It’s almost out of theaters now, but you can watch it on-demand. I still think it’s best viewed in a theater if you can find one. Regardless, something tells me this film will become a cult classic, and indie theaters might play the occasional screening every now and then. The Plot: In the near-future, the…
Category: Mindless Mondays
Movie Review: A Most Wanted Man
A difficult film to review since I’m a big fan of the John Le Carre spy novel its based on. Like most of Le Carre’s work, it’s not really a spy thriller (the action usually comes only at the very end), and works more as literary fiction than Jason Bourne. The plot is about a…
Movie Review: Lucy
I can remember having a good time with this film while I was in the theater, but can’t remember much about it even a few days later. Much like the drug Lucy takes, the early high doesn’t last long… What Works: Luc Besson hasn’t made many good movies over the course of his long career,…
Movie Review: Wish I Was Here
Zac Braff’s follow-up to Garden State may have received slight bias before anyone even saw it, as this is the movie where Braff raised 2 million on Kick Starter to make it…even though I’m sure he has that much money left over from the Scrubs days, and really should have used his own bank account….
Movie Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
That convoluted title might be a mouthful, but this sequel of a remake defies expectations by not being terrible. It seems that someone may have finally figured out that apes-vs.-human battles is what people go to a Planet of the Apes-film to watch. What Works: Andy Serkis is incredible as lead ape Caesar, inarguably the…
Movie Review: The Purge: Anarchy
Just because a film is a lot better than the first one doesn’t necessarily make it worth watching. That’s the dilemma I have with whether or not to recommend The Purge 2. Hmmm…decisions, decisions… What Works: The first movie was one of the bottom ten-percent of last year’s list, a faux-political horror film that wanted…
Movie Review: Begin Again
A soft musical that might have you leaving the theater in a good mood, but doesn’t stay with you long afterwards. It’s about a frayed record label executive who’s watched his indie boutique turn corporate (Mark Ruffalo) and thinks Keira Knightley’s fresh voice will be his way back to…the middle? Along the way, we learn…
Movie Review: Planes: Fire and Rescue
Just because an animated movie is aimed squarely at kids, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t try. All of the best Disney and Pixar films know that, but the “Planes” franchise doesn’t seem to. This dated and half-assed sequel is even less inspired than the original, and you can’t help but feel it’s all a cynical cash-register…
Movie Review: Tammy
By now, there’s no point kicking this bomb—-which pretty much everyone in the country has already been forewarned about—-and the only thing I can tell you is to keep checking back today for reviews of more recent movies. What Works: Not much…Susan Sarandon adds an occasional dollop of flash as Tammy’s grandmother, Mark Duplass gives his…
Ranking the Seasons of “24”
Another season of “24” drew to a close last night, and although the reboot wasn’t quite as exciting as past seasons, I think most fans would rather have some form of 24 than nothing. But what about new fans who maybe are wondering which of the show’s first 8 seasons to watch or skip on…
TV Reviews: “Extant” Vs. “The Strain”
So two big-budget science fiction shows with “mainstream” appeal (meaning they aren’t some crappy Syfy channel shows for fanboys only) and major league talent involved debuted this week. However, not all things are equal… “Extant”…I had a hard time keeping my eyes open for the premiere of this soft, strangely Hallmark-feeling sci-fi conspiracy drama. CBS…
TV Reviews: “Orange is the New Black” is Better Than Ever
This review won’t be terribly long because the headline pretty much says it all: season 2 of “Orange is the New Black” is even better than the first one, which wasn’t too shabby to start with. The first season was strong, but suffered slightly from too many unwieldy subplots, gross out gags, and an over-reliance…
“Californication” Finally Says Goodbye
“Californication” might be the worst show that I’ve ever watched for 7 seasons, and never missed a second of (although usually caught up with On Demand months or even years later). Still, endings make me sentimental and I have to admit that there was always something weirdly soothing about this show. Like the combination of…