old Men 9.31 Best Ending - Michael Clayton 8.13 Best Documentary - No End in Sight 7.8 Best Animated - Persepolis 8.71 Best Visuals: Special Effects - 300 8.36 Best Visuals: Non-Special Effects - There Will Be Blood 8.84 Best Screenplay: Adapted - No Country for Old Men 8.73 Best Screenplay: Original - Juno 8.72 Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett - I’m Not There 8.69 Best Supporting Actor - Javier Bardem (-) No Country for Old Men 9.39 Best Actress - Marion Cotillard (-) La Vie en Rose 9 Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis (-) There Will Be Blood 9.27 Best Acting - Entire Cast - No Country for Old Men 9.14 Best Film of 2007 - No Country for Old Men 9

Best Cameo - (Tie) Keith Richards - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End & Ryan Seacrest - Knocked Up

Quote of the Year - What’s the most you ever lost on a coin toss? - Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men

Feb 14
Feb 14 Definitely, Maybe

Narrative ReviewThe romantic comedy is a difficult beast to tame. Love Actually made it look easy; other films, such as 27 Dresses seem to run out of material too quickly. Definitely, Maybe takes a crack at getting some laughs, some tears and a little romance -- and it works. Definitely. Will (Ryan Reynolds) attempts to explain his past relationships and impending divorce to his 11-year-old daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin), with a twist -- he changes the names of his romantic partners and won't tell her which woman is her mother.

This sounds like a knock-off of the TV show "How I Met Your Mother," but quality performances across the board make this

Feb 8
Feb 8 Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show

Narrative ReviewWhen you hear the name Vince Vaughn, you expect laughter. That seems to be the rule now. Sure, for a while he attempted drama with a "Psycho" remake, "Clay Pigeons" and "Return to Paradise," but the public spoke with their wallets. None of those films made much money, and Vaughn returned to comedy with huge hits such as "Wedding Crashers." So who better than Vaughn to lead us through 30 cities in 30 days with four stand-up comedians? "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days and 30 Nights, Hollywood to the Heartland" is supposed to be a raucous ride of laughter, but it's thin on one important aspect: the jokes. Vaughn is joined by four stand-up comedians (Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst and Sebastian Maniscalco)

Jan 20
Jan 20 John Lehr - 10 Items or Less

Interviews

John Lehr would like to thank you and make sure you come again. The creator and star of “10 Items or Less,” the TBS sitcom about a local grocery store, is beginning the second season of the show. The comedy is almost all improv with no character dialogue written beforehand. Lehr has a history of TV -- and film and stage, for that matter -- and spent time in Chicago, attending Northwestern and performing improv. His wife, author Jennifer Lehr of “Ill-equipped for a Life of Sex: A Memoir,” is pregnant with their second child, and though he loves parenthood, Lehr vows his resolution this year “is to not have any more children. I’m getting it cut. Whatever it takes, I’m done.”

Jan 18
Jan 18 Mad Money