Film Journal International


Silliness reigns in David Gordon Green’s foul-mouthed fantasy spoof Your Highness, co-written by and starring Danny McBride, one of the more unique comic personalities working today.  It’s an almost deliberately messy and imperfect movie, but I laughed quite a bit, perhaps because I have a soft spot in my heart for the vintage ’80s fantasies its riffing on.  Read my mild defense of this proudly dumb comedy over at Film Journal.

Duncan Jones follows-up his strong feature debut Moon with another compelling story of a man betrayed by the institution that employs him.  Opening in theaters next Friday, April 1 (look for my review next week) Source Code plays as a Hitchcockian thriller with a Twilight Zone twist.  My interview with Jones and the film’s screenwriter Ben Ripley just went live over at Film Journal.

As is often the case, the trailers for Paul don’t really do the movie justice.  I won’t try to claim that the movie–which stars Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and the voice of Seth Rogen as the titular alien–is some kind of classic, but it’s an entirely enjoyable sci-fi comedy that benefits from a good cast and a lot of heart.  I explain my warm feelings towards this movie further in my review, just posted at Film Journal.

Last week’s big animated release Rango is one of my favorite films so far this year.  This week’s Mars Needs Moms, on the other hand, is currently tops my list of the year’s worst.  (Though, to be fair, I never saw Season of the Witch or The Rite.)  Read my review over at Film Journal and spend your money on something else this weekend.  May I recommend Rango?

Kevin Smith launched the latest phase of his career on Saturday night on Radio City Music Hall,  kicking off the Red State U.S.A. Tour, traveling roadshow built around his new film, Red State, which he’ll be self-distributing in the fall.  The film screened before 3800 Smith fans the writer/director took the stage afterwards for one of his famous Q&A’s.  Read my take on the event over at Film Journal International. 

After a lengthy stint on the shelf, the ’80s-set comedy Take Me Home Tonight arrives in theaters.  Was it worth the wait?  I reveal all in my review over at Film Journal.  (Short answer: not really.)

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost team up for their third big-screen outing, the sci-fi road comedy Paul, but sally forth without the aid of their longtime collaborator Edgar Wright.  Stepping into Wright’s place is director Greg Mottola, best known for helming Superbad and Adventureland.  I spoke with Mottola about the task of bringing Paul (which also stars Seth Rogen as the voice of the titular alien) to the big screen for Film Journal International.  Read the feature here and look for my review closer to the film’s March 18 release date.

Like most people, I assumed the Farrelly Brothers’ best days were behind them.  So imagine my surprise when their latest comedy, Hall Pass, turned out to be a modest pleasure.  It’s no There’s Something About Mary but at least it’s also no Shallow Hal.  Read my review over at Film Journal.

William Shakespeare’s immortal Romeo and Juliet becomes Gnomeo & Juliet a decidedly forgettable animated comedy that won’t linger in the memory for a day, let alone five centuries.  Read my review at Film Journal.

Blockbuster season stars earlier and earlier every year.  For example, 2011’s first big-budget sci-fi action/adventure franchise adventure I Am Number Four arrives on President’s Day weekend.  I interview the director of the movie, D.J. Caruso, over at Film Journal.

Also, if there are still tickets available, Brooklyn residents should try making their way to BAM tonight for a special screening of Gregg Araki’s new film Kaboom, a silly, winning comedy about a couple of college kids that may or may not be able to prevent the end of the world.  I spoke with Araki for this short piece in The Brooklyn Paper. A full review of Kaboom will be coming later today.

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