Category Archives: Reviews, previews, profiles and movie news

In the last weeks of his life, a visitor urged the British novelist, playwright, screenwriter and poet to look back over his storied career and take pride. “A few, yes, are good books,” the author of “The End of the … Continue reading →

There are messy movies and shambolic comedies, and then there’s whatever the hell “Last Call” is supposed to be. It’s a “back to the old neighborhood” dramady almost guaranteed to give you a hangover. I’m on my third aspirin already, … Continue reading →

In a passing glance, I thought this was Spiderman on a Catamaran. Which makes sense in an onomatopoeia sort of way. But no, this Texas cat in my Florida marina rocks Deadpool to scare off gulls, pigeons and other wrongdoers. … Continue reading →

This looks like a hoot. Coming very soon from IFC.

Yeah, Margot Robbie’s back. Oscar winner Viola Davis is here. But Idris, Cena, Alice Braga, Joel Kinnamon, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi and Michael Rooker? UP grades, my dears. UPgrades. This looks ultra violent and James Gunn funny/cool. Aug. 6.

“Boys vs. Girls” is an homage to those wacky/edgy kids summer camp comedies of yore, a “Meatballs” for a new generation…or rather it might be if it hadn’t been such a limp biscuit. It’s a period piece send-up of such … Continue reading →

The latest beta test of the Screenplay Cliches Bot is titled “The Oak Room,” a moody, talky, stunningly-dull and hilariously-trite “thriller” mostly set in a bar — a couple of bars — in remote, snowy Ontario. Cliche #1? “Bar’s closed.” … Continue reading →

The mythic Japanese Namahage demon is a sort of twisted, monstrous “You’d better watch out, you’d better not cry, better not pout” character meant to give little children character and “good ethics” as they grow up. In the corner of … Continue reading →

“Better Days” is a searing indictment of bullying culture and China’s insanely intense college admissions system, all tucked into a sadly compelling romantic thriller. The added-attention of an Oscar nomination gives a welcome boost to a movie much of the … Continue reading →

If Hollywood is going to give screenwriting Oscar nominations to “Borat” movies, brace yourself for pranks, pranks and more pranks pictures. “Bad Trip” is more at the “Bad Grandpa” with Johnny Knoxville end of the practical joke pictures spectrum. A … Continue reading →