Love Is A Temple

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Where The Wild Things Are (3/5)

I was not surprised that a film based on a twelve sentence picture book had a fairly thin plot, but I was surprised how quickly things went dull. The visuals were certainly ace–but only held attention for a few minutes. I did my best to search out deeper subject matter: communism, war, religion, despotism. In the end, I think the film is about a kid with a great imagination, the end. This would make a great trailer; and it did.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

Tyson (3/5)

Tyson is a very conflicted person as one would suspect. His bi-polar nature is impossible to miss–he hates women, himself, boxing, money, and then two moments later he swears he can’t live without them. I think I pity him more than anything. This film is 90% interview with the aging boxer, and makes great use of clever editing and camera work to keep it visually interesting. It is refreshing–as I seem to often point out–when a star such as this is willing to speak honestly about his shortcomings, his venereal diseases, his opinion of others (King and Washington are given very choice words), and how he performed fellatio on a woman (sic). Finishing school is for Nashville recording artists (my words). He’ll eat your children (his words). Like Chaplin, this film gave clear evidence that the gifted can often become obsessive, and lose sight of life’s priorities.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

Point Break (3/5)

I wanted to love Katheryn Bigelow’s classic camp film from 1991, but the action is very average and romantic subplot is deathly flat. But, on full display is the perfectly wooden performances by the inimitable Gary Busey and Keanu Reeves.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

Rescue Dawn (3/5)

For a low-budget film, set mostly in a prison camp, this was quite compelling and kept my interest to the last reel.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

I Love You, Man (3/5)

These days I have rather low expectations for films of this ilk (the bromance)–if I get a few laughs and a main character who doesn’t drag me through too much unnecessary bile and homophobia I will call it good. This is probably the best effort in the burgeoning genre and features two very likable lead actors breaking some new ground and having a lot of fun in front of the camera. I was entertained.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

Coraline (3/5)

Staying true to the lesson learned from my previous Little Brother date (Transformers 2), I made sure we watched a well made film with a good premise and moral. To my wonderful surprise the film told a rich, fantastic, complicated family story and is one of my Little’s favorite films now. Tried to watch it in 3D at home and the results were a bit lacking–the room has to be really dark and the screen should be a good size. Wished I had seen this in the theater.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

Duplicity (3/5)

A fine production with fine acting and a decent script. Whenever Julia Roberts tries to be funny, it almost always falls flat. I am a Clive fan though, and he carried the scenes well enough.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian (3/5)

These films make a ton at the box office and my Little Bro is a fan. A fine mix of light comedy, adventure, and culture. I left in a good mood and have no complaints.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

The Hangover (3/5)

Not a bad concept for a comedy, but the childish adult male saga that seems to pervade a half dozen summer films is getting tiresome–probably touches too close to home. I did have a good laugh at my favorite comedian. Not so funny was the gangster character–ugh. The silver lining is that Galifianakis may actually get some good scripts now that he is a bankable actor. This film is the biggest money making comedy of all time and the 2nd R-rated film after “The Passion Of The Christ”. A certified sleeper.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

Breaking Away (3/5)

A late 70s battle of the classes, bike race picture featuring Bloomington, Indiana as a main character. Why did films look so bad in this era? There must be scientific reasons.

Filed under: 3 stars, review

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Urban Hymnal

Website for the performing arts group I co-direct.

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