Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

The law of diminishing returns strikes big-time in Avengers: Age of Ultron, an overstuffed mess of one-note characters, gaudy, incomprehensible CGI, and really, really bad one-liners. It’s so unexpected that you almost forget how fresh The Avengers was three short years ago, and what a welcome reprieve it was from the… Continue reading

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes arrives with particular disappointment, and this is coming from someone who doesn’t have any unbreakable attachment to the character of Sherlock Holmes. Those that do: beware. You’re bound to be even more appalled by this over-written, over-edited, and only moderately entertaining “re-imagining” (oh, how that is… Continue reading

Iron Man (2008)

Iron Man (2008)

At long last, a comic book adaptation that doesn’t reek of smugness. This is admittedly not my favorite genre, and that’s due in large part to not only the quantity and sheer mediocrity of its entrants, but also a self-seriousness that, in my view, can only be laughed at. Batman… Continue reading

Zodiac (2007)

Zodiac (2007)

As an unsolved mysteries fanatic, the Zodiac killings are among the most perplexing and frustrating – ever. Nearly everyone is familiar with the Zodiac – a killer who preyed on young couples and taunted the police and media with bizarre letters and ciphers – but few seem to know that… Continue reading

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

And now for something different. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a marriage of old film noir elements with more modern black comedy techniques, and the result is an occasionally funny and entertaining film that ultimately tries too hard and cannot maintain the breakneck pace that the first act antes up.… Continue reading

Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)

Good Night and Good Luck. (2005)

Politics never change, but the cast of characters do. It leads one to think what Edward R. Murrow, the centerpiece of George Clooney’s new film, Good Night, and Good Luck., would think of today’s political climate – and more importantly, how he would report it. Broadcast journalism has changed since… Continue reading