The allure of the prequel, from the studio’s standpoint, makes a whole lot of sense. After all, something can always occur before something else and you can pretty much make up your own rules. Dracula Untold, the latest in the Dracula saga that has served Universal well for decades, is a… Continue reading
There are going to be a lot of people wanting to know what kind of hallucinogens writer/director Luc Besson was on when he came up with Lucy. This is one bonkers movie, filled with enough sci-fi concepts for an entire series and just enough grisly action to get by during its… Continue reading
It can probably be said that A Million Ways to Die in the West is the first and only film where my primary complaint is too many shots of sheep penises (i.e. more than zero). Such are the breaks when viewing a Seth MacFarlane film. He has chosen to follow… Continue reading
Ride Along is about as close as you can get to being a cartoon without being animated. It’s a pretty exhaustive vehicle for funny man Kevin Hart, who can be very funny in smaller doses, but here expends all goodwill by the end of the second act by just never… Continue reading
Neighbors is that kind of comedy that, more often than not, we’re complaining about rather than praising: the kitchen sink comedy. You know the kind; it throws everything at the wall and sees what sticks. When they don’t work, they’re annoying. When they do work, as is the case of… Continue reading
Non-Stop features such a brilliant set-up that you spend most of the film wondering if it can pay it off. The answer is no. But for three-quarters of the run-time it is a taut, tense thriller that demands and keeps your attention. Once the Big Reveal is made, things go… Continue reading
The opening sequence of Lone Survivor, utilizing real and raw footage of the agony and determination it takes to become a Navy SEAL, is great stuff. Had the rest of the film been built with this focus and care, Lone Survivor could have been really special. Instead it’s a pretty… Continue reading
“I’ve had a real shitty morning and your face looks like a dog’s asshole.” Free of charge, I have supplied you with the funniest piece of dialogue from Identity Thief. It should be mentioned that this is a throwaway line from Robert Patrick that would probably otherwise go unnoticed, but… Continue reading
Safe House is the kind of well-made, exciting action film that delivers the goods fans are looking for. It never aspires to be anything more, as evidenced by the run-of-the-mill corrupt government story at its core. You’ve seen it all before, but it doesn’t matter. This flick is more about… Continue reading
Larry Crowne is as lightweight, innocent, and conflict-free of a romantic comedy as you’ll ever find. It’s charming, but very leisurely paced and underwritten given the gravity of the situation that the main character finds himself in. Fortunately, veteran actors Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts elevate the material with likeable,… Continue reading