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Parcbench’s Guide to the Obscure Oscar Nominees!
On March 5, 2010 at 6:13 am
When it comes to the office Oscar contest… or the dormitory Oscar contest… or even an online Oscar contest… there are always a couple categories that are a total guess: Best Live-Action Short Subject, and Best Animated Short Subject are two examples. Who ever really sees any of these films, right? But now, with your [...]
Hollywood Interview: writer/director Cyrus Nowrasteh Part Two
On March 2, 2010 at 8:05 am
Continued from Part One. Chris Yogerst: I was also pleasantly surprised with Marno’s performance, I won’t soon forget it. You did a magnificent job with your entire cast and it shines through in this film. How has “Soraya” been received by Iranian and other Middle Eastern audiences? Cyrus Nowrasteh: The film was banned in Iran [...]
“Cop Out” (Film Review)
On at 7:04 am
* ½ (out of 4) Director: Kevin Smith Starring: Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan Rated: R (strong language, violence, sexuality) With “Cop Out,” director Kevin Smith (the guy recently kicked off Southwest Airlines for being too heavy) attempts to bring back the buddy-cop genre and fires a blank. Usually he does a good job directing his [...]
Hollywood Interview: writer/director Cyrus Nowrasteh Part One
On March 1, 2010 at 8:18 am
Cyrus Nowrasteh is a graduate of the prestigious USC film school and is a screenwriter and director in Hollywood. Nowrasteh both wrote and directed The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001), which starred Richard Dreyfuss and was produced by Oliver Stone. He has spent decades in the industry and has been in the headlines in recent [...]
“Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” (Film Review)
On February 23, 2010 at 9:09 am
** ½ (out of 4) Director: Chris Columbus Starring: Logan Lerman, Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman Rick Riordan’s wildly popular book has been turned into a less than perfect movie under the direction of Chris Columbus. Imagine that – the director of the first two “Harry Potter” films taking on a very successful series of fantasy/adventure [...]
“Shutter Island” (Review)
On February 19, 2010 at 8:56 am
There are four words that should get the attention of most film lovers: Directed by Martin Scorsese. Over the years Scorsese has gained a reputation for lengthy, stylish and violent films. Most famous are his gangster flicks. However, when he steps out from his comfort zone, he is also known to deliver. Many critics have [...]
The Fate of Roger Ebert’s Legacy
On February 18, 2010 at 6:00 am
“I’m so relieved to be an elite” –tweet from Roger Ebert Most public figures have done or said something they wish they could take back. When it comes to public intellectuals and film critics specifically, they generally pride themselves on their ability to analyze what they see. Therefore, their responses to culture should be very [...]
“The Last Station” (Film Review)
On February 16, 2010 at 8:57 am
*** ½ (out of 4) Starring: Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy Director: Michael Hoffman Rating: R (strong language, brief nudity) Just think – you can now scan the movie listings and announce (a little smugly) “I really want to see the Tolstoy flick!” Seriously, you really can. I highly recommend it. Here’s why… As [...]
“FROZEN” (Film Review)
On February 15, 2010 at 11:37 am
**½ (out of 4) Director: Adam Green Rated: R (strong language, disturbing images) “Frozen” (which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival) stars Shawn Ashmore (“X Men”), Emma Bell, and Kevin Zeger. It tells the harrowing story of three skiers who are stranded on a chairlift. It’s just another day on the slopes for the three [...]
“The Wolfman” (Review)
On February 12, 2010 at 9:13 am
I don’t remember hearing anyone ask for a remake of The Wolfman. Monster films have been around for a long time and their source material since time immemorial. What reigns today are a myriad of remakes that fail to live up to the originals. The Wolfman is the latest monster to rise up once again [...]
The Blind Side: Inspiring, Illuminating and Instructive
On February 11, 2010 at 5:30 am
As someone with a strong aversion to liberal orthodoxy — no matter how subtle — masquerading as entertainment in major motion pictures, I can count on my hand the number of yearly visits I make to the movie theater. Contrary to popular media opinion, even politically astute conservatives enjoy a little escapism every now and [...]
“Dear John” (Film Review)
On February 10, 2010 at 6:00 am
** (out of 4 stars) Starring: Channing Tatum, Amanda Seyfried Director: Lasse Hallström Rating: PG-13 (for some sensuality and violence) “Dear John” is nothing to write home about. It is the latest movie based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, but it just doesn’t have the cast or emotional pull of “The Notebook.” Still, it is [...]
From Paris With Love (Review)
On February 5, 2010 at 9:19 am
Action films are usually hit and miss with most people. They can be great (like The Hurt Locker) or painful to watch (like Transformers 2:Revenge of the Fallen). The genre has always had a split audience and too many films fall right in the middle. We know that not all action films are created equal [...]
The 2010 Academy Awards: Who Got Snubbed?
On February 3, 2010 at 8:28 am
The mother of all awards shows announced their nominations yesterday. But it’s definitely not the awards themselves that make it the most dreaded and anticipated awards show of the year. It’s all the rest of it: the betting pools, the red carpet blather, the fashion disasters, the cut-off acceptance speeches, and the atrocious musical performances. [...]
“EDGE OF DARKNESS” (Film Review)
On February 1, 2010 at 9:05 am
* * * (out of 4) Rating: PG-13 (brief violence, drug and sexual references) Director: Martin Campbell After a spiral of violent murders, close calls, conspiracy theories and political twists, Mel Gibson corners an adversary and announces “You’d better decide whether you’re hangin’ on the cross or bangin’ the nails.” At this point, you can’t [...]
Is Tarantino’s ‘Inglourious Basterds’ Truly Glorious?
On January 29, 2010 at 9:26 am
It seems that the only thing more controversial in the discussion of film lately than Ben Shapiro’s list of most overrated directors is Quentin Tarantino’s Inlgourious Basterds. After receiving some Critic’s Choice awards, the film is once again an object of debate. The awards do not surprise those who love it, but there are still [...]
