Monthly Archives: January 2013

Of all the bad horror/fantasy/sci-fi/action pictures Nic Cage has cranked out over the last decade, “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” is the Nic Cagiest. A goofy, gonzo thrill ride, “Vengeance” is a bad movie sequel so bad it’s good, a … Continue reading →

Pitiless, puerile, pointless and perfunctory — and those are just the “P’s” — “Underworld Awakening” was brought into this world to revamp the vampire franchise ad to prove Kate Beckinsale can still wear the spandex, the leather bustier, the werewolf-kicking … Continue reading →

“The Vow” is like a Nicholas Sparks novel with a dash of wit, a hint of edge and a smidge less sap. It’s a romance in “The Notebook” tradition — “inspired by true events” and scripted by committee. But as … Continue reading →

It’s funny how the beloved movies of one’s less politically-correct adolescent past turn out to have a lot more edge to them once you show them to your own kids. “Back to the Future” has more sexuality than you remember, … Continue reading →

Julie and Jason are a couple contemplating “cheating.” OK, they aren’t really a couple. They’re New York neighbors, best friends since college. So the cheating isn’t what you think either. Julie (Jennifer Westerfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott) are both in … Continue reading →

It had been 18 years since Martin Landau worked for Tim Burton. But when the director who gave Landau his Oscar-winning role (in “Ed Wood”) wrote him with another offer, Landau didn’t hesitate. “He sent me a letter, a little … Continue reading →

“Frankenweenie” is darned near an instant classic. Tim Burton has taken the animated short that launched his career and expanded it into a vivid and moving essay on science and love — the love a budding middle school scientist, Victor … Continue reading →

“For a Good Time, Call…” is a romantic comedy masquerading as a sex farce — a bad BAD girl sex farce, full of naughty talk and boys calling girls to hear that filthy language over the phone. And if that’s … Continue reading →

The Rape of Nanking, the 1937 rape and murder rampage by Japanese troops, comes so vividly to life in “The Flowers of War” that you wish the great Chinese director Zhang Yimou had a better movie to put in front … Continue reading →