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January 2010
Week of January 10th through January 15th

FILM

Latest Additions:
 
TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE FALLEN

A high-octane, 2½ hour diversion certain to stimulate, titillate and satiate the blood and other lusts of the raging-hormone set.


AWAY WE GO

The wry ride there is nonetheless delightful enough to make the trip worthwhile.



LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKTOWN

Aside from tremendous performances given by Washington and Rasuk, the script fails to gives Buddy Giovinazzo's film any life.


YEAR ONE

Might not be Jack Black’s best film, but it’s definitely his worst.


THE PROPOSAL

An old-fashioned romp reminiscent of the best of Doris Day and Rock Hudson.


DEAD SNOW

It’s well enough executed to recommend for fright fans, provided you have a strong stomach for gratuitous gore.


THE HIGH PRIESTESS OF DARK ALLEY

It is not often that a play comes along that offers an enriching blend of heart warming family drama with side splitting humor and a dash of social commentary

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123

Despite implausible contrivances left and right, the film moves quickly and is entertaining.


IMAGINE THAT

Worthwhile, as long as you’re willing to watch Eddie Murphy play the straight man.


THE HANGOVER

'The Hangover' is an outrageous, entertaining, laugh-out-loud classic from beginning to end.

DRAG ME TO HELL

'Hell' brings back the thrills, the intensity and the goosebumps that horrors have been lacking for some time.

TERMINATOR: SALVATION

'T-4 is at best an over-stimulating concatenation of bells and whistles amounting to the cinematic equivalent of bubblegum.

DANCE FLICK

'Angels' is filled with such far-fetched story lines that you'll be instantly drawn in or dismiss this as another convoluted film from Ron Howard.

ANGELS AND DEMONS

'Angels' is filled with such far-fetched story lines that you'll be instantly drawn in or dismiss this as another convoluted film from Ron Howard.

BIG MAN JAPAN

Sad Sack Superhero Defends Tokyo from Monsters in Campy Mockumentary

STAR TREK

The newest movie in the series is not only action-packed but also filled with surprises.

NEXT DAY AIR

This homage to the Blaxploitation Era flicks from the 1970s is actually a well executed, comic crime caper.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

There isn't much of a story or substance that will hold any interest. Fans of the comic book will certainly debate over the movie's unconventional plot.

JAZZ IN THE DIAMOND DISTRICT

A sobering picture which doesn’t glamorize the gangsta’ lifestyle.

Obsessed

A cautionary reminder that Hell still hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially when she’s a crazy, two-faced psycho.

The Soloist

Although Jamie Foxx's performance is worth the ticket price, the film fails to leave audiences with a satisfying ending.

American Violet

Nicole Beharie captures your heart and soul in a compelling, moving tale that inspires hope to many youths today.

17 Again

Zac Efron Stars in Yet Another Time-Travel Adventure

Observe And Report

Playing at a sharp and short 86 minutes, Rogen's on point and riotous in his role.

Fast And Furious 4

While it's good to see the original cast back, there isn't much of a story and even less action to keep you entertained.

Adventureland

A refreshing retro comedy with depth recommended more for the message and the romance than for the shock value of its raunchy moments.

Monsters Vs. Aliens

While the 3-D effects may be the ingredient to lure parents to bring the kids out, the second half of the film will have them returning the glasses.

The Education of Charlie Banks

Entertaining enough, provided you buy into the idea that even eggheads can relate to a rude rebel without a clue.

Duplicity

The best thing going for this needlessly-complex potboiler is the chemistry between Owen and Roberts, but overall, a disappointing exercise in achingly-familiar irritainment. 

I Love You, Man

It's a romantic comedy that's funny, poignant and works for both sexes.

Hunger

A fitting, posthumous tribute to a martyr who freely sacrificed his own life to highlight the horror of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man.

The Great Buck Howard

Malkovich Shines in Character Study of Kreskin-Like Mentalist

Sunshine Cleaning

It's a heartfelt and well-executed dramedy that works based on the performances of the ensemble.

Miss March

Simply one of the worst film this year thus far.

Watchmen

With its heavy adult-themed plot, viewers will be mixed with this artistic approach. Nevertheless, there are plenty of elements that make the film worth seeing.

Phoebe in Wonderland

The picture is worthwhile for the powerful performance of Elle Fanning alone, an emerging star steadily rising out of her sister Dakota’s shadow.

Carmen and Geoffrey

Film stands as a fitting tribute to a pair of extraordinary overachievers and as a touching portrait of over a half century of black-on-black love and of lives very well lived.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

After this fiasco I only need 9 more movies for my next 10 Worst List.

The Black List, Volume 2

HBO Special Again Profiles Prominent African-Americans

MADEA GOES TO JAIL

Perry's act never gets tired. His films always deliver a message and a laugh. In this one, there's plenty to go around.

FRIDAY THE 13TH

Same story, same result. Save your money and catch the original on DVD.

THE INTERNATIONAL

A script is so pathetic, the picture should never have been greenlighted.

HE’S JUST THAT NOT INTO YOU(2nd Review)

Don’t be duped by the promising-sounding scenarios, the material here never digs any deeper than the average episode of a cheesy TV sitcom from the Sixties or Seventies.

PUSH

With its kinetic pace and convoluted storyline, the film is too infuriating to hold your interest.

HE’S JUST THAT NOT INTO YOU

It makes you want to scream and then commend, reprimand and then smile


Medicine For Melancholy

A candid commentary on the state of the battle-of-the-sexes in a post-racial age of strangers with benefits.


The Reader

Winslet Shines in Empathetic Portrait of Nazi Pedophile


Taken

It's the same man-saves-the-day stuff we've seen in the past, so check your brain at the door and sit back for pure fun.


UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS

Michael Sheen certainly makes the most out of his role as Lucian, and fans of the monster-film genre will not be disappointed


The Wrestler

Mickey Rourke Resuscitates Career as Comeback Kid in Search of Redemption


Defiance

Fact-Based Holocaust Film Chronicles Case of Jewish Resistance in Poland


Notorious

Tillman has put together an exciting tale of one of the greatest rappers, and many will be pleased when they leave the theater. Your only regret will be that Big’s life should have been longer.


Not Easily Broken

While each of the actors give compelling performances, the film is saddled with convoluted and contrived plots that makes one question what its initial intentions were.


Gran Torino

This cross of 8-Mile and Death Wish looks terribly dated, like the desperate last gasp of pre-Obama Era intolerance.


Last Chance Harvey

Hoffman and Thompson team to weave movie magic via a vintage romantic roundelay.


Doubt

Streep and Hoffman Square-Off in Screen Adaptation of Modern Parable


Slumdog Millionaire

Dev Patel Delivers as Lovesick Game Show Contestant


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DVD Releases

Latest Additions:
 
MADEA GOES TO JAIL(DVD REVIEW)

Fortunately, balancing all the egos never gets in the way of making a hilarious flick


DOUGHBOYS(DVD REVIEW)

A 21st Century version of Amos ‘n Andy which must have been financed by the Klan


THE INTERNATIONAL (DVD REVIEW)

DVD Wastes Watts and Owen in Political Potboiler


GRAN TORINO (DVD REVIEW)

'Eastwood's Motor City Melodrama Makes Its Way to DVD

POWDER BLUE (DVD REVIEW)

DVD Wastes Watts and Owen in Political Potboiler


REVOLUTIONARY ROAD (DVD REVIEW)

'Eastwood's Motor City Melodrama Makes Its Way to DVD

DEFIANCE (DVD REVIEW)

'Eastwood's Motor City Melodrama Makes Its Way to DVD

Notorious DVD

Neither approving nor judging, Notorious simply presents the gluttonous Biggie in all his materialist glory, allowing the audience to decided what to make of his train wreck of a personal life.

Frost/ Nixon DVD

Playing at a sharp and short 86 minutes, Rogen's on point and riotous in his role.

The Wrestler DVD

It’s hard to ignore the similarities between the title character’s quest for redemption and Rourke’s own career comeback bid.

No Country For Old Men (DVD Review)

Oscar-winner Javier Bardem steals the show as the most unnerving screen villain in years

Not Easily Broken (DVD Review)

Faith-based entertainment at its best that you don’t have to be Born Again to appreciate.

Not Easily Broken (DVD Review)

Faith-based entertainment at its best that you don’t have to be Born Again to appreciate.

Doubt (DVD Review)

The film features a quartet of Academy Award-nominated performances including those by Streep, Hoffman, Davis, and Adams

Slumdog Millionaire (DVD Review)

A dizzying and delightful spectacle well worth the investment for the kaleidoscope of colors from the Subcontinent alone.

Seven Pounds (DVD Review)

This surprisingly-superficial message movie amounts to little more than a feature-length public service announcement on the dangers of text-messaging while driving.

Tell No One DVD

Those blessed with patience are likely to deem the surprising denouement well worth the wait.

Quantum of Solace DVD

A hyperactive 007 whose attention-deficit antics ought to resonate with the restlessness of the overstimulated Joystick Generation.

Twilight DVD

Two hours of non-stop, edge-of-your-seat tension, as you never know what to expect next from this endlessly-inventive mindbender.

Bolt DVD

An instant kiddie classic that stars John Travolta and Miley Cyrus.

This is the Life (DVD REVIEW)

An overdue tribute to a generation of gifted youngsters whose seminal contributions to popular culture deserve to be acknowledged.

Role Models (DVD REVIEW)

An irresponsible frittering away of the cinematic capital amassed by Stiffler, McLovin and other beloved icons of the teen genre.

Australia (DVD Review)

Between its predictably and the absence of chemistry between Kidman and Jackman, Australia amounts to little more than an amusing if just as readily-forgettable diversion.

FROZEN RIVER (DVD REVIEW)

A gritty, super-realistic, female empowerment flick most memorable for Melissa Leo’s spellbinding, Oscar-nominated performance.

SEX DRIVE (DVD REVIEW)

High School Musical is a review-proof enterprise certain to thrive regardless of what any snooty critics have to say.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 (DVD REVIEW)

High School Musical is a review-proof enterprise certain to thrive regardless of what any snooty critics have to say.

CHANGELING (DVD REVIEW)

A crime saga strictly for the very gullible.

SOUL MEN (DVD REVIEW)

You’ll laugh here and there at the outrageous antics of Bernie and Sam, given their screen chemistry and larger than life personas

MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA (DVD REVIEW)

The value of this seminal contribution to cinema lies in its groundbreaking portrayal of the Second World War from the perspective of African-American soldiers

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES(DVD REVIEW)

Smart and sentimental but not syrupy, with a well-executed script guaranteed to leave you in tears.


Lakeview Terrace(DVD Review)

Samuel L. Jackson Dud as Racist Neighbor Now on DVD


Barack Obama: The Man and His Journey

The biography is a cloying love fest from start to finish aimed at Obama supporters inclined to revisit every aspect of the campaign.


The Family That Preys DVD

A pat cautionary tale which manages to push the right emotional buttons every time.


Pineapple Express DVD

Pineapple Express features Seth Rogen and James Franco as the latest duo endeavoring to generate a little chemistry while consuming cannabis.

 
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