So many times, the third film of a franchise can either make or break the series. For example, the third of the original “Superman” movies (with Richard Pryor as the villain) set the series reeling (and “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” destroyed it). The same can be said for the “Shrek,” “Ice Age,” “Spider-Man”…
Director Ridley Scott returns to his “Alien” roots with Prometheus, a lavish prequel, well done in its visuals and aesthetics, yet somewhat soulless as a whole. And while the plot brings the story of rogue — almost invincible — entities wiping out various interstellar crews full circle, one wonders what the point of the entire…
On account of its dense and lengthy disposition, adapting Patrick White’s acclaimed novel “The Eye of the Storm” for the screen was never going to be easy. In the hands of Melburnian filmmaker Fred Schepisi, though, the adaptation has given rise to an engrossing acting master-class of a drama. Set in Sydney sometime during the…
As a film critic who has a belief (or faith) in a being greater than myself (I know, I’ve just alienated about 50 percent of the readers), it’s hard not to notice Hollywood’s prevailent tendency to belittle and impugn Christianity. However, with the advent of “Joyful Noise” in January and now For Greater Glory I’m…
For nearly the first hour of Snow White and the Huntsman, Rupert Sanders — in his directorial debut — sticks to the dark, gritty, violent, realistic fairy tale template laid down by Terry Gilliam (of the Monthy Python troupe fame) in the excellent, but misunderstood “The Brothers Grimm.” Then, two bad things happen: He allows…
I suppose you need to be in a New York state of mind to enjoy Lola Versus, but, Philistine that I am, I just could not pull it off. I also know exactly what many of the smug, self-styled intellectual reviewers are going to write and say about this film. That it’s smart, quirky, snappy,…
What I loved about 1997’s “Men in Black” was it embraced its own corniness. The aliens were over-the-top and blew up like Jello molds; the sets had a distinct comic book feel to them; and the story balanced workplace comedy with fantastical backdrops. The style worked, propelling the film to financial and critical greatness. But…
