With the exceptions of Bad Santa, The Polar Express, Love Actually, and Elf, this decade has been pretty pathetic when it comes to holiday-themed films. It’s time to face it: there’s nothing new for this sub-genre to offer. As Christmas had become increasingly more about consumerism and all-around obnoxiousness, so… Continue reading
Whenever I hear the word “quirky” being used to describe a movie, I can’t help but shudder. Ever since the success of last year’s Juno, screenwriters all across Hollywood have been competing for “Most Quirky Screenplay,” which usually means throwing around dialogue that sounds like no one and playing music… Continue reading
On the surface The House Bunny is certainly nothing new or special. Take every “we must save this fraternity/sorority!” flick that comes to mind and know that this one doesn’t deviate one iota from the formula. The separator is Anna Faris, a one-person army of a comedienne who has finally… Continue reading
As any filmgoer knows, Pixar is the gold standard for animated film. They continually write clever, audience-pleasing screenplays that are brought to life by cutting-edge, breathtaking animation. WALL-E certainly fits the Pixar bill, but it is also a departure for a company that has traditionally played it safe (this is… Continue reading
I knew the Sex and the City screening was going to be some kind of surreal experience. Here I am, a 26-year-old straight male – the last demographic on the planet for this material – and I’m supposed to sit through two hours of girly girl tripe. Granted, Sex and… Continue reading
The dream of Jackie Chan and Jet Li teaming up has been swimming in the heads of film geeks for years. Both are martial arts masters, but both also have vastly different demeanors. Chan has always been a fan favorite as the everyman who is always caught in the wrong… Continue reading
I realize the divorce rate is 50% here in the States, but does that mean that nearly every Indie flick has to be about dysfunctional families? I’ve had about enough of these sad sack snobs – and as a film critic I’m supposed to be one! Smart People, whose title… Continue reading
Ah, the romantic comedy. I have a love/hate relationship with this drama, as it does have the capacity to spew out some of the worst garbage of the year. When done, correctly, however, it can be one of the most winning trips to the movies couples can make. How is… Continue reading
I’ll give Martin Lawrence credit; the dude tries. That’s more than can be said for a lot of so-called comedians out there, but why must he continually subject himself (and us) to these sappy, over-the-top, slapstick-riddled sitcoms-turned-movies? Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins really only differentiates itself from Lawrence’s past few efforts… Continue reading
What’s with this trend where sitcoms get to be movies? It’s one thing to adapt a sitcom or TV show (and it’ll more than likely be a big mistake), but to deliberately take ideas and scripts that would barely pass a Screenwriting 101 class and green light them for the… Continue reading