Movie Review: 'From Up On Poppy Hill'
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Thursday, March 28, 2013
'Retaliation': Harsh Payback For Poor G.I. Joe
March 28, 2013 The producers spent $135 million on 'splosions, 3-D effects, and ... oh, right, actors. But they might as well have used actual action figures in G.I. Joe: Retaliation, a stiffly ridiculous exercise in moving Hasbro merchandise.
'The Place Beyond The Pines': It's A Far Piece
March 28, 2013 Topical and tough, the latest from Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance is a self-conscious drama that seems to long for a healthy dose of old-school movie macho. The story of a retired circus performer and the cop who tails him stretches across generations — but the audience might not be willing to wait that long.
There's Madcap, And Then There's Plain 'Mental'
March 28, 2013 There's a talented group of actors running around in the Australian comedy Mental. But generalized manic mayhem cedes focus to the story of one slightly unsound family — which quickly escalates into one terribly messy movie.
Friday, March 22, 2013
'The Croods': 3-D Cartoon Cavemen For The Whole Family
March 22, 2013 What's a road trip comedy without roads, cars or cities? The Croods is a good guess. An all-star cast and arresting 3-D graphics show this fun family film with Neanderthal roots is ultimately meant to launch a new franchise —which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
With Vengeance And Violence, 'Olympus Has Fallen' Flat
March 22, 2013 This macho action film starring Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman is a vigilante fantasy about terrorists and turncoats invading the United States. It's a popular genre, but critic David Edelstein says he's tired of the American addiction to these tropes.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
'Olympus Has Fallen' (Into Cold-War Traps)
March 21, 2013 There was a time when foreign invasion was a huge American concern. Now is not that time — but you could have fooled the makers of the crass, jingoistic Olympus Has Fallen, a sharp retreat to an era of military-fueled paranoia.
A 'Hunky Dory' High School Musical
March 21, 2013 As chipper and breezy as the summer term its students long to escape, the indie musical Hunky Dory cheerfully ignores the consequences of its plot holes. A spirited performance from Minnie Driver holds interest, though, as does a David Bowie-focused Shakespearean musical.
A 'Devil' In The Details Of A Brotherly Rivalry
March 21, 2013 The authentic grit of modern London is a plus in Sally El Hosaini's debut feature, My Brother the Devil. What's less successful is her attempt to break storytelling conventions; a intriguing concept and a smart setup subside into familiar sibling-rival storytelling by the film's end.
An 'Admission' That Moms Might Not Know Best
March 21, 2013 A new comedy starring Tina Fey and Lily Tomlin levies barbs at overactive parents in the college application process. It's a lively satire until it careens into typical rom-com territory: Can't modern women have a successful work-life balance without going insane?
'Spring Breakers': A Square Trip To The Seamy Side
March 21, 2013 Harmony Korine's splashy crime comedy Spring Breakers has made headlines for its surprising, sexualized use of Disney-certified starlets. It packs a few surprises, but the violent, bloody film ultimately tries a little too hard to be truly avant-garde.
'No Place On Earth': Underground, A Story Of Survival
March 21, 2013 Director Janet Tobias frames an indelible story of two families living in Eastern European caves early in World War II; spelunker Christopher Nicola discovered the hideout more than two decades ago.
'Gimme The Loot': The Tagger's Life, Lightly
March 21, 2013 The Bronx and its graffiti artists get a cheery, charming portrait in writer-director Adam Leon's debut feature, Gimme the Loot. Echoing the films of Richard Linklater in its vibrant authenticity, the film captivates in an agreeable 81 minutes. (Recommended)
Friday, March 15, 2013
'Ginger & Rosa': Life And Times In Cold War London
March 15, 2013 Cold War tensions and the sexual revolution artfully frame Sally Potter's thoughtful historical drama Ginger & Rosa. With plenty of room for its two young leads to stretch, the film takes a careful look at coming-of-age crises in a time of epic change.
Three New Films Examine What It Means When Girls Act Out
March 15, 2013 Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, Sally Potter's Ginger & Rosa and Cristian Mungiu's Beyond the Hills are wildly different films, yet they share a common impulse: to demonstrate indelibly how for girls, behaving outrageously is still a political act.
