By Jason Rugaard | Sunday, February 28th, 2010
2 1/2 Stars
An atmospheric look and clever use of lighting and sound design elevate an uninspired script by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self. Director Joe Johnston keeps the narrative moving along at a brisk pace. However the gratuitous violence sometimes depicted as cartoonish and other times gruesomely realistic, rob the film of any consistent tone. Benicio Del Toro is mis-cast as an English heir who is bitten by the Wolf and quickly begins transforming into a night creature himself. Anthony Hopkins seems to be the only one in on the joke playing his character (appropriately) in the vein – Continue reading…
Reclaiming the Blade (2009) – Review
By Jason Rugaard | Sunday, February 28th, 2010
3 Stars
Daniel McNicoll’s exhaustively researched and often intriguing documentary examines the history of the sword and attempts to shed light on the overlooked world of Western Martial Arts. The film traces the lineage of the weapon through its various stages of importance to prominence on the silver screen. Stars Viggo Mortensen and Karl Urban pop up to deliver amusing and insightful anecdotes about legendary fight choreographer Bob Anderson (the guy inside the Darth Vader suit!). Detailed chronicling of the European fighting techniques and varying schools of thoughts are well handled and delivered clearly in the hands of McNicoll. A – Continue reading…
The English Surgeon (2007) – Review
By Trevor Anderson | Friday, February 26th, 2010
3 1/2 Stars
Following brain surgeon Henry Marsh through his desperate attempt to help those in need in the Ukraine, The English Surgeon paints an incredible picture of life and loss. This is the type of documentary that can bring a smile to your face and tears to your eyes without being preachy. Mr. Marsh is an entertaining character throughout the film. The movie builds up to an amazing brain surgery scene, in which Marsh operates on a fully awake man under cramped and poor conditions. On our journey towards this climactic scene we see how the poor Ukraine medical – Continue reading…
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) – Review
By Jason Rugaard | Thursday, February 25th, 2010
2 Stars
A very adult (rated PG-13) new feature length animated film from DC Comics and Warner Bros, results in a mixed bag. The re-teaming of premiere graphic artist illustrator Jeph Loeb and the voice talents of Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy are the film’s greatest assets. Every shot is fluid and beautifully rendered, serving as a great reminder of the charm in 2D hand drawn animation. The kind Disney released every summer before PIXAR ruled the mouse house. Loeb along with co-writer Ed McGuiness have set their story in a Metropolis suffering from the same ills as America, skyrocketing – Continue reading…
Shutter Island (2010) – Review
By Jason Rugaard | Thursday, February 25th, 2010
2 Stars
The fourth collaboration between star Leonardo DiCaprio and veteran director Martin Scorsese is a major disappointment. This ranks amongst the worst film of either’s career. Any pre-release buzz suggesting possible Oscar contention is quickly dispelled, after a series of awkward scenes in the opening twenty minutes. DiCaprio plays Federal Marshall Teddy Daniels who’s investigating the disappearance of a mental patient on the mysterious Shutter’s Island. Ben Kingsley is wonderfully seductive in the role of Dr. Cawley, the head psychiatrist of the mental facility. The acting is effective down the line, its Scorsese’s directorial choices that ultimately sink the – Continue reading…
Jennifer’s Body (2009) – Review
By Trevor Anderson | Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
1 Star
Everyone loved the dialogue from Juno, but Diablo Cody’s cheap Joss Whedon wannabe talk is never at its worst than in Jennifer’s Body. Hats off to casting Megan Fox though, who’s vapid personality actually suites Cody’s words. There are some choice lines spoken by Fox’s character in the film, but they are lost in an ocean of bad ones. Never really funny, scary or just plain entertaining, this movie is a complete mess. Although I will admit the basic idea is quite intriguing. What would happen if you tried to sacrifice a virgin to the devil to gain – Continue reading…
By Jason Rugaard | Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Vinnie Varone is an actor and stuntman. His television appearances include Dollhouse, The Mentalist and Monk. He has worked alongside Micheal Madsen in the films Hired Gun and Outrage.
Jason: Mr. Varone do you consider yourself an actor who also happens to perform stunts, or a stuntman by nature who also can act?
Vinnie: Twenty years ago I was a stuntman who liked to act a little bit, but as time goes by and I learn more about the business of acting, I love acting a lot more. So I’m an ACTOR who can take a punch or do a fall. – Continue reading…
The Village Barbershop (2008) – Review
By Trevor Anderson | Monday, February 22nd, 2010
4 Stars
John Ratzenberger gives the performance of his career as a small town barber who’s recent loss of his long-time partner and friend turns his world upside down. Content on living his life as he always had, going through the motions as he and his late wife used to, its no wonder that he fights off the idea of hiring a young female barber played by Shelly Cole. But once involved in his life, he finds it much harder to rid himself of her as he has most others. Ms. Cole is fairly unknown, her most notable role being – Continue reading…
Animated Critics – Ep 2: The 2010 Oscars
By T vs J | Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Animated Critics – Ep 2: The 2010 Oscars
T and J discuss the upcoming 2010 Oscars.
Race To Witch Mountain (2009) – Review
By Jason Rugaard | Monday, February 22nd, 2010
1 1/2 Stars
Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson’s second film in a row under the Disney banner is an uninvolving bore. Admittedly I’m not the target audience for the picture. However I have been a fan of Johnson’s films, including his first foray into family friendly territory 2007’s ‘The Game Plan’. Unlike that film Johnson isn’t given a chance here to display his first rate comic timing, multiple appearances on ‘SNL’ have proven this guy is a clown in a gladiator’s body. The plot centers on a Las Vegas cabbie (Johnson) compelled to protect two aliens, in the form of children, – Continue reading…
By Jason Rugaard | Monday, February 22nd, 2010
3 Stars
The re-teaming of stars Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson results in a pleasantly diverting 90 minutes. The script has the two leads cast as newly divorced treasure hunters searching for sunken Spanish gold lost centuries ago somewhere in the Caribbean. Director Andy Tennant best known for the smash –‘HITCH’, brings a light comic touch and assured direction to the proceedings. The exotic tropical locations are handsomely photographed by veteran DP Don Burgess. Adding to the fun in supporting roles is Donald Sutherland (well cast) as an aging billionaire and Alexis Dziena who’s excellent as a ditzy – Continue reading…
Animated Critics – Ep 1: Mission Impossible 4
By T vs J | Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Animated Critics – Ep 1: Mission Impossible 4
T and J discuss the current news that Tom Cruise is signed on for the fourth Mission Impossible installment.
Rajan: i am sure a certain harrison ford will equal that record. Stallone becomes 1st Movie Star to Headline #1 Openings in last 5 Decades – News