Monthly Archives: October 2014

“Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance” is the last caped superhero movie you will ever need to see. Serious and silly, self-aware and ironic, it’s the movie that questions stardom, fame and celebrity, built around a role Michael Keaton … Continue reading →

“Satire is the weapon of reason” is the punch line to writer-director Justin Simien’s flip and hip satire, “Dear White People.” Here’s a race-based/race-baiting comedy that tackles issues of identity and sensitivity head on, a debut film that brashly borrows … Continue reading →

Acting, Michael Keaton has long maintained, “is an act of pulling your pants down.” And for the film that one-and-all have labeled his “comeback,” “that’s literally true.” For “Birdman,” the one-time Batman plays a has-been actor, bitter and a little … Continue reading →

“Rudderless” is a tragic quasi-musical that never quite finds its way. It drifts through a lot of tunes, some big name cameos, a big twist that you won’t swallow and a central relationship that is cute but trite and not … Continue reading →

“Housebound” is a nasty and laugh-out-loud horror comedy from New Zealand. Writer-director Gerard Johnstone has concocted a deadpan Kiwi haunted house farce where the blood spatters and the jokes zing, all the way through its long, drawn-out finale. Kylie (Morgana … Continue reading →

“Dracula Untold” isn’t particularly scary, didn’t bowl over anybody reviewing it. But as an origin epic, it’s not bad. Luke Evans is a passable lead, Dominic Cooper a passable villain and as the ancient vampire passing on the tradition, Charles … Continue reading →

J.K. Simmons? He’s that cuddly character actor, right? You know, loving father to “Juno,” gruff but amusing boss in “Spider-Man” and “The Closer.” Heck, he’s the folksy voice of Farmer’s Insurance on TV! But after the new film “Whiplash,” you … Continue reading →

Bloody vampires and their bloody box office domination. “Dracula Untold” got the weakest reviews of all the new films going into wide release this weekend. It’s not remotely scary, though it has its interesting origin story points — more an … Continue reading →

I had higher hopes for this when I first heard of “Tomorrowland.” Chatted with director Brad Bird about it, briefly, a couple of years back. A more grown up fantasy film with sci-fi elements, Disney lineage and George Clooney. This … Continue reading →