Dialogue is wielded like a weapon in Parts Per Billion, a new film that follows three couples as they deal with the outbreak of a biological contagion that may mean The End of The World (the Apocalypse being one of those cinematic events that always merits capitalization). The weapon is not revealed by staccato machine gun bursts like the exchanges in David Mamet’s works. Nor do we find the stiletto switchblade conversations offered up by Quentin Tarantino in his series of Art House exploitation flicks. And certainly, no one will mistake what they hear in Parts Per Billion for the rapier duel of words that characterizes Noel Coward’s writing.
Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Parts Per Billion Review
Posted: June 9, 2014 in Drama, Reviews, Science FictionTags: Drama, Frank Langella, Gena Rowlands, Josh Hartnett, Rosario Dawson, Sci Fi, The End of the World
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The Hornet’s Nest Review
Posted: June 8, 2014 in Documentary, ReviewsTags: ABC News, Afghanistan War, Documentary, Mike Boettcher, The Hurt Locker, War Correspondent
A soldier searches for an improvised explosive device (IED) using only his guts, his acumen, and equipment that looks like nothing more than a beachcomber’s metal detector painted Army green. We hold our collective breath as he sweeps over the gravel road that yields no trace of having been disturbed. Perhaps it’s a false alarm. Maybe the report from the local villagers was deliberate false intelligence. Then the soldier calls out that he has located the pressure plate. The IED is deliberately and safely detonated, and the convoy moves on. We release our breath and feel a rush of relief, but all the while the question, “What about next time?” gnaws.
God’s Pocket Review
Posted: June 5, 2014 in Drama, ReviewsTags: Christina Hendricks, Drama, John Slattery, John Turturro, Mad Men, Movies, Pete Dexter, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Jenkins
Curiouser and curiouser.
Oddities abound in God’s Pocket, some deliberate, others not so much. This quirky first feature from director John Slattery (Rodger Sterling of AMC’s Mad Men) suffers from a series of questionable decisions. The result is a disappointing, small movie with a big-time cast. Large themes are reduced to petty actions, and elements of the mise-en-scène are so discordant that the setting, the action, the characters, and the soundtrack seem stitched together from very different films.
Locke Review
Posted: June 3, 2014 in Drama, ReviewsTags: Drama, It's A Wonderful Life, Kobayashi Maru, Movies, Ruth Wilson, Steven Knight, Tom Hardy
A man walks off a construction site at the end of the work day and gets into his car. He drives.
That is a full accounting of the action in Locke, one of the most original, intriguing and effective movies you are likely to see this year. Tom Hardy plays Ivan Locke, who over the course of a drive from one English city to another, shown more or less in real time, will put into effect a decision that will shatter his life.
Palo Alto Review
Posted: June 1, 2014 in Drama, ReviewsTags: Emma Roberts, Gia Coopola, James Franco, Movies, Nat Wolff, Palo Alto, Val Kilmer, Zoe Levin
The calendar shows June, and that’s way too early to declare a winner, but we certainly have a contender. When the list of worst films of 2014 is drawn up at the end of the year, save a spot on the short list for Palo Alto, a pretentious yet hollow selfie of a movie.
How bad is it? This film is the cinematic equivalent of finding a forgotten container in your refrigerator, opening it, and taking a whiff. Man, it stinks – here, smell it.
Cold in July Review
Posted: May 31, 2014 in Action, Reviews, ThrillerTags: Don Johnson, Jim Mickle, Michael C. Hall, Movies, Nick Damici, Sam Shepard, Thriller, Vinessa Shaw
Jim Mickle and Nick Damici.
Remember these names. Write them down if you need to. Set up a Google alert. The pattern of cinematic excellence these two have established warrants constant attention for what will come next from the duo. Cold in July, the fourth feature film film from this creative team, is a solid kick in the balls of conventional fare, a tricky, tough, violent carnival ride put together by a couple of carnies whom you just can’t trust to have followed the safety code.
Anna Review
Posted: May 30, 2014 in Horror, Reviews, ThrillerTags: Director Jorge Dorado, Horror, Mark Strong, Movies, Sci Fi, Taissa Farmiga, Thriller
Hollywood is in the business of expectations – creating and controlling them. Studios need to generate enough interest for a film to guarantee ticket sales without overhyping the movie and having it labeled a failure.
Lucky is the moviegoer who can watch a film without any preconceived notions of the product. For those fortunate few who see Anna with low-to-no expectations, the hybrid horror/science fiction/thriller provides an entertaining diversion that benefits from stylish atmosphere and a strong central performance. Director Jorge Dorado uses a steady pace and a few sleight-of-hand tricks to divert the viewer’s attention away from some significant logical gaps in the narrative. (more…)
Malignant Review
Posted: May 28, 2014 in Horror, Reviews, ThrillerTags: Addiction, Brad Dourif, Horror, Movies, Sienna Farall, straight-to-DVD, Thriller
Why, Brad Dourif, why? You are one of the most original, idiosyncratic, and talented character actors of the last 40 years. Your credits extend from the unforgettable portrayal of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest for which you received an Academy Award nomination to your Emmy nominated turn as Doc Cochran in Deadwood. You’re been the voice of pure evil for decades as the serial killer kid’s toy in the Chucky movies.
That’s a lot of good will to flush down the drain, but your latest movie is almost a big enough toilet to dispose of such a sterling reputation. Why would you do it? If it’s money, next time start a campaign on Hatchfund with a goal of raising enough to cover your bills until a decent role comes along. (more…)
Shuttlecock Review
Posted: May 20, 2014 in Drama, Foreign, ReviewsTags: Blended Families, Korean films, Lee Yoo-Bin, Movies, Road Movies
Ah, the road movie.
Disparate characters somehow wind up in a car or a bus or a plane, a train, or an automobile. They fight. They bond. They fight some more. Inevitably, they find themselves on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere, seemingly without the means to go on. And that’s when the realization comes over them them. The trip was never about the destination. It was always about the journey.
And – gasp – they find out that they needed to get away from everything to discover each other or themselves or the big beautiful country or whatever.
Arrrgghh, the road movie.
Under The Skin Review
Posted: May 16, 2014 in Drama, Reviews, Science FictionTags: Jonathan Glazer, Movies, Scarlett Johansson, Science Fiction, The Man Who Fell To Earth
One day soon, Scarlett Johansson will be regarded as the most important female performer in cinema. That is not say that she will ever hold the title of best living actress. Even after Meryl Strep passes, there will always be a middle-aged British woman that sets the critics to full swoon through the portrayal of a royal, either dead or alive. Johansson will occupy a different position all together. She is now our premiere thespian goddess, the woman who can enthrall legions of fan boys in a comic book flick, then turn around and dominate a smaller, “serious” film.
Meet Mr. Karma 