The Sessions is an independent film many won’t get the chance to see, but they should seek it out if it’s playing in a smaller theater they might not ordinarily go to. It’s the real-life story of a paralyzed, Polio-afflicted poet (John Hawkes, so different here than as the ambiguously menacing uncle in Winter’s Bone,…
Author: Alabama Liberal
Movie Review: The Man with the Iron Fists
This movie isn’t unwatchable, but it is lazy, uninspired, poorly plotted, and——in the end——more than a little bit boring. It’s more of an attitude than a real movie. What Works: Russell Crowe is clearly having a good time (and, unlike the other actors, it doesn’t look fake) as an ambiguous sword fighter whose true allegiances…
Movie Review: “Flight” a Movie that Should Have Been Better
Flight is the perfect example of a movie that has everything going for it: The rare great actor who’s also a movie star (Denzel Washington). A director who’s been around forever (Robert Zemeckis). An ace supporting cast filled with talented character actors (John Goodman, Don Cheadle, Melissa Leo, Bruce Greenwood) and sexy women (Garcelle Beauvais,…
Mom Joke: Will the Senator Choose Heaven or Hell?
A recently-deceased senator’s soul was outside the pearly gates of heaven. A representative from Saint Peter’s office came out to greet him and explain his decision. “You will be given one day in hell and one day in heaven. You will see which one you like better, and then make your choice.” The senator said…
Petty Issues: Post-Election Round Up…Top 5 Asshole Countdown
Basically, we could just do a rogue’s gallery of assholes, and that’s exactly what I want to do. The top 5 assholes of the week are… 5. Todd “Legitimate Rape” Akin…This defeated Missouri senate candidate gave one of the most bitter and partisan concession speeches I’ve ever seen. Thank God we won’t have to see…
Obama Wins in a Spectacular Night for the Blue Team! The Revolution Has Officially Arrived!
Obama wins a second term! Consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren goes to the senate! People’s champion Alan Grayson returns to congress! Todd “Legitimate Rape” Akin and Murdoch “Rape is God’s Plan” lost! [Yay women of America!] Gay Marriage was popular voted-in (for the first time ever) in Maryland and Maine! Wisconsin elected the first openly gay…
Largely Editorial: The Five Races (Other Than the Presidency) I’m Closely Watching
After what seems like an endless campaign, the presidential election is finally here. [Presidents are usually given 100 days of compromise, Obama was given about a hundred hours before Romney started campaigning against him.] And I’ve written many, many times about that in the past year and a half (if Romney loses I’ll be thrilled…
Entertainment Editorial: What’s the Best Political Campaign Movie? I Say “Bob Roberts”
On the eve of the election (but it’s still a monday, where I’m supposed to talk about entertainment), it might be a great time to unwind with a movie about a political campaign. So the question persists: what’s the best one? That’s a tough question, since the majority of political movies are about campaigns. [There’s…
Movie Review: “Cloud Atlas,” The Flop You NEED To See
[Note: I wanted to originally run this review last Monday, but Hurricane Sandy cut my internet right before I could write it.] So Cloud Atlas opened and died in theaters last weekend, and has gone nowhere but down in the box office ever since (it might finish with a 25 million total take, despite costing…
Movie Review: Wreck-it-Ralph
Of any of the “family films” in theaters for Thanksgiving, this is the strongest. I think almost anyone could watch this movie and have a good time, and I was consistently impressed with the unique world Ralph sets up. What Works: This movie could have just been an excuse to rehash old nostalgia (like Hotel Transylvania…
Movie Review: Hotel Transylvania
I know, I know…I’ve been “off” for a week and this is what I come back with on the eve of the election? Well, 1. I wasn’t off by choice, just that Hurricane Sandy severely messed with New York’s internet for a week. I hate that I missed a lot of potentially great articles (and…
Movie Review: The First Time
Another microscopic indie this time, about a pair of high school virgins who form a connection one night, and contemplate, you guessed it, “the first time.” What makes this film unique is that it’s not just a raunchy sex comedy, but tries to form an honest conversation between the two leads. It feels realistic enough,…
Movie Review: Middle of Nowhere
Middle of Nowhere is an ultra-independent film not many will get a chance to see in theaters but should check out when it’s released On Demand/Red Box/Netflix. It’s the kind of small movie that can leave a big impact just by exploring one character very, very well. What Works: The film is about a black…