Monthly Archives: January 2013

His Awesomeness, Jason Statham, has let it be known that, often as not, he chooses his films based on he fight choreographer the producers hire. Often as not, that blows up in his face. Why else would the Human Bullet … Continue reading →

He must have joined “The Agency” with an eye toward excitement, exotic locales and danger. But in Capetown, a backwater as far as foreign intrigue goes, agency newcomer Matt Weston is stuck — a one-man show, running a never-used “Safe … Continue reading →

American movies have a long tradition of insisting that characters have an arc, that we see signs of “growth” between the moment we meet someone on screen until the closing credits. We like to understand “motivations,” the things that draw … Continue reading →

“Ruby Sparks” is the great romantic gem of the summer, a diamond in the rough that bends genres, tickles the fancy and trips up expectations.

In the late 18th century, as America was on the cusp of revolting to free itself from the tyranny of arbitrary rule by people born to the privilege and laws, medicine and freedoms constrained by religious superstition, Europe was, state … Continue reading →

  “Robot & Frank” may be the oddest credit in Frank Langella’s sixty years on stage and screen.

Most movie musicals, even in the Age of Glee, still face that awkward moment when somebody — say her name is “Sherrie Christian” — riding a Greyhound, bursts into “Motoring” by Night Ranger, and the rest of the bus bursts … Continue reading →

The bland lead the bland through a sea of New Year’s revelers and Times Square product placement in “New Year’s Eve,” Garry Marshall’s bloated all-star follow-up to his “comeback,” Valentine’s Day.

 Five films, over $660 million at the worldwide box office, you have to hand it to “Resident Evil.” In ten years, it has become, while few who enjoy good films have noticed, the most successful video game film franchise in … Continue reading →

 “To Rome With Love,” Woody Allen’s latest stamp on his European work visa, is a film not without its charms. But they are so few and far between that the film’s raison detre stares you in the face for a … Continue reading →