James Mangold, director of Walk the Line and 3:10 to Yuma, takes his first crack at a summer blockbuster with the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz chase picture Knight and Day. Read my interview with Mangold at Film Journal International.
Tue 22 Jun 2010
The Not-So-Dark-Knight
Posted by Ethan under Features, Film Journal International
Comments Off on The Not-So-Dark-Knight
Fri 18 Jun 2010
Old Friends
Posted by Ethan under Film Review, NYC Film Critic
1 Comment
Toy Story 3
Directed by Lee Unkrich
Written by Michael Arndt
Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack and Ned Beatty
***1/2
You know, the world probably didn’t need a Toy Story 3. After all, its predecessor, 1999’s Toy Story 2, brought the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of Andy’s toys to a wholly satisfying and very emotional conclusion. Then again, one could argue that Toy Story 2 wasn’t necessary either since the first Toy Story—the film that put Pixar Animation Studios on the map way back in 1995—did the exact same thing. And that’s what separates this exceptional filmmaking collective from most other production companies out there right now: they make sure that each film works entirely on its own terms, even when that film is a sequel.
Fri 18 Jun 2010
Woah Cowboy!
Posted by Ethan under Film Journal International, Film Review
Comments Off on Woah Cowboy!
A comic-book cowboy few people have heard of gets a movie that nobody will see. Because it’s pretty terrible. Read my review over at Film Journal.
Tue 15 Jun 2010
Doc-U-Rama
Posted by Ethan under Film Review, NYC Film Critic
1 Comment
Fri 11 Jun 2010
Wax On, Wax Off
Posted by Ethan under Film Review, NYC Film Critic
[6] Comments
The Karate Kid
Directed by Harold Zwart
Screenplay by Christopher Murphey
Starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson
**
Released in the summer of 1984, The Karate Kid remains a convincing and well-crafted coming-of-age story, a genre that’s often runs the risk of succumbing to contrivance and corn.
Thu 10 Jun 2010
Not Bringing Their A-Game
Posted by Ethan under Film Journal International, Film Review
Comments Off on Not Bringing Their A-Game
The ’80s action-adventure show heads to the big screen courtesy of co-writer/director Joe Carnahan and I pity the fool who forks over good money to see it. Read my review over at Film Journal.
Mon 7 Jun 2010
Firing Blanks
Posted by Ethan under Film Journal International, Film Review
Comments Off on Firing Blanks
Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl make an excellent case for divorce as a mismatched married couple in the resoundingly unfunny action comedy Killers. Read my review at Film Journal.
Sat 5 Jun 2010
Science is Real
Posted by Ethan under Film Review, NYC Film Critic
Comments Off on Science is Real
Whiz Kids
Directed by Tom Shepard
Co-Director: Tina DiFeliciantonio
Written and Edited by Jane C. Wagner
***
Growing up, I was never what you’d call a science whiz. I was interested in the subject sure, but didn’t have a real aptitude for it. In high school, biology and chemistry class were the twin banes of my existence and I never bothered to try my hand at senior-year physics. The pattern repeated itself in college, where I made sure to find the least intensive science courses possible to fulfill those credit requirements. (In my freshman year, I did take a chance and enrolled in a cosmology course only to drop it after barely being able to answer a single question on the first exam.) Even though science isn’t my field, I’ve always had an admiration for the folks that do find pleasure and passion in it, because those are the people who are really going to be changing the world while the rest of us enjoy the benefits of their accomplishments.
Fri 4 Jun 2010
Dog Pound
Posted by Ethan under Film Journal International, Film Review
Comments Off on Dog Pound
Remember Marmaduke? You know, the comic strip about the clumsy Great Dane that’s always causing trouble? Doesn’t ring a bell? Well, then I guess there’s no need for you to see the movie then, huh? Good choice! If you still need more convincing, read my review over at Film Journal.
Thu 3 Jun 2010
Get Going to the Greek
Posted by Ethan under Film Journal International, Film Review
Comments Off on Get Going to the Greek
Forgetting Sarah Marshall veterans Russell Brand, Nicholas Stoller, Judd Apatow and Jonah Hill reunite for a kinda, sorta sequel that’s more of a road trip than a rom-com. My mostly favorable review is up at Film Journal.
