When a tragic death mars the start of the highly competitive annual beauty pageant in tiny Mount Rose, Minnesota, a battle royale ensues between the sweet, trailer park dwelling, fair-haired Amber Atkins (Kirsten Dunst) and Becky Leeman (Denise Richards), the privileged, not so nice daughter of the town’s wealthiest family, led by her mom, former […]
Gwyneth Paltrow IS Emma, in this film adaptation of the clever Jane Austen classic about the cheerfully conniving matchmaker whose well-intended but misguided efforts threaten to jeopardize her own chance at love in 19th century England. While the start feels a bit dated by today’s moviemaking standards, writer/director Douglas McGrath’s cleverly written and thoroughly entertaining […]
Lily James couldn’t be more perfect as the star of Kenneth Branagh’s traditional re-tell of the popular Disney classic, that also answers the question, “What does the cast of Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones do while their shows are on hiatus?” The saccharine sweet story, stunning costumes and clever moments aside, it’s the story’s […]
The first half of this low budget horror flick, about a couple moving into haunted house in the wife’s hometown, has a realistic creep factor that could have made for a good movie, had the two writers/stars of the film not cheesed it up with a hackneyed, ridiculous ending.
A passable ghost story about a newly-orphaned teen who’s living with her aunt and uncle in a town that’s been plagued by a series of deaths of teenage girls. The lead actress delivers a solid performance despite a plot that has more holes than a sieve and a super lame ending that ruins what up […]
The ever-amazing Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith are among a hodge-podge of British retirees who, for various reasons, end up outsourcing their golden years to a disaster of a hotel in India in this funny and cleverly-written tale. Initially disappointed at their fate and disoriented in their new surroundings, each of them, like […]
This is one of the most iconic movies of the 1970s – about four men canoeing down a north Georgia river and their nightmarish struggle to survive following a life-changing sexual assault by a couple of hillbillies. Deliverance’s shocking, raw depiction of male rape juxtaposed with the natural beauty of the wilderness is haunting and […]
Marvel comic fans will, no doubt, be dazzled by the eye-popping special effects, and while some of the dialogue and unusual situations our superheroes find themselves in IS entertaining, the largely formulaic two and a half hour sequel could have used some editing, as well as better makeup and hair for the oddly translucent Chris […]
Yes, it was the quintessential stereotype-busting teen angst movie of the 80s, and yes it had a slew of stars that became household names but re-watching it was a bit of a chore – complete with cliches and awkward and really forced dialogue. The soundtrack, however, is 80s excellent, and the ending really sweet.
Bond is back, with an edgier, more contemporary story that still pays homage to the long-running franchise. Daniel Craig and Judi Dench were both top notch. Seeing the exotic locales in IMAX was an added plus and the theme song by Adele is sublime.