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REVIEW: With Authentic Memories of Trees on 6/10/21, LAPD Officer K Witnesses His Own Personal Miracle Through a Wallace Emanator & A Wooden Toy Horse

Posted by James Brown on Monday, October 9, 2017, In : 0.00% Water

Blade Runner 2049

Directed By: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, Lennie James, Dave Bautista, and Jared Leto

Denis Villeneuve has been on a hot streak in recent years. He started with the visceral abduction thriller Prisoners. Then, he delivered a beast of a movie in the epic crime drama Sicario. After that, he crafted last year’s sci-fi and awards darling Arrival. As he’s been putting out one hi...

REVIEW: From TWA in Baton Rouge to the CIA in Mena, American Made Independent Aviation Consultant Barry Seal Transforms Into the Gringo Who Always Delivers

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

American Made

Directed By: Doug Liman

Starring: Tom Cruise, Sarah Wright, Domhnall Gleeson, Alejandro Edda, Mauicio Mejia, Jesse Plemons, Lola Kirke, and Caleb Landry Jones

Tom Cruise gets no love from moviegoers these days. This is abundantly clear to me. While I’ve been fairly excited about this weekend’s American Made, I can’t say the same for all the folks with whom I’ve discussed the crime film. I get it. I really do. Some see Tom Cruise as a man with Scientology baggage and to...

REVIEW: Battle of the Sexes Pits Lobber Sugar Daddy Bobby Riggs Up Against Libber Women's Tennis Superstar Billie Jean King

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Battle of the Sexes

Directed By: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

Starring: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, Alan Cumming, Elisabeth Shue, Austin Stowell, Eric Christian Olsen, and Andrea Riseborough

I've been away from STMR for quite a while now, and the reason has primarily been that I've had nothing to say. It's nice to have been on the sidelines as the summer box office tanked and as the masses ignored their local cineplexes. Quality wasn't there on the big screen...

REVIEW: Molded Out of Clay, Amazon Godkiller Wonder Woman Is the Heroine We Deserve and Believe

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 4, 2017, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Wonder Woman

Directed By: Patty Jenkins

Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, and Elena Anaya

In the game of superhero adaptations, Marvel is running circles around DC Comics. With a decade of hits and an army of live action heroes, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is well on its way up the mountaintop to its Infinity War next year. Meanwhile, the missteps with Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice demonstrate that the DC Extended...

REVIEW: From A Celestial Ego to David Hasselhoff, Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 Is All About the Unspoken Things

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 7, 2017, In : 0.00% Water

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Directed By: James Gunn

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell

The summer blockbuster season is now upon us. With it, we have Marvel's first big time up at bat in 2017. We are on the road to Infinity War in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the board is almost set. The final pieces are moving, ...

REVIEW: From Little Nobody to Blanta (Black Santa), The Fate of the Furious Requires a Cipher for Dom's Family

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 16, 2017, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Fate of the Furious

Directed By: F. Gary Gray

Starring: Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Kurt Russell, Scott Eastwood, Charlize Theron, and Helen Mirren

I realize that I've been reducing the frequency of my reviews as of late. I've been absent since Logan and am just now coming out of the shadows. There's a method to my madness, however, and it's not just reviewing big event movies or awards darlings. I could m...

REVIEW: Beauty And The Beast (2017) – A Star-Studded Cast With A Tale As Old As Time & A Song As Old As Rhyme

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, In : 0.00% Water

Beauty and the Beast
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Bill Condon

Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian McKellen, and Emma Thompson

Disney is in the business of remakes. As if the Marvel and Star Wars dynasties were not enough, the industry titan has decided to bring numerous cartoon classics to life. In the last few years, Disney has released Cinderella and The Jungle Book to much success. Live act...

REVIEW: Making His Way to Eden by Way of North Dakota, Daddy Logan Becomes the Wolverine One Last Time & Finds His Sunseeker Boat

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, March 9, 2017, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Logan

Directed By: James Mangold

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, and Dafne Keen

Hugh Jackman has had a long run as Wolverine. The only actor with a comparable run of movies as a comics character that's just as fabled on the big screen is Robert Downey, Jr. in his portrayals of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starting with Bryan Singer's X-Men some seventeen years ago, Jackman has appeared on camera as the grumpy ageless mut...

REVIEW: Behind the Coagula of Get Out, TSA Agent Rodney Williams Handles the Situation of the Sunken Place

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Get Out

Directed By: Jordan Peele

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Lil Rel Howery, and Keith Stanfield

I know people have been flocking to theaters as a distraction from the outrage of the day from the Trump White House. Every single day, something frustrating, maddening, or downright disgusting takes place in this new era, and moviegoers need a break. For the first time in a while, I'm happy to report that there is a great new...

REVIEW: With the Persistent Love of An Ugly Woman, Martin Scorsese's Silence Is More Than A Formality of Faith for Two Padres in the Swamp of Japan

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 21, 2017, In : 0.00% Water

Silence

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Tadanobu Asano, Ciarán Hinds, and Liam Neeson

For just the second time in the 21st century, director Martin Scorsese has directed a live action film not starring his second muse Leonardo DiCaprio — his first being longtime collaborator Robert De Niro. Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island, and Wolf of Wall Street all featured DiCaprio. His latest feature Silence, however, follows in the foot...

REVIEW: When NASA Faces A Go / No Go Decision for John Glenn & the Friendship 7, Hidden Figures Working As Colored Computers Save the Day

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 21, 2017, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Hidden Figures

Directed By: Theodore Melfi

Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, and Aldis Hodge

History is told by those who wield the pen or the mic. What we often remember is what we're told to remember over and over again by those in a position to tell it. This is particularly true when it comes to the contributions made by African-Americans that have been vital to the success of the United States. From the free slave labor...

REVIEW: Taking the Crookeds With the Straights, Troy Maxson Builds Fences From Mr. Death & His Hell Hounds

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 30, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Fences

Directed By: Denzel Washington

Starring: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, and Saniyya Sidney

"You got to take the crookeds with the straights."

-Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington)

The statement above is especially true when it comes to Denzel Washington's acting career as of late. For every Flight with which we're enamored, we have to deal with a slate of films such as Safe House, 2 Guns, and The Equalizer. There ar...

REVIEW: From Boulder City & Chicken On a Stick To Paris and Seb's, The Jazz-Filled La La Land Is For the Fools Who Dream Season After Season

Posted by James Brown on Monday, December 19, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

La La Land

Directed By: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, and J. K. Simmons

If there is such a thing as a liberal bubble, Hollywood is the absolute epitome of it. There have been plenty of years where the film crowned best picture does not speak to the times in any way, shape, or form. Just look to winners like No Country for Old Men, Birdman, and especially The Artist. In two of these examples, it's clear that Hollywood has an affinity for mov...

REVIEW: Embracing the Vanity of Camelot, Jackie Gives a Beautiful Tour of White House History

Posted by James Brown on Monday, December 19, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Jackie

Directed By: Pablo Larraín

Starring: Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, and John Hurt

"Don’t ever let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was Camelot. There will be great presidents again, but there will never be another Camelot.”

-Jackie Kennedy

I've been pretty political in many of my recent reviews. With all that's happening just a dozen or so miles away from me downtown that's tearing the moral fabric of these Uni...

REVIEW: Given Her Necklace of Kyber Crystals, Rogue One's Hopeful Stardust Jyn Erso Is One With the Force and the Force Is With Her

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 17, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Directed By: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, and Forest Whitaker

"I am one with the force, and the force is with me."

-Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen)

There is no doubt that Disney has had a mighty year with hit after hit after hit. From The Jungle Book and Zootopia to Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange, the studio has had a banner year. With rumors swirling about...

REVIEW: With Joe Chandler's Congestive Heart Failure, Janitor Lee & Nephew Patrick Need a New Motor to Take Manchester by the Sea

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 3, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Manchester by the Sea

Directed By: Kenneth Lonergan

Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Gretchen Mol, Lucas Hedges, and Matthew Broderick

We're starting to get a little deeper into awards season, and we're increasingly seeing studios bring out the big guns. Enter Amazon Studios with Manchester by the Sea. Incredibly lucky to have won the bidding on writer-director Kenneth Lonergan's latest feature instead of Nate Parker's directorial debut The Birth of a Nation at the Su...

REVIEW: For Susan, The Creativity of Nocturnal Animals Is a Heartbeat Away from the Real World

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 24, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Nocturnal Animals

Directed By: Tom Ford

Starring: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Andrea Riseborough, and Michael Sheen

If you've been reading my posts this awards season, you've probably noticed that I haven't given too many sober ratings as of late. With the Oscars on the way, you would think there would be something fantastic that would come my way. So far, this has not been the case. That's about to change for the...

REVIEW: Loving Reminds Us That Caroline County Virginia Was Not Always for Lovers

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 24, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Loving

Directed By: Jeff Nichols

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Nick Kroll, Michael Shannon, and Marton Csokas

"I miss him. He took care of me."

-Mildred Jeter Loving

With Donald Trump busy building his Injustice League of racists, sexists, and other deplorables that will comprise his cabinet, I was in need of a reminder that two million people more said no to the politics of hate than those who foolishly said yes. Loving presented that very opportunity. The film centers on the developmen...

REVIEW: Exploring Newt Scamander's Suitcase, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Is All About Second Salemers, MACUSA & the Obscurian Child

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 19, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Directed By: David Yates

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Carmen Ejogo, and Colin Farrell

I have sorely missed the magical world of witchcraft and wizardry for the last five years. Since everyone's favorite trio of Hogwarts students graduated from the big screen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 way back in 2011, there's been a certain, unmistakable kind of mov...

REVIEW: A Nonzero Sum Game, Arrival Is All About Using the Weapon Language, the Cornerstone of Civilization

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 13, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Arrival

Directed By: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Tzi Ma

It's been one hell of a week. For the better part of it, I've been sleepless and sick to my stomach as I reflect on bizarre, hateful turn of political events. It truly pains me to accept that Donald J. Trump will be moving into the White House toward the end of January. It's absolutely befuddling. America is speaking two languages, one of love and respect for our fellow ma...

REVIEW: In Hacksaw Ridge, The Lord Helps Conscientious Objector Desmond "Corn Stalk" Doss Get One More

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 13, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Hacksaw Ridge

Directed By: Mel Gibson

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, and Vince Vaughn

"Lord, please help me get one more."

-Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield)

In my five years writing for STMR, there's one prominent filmmaker whose movies I've not had the chance to review — the one and only Mel Gibson. There's a good reason for it. The Passion of the Christ director has maintained a pretty low standing in the court of public ...

REVIEW: If It Bleeds, It Leads in the Sensational Television First Christine

Posted by James Brown on Friday, November 4, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Christine

Directed By: Antonio Campos

Starring: Rebecca Hall, Michael C. Hall, Tracy Letts, Maria Dizzia, J. Smith-Cameron, John Cullum, and Timothy Simons

I had the distinct pleasure of voting this past weekend. As you can all probably guess, I'm voting to be able say Madam President by the time the next Commander-in-Chief is sworn into office in January. I recognize that with all the chaos that is unfolding, there is a pretty large possibility that we could turn back the clock on the idea th...

REVIEW: When the Bill Comes Due from the Dark Dimension's Dormammu, Doctor Strange's Technique to Save the Sanctums Goes Beyond Time & Death

Posted by James Brown on Friday, November 4, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Doctor Strange

Directed By: Scott Derrickson

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Scott Adkins, Mads Mikkelsen, and Tilda Swinton

The world is truly topsy-turvy these days. Donald Trump has more than an outside shot at stealing the presidency next Tuesday from Hillary Clinton. The Chicago Cubs have broken a 108 years long losing streak by clinching the World Series earlier this week. To top things off, Doctor Stran...

REVIEW: The Girl on the Train Is a Mysteriously Dull Whodunnit

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 15, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Girl on the Train

Directed By: Tate Taylor

Starring: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Allison Janney, Édgar Ramírez, and Lisa Kudrow

The 2016 awards season is off to its unofficial start (it really begins in earnest next month by most standards), and I have an interesting prediction this year. For the better part of this decade, we've had knockout films that have garnered a whole hell of a lot of prestige released in this month. Think 12 Years A S...

REVIEW: Biblical Black Preacher Nat Turner Leads The Birth of a Nation on a Bloody Righteous Path

Posted by James Brown on Monday, October 10, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Birth of a Nation

Directed By: Nate Parker

Starring: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Jackie Earle Haley, Penelope Ann Miller, and Gabrielle Union

With President Obama wrapping his historic tenure as the President of these United States and the recent unveiling of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, there are plenty of historic milestones around which I could open up this review. With the enduring scars of racial injustices that are most prevalent in an ep...

REVIEW: Bridget Jones’s Baby - The Mary Magdalene Of London Faces A Geriatric Pregnancy In This Hilarious Rom Com

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, October 10, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Bridget Jones's Baby
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Sharon Macguire

Starring: Renee Zellwegger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, and Gemma Jones

Initially, I was underwhelmed at the prospect of a new Bridget Jones film. To be frank, I did not think a sequel would resonate so many years later, and I would be left with the same “meh” feeling I had after watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. Much to my surprise and delight, Bridget Jones’s Baby delivers laughs and warm...

REVIEW: What The Magnificent Seven Loses in the Fire at Rose Creek, It Finds in the Ashes

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 25, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Magnificent Seven

Directed By: Antoine Fuqua

Starring: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Byung-hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett, and Peter Sarsgaard

Remakes are the new sequels if the 2016 slate of films proves anything, and there have certainly been both hits and misses. We went back to Peace Rock for the bare necessities of life in The Jungle Book. We asked a new generation who you gonna call in the female-headlined Ghostbusters....

REVIEW: Hell or High Water, Comanche Brothers Toby & Tanner Howard Set Their Sights on Texas Midlands Bank

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 28, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Hell or High Water

Directed By: David Mackenzie

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Gil Birmingham, and Katy Mixon

August may be a poor time to catch high quality big budget blockbusters. Jason Bourne and Suicide Squad are most certainly potent examples of this. Still, it's an excellent time to catch great independent or low budget films. After all, the month of August is really the preamble to awards season and the glut of prestige films on the way in the next several months. I'...

REVIEW: Chasing Jobs at Weekend Live, Members of The Commune Don't Think Twice While Doing Improv for America

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 27, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Don't Think Twice

Directed By: Mike Birbiglia

Starring: Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Mike Birbiglia, Kate Micucci, Chris Gethard, and Tami Sagher

"Has anyone had a particularly hard day?"

-Samantha (Gillian Jacobs)

I can't say that I have upon reflecting on my screening of Mike Birbiglia's improv-themed comedy Don't Think Twice. With the notable exceptions of Hello, My Name Is Doris and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, we haven't exactly had a glut of pure comedies or dramedies at the indie box ...

REVIEW: With Chocolate Ice Cream & Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, Southside With You Is One Stark Reminder of the Good Times with the Obamas

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 27, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Southside With You

Directed By: Richard Tanne

Starring: Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter, and Vanessa Bell Calloway

2016 has been one wild election year. One thing that has come of the political tumult is that Americans are reminded just how good we have it with our current Commander-in-Chief. While Secretary Clinton tries to dance away from the perceptions of impropriety during her tenure at the State Department courtesy of the Clinton Foundation and Donald Trump talks about black people and flip...

REVIEW: Scarface's War Dogs Say The World Is Yours When 100 Million Rounds of AK-47 Are Crumbs for AEY

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 21, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

War Dogs

Directed By: Todd Phillips

Starring: Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Ana de Armas, J. B. Blanc, Bradley Cooper, Barry Livingston, and Kevin Pollak

I have been in an odd mood as a moviegoer over the last few weeks. I think the disappointing end to the summer movie season has left me in a rather sour disposition about the latest offerings at the box office. I genuinely was not looking forward to War Dogs despite the fact that it's starring two of the premier talents of the last several years....

REVIEW: Playing Carnegie Hall for True Music Lovers Despite Syphilis, Florence Foster Jenkins Sings Though She Can't Sing

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 21, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Florence Foster Jenkins

Directed By: Stephen Frears

Starring: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Nina Arianda

Director Stephen Frears has chosen some interesting stories to tell over the years, and he's worked with some great leading ladies over the years. He directed Helen Mirren in her triumphant portrayal of living royalty in The Queen. He guided Dame Judi Dench in her journey as an elderly mother retracing her long lost son's steps in Philomena. This year, he g...

REVIEW: Touching Tips & Jeopardizing the Great Beyond in Sausage Party, Frank & Brenda Go Down the Comedy Aisle at Shopwell

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 13, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Sausage Party

Directed By: Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon

Starring: Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Michael Cera, James Franco, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Paul Rudd, Nick Kroll, David Krumholtz, Edward Norton, and Salma Hayek

There's been an onslaught of animated fare at the box office. Zootopia, Finding Dory, and The Secret Life of Pets are just a few of the films that have dominated the cinemas over the course of the year. This is without even considering the multitude ...

REVIEW: Indignation Features Son of a Kosher Butcher & Atheist Marcus Messner Spurning Dean Caudwell & The Winesburg Chapel

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 13, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Indignation

Directed By: James Schamus

Starring: Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon, Tracy Letts, Linda Emond, Danny Burstein, Ben Rosenfield, Pico Alexander, Philip Ettinger, and Noah Robbins

I'm really enjoying my return to independent film. The timing couldn't have been better. As the mainstream box office continues to largely disappoint, arthouse cinemas are here to pick up the pieces of aficionados' dashes hopes, as long as we're willing to indulge indie filmmakers' tendencies to experiment and di...

REVIEW: In Café Society, Dreams Are Dreams

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 7, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Café Society

Directed By: Woody Allen

Starring: Jeannie Berlin, Steve Carell, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Richard Portnow, Parker Posey, Kristen Stewart, Corey Stoll, and Ken Stott

"Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living, but the examined one is no bargain."

-Leonard (Stephen Kunken)

I haven't reviewed a Woody Allen film in a couple of years. Honestly, it's been since his 2014 feature Magic in the Moonlight. I couldn't tell you if it's just that I'm repulsed by the factoids of...

REVIEW: Riding Steve On Noam Chomsky Day, Captain Fantastic Succeeds at Mission Rescue Moviegoers & Sticks It to the Man

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 6, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Captain Fantastic

Directed By: Matt Ross

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Frank Langella, Kathryn Hahn, Ann Dowd, and Steve Zahn

I'll admit it. I've been quiet on the indie front this summer. With the exception of A Bigger Splash —which I just so happen to be overdue on reviewing— and perhaps The Lobster (if it can be loved), I haven't fallen in love with too many movies. I also don't think our more artistic filmmakers have been speaking to the times in recent months. With a pun intended given...

REVIEW: Mistakenly Focused on the Witch's Heart, the Suicide Squad Is In Need of a Good Pep Talk

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 6, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Suicide Squad

Directed By: David Ayer

Starring: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, and Cara Delevingne

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is really having a hard time getting off the ground. I recently checked out the extended edition of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While you all know my feelings on the abysmal theatrical version, I must admit that the extended edition is ...

REVIEW: From Treadstone to Ironhand & Deep Dream, Jason Bourne Explores His Connection to Richard Webb

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 31, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Jason Bourne

Directed By: Paul Greengrass

Starring: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Julia Stiles, and Riz Ahmed

The 2016 summer blockbuster season has been littered with big budget disappointments, especially when it comes to reboots of dormant or long-running franchises. Bryan Singer went up to bat and struck out with X-Men: Apocalypse, his latest installment in Fox's aging mutant franchise. Roland Emmerich returned twenty years too late in Independence Day: Resu...

REVIEW: Star Trek Beyond – Public Enemy And The Beastie Boys Set The Stage

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, July 30, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Star Trek Beyond
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Justin Lin

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, and Idris Elba

The summer box office season hit a bit of a slump. While animated fare has been plentiful and dominant, there have not been enough “must see” movies this summer. Independence Day: Resurgence, Tarzan, etc. were not enough to get me excited about this summer season. Audiences were waiting for an event movie, and Star Trek B...

REVIEW: Turn Out the Lights Given Diana's Skin Disorder & Her History at Mulberry Hills

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 24, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Lights Out

Directed By: David F. Sandberg

Starring: Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Alexander DiPersia, Billy Burke, and Maria Bello

It seems as if the box office might just be getting interesting again. We had the delightful Ghostbusters last weekend and have Star Trek Beyond this one. We even have Jason Bourne and Suicide Squad waiting in the wings. We're in the midst of a potentially really good wave of big blockbusters here. All the while, the undercurrent of horror and animated flicks t...

REVIEW: The Secret Life Of Pets – A Decent Toy Story Rip-off

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, July 24, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Secret Life of Pets
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney

Starring: Louis C. K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Steve Coogan, Ellie Kemper, Bobby Moynihan, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Jenny Slate, and Albert Brooks

This year, animated fare has dominated the box office. Zootopia, Finding Dory and Kung Fu Panda 3 are some of the highest grossing films of the year. If we include The Jungle Book in the animation category, the success of this year’s 3D computer...

REVIEW: Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Who Love Jurassic Park, Drawings & Liquor

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 17, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

Directed By: Jake Szymanski

Starring: Zac Efron, Adam DeVine, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, and Stephen Root

Movies can sometimes be a much needed distraction. During this tragic time in modern American history, it seems like a time when most of us could use a laugh. My fellow black men are being murdered in cold blood. Most recently Alton Sterling and Philando Castile have been victimized by a brutally unjust system with violations of their civil liberties abo...

REVIEW: With the Fourth Cataclysm At Hand, The Ghost Girls Become Ghostbusters

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 16, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Ghostbusters

Directed By: Paul Feig

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Charles Dance, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Chris Hemsworth

There's been one tragedy after another as of late. It seems that there is a terrorist attack, a mass shooting, or police killings on an all too frequent basis these days. Orlando. Istanbul. Nice. Baton Rouge. Dallas. The Twin Cities. The list sadly goes on and on and on. All our prayers at STMR are certainly with those de...

REVIEW: To Purge & Purify in This Election Year, The New Founding Fathers Target Presidential Contender Senator Charlene Roan

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 2, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Purge: Election Year

Directed By: James DeMonaco

Starring: Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Mykelti Williamson

The political conventions are coming this month, and there's a lot that could potentially happen over the next several weeks. With donors backing out left and right, the Republican convention is seemingly in turmoil. It's also not clear who is willing to hold their nose and risk political suicide as Trump's vice presidential pick. On the other side of the aisle, we have a de...

REVIEW: Down to the Earth's Magma Core, Independence Day: Resurgence Wants But Doesn't Quite Get One Happy Fourth of July

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 26, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Independence Day: Resurgence

Directed By: Roland Emmerich

Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Maika Monroe, Travis Tope, William Fichtner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Judd Hirsch, Jessie Usher, Brent Spiner, Vivica A. Fox, and Angelababy

LinkedIn has a way of reminding us all of certain milestones in our lives. This week for me, it's been the fact that my pride and joy Sobriety Test Movie Reviews has been around for five long years serving up film critiques and drink selections. I...

REVIEW: Heroes of Their Own Story Obsessed With Sixteen Candles in Central Intelligence, The Golden Jet & The Alleged Black Badger Will See You On the Other Side

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 19, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Central Intelligence

Directed By: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy Ryan, Aaron Paul, Danielle Nicolet, Jason Bateman, and Melissa McCarthy

I think it's crystal clear from years of reviews that I'm tired of the same old shtick from Kevin Hart and that I'm looking for something new from his rather high energy brand of comedy. Ride Along 2. Get Hard. Think Like A Man Too. Grudge Match. The list goes on and on and on when it comes to Kevin Hart movies that don't...

REVIEW: Finding Dory – Sigourney Weaver and Ed O’Neill Dominate This Heartfelt Sequel

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, June 19, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Finding Dory
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Andrew Stanton

Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Idris Elba, Ty Burrell, Sigourney Weaver, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Kate McKinnon, Dominic West, and Bill Hader

In 2003, Finding Nemo debuted to critical acclaim and international box office success. Finding Nemo was an innovative film in which Pixar took animation to new heights. This week, Finding Dory hits theaters and picks up the tale six months after the original film.

Lovable D...

REVIEW: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows – Surf’s Up New York

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, June 12, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Dave Green

Starring: Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Will Arnett, Brian Tee, Tyler Perry, Brittany Ishibashi, and Laura Linney

Michael Bay tackles yet another famous cartoon franchise. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is better than many of the Transformers’ films, but that is not saying much. Director Dave Green has a lighter touch than Bay, so the film has fun moments. However, there is no need to rush t...

REVIEW: In Now You See Me 2, Seeing Is Believing for the Four Horsemen & Their Leader Dylan Shrike on New Year's Eve

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 12, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Now You See Me 2

Directed By: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan, Jay Chou, Sanaa Lathan, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman

The magic of Harry Potter is coming back to life on the stage and screen this year. The forward-looking sequel Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has just arrived on stage. The backward-looking Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will arrive in theaters in November. While the boy who lived i...

REVIEW: Tackling Enfield in The Conjuring 2, Ed & Lorraine Warren Face Off With the Crooked Man Bill Wilkins & Demon Valak

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 11, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Conjuring 2

Directed By: James Wan

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Frances O'Connor, Madison Wolfe, Simon McBurney, Franka Potente, Benjamin Haigh, and Maria Doyle Kennedy

We all could use a good scare right about now. After taking a break from the genre with the action spectacle Furious 7 last year, James Wan is back with the follow-up to his 2013 hit The Conjuring. As fate would have it, I've found one of the rare horror movies of 2016 I don't loathe. I'm not putting The Conjurin...

REVIEW: Alice Through The Looking Glass - A Plucky Heroine Battles Time

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Alice Through the Looking Glass
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: James Bobin

Starring: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, and Timothy Spall

When a film grosses over a billion dollars worldwide, it will undoubtedly spawn a sequel. In 2010, Disney released Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. Despite being universally panned, the film became a blockbuster smash. Six years later, Disney has released ...

REVIEW: Lovingly Short Sighted With Its Rabbit Bouquets, The Lobster Is One Horrific Sci-Fi Romance

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Lobster

Directed By: Yorgos Lanthimos

Starring: Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Barden, Olivia Colman, Ashley Jensen, Ariane Labed, Angeliki Papoulia, John C. Reilly, Léa Seydoux, Michael Smiley, and Ben Whishaw

Dystopian science fiction thrillers have been dominating the mainstream for the last several years. The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner all serve as pertinent examples. This hasn't held true to the same extent at the independent box office. There are hidden gems...

REVIEW: For Her Kentish Nightingale Frederica, Lady Susan Vernon Brings Love & Friendship to Churchill

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Love & Friendship

Directed By: Whit Stillman

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Xavier Samuel, Emma Greenwell, Morfydd Clark, Jemma Redgrave, Tom Bennett, James Fleet, Justin Edwards, Jenn Murray, Stephen Fry, and Chloë Sevigny

There are such things as guilty pleasures at the box office. They're like Donald Trump for his supporters still in the closet. Just look to films such as Twilight, Step Up, and most horror movies. Adaptations of Jane Austen novels appear to fit that bill as well. Take Austen...

REVIEW: Whether X-Men or Four Horsemen, Apocalypse's Children Unleash Their Power To No Avail

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 27, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

X-Men: Apocalypse

Directed By: Bryan Singer

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Lucas Till, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Alexandra Shipp

I'm starting to think that the final installment in X-Men trilogies is cursed because the third time is apparently not the charm for Fox's prequel trilogy. Some ten years ago on Memorial Day weekend, I saw X-Men: The Last Stand. At the time, I t...

REVIEW: With Sorority Kappa Nu Rising & Mac and Kelly's Home in Escrow, Everyone is Chasing Five Buckets of Money in Neighbors 2

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 22, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

Directed By: Nicholas Stoller

Starring: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Kiersey Clemons, and Ike Barinholtz

It wouldn't be the summer movie season without a mindless comedy. I'm talking about the kind of comedy where logic does not rule and crude is far from rude. Between the prospect of the Donald hearing "Hail to the Chief" everywhere he goes and planes dropping out of the sky like raindrops, we could all use a laugh or two ri...

REVIEW: Despite Bird Protesters, Misty Mountains & Nixon's Angel of Death, The Nice Guys Will Be Happy

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 22, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Nice Guys

Directed By: Shane Black

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, and Kim Basinger

There are some folks in the industry who may not be widely known despite a well-documented history of commercial success. Shane Black is most definitely one of these individuals. He's the man who played a pivotal role in shaping mainstream action flicks into what they are today with his screenplays for Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2. He's ...

REVIEW: Trying to Protect the Avengers With the Sokovia Accords & His Sunday Foundation, Tony Stank Causes the Empire to Fall in Captain America: Civil War

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 7, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Captain America: Civil War

Directed By: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Tom Holland, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, and Daniel Brühl

"Our very strength incites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict... breeds catastrophe. Supervision is not something to be dismissed out-of-hand."

-Vision (Paul...

REVIEW: With Black Shoes & Duran Duran, Sing Street Lead Cosmo Solves The Happy Sad Riddle of the Model Raphina

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 24, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Sing Street

Directed By: John Carney

Starring: Lucy Boynton, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Aidan Gillen, Jack Reynor, Kelly Thornton, and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo

2016 has been a hard year for music aficionados of all genres. We've lost a lot of legends this year. The names are iconic to say the least. David Bowie, Natalie Cole, Phife Dawg, Glenn Frey, Maurice White, and many others have transitioned to the next life in the last several months leaving legacies that will endure for years to come. This weeke...

REVIEW: Stand or Fall Together Against Ravenna & Freya, The Love of Eric & Sara in The Huntsman: Winter's War Doesn't Conquer All

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 24, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Huntsman: Winter's War

Directed By: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Nick Frost, Sam Claflin, Rob Brydon, and Jessica Chastain

I don't exactly frequent Rotten Tomatoes, but there seems to be no middle ground these days. Movies are either universally acclaimed or universally loathed. Hardly any movies are landing anywhere between 30% and 79% these days. Movies like The Jungle Book and Zootopia comfortably fall in the former category while Batma...

REVIEW: Given Gangsta Grub, the Enclosure & the Ceasefire, The Next Cut At Calvin's Barbershop Gets a Little Real With South Side Chicago

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 17, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Barbershop: The Next Cut

Directed By: Malcolm D. Lee

Starring: Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Regina Hall, Eve, Anthony Anderson, J. B. Smoove, Common, Nicki Minaj, Lamorne Morris, Deon Cole, Sean Patrick Thomas, Margot Bingham, and Tyga

It's been 12 years since the Barbershop franchise has been relevant. It's safe to say that all of us thought the shop was closed for good. However, Hollywood has a way of bringing things back from the dead. Normally, I would give a list of attempts to revi...

REVIEW: When Water Flows to Peace Rock Again, Man-Cub Mowgli Turns to the Red Flower & Dead Trees to Take on Shere Khan

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 16, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

The Jungle Book

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Starring: Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken, and Neel Sethi

"Now this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky,

And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.

As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back;

For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack."

-The...

REVIEW: Because Money Talks & BS Walks, The Boss Michelle Darnell & Her Darlings Serve Up Half-Baked Brownies to Renault (Ronald)

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 10, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Boss

Directed By: Ben Falcone

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, Peter Dinklage, Ella Anderson, Tyler Labine, Annie Mumolo, Kristen Schaal, Margo Martindale, and Kathy Bates

Since the release of Bridesmaids some five years ago now, Melissa McCarthy has been an unstoppable force on the big screen. The proof is in the pudding of her filmography. She's had some quality films in recent years. Just look to films such as The Heat, St. Vincent, and Spy. There's a flip side to the McCarth...

REVIEW: An Otherworldly Movie With Plenty of Daylight, Midnight Special Might Just Make You Believe

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 10, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Midnight Special

Directed By: Jeff Nichols

Starring: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Sam Shepard, and Jaeden Lieberher

Shotgun Stories. Take Shelter. Mud. These films are all the product of a singular director-actor combination, that of visionary Jeff Nichols and his muse Michael Shannon. The third time apparently wasn't the charm as the dynamic duo is back together again on the big screen with this weekend's Midnight Special. For his fourth collaboration with Sh...

REVIEW: From the Sound Machine to Dorm Room 307, Everybody Wants Some of Richard Linklater's Baseball F*ckwithery

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 2, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Everybody Wants Some!!

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Starring: Blake Jenner, Zoey Deutch, Will Brittain, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Glen Powell, Wyatt Russell, and J. Quinton Johnson

It must be April Fool's Day because I really can't write this stuff. Oscar-winning director of Birdman Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu starts a winning streak by rolling out The Revenant. Meanwhile, his biggest competition (and last year's more deserving winner), Boyhood director Richard Linklater goes back to di...

REVIEW: When Lilith Primrose Thinks I'm Possible, She Says Hello My Name Is Doris

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 2, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Hello My Name Is Doris

Directed By: Michael Showalter

Starring: Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Stephen Root, Elizabeth Reaser, Natasha Lyonne, and Tyne Daly

Unless you're Meryl Streep, good roles don't often come for leading ladies of a certain age. That's how Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Angela Bassett end up on FX in American Horror Story. That's how Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin end up on Netflix in Grace & Frankie. That's how Sally Field ends up on ABC in B...

REVIEW: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 – Greek Don’t Crack, Well, Maybe A Little

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, April 2, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Kirk Jones

Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Joey Fatone, and Elena Kampouris

In 2002, Nia Vardalos took the summer box office by storm with her romantic hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Despite having a budget of just $5 million, the film grossed over $368 million worldwide and was a surprise phenomenon. Now, fourteen years later, Vardalos hopes to recreate the magic with My Big Fat Gre...

REVIEW: With the White Portuguese & Granny's Peach Tea, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Flies Too Close to the Sun

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 26, 2016, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Scoot McNairy, and Gal Gadot

For me, there are no two more iconic and awe-inspiring superheroes than Batman and Superman. That's why I'm so heartbroken that their first time on the big screen together is being helmed by Zack Snyder. The man behind comic book adaptations Watchmen and Man of Steel has a less than ...

REVIEW: Referring Up, Eye in the Sky Brings Down the Hellfire In Spite of the Rules of Engagement

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 19, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Eye in the Sky

Directed By: Gavin Hood

Starring: Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, and Barkhad Abdi

There may never be another like the late great Alan Rickman. He truly was a distinguished thespian whose every word was delivered in a savory, captivating manner on the big screen. Whether you remember him as Hans Gruber, Sheriff George, Severus Snape, or any of the many other characters he's portrayed over the years, I pray you don't remember him for his final role as Blue Caterpillar in ...

REVIEW: In 10 Cloverfield Lane, You Don't Build the Ark After the Flood Starts or If Paris et ' J'aime

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 13, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

10 Cloverfield Lane

Directed By: Dan Trachtenberg

Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, and John Gallagher, Jr.

After the massive hit Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the next thing on the radar of J. J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions was supposed to be Star Trek Beyond, or so we thought. As it turns out, Bad Robot got us with the quickness when it dropped the trailer for 10 Cloverfield Lane earlier this year. It literally came out of nowhere when it landed online. The prospect of a se...

REVIEW: In the Kabubble of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Reporter and Kabul 9.5 Kim Baker Delivers Some Decent News at the Box Office

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Directed By: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

Starring: Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, Alfred Molina, and Billy Bob Thornton

When I think of Tina Fey and live action movies over the last several years, I think of halfway decent comedies at best. Sisters. This Is Where I Leave You. Admission. The list goes on, but not necessarily in a good way. I don't typically think of her when it comes to more dramatic fare, but she may have just found a good role that could pr...

REVIEW: London Has Fallen Falls Short Of Olympus

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, March 6, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

London Has Fallen
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Babak Nafaji

Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Alon Moni Aboutboul, Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, Melissa Leo, and Radha Mitchell

Olympus Has Fallen debuted in 2013 and was a box office hit. Audiences of various ages loved the premise and gravitated towards the movie. It delivered action, great special effects, and a compelling protagonist. Given its success, of course, filmmakers decided to give us a sequel. Unfortunatel...

REVIEW: With Night Howlers, Pawpsicles & Godfather Mr. Big, Dumb Bunny Cop Jude the Dude & Sly Fox Nick Make Zootopia Better for Savage Predators & Prey Alike

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 5, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Zootopia

Directed By: Byron Howard and Rich Moore

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, and Shakira

"Everyone comes to Zootopia, thinking they could be anything they want. But you can't. You can only be what you are. Sly fox. Dumb bunny. And that is not wet cement."

-Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman)

This past Thursday night, fourteen million Americans had the distinct displeasure of watching the umpteenth Republican president...

REVIEW: Up Back Forward Down! With Bo Derek, Milk, & Broken Glasses in Blake's Biscuits, Eddie the Eagle Has Landed In His Moment

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 27, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Eddie the Eagle

Directed By: Dexter Fletcher

Starring: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Jim Broadbent, and Christopher Walken

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well."

-Pierre de Coubertin

There's nothing better than a surprise treat at the box office. I typically don't have too many of these, especially this time of year. In the last three weeks, however, I've had three rather enjoyable cinematic ...

REVIEW: The Witch Crackles With Old School Horror & One Dysfunctional Puritan Family

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 27, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Witch

Directed By: Robert Eggers

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, and Lucas Dawson

Having the benefit of having reviewed hundreds and hundreds of films, I generally can size up a film in its first fifteen minutes or so. My ego lets me think I can do it in only five minutes sometimes. In the case of Robert Eggers's The Witch, I thought I had it pegged after the first few moments. I thought it was going to be a dry, fright-less affair. ...

REVIEW: With Four Gold Medals, Jesse Owens Runs His Race Regardless of Jim Crow or the Third Reich

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, February 21, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Race

Directed By: Stephen Hopkins

Starring: Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons, Carice van Houten, Shanice Banton, and William Hurt

Simplicity can be elegance, especially when it comes to movie titles. One-syllable titles are especially potent because they say everything and hardly anything at all. Heat. Ray. Up. These titles are short and sweet but convey so much. There's no better example this weekend than the Jesse Owens biopic Race. In the case of the period biographical pict...

REVIEW: Pride And Prejudice And Zombies – A Surprisingly Fun Mix Of Jane Austen and Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, February 15, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Burr Steers

Starring: Lily James, Sam Riley, Charles Dance, Lena Headey, and Suki Waterhouse

A week ago, I was forced to review Fifty Shades of Black. Right on the heels of viewing that debacle, I was assigned to review Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I assumed that I was being punished by the movie gods for some unknown sin. Perhaps I was too lenient on Magic Mike XXL? Or maybe this was penance because I haven’t seen Bridge of S...

REVIEW: Wham! Deadpool & His X-Men Make It Big With Their Bloody, Hilarious Answer to Francis's What's My Name

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 13, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Deadpool

Directed By: Tim Miller

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T. J. Miller, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, and Stefan Kapicic

2016 is the year of the comic book movie. The release schedule is all the proof you need. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Captain America: Civil War. X-Men: Apocalypse. Suicide Squad. Gambit. Doctor Strange. This year is unlike any other in terms of the sheer number of Marvel and DC properties arriving on the big screen, and it may ...

REVIEW: A Sick Woman, Possibly Dying, The Lady in the Van Mary Shepherd Has the Last Laugh

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, February 7, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Lady in the Van

Directed By: Nicholas Hytner

Starring: Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent, Frances de la Tour, and Roger Allam

In her golden years, Maggie Smith has really cornered the market for playing tough old dames on the big screen. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Quartet, and My Old Lady have all proven this in the last several years. With each return to the big screen, Smith doesn't just play on her persona as the actress with perhaps the most sarcastic tongue. She tackles...

REVIEW: An Upside Down Tree, Jane Got a Gun Doesn't Exactly Ride Up the Ridge to Victory

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, February 7, 2016, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Jane Got a Gun

Directed By: Gavin O'Connor

Starring: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton, Noah Emmerich, Rodrigo Santoro, Boyd Holbrook, and Ewan McGregor

Making a movie trailer has to be a challenging art. The men and women that make these trailers have to make a film worth moviegoers' time and money with just a brief two-minute snippet of the movie at hand. They must convey the essence of the film without revealing too many key plot details. They must make a film seem terrific even when it isn't...

REVIEW: In The Finest Hours, Coast Guard Man Bernie Webber Does Everything to Get Over the Bar to the SS Pendleton for April 16th with Miriam

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Finest Hours

Directed By: Craig Gillespie

Starring: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Holliday Grainger, John Ortiz, and Eric Bana

The aftermath of Jonas is more of his old man winter plaguing us with bone-chilling cold this past week. As I hit the movies, the weather served as a frosty reminder that I had been absent from the box office for a little while. Fittingly, the first movie on deck for me was about being caught in the throes of a deadly winter storm. Yes, I'm talking about ...

REVIEW: Fifty Shades of Black – An Hour and Thirty-Five Minutes of a Shirtless Marlon Wayans

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Fifty Shades of Black

Directed by: Michael Tiddes

Starring: Marlon Wayans, Kali Hawk, Jane Seymour, Mike Epps, Affion Crockett, and Jenny Zigrino

As I was leaving a showing of Fifty Shades of Black, an irate woman remarked, “Is it too late to get my money back?” That question succinctly sums up my thoughts on Fifty Shades and I could literally end my review with that question. But alas, Sobriety Test Movie Reviews must analyze Marlon Wayans’ spoof of Fifty Shades of Grey. Fifty Shades ...

REVIEW: Beasts Of No Nation: A Chilling African Hunger Games

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, January 23, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

Beasts of No Nation
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Starring: Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, and Emmanuel Nii Adom Quaye

Netflix continues to innovate and produce quality entertainment in the streaming media realm with its release of Beasts of No Nation. Netflix is currently streaming a gripping African war drama at a time when #Oscarssowhite is trending and wreaking havoc on the Academy Awards. Many critics lament that Idris Elba was overlooked in the Oscar’s best supporting acto...

REVIEW: When Girls Just Wanna Have Fun & Apple Mojitos, Anomalisa Chooses A Belvedere Martini Straight Up With a Twist

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 16, 2016, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Anomalisa

Directed By: Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson

Starring: David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tom Noonan

This awards season is shaping up to be pretty intriguing with regard to animated fare. The two films going head to head are Inside Out and Anomalisa. In one corner, you have an innocent but brilliant exploration of the inner workings of a child's mind and the competing emotions within it. The fifteenth film from Pixar is no doubt a landmark achievement. In the other corner, w...
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REVIEW: Given Gucci Toilets, Hydrangeas & Mrs. Black Hammer, Ride Along 2 Certainly Doesn't Boast Blentlemen Brothers in Law

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 16, 2016, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Ride Along 2

Directed By: Tim Story

Starring: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Ken Jeong, Benjamin Bratt, Olivia Munn, Bruce McGill, and Tika Sumpter

I have no love lost for the original Ride Along, but it unfortunately made a decent chunk of change at the box office. Given this, the greed machine that is Hollywood greenlit a totally unnecessary sequel. That sequel arrives at the box office this weekend and is taking Kevin Hart and Ice Cube's less-than-interesting bromance to Miami. It saddens me to say...
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REVIEW: A Tree with Strong Roots, The Revenant's Hugh Glass Learns That Revenge Is in God's Hands Not His

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 9, 2016, In : 0.00% Water

The Revenant

Directed By: Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, and Will Poulter

"As long as you can still grab a breath, you fight. You breathe. Keep breathing. When there is a storm. And you stand in front of a tree. If you look at its branches, you swear it will fall. But if you watch the trunk, you will see its stability."
-Hugh Glass's Wife (Grace Dove)

The reigning Oscar champ is back! I may not have been rooting for Birdman throughout last ...
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REVIEW: With the Daddy-Daughter Dance, 4th Grade Bullies, & the Panda's Smooth Jazz, Step-King Brad Puts Up A Loving Fence When King Dusty Says Daddy's Home

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 3, 2016, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Daddy's Home

Directed By: Sean Anders

Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Cannavale, Thomas Haden Church, and John Cena

I've hammered out a number of reviews this holiday season, but Daddy's Home has eluded me. I'm not even going to bother with Point Break, but I can't ignore the comedy playing second fiddle to Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the box office, especially one reuniting The Other Guys co-stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Having seen ...

REVIEW: Flung Out of Space, Therese Gives Carol A Portfolio of Things to Worry Her Including Love & A Morality Clause

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Carol

Directed By: Todd Haynes

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler, and Jake Lacy

I've just about covered all the films in the mix this awards season, excluding The Revenant and 45 Years. Throughout this year’s litany of films, I've mentioned that there was an uptick in the number of adaptations, and I still believe this holds true. The Danish Girl, The Big Short, and Concussion have all continued this trend over the last couple of weeks. Now, we have yet ano...

REVIEW: With the Power of Soap Opera Character Danica & the Next Tom Jones, Joy Becomes Friends in Commerce With QVC Executive Neil Walker

Posted by James Brown on Monday, December 28, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Joy

Directed By: David O. Russell

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Édgar Ramírez, Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen, Isabella Rossellini, Dascha Polanco, and Bradley Cooper

Recurring actor-director collaborations happen fairly often. We call the actors in these collaborations the directors' muses. Alfred Hitchcock had James Stewart (and his blonds). Martin Scorsese had Robert De Niro (and now Leonardo DiCaprio). Steven Spielberg has Tom Hanks. Quentin Tarantino has Samuel L. Jackson...

REVIEW: In Concussion, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu Chooses to Fake the NFL, Whose Players Suffer From CTE, With Science

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 27, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Concussion

Directed By: Peter Landesman

Starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Arliss Howard, Paul Reiser, Luke Wilson, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, David Morse, and Albert Brooks

"The NFL owns a day of the week. The same day the Church used to own. Now it's theirs."

-Dr. Cyril Wecht (Albert Brooks)

It's safe to say that football has supplanted baseball as America's favorite pastime. Garnering 114.5 million viewers earlier this year, Super Bowl XLIX was an unparalleled phenomenon lik...

REVIEW: On the Long Road to Red Rock with the Hangman & Daisy Domergue, Old Mary Todd's Calling The Hateful Eight to Minnie's Haberdashery For One Bloody Western

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 26, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

The Hateful Eight

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, and Channing Tatum

"You only need to hang mean bastards, but mean bastards you need to hang."

-The Hangman John Ruth (Kurt Russell)

Spend Christmas with someone you hate. Now, that's a catchy tagline. It also rings true right now for some moviegoers spending their Christmas holiday with loathsome family members the...

REVIEW: Up 489% on Its Initial Investment, The Big Short Serves Up One Damn Good Ice Cream Sundae With Sprinkles & A Cherry On Top

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 24, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

The Big Short

Directed By: Adam McKay

Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Melissa Leo, Hamish Linklater, Rafe Spall, Marisa Tomei, Finn Wittrock, John Magaro, Adepero Oduye, and Max Greenfield

It's amazing how the best films can catch moviegoers by surprise. 2015 hasn't been a year boasting the strongest awards season contenders. Sure, we have Bridge of Spies, Room, and Brooklyn. The problem is, however, that there seems to be no front runner. This isn't a year o...

REVIEW: At the Revamped Ellis Island Party with Cloud 10, Sisters Kate & Maura Do the Apple Butt Dance All Over the Big Screen

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Sisters

Directed By: Jason Moore

Starring: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Ike Barinholtz, John Cena, Maya Rudolph, James Brolin, and Dianne Wiest

Few films have dared to open against Star Wars: The Force Awakens for good reason. The force is strong with this seventh installment in the famed science fiction franchise. Wildly popular, it's breaking every box office record that there is to break. Right now, the sky's the limit for Star Wars. One movie that dared to dance with box office disaster is rau...

REVIEW: The Danish Girl Entirely Her Violet Self, Lili / Einar Proves That Married People Are Easily Shocked

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Danish Girl

Directed By: Tom Hooper

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch, and Amber Heard

On paper, The Danish Girl has a winning formula. We've got the filmmaker behind The King's Speech and Les Misérables directing Oscar winner and future Harry Potter torchbearer Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) and current Hollywood "it girl" Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, Testament of Youth, The Man ...

REVIEW: Hail Tyrant Macbeth, AKA Michael Fassbender in the Next Great Shakespeare Adaptation

Posted by James Brown on Monday, December 21, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Macbeth

Directed By: Justin Kurzel

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Paddy Considine, Sean Harris, Jack Reynor, Elizabeth Debicki, and David Thewlis

Here we are again with yet another Shakespearean adaptation at the box office. The fun thing about reviewing these films is that the narrative hardly ever factors into my review. It's all about the execution and the overarching creative vision driving each big screen take on the famed playwright’s theatrical works (if he wrote them)...

REVIEW: For the Simple Song of His Youth, Composer Fred Ballinger Lives Life's Last Day with a Little Levity

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 20, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Youth

Directed By: Paolo Sorrentino

Starring: Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, and Jane Fonda

The Great Beauty was a high mark for Paolo Sorrentino two years ago, and I've got nothing but respect for Sorrentino's Oscar-winning artistic achievement, which just happens to be one of my favorite movies featuring the Eternal City. With this in mind, I came into his latest endeavor Youth with a certain curiosity. When you factor in the incredible cast of beloved thespians he's ...

REVIEW: In the Heart of the Sea Doesn't Steal Our Attention Like That White Whale Steals the Whaling Ship Essex

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 19, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

In the Heart of the Sea

Directed By: Ron Howard

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson, and Michelle Fairley

Twas the night before Star Wars, when all through the house

Not a viewer was stirring, not even a mouse.

The light sabers were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Luke soon would be there.

It's the quiet before the storm this weekend. Yes, the force awakens next weekend and will be calling all moviegoers to the box of...

REVIEW: Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Rebooting A New Hope

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Friday, December 18, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow

It is impossible to overstate the world's enthusiasm for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The original Star Wars trilogy is arguably the most influential franchise in cinematic history and is permanently cemented in popular cultur...

Share the Seasons Screamings With These Holiday Films

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 5, 2015,

The holiday season is upon us once again and the classic Christmas movies are making their annual rounds on TV and streaming services. The only problem is that you've probably already seen them all a million times or maybe you're just not in the mood for sappy, saccharine, seasonal fare. Here are some of our favorite non-traditional holiday movies to keep you on the edge of your seat this season.

Please keep in mind, a lot of these movies are cult classics that are so ridiculous or so bad th...
Continue reading ...

REVIEW: With the Weed of Christmas Present & the Staff of Life, The Night Before Is Like A Wrecking Ball Whose Social Media Game is Crazy

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 29, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Night Before

Directed By: Jonathan Levine

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, Michael Shannon, and Mindy Kaling

I've apparently been in need of a good raunchy comedy and didn't even know it. We had Ted 2 and Trainwreck this past summer, but I can't think of a wild comedy from 2015 that makes me instantly chuckle upon reflection. That’s a real shame. If The Night Before is any sign, there’s still hope for what little bit of time we ha...

REVIEW: Immigrant Eilis Lacey Has a Fun Choice Between the Irish Catholic Life With Jim or the Brooklyn Dodgers Life With Tony

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 26, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Brooklyn

Directed By: John Crowley

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Jessica Paré, Eve Macklin, Nora-Jane Noone, and Emily Bett Rickards

Immigrant-themed period piece Brooklyn couldn't have had more perfect timing for its release. It's a time when courts are blocking President Obama's executive action on immigration reform. It's a time when Donald Trump and his fellow Republican presidential contenders are indoctrinating their base with the ...

REVIEW: Not Full of Too Many Beautiful Moments, Love the Coopers Is A Bit Too Unguarded

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 26, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Love the Coopers

Directed By: Jessie Nelson

Starring: Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Ed Helms, Diane Keaton, Jake Lacy, Anthony Mackie, Amanda Seyfried, June Squibb, Marisa Tomei, and Olivia Wilde

Several weeks ago, veteran actor Alan Arkin suffered a minor stroke. We at STMR want to wish
him a safe and speedy recovery during this holiday season. Looking at this situation, I must say that it's really surprising how life can imitate art at times. As fate would have it, Arkin's character suffers a m...

REVIEW: In the Shadow of His Family Rocky Balboa, Baby Creed Adonis Johnson Makes His Own Legacy One Step, One Punch, One Round At a Time

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 26, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Creed

Directed By: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and Tony Bellew

I have to admit that I was baffled when I learned that Ryan Coogler was directing Creed. After all, the breakout director of Fruitvale Station delving into the seventh act of the Rocky Balboa saga for his second feature film isn't a career move that makes a whole lot of sense at first glance. This is especially true when you consider the fact that the aging Sylvest...

REVIEW: Real or Not Real, The Mockingjay's Nightmares Come to a Turbulent Conclusion in the 76th Hunger Games

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 21, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

Directed By: Francis Lawrence

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland

We're just two weeks out from having witnessed what may have been Daniel Craig's final outing as 007 in Spectre, and now we are witnessing Jennifer Lawrence's final outing as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Mo...

REVIEW: The Boston Globe's Spotlight Team Nimbly Tackles Systematic Child Abuse in the Catholic Church

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Spotlight

Directed By: Tom McCarthy

Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, and Stanley Tucci

“If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one.”

-Mitchell Garabedian (Stanley Tucci)

As we’ve seen one adaptation after another arrive at the box office throughout the fall movie season, I’ve been highly critical of many of the films in terms of scope. Movies like Steve Jobs and Trumbo have failed to convey the grandness...

REVIEW: With Roman Holiday, The Brave One & Spartacus, Trumbo & the Blacklisted Hollywood Ten Fight the Motion Picture Alliance

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 14, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Trumbo

Directed By: Jay Roach

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Louis C.K., Elle Fanning, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Helen Mirren, Alan Tudyk, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Hollywood loves films about itself. The proof is in the awards-filled pudding. Movies about the movies have gotten lots of awards love over the last several years. The Artist and Argo added Best Picture Oscars under their belts, while Hugo cleaned up in the technical awards categories across the board. Films such...

REVIEW: The Peanuts Movie – Nostalgia And Great Dancing Cannot Save The Lovable Loser Charlie Brown

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, November 11, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Peanuts Movie
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Steve Martino

Starring: Kristin Chenoweth, Bill Melendez, Hadley Belle Miller, and Noah Schnapp

When I first saw The Peanuts Movie trailer, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. I grew up watching Charlie Brown specials every holiday season. The comic strips and cartoons have a warm place in my heart. At the same time, I wondered whether Charlie Brown would translate on the big screen at a time when we are inundated with animated fare. The Peanuts ...

REVIEW: For the Nine Eyes Data Ghost, Spectre Tries to Stop A Deal Between The Pale King & One Cuckoo Mickey Mouse for L'Americain

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 7, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Spectre

Directed By: Sam Mendes

Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Monica Bellucci, and Ralph Fiennes

Is Daniel Craig out of bullets? Many have been considering this weekend's Spectre to be Craig's final outing as beloved British Secret Service agent James Bond. Yes, Daniel Craig has been around the block as 007 a few times. Yes, he had a tantrum saying he would rather kill himself than suit up again. However, he al...

REVIEW: With Deeds Not Words, Foot Soldier & Suffragette Maud Watts Never Surrenders & Never Gives Up the Fight for the Vote for Women

Posted by James Brown on Monday, November 2, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Suffragette

Directed By: Sarah Gavron

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson, Anne-Marie Duff, Ben Whishaw, and Meryl Streep

The best cinematic experiences are often the ones from which moviegoers take away something, the ones from which they learn something. Entertainment and education aren't mutually exclusive objectives in filmmaking. With all the adaptations we're seeing during this particular awards season, it's safe to say that we as a movie-going public ought to...

REVIEW: Truth Finds the Courage to Say FEA to Its Abusive Dad America

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 1, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Truth

Directed By: James Vanderbilt

Starring: Robert Redford, Cate Blanchett, Topher Grace, Dennis Quaid, and Elisabeth Moss

As much as the right wing tries to put every single one of our nation's woes on President Obama (and his liberal media), everyone has to admit that his direct predecessor George W. Bush left the United States FUBAR. The Iraq War. Hurricane Katrina. Scooter Libby. The Great Recession. The list goes on and on. Yes, Bush 43 has plenty of failures. Even Republican presid...

REVIEW: With Joy and Jack Newsome, Room Rolls, Wiggles Free, and Jumps to Greatness From A Garden Shed World

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, October 29, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Room

Directed By: Lenny Abrahamson

Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, Sean Bridgers, and William H. Macy

Brie Larson has been one to watch over the last several years. From bit roles in Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and 21 Jump Street to meatier supporting roles in The Spectacular Now and Don Jon, Larson has stolen scenes in film after film. Her breakout lead role was equally impressive in the outstanding indie drama Short Term 12. Since then, she's had supporting roles in The G...

REVIEW: To Defeat the Witch Queen for Ax & Cross, Last Witch Hunter Kaulder Must Remember Your Death With the Help of Dream Walker Chloe

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 25, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Last Witch Hunter

Directed By: Breck Eisner

Starring: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, and Michael Caine

Considering he began Universal's amazing streak this year with the $1.5 billion box office haul of Furious 7 and that he solidified his place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Groot in last year's Guardians of the Galaxy, Vin Diesel should be on top of the world right now. He should be taking a victory lap before getting back to the things that are helping his career to flourish. ...

REVIEW: With Synergy 51N3RG-Y But Fearing the Unknown, Jem and the Holograms Doesn’t Quite Uncover the Mystery or the Dismal Mediocrity of Starlight Enterprises

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 25, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Jem and the Holograms

Directed By: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Aubrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, Hayley Kiyoko, Aurora Perrineau, Juliette Lewis, Ryan Guzman, and Molly Ringwald

Other than Back to the Future Day, it's safe to say that films not named Star Wars are hardly getting any love this week. With sites crashing, world records breaking, and tickets being scalped for as much as $10,000, it's safe to say that Star Wars is dominating the pop culture landscape once again. That's why I'm less than sho...

REVIEW: For A Monstrous Love, Many Women Have Sipped the Poisonous Tea at Allerdale Hall in Crimson Peak

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 25, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Crimson Peak

Directed By: Guillermo del Toro

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, and Jim Beaver

I've been highly critical of the horror genre since I began STMR (and long before that as well). There are few films I've given high marks in recent years including slasher flick You're Next and supernatural horror flick It Follows. Still, the genre's been languishing in my eyes for quite some time. The proof is in the mockumentary-flavored pudding Hollywood ...

REVIEW: In Bridge of Spies, Standing Man James B. Donovan Gives Us More Than Just a 2-for-1 at Glienicke Bridge & Checkpoint Charlie

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 17, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Bridge of Spies

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and Alan Alda

"You're not worried?!"

-James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks)

"Would it help?"

-Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance)

There is such a thing as a match made in heaven on the big screen. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks are living proof of this. You need to look no further than films such as Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, and The Terminal. Any collaboration between these two cinema legends is a 2-for-1 spe...

REVIEW: Playing the Orchestra But Not TIME's Man of the Year, Steve Jobs Is All About Clouds, Love & Life

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 17, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Steve Jobs

Directed By: Danny Boyle

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels

The adaptations keep on coming. I obsess over the unusually large wave of films based on books, public figures, and other source materials as this fall movie season rolls onward. As I look at the slate of films on hand this weekend, I've come to realize that there's a smaller trend in recent years as well, one focused on technology. Recognizing the role technology plays in our lives, H...

REVIEW: Pan Doesn't Exactly Mine the Pixie Dust of Neverland Into Movie Magic

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 17, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Pan

Directed By: Joe Wright

Starring: Levi Miller, Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara, and Amanda Seyfried

I've said this time and time again. Getting a release date pushed back is a curse for a film. The proof is in the product put out by the studio when a film's release date is the hot potato nobody wants. Seventh Son was a great example of this earlier in the year. As fate would have it, this Columbus Day weekend offers another film that unfortunately fits this bill with Joe Wrigh...

REVIEW: In The Walk, French High-Wire Artist Philippe Petit Leads a Crazy Coup Atop the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 4, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Walk

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz, and Steve Valentine

It's amazing how each movie season seems to have a theme or trend. I said this a couple of weeks ago, but this fall movie season is all about adaptations. It's being proven once again this weekend at the box office by the two big releases of the hour. In one corner, we have Ridley Scott's The Martian, an adaptation of Andy Weir's 2011 novel ...

REVIEW: In The Martian, Ares Space Pirate Mark Watney Doubles As Iron Man to Pull Off Project Elrond & Survive More Than 500 Sols With Potatoes

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 3, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

The Martian

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, and Mackenzie Davis

Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity may have hit a nerve in the human psyche and started a trend at the box office. Every year since Gravity's debut on the big screen back in 2013, we've had a space epic arrive. With each, we have interesting collective dialogue about the authentici...

REVIEW: In the Land of Wolves, Sicario Kate Macer Fights the Coming Medellin

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 3, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Sicario

Directed By: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Victor Garber, and Jon Bernthal

There are lots of great movies out there, but there are few that I would characterize as beasts. There's a certain raw energy that marks these kinds of movies that's unmistakable. The Wolf of Wall Street had a beast-like ferocity. Whiplash raged. Mad Max: Fury Road roared into theaters earlier this summer. These are the kinds of great movies we don't get every day. Th...

REVIEW: The Intern Ben Whittaker Charms Jules Ostin & Her About The Fit (ATF) Staff With A Handkerchief & A Briefcase

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 27, 2015,

The Intern

Directed By: Nancy Meyers

Starring: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, and Adam DeVine

Republicans have gotten away with spewing record amounts of crap at voters over the last several months. From Planned Parenthood selling fetal organs on the black market to Social Security becoming solvent again with tax revenues from pimps and prostitutes, it's safe to say that this has been one of the most bizarre election years of most of our lifetimes. The central tenet underlying the p...

REVIEW: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials – Flare Zombies, The Sun And W.C.K.D. Put Our Heroes Through The Fire

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, September 20, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Wes Ball

Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Kaye Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Giancarlo Esposito, Patricia Clarkson, Aidan Gillen

Ever since the success of the Twilight and Hunger Games series of films, studios have been trying to find the next big young adult book craze. Many attempts have failed, but in 2014, Divergent and The Maze Runner films met with some success and earned sequels. Based on the second novel in James Da...

REVIEW: Just Saying, Johnny Depp Is Psychotic & Cerebral As Top Echelon FBI Informant Whitey Bulger In Black Mass

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 19, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Black Mass

Directed By: Scott Cooper

Starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemons, Corey Stoll, Peter Sarsgaard, and Dakota Johnson

Johnny Depp's career has hit a trough in recent years. Despite the billion dollar successes of Alice in Wonderland and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides several years ago, film duds such as The Tourist, Dark Shadows, Transcendence, and The Lone Ranger loom large on his recent filmography. Believe me, these duds a...

REVIEW: In Everest, The Last Word Always Belongs to the Mountain, Which Makes Its Own Weather for Adventure Consultant Rob Hall

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 19, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Everest

Directed By: Baltasar Kormákur

Starring: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, Michael Kelly, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Emily Watson, Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, and Jake Gyllenhaal

Welcome back STMR readers! It's amazing how the box office kicks into high gear every year on the third weekend of September. It's like clockwork. The doldrums of late summer are now behind us, and the fall movie season is thankfully upon us. With it, we get a taste of more thought-provoking blockbusters as ...

REVIEW: Not Incontinence or the Stomach Flu, The Visit's Elixir Is Sundown Syndrome

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 12, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Visit

Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan

Starring: Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie, and Kathryn Hahn

I came into The Visit with quite a few reservations to say the least, and it's not just the fact that I am returning to STMR after a bit of a hiatus. After all, we're talking about M. Night Shyamalan. He hasn't had a good movie in well over a decade. His previous feature film After Earth says it all in the way it sank the box office prospects of the unsinkable mov...

REVIEW: Straight Outta Compton – One Time, Suge Knight And Jerry Don’t Fare Too Well In This Hip Hop Epic

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, August 17, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Straight Outta Compton
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: F. Gary Gray

Starring: O’Shea Jackson, Jr., Jason Mitchell, Corey Hawkins, Paul Giamatti, Neil Brown, Jr., and Aldis Hodge

The Black Lives Matter movement, along with cell phone cameras, has recently shined a light on the tense relationship between people of color and law enforcement. But in the mid-1980’s, a rap group by the name of N.W.A. (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) shined a light on police brutality in their infamous song “F*ck the Police.�...

REVIEW: For Nuclear Bombs & A Father's Watch, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Solo & His Cowboy-Loving Partner Kuryakin Take On Vinciguerra's Diadema

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 16, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Directed By: Guy Ritchie

Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris, and Hugh Grant

Spy movies are in full supply this year, and moviegoers have been anything but disappointed. Kingsman: Secret Service, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, and Spy have set a high bar for the spy flicks making their way to theaters in these later months, namely Spectre and this weekend's The Man From U.N.C.L.E. All that being said, the reboot t...

REVIEW: The Gift – Some Interesting Twists, But Otherwise A Bit Dull

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Gift
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Joel Edgerton

Starring: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, Wendell Pierce, and Busy Philipps

Billed as this generation’s Fatal Attraction, The Gift opened this weekend to rave reviews. While the film does pack a few surprises for audiences, the movie does not live up to expectations. The Gift serves as more of a public service announcement than a psychological thriller.

Simon (Jason Bateman) has a high powered new position in a security/technology ...

REVIEW: Despite the Silk Night Sky of Ricki and the Flash, Meryl Streep Doesn't Rock Here

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Ricki and the Flash

Directed By: Jonathan Demme

Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Audra McDonald, Sebastian Stan, Rick Springfield, and Ben Platt

There is no one in Hollywood right now who can touch Meryl Streep. With nineteen Oscar nods and counting, the sky's the limit for the iconic actress. I'd argue that this late period of her career has been one of her most productive times on the big screen. The proof is in just how much product she's been putting out in recent years....

REVIEW: When Captain Nemo Takes His Baxter Foundation Fellows Through the Quantum Gate to Planet Zero, The Fantastic Four Fail to Emerge

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 8, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Fantastic Four

Directed By: Josh Trank

Starring: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, and Tim Blake Nelson

On paper, the Fantastic Four reboot has everything going for it. It has the up-and-coming director of the superhero mockumentary Chronicle. It has the young stars of films like Whiplash, Fruitvale Station, and The Spectacular Now. It has low expectations to beat relative to the original entries some ten years ago. With all this in mind, I ...

REVIEW: Paper Towns – Q, Ben And Radar Sing The Pokémon Theme Song And Take One Last Road Trip

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, August 1, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Paper Towns
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Jake Schreier

Starring: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams, Justice Smith, Halston Sage, Jaz Sinclair

With a great deal of reluctance, I agreed to review Paper Towns. I was not looking forward to seeing another film based on a John Green novel. After all, I remembered the sobbing and squeals of “Oh my God, I can’t take it” as I watched The Fault In Our Stars. I feared that Paper Towns would make me want to run screaming from the theater, dr...

REVIEW: With Solomon Lane, the Bone Doctor & Ilsa Faust, Rogue Nation the Syndicate Gives IMF's Finest Gambler Ethan Hunt One More Impossible Mission

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 1, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris, Alec Baldwin, and Simon McBurney

"I can neither confirm nor deny any details without the secretary's approval."

-Agent William Brandt (Jeremy Renner), Impossible Mission Force

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get to the box office this weekend. The Impossible Mission Force (IMF) is back on the scene. Agent Ethan Hunt...

REVIEW: For Gamers Brenner, Wonder Kid, Fireblaster & Chewie Need Cheat Codes Instead of Light Cannons to Make Pixels Worthwhile

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 26, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Pixels

Directed By: Chris Columbus

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Brian Cox, Ashley Benson, and Jane Krakowski

I've really come to despise Adam Sandler movies in recent years. For some strange reason, however, I held out hope for Pixels. After all, its premise is more than just Sandler waltzing around screen giving American cinema a bad name. Pixels is about the characters that laid the foundation of the gaming world we know and love today. ...

REVIEW: The Facts Behind Mr. Holmes' Long Life on the Big Screen Include Royal Jelly, Prickly Ash & the Delightful Charms of Sir Ian McKellen

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 19, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Mr. Holmes

Directed By: Bill Condon

Starring: Sir Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Milo Parker

In the pantheon of British fictional characters, there are three reigning kings. Harry Potter certainly has a place in our hearts with the magic he's to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in recent years. MI-6 secret agent James Bond has had us preferring our martinis shaken not stirred for more than half a century now. The most iconic British character of them all, however, ...

REVIEW: Despite the Mets, The Dog Walker & Billy Joel's Uptown Girl, Monogamy Isn't Realistic for Trainwreck's Amy Schumer Until It Is

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 19, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Trainwreck

Directed By: Judd Apatow

Starring: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Colin Quinn, John Cena, LeBron James, Mike Birbiglia, Vanessa Bayer, Ezra Miller, and Tilda Swinton

Romantic comedies are dying a slow death at the mainstream box office. With just About Time, That Awkward Moment, and About Last Night joining the ranks in the last couple of years, it's clear that tales of blissful romance have gone by the wayside. Every once in a while, we're reminded that this endangered speci...

REVIEW: Baskin Robbins Always Finds Out How Ant-Man Goes Subatomic On the Big Screen

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 18, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Ant-Man

Directed By: Peyton Reed

Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Tip "T.I." Harris, Wood Harris, Judy Greer, David Dastmalchian, and Michael Douglas

The trailers for Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad may be all the rage right now as Warner Bros. seeks to lay the foundations of its DC Comics universe on the big screen. Still, Marvel Studios is the dominant player, even without some of its flagship heroes such as the X-Men a...

REVIEW: Minions – Hey, Hey It’s The Minions, But Gru Is Missing

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Minions
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, and Geoffrey Rush

The Despicable Me franchise is one of the most successful animated series of all time. The films are well made with interesting plots and fast-paced, biting dialogue. As characters, the minions have been an integral part of the Despicable Me movies. However, the focus of the films has largely been on Steve Carrell’s lead character ...
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REVIEW: Testament of Youth Is A Beautiful, Tragic Testament for Pacifism from WWI Nurse, Oxford Scholar, & Writer Vera Brittain

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 12, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Testament of Youth

Directed By: James Kent

Starring: Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Colin Morgan, Emily Watson, Hayley Atwell, Dominic West, and Miranda Richardson

I recently had the distinct displeasure of watching Kit Harington die twice in the same weekend on the big and small screens. As you all may be aware, there was a mutiny against Jon Snow (Harington) on Game of Thrones for his love of the Wildlings, for the Watch. With the perception of Snow as breaking bread with their enemy, the i...
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REVIEW: During The Overnight, Kurt & Charlotte Make New Friends in Alex & Emily With Their Expansion Courtesy of Mommy's Milk

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 12, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Overnight

Directed By: Patrick Brice

Starring: Adam Scott, Taylor Schilling, Jason Schwartzman, and Judith Godrèche

We've been overdue for some weird ones at the box office. We've had quirky movies but not those kinds of strikingly weird movies that render moviegoers speechless. I'm talking about the kinds of movies that leave you wondering what the hell you're watching on the big screen and why you ever would have paid good money to see something like them in the first place. Well, my l...
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REVIEW: Magic Mike XXL – White Chocolate Takes The Boys To The Stripper Convention

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, July 6, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Magic Mike XXL
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Gregory Jacobs

Starring: Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Jada Pinkett Smith, Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriguez, Kevin Nash, Amber Heard, Stephen Boss

A few years ago, I reviewed Magic Mike. It is difficult to capture the experience of seeing that film on opening weekend—the lines of women, the excited whispers, the cheers and the jeers. It is an event. I knew that I had to take my Magic Mike XXL experience up a notch. So I went to see the sequel with f...
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REVIEW: Theoretically, Pops & the Exiles of Time in Terminator Genisys Are Old, Not Obsolete

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, July 2, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Terminator Genisys

Directed By: Alan Taylor

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Lee Byung-hun, and J. K. Simmons

"Follow a straight line and don't look back.”
-Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke)

I recently read an article on Entertainment Weekly's website about the decline of the American actor. The article espouses that, after generations of heavyweights like Brando, Nicholson, Streep, and Pacino, there's no one picking up the mantle. The problem is pretty a...
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REVIEW: Help Me Home Because Ted 2 Offers Plenty of Fresh Cakes of Comedy

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 28, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Ted 2

Directed By: Seth MacFarlane

Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Freeman, Jessica Barth, Giovanni Ribisi, and John Slattery

The thunder buddies for life are back, and they seem to be ready-made for 2015. From Deflate Gate's Tom Brady to Taken 3's Liam Neeson, the flood of perfectly timed pop culture references says it all. With The Breakfast Club turning 30 back in February, Ted's library dance moves certainly pay homage to the signature John Hughes coming-o...
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REVIEW: Inside Out of Riley's Mind With Core Memories & TripleDent Gum Commercials, Joy & Sadness Take a Fun Ride Through the Islands of Personality & Imagination Land

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 21, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Inside Out

Directed By: Pete Docter

Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, and Mindy Kaling

America could use a little happiness right about now. With the atrocities that took place in Charleston, South Carolina this week, I'm certain that many of our hearts are heavy. Regardless of what anyone in the media or the blogosphere says, racism and gun control are two of the crucial issues of our time. The desire to pick up a gun and go kill black people is not a mental illn...
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REVIEW: The Part Where You Respect the Research On the Doomed Friendships of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 14, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Directed By: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

Starring: Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, Ronald Cyler II, Jon Bernthal, Nick Offerman, Connie Britton, and Molly Shannon

We've had a terrific run of coming-of-age movies in recent years. Boyhood, The Way, Way Back, The Spectacular Now, Short Term 12, Mud, and The Kings of Summer have all risen to the occasion at one point or another in the last several years. What's so marvelous about this list of quality movies is that they're all so...
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REVIEW: Love & Mercy Is All About the Beach Boys' Paranoid Schizophrenic Brian Wilson

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 14, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Love & Mercy

Directed By: Bill Pohlad

Starring: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, and Paul Giamatti

I would be lying if I were to say that am a huge fan of the Beach Boys. I'm familiar with their discography, and I respect what they accomplished in their day. However, I'm not exactly rocking to their tunes on Amazon Prime. That being said, this doesn't mean that I can't appreciate Brian Wilson's tale. After all, there's a rich story to be told here. A musical heavyweight whose career...
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REVIEW: I'll See You In My Dreams With An Appletini & A Black Rat

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 14, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

I'll See You In My Dreams

Directed By: Brett Haley

Starring: Blythe Danner, Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, Malin Akerman, June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place

I'm one who frequently espouses the notion that we go to the movies and get exposed to different worlds, different cultures, and different ways of thinking. While I certainly still cling to this belief, I'd also argue that we go to the movies to escape from the reality of our own lives. We catch a flick after a long day at work. We...
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REVIEW: The Personal Trainers at Austin's Power4Life Deliver Humorous Results Because No Fear Excuses Surrender

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 13, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Results

Directed By: Andrew Bujalski

Starring: Guy Pearce, Cobie Smulders, Kevin Corrigan, Giovanni Ribisi, Brooklyn Decker, Anthony Michael Hall, Tishuan Scott, Zoe Graham, David Bernon, and Constance Zimmer

You may have noticed that I've been quiet on the independent film front lately. The reason for this is that I have a day job, and my personal life has kept me fairly busy lately. With this, I've slowed down my pace a bit. All that being said, I haven't forgotten about STMR or my love of ...
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REVIEW: With the Indominus Rex, Velociraptors That Can Take Orders & An Aging Tyrannosaurus Rex, Jurassic World Tries to Up the Wow Factor

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 13, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Jurassic World

Directed By: Colin Trevorrow

Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Omar Sy, B. D. Wong, and Irrfan Khan

Twenty two years ago this week, the perfect storm came together at the box office. Jurassic Park opened. As I reflect nostalgically upon this monumental moment in movie history, I realize that the stars had to align for Jurassic Park to be truly one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. The story had to be ther...
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REVIEW: Despite the Man Who Can't Breathe's Obsession With Quinn Brenner, Insidious: Chapter 3 Isn't A Real Traffic Stopper

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 7, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Insidious: Chapter 3

Directed By: Leigh Whannell

Starring: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson, Leigh Whannell, and Lin Shaye

Into the further we go one more time. The Insidious franchise is one I didn't expect to have this kind of longevity. Yes, it's made some money and lined the pockets of studio execs on two separate occasions. Still, it's a franchise that jumped into the fray at what I hope is the tail end of this supernatural phase in the horror genre. Then again, I hold hig...
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REVIEW: Entourage – Vince And The Boys Should Have Stayed On The Small Screen

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, June 7, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Entourage
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Doug Ellin

Starring: Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly, Adrien Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, Billy Bob Thornton, and Ronda Rousey

Entertainment Weekly Radio held a town hall with the Entourage cast on SiriusXm. During the broadcast, the cast was asked why they decided to turn their hit HBO series into a movie. One of the cast members responded that once they saw how much money the Sex and the City movie made, the Entourage crew decided they could make t...
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REVIEW: Whether Penny Morgan or Amber Valentine, Spy Susan Cooper Finds Her Calling Chasing Rayna, De Luca, & Renaldo

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 6, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Spy

Directed By: Paul Feig

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale, Nargis Fakhri, Allison Janney, and Jude Law

Director Paul Feig seems to have a comedic muse, and her name is Melissa McCarthy. In 2011, she was a supporting but integral contributor to the genius comedy Bridesmaids. Alongside Sandra Bullock, McCarthy then headlined Feig's next feature in 2013, the buddy action comedy The Heat. Some two years later, Feig and McCarthy are reuniting on...
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REVIEW: Despite Gilchrest & Ng's Chemistry, The Payload from Aloha's Global One Is Indeed Nuclear

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 31, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Aloha

Directed By: Cameron Crowe

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, John Krasinski, Danny McBride, and Alec Baldwin

Unexpectedly bad movies are the worst. It's a game of expectations that we've all lost. You go into the theater expecting a halfway decent movie at a minimum. Instead, you get nothing but garbage for your time and money. When you expect very little at the box office, a movie can either meet your expectations by sucking or exceed them by pleasantl...
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REVIEW: San Andreas – A Disaster Movie For Conservatives

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, May 31, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

San Andreas
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Brad Peyton

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario, Ioan Gruffudd, Archie Panjabi, and Paul Giamatti

After last week’s disappointing Memorial Day box office, this weekend movie-goers are being treated to a summer movie staple: the disaster flick. Audiences love to see tornadoes, volcanoes, and uncontrollable natural disasters wreaking havoc. We are entertained by buildings falling apart, iconic landmarks being leveled and the ultima...
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Star Wars Episode VII: Comparing Cast to Their Roles

Posted by Zack Mandell on Wednesday, May 27, 2015,

Star Wars Episode VII does not only bring back classic characters, but also introduces new ones to the story. As of now, three new heroes and a villain are generating a great deal of excitement and speculation amongst the fan base of the franchise. Here’s a breakdown of the actors in their upcoming roles:

John Boyega as “Finn”

British-born John Boyega is no stranger to acting in sci-fi roles, as evidenced by his film debut Attack the Block. Not only that, but he also identifies as a fa...
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REVIEW: In Poltergeist, This House Is Not Clean

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 24, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Poltergeist

Directed By: Gil Kenan

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris, and Jane Adams

The end of an era has come. It's the real thing. Buying the world a coke and concluding the story of Don Draper, Mad Men has ended its incredible seven season run. While I'll certainly miss this truly one-of-a-kind show, the thing that's on my mind this weekend is a long forgotten partner of Sterling Cooper Draper Price. That's right. I'm talking about Lane Price and the man who portray...
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REVIEW: Tomorrowland Is Full of Dreamers Who Try to Feed the Right Wolf

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 23, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Tomorrowland

Directed By: Brad Bird

Starring: George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, Britt Robertson, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Kathryn Hahn, and Keegan-Michael Key

Summer 2015 has brought with it a strong run at the box office so far. Avengers: Age of Ultron, Pitch Perfect 2, and Mad Max: Fury Road have all made loads of cash at the box office. As we kick off Memorial Day weekend, I believe we've found our first duds of the summer movie season. Interestingly enough, one of them comes from Disney, on...
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REVIEW: O Negative High Octane Universal Donor Mad Max Rides on Fury Road With Furiosa for the Green Land With the War Boys Hot on Their Trail

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 16, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Mad Max: Fury Road

Directed By: George Miller

Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee, and Courtney Eaton

At the beginning of the year, I said that 2015 was the year of the reborn franchise. Just look to upcoming installments for the Jurassic Park, Terminator, and Star Wars series. It's undeniable. There's one franchise introducing itself to a new generation of moviegoers this weekend that has a k...
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REVIEW: In Pitch Perfect 2, The Barden Bellas Riff Off With Junk From Das Sound Machine, the Green Bay Packers & Snoop Dogg's Christmas Album

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 15, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Pitch Perfect 2

Directed By: Elizabeth Banks

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee, Alexis Knapp, Hailee Steinfeld, and Chrissie Fit

The best critics should have the wisdom to acknowledge when they're wrong. Well, it's time to acknowledge that I got it wrong with regard to the 2012 sleeper hit Pitch Perfect. I saw the original as an earnest but not-so-funny affair. Looking back, I have to disagree with my 2012 self and say that the film bursts with a b...

REVIEW: Hot Pursuit – The Joke? Sofia Vergara Is Old & Reese Witherspoon Is Short

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, May 9, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Hot Pursuit
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Anne Fletcher

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara, Robert Zakinsky, and Richard T. Jones

Presumably in an effort to offer an alternative to Avengers: Age of Ultron, Warner Brothers released a female buddy comedy this week, Hot Pursuit. At first glance, the pairing of Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon with television darling Sofia Vergara seems like a grand idea. Witherspoon, while known for her dramatic turns, has found success with comedies ...
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REVIEW: With Jarvis As Co-Pilot During Its Lullaby, The Monster Avengers Certainly Don't Watch Their Language in the Age of Ultron

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 2, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Directed By: Joss Whedon

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Anthony Mackie, Hayley Atwell, Idris Elba, Stellan Skarsgård, James Spader, and Samuel L. Jackson

"When the Earth starts to settle, God throws a stone at it. And believe me. He's winding up."
-Ultron (James Spader)

It's time to initiate the Theta Protocol. It...
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REVIEW: In the Old Fashioned 5 to 7, Writer Brian Bloom & His Perfect Love The Mermaid Arielle Swing from the Heels

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 26, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

5 to 7

Directed By: Victor Levin

Starring: Anton Yelchin, Bérénice Marlohe, Glenn Close, Frank Langella, Lambert Wilson, and Olivia Thirlby

"I will hold your heart more tenderly than my own."
-Valery & Arielle (Lambert Wilson & Bérénice Marlohe)

I've noted this on several occasions before, but the best films often help me to either broaden or reassess my perspective on this big blue world in which we live. I've rarely said this about films tackling matters of the heart, however. All that bei...
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REVIEW: A Near Miss at 87 Degrees, The Age of Adaline Needs An Electric Jolt Just Like the Dilla Comet

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 25, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Age of Adaline

Directed By: Lee Toland Krieger

Starring: Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Kathy Baker, Amanda Crew, Harrison Ford, and Ellen Burstyn

It's the quiet before the storm at the box office this weekend. The summer movie season is right around the corner! Earth's mightiest heroes are leading the charge. Avengers: Age of Ultron is almost here ladies and gentlemen. On this fateful weekend, we have just one new mainstream flick entering the fray, one that could potentially serve as c...
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REVIEW: Never Have I Ever Seen Petulant Teens Whine Like They Do on Skype Video Calls in Unfriended

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Unfriended

Directed By: Levan Gabriadze

Starring: Shelley Hennig, Moses Jacob Storm, Renee Olstead, Will Peltz, Jacob Wysocki, Courtney Halverson, and Heather Sossaman

Modern Family tried something rather interesting earlier this season. The ABC sitcom did an episode with a rather unique premise. They did an episode entirely on video chat. It was a creative risk that paid off. That format just made its way to the big screen with this past weekend's Unfriended. While this variation on the mo...
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REVIEW: Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Offers Moviegoers Anything But A Rocky Mountain Steed

Posted by James Brown on Monday, April 20, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2

Directed By: Andy Fickman

Starring: Kevin James, Neal McDonough, Daniella Alonso, David Henrie, Raini Rodriguez, Loni Love, and Geovanni Gopradi

I've been starting to think that I've been getting softer as a movie critic. I've been giving fewer wasted ratings. I've not had any recent urges to walk out of movies. To take the cake, I can't even remember the last time I wrote an angry movie review. All of these thoughts came to a screeching halt this weekend when I saw Pa...
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REVIEW: For the Klimt Painting “Woman in Gold” & the Memory of Her Aunt Adele, Austrian Maria Altmann Gives Us A Lesson in Art Restitution

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 19, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Woman in Gold

Directed By: Simon Curtis

Starring: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl, Katie Holmes, Tatiana Maslany, Max Irons, Charles Dance, Elizabeth McGovern, and Jonathan Pryce

A couple of years ago, I fumed in a series of reviews about having had enough of WWII-themed movies. As much as I hate to admit it, I might have been wrong. There are many facets to the Second Great War, and there might just be a few of them left untold on the big screen. In the last couple of years, filmm...
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REVIEW: In True Story, Shortstop Christian Longo Gives Mike Finkel of The New York Times a Double Negative Wink

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 19, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

True Story

Directed By: Rupert Goold

Starring: Jonah Hill, James Franco, Felicity Jones, Gretchen Mol, Betty Gilpin, and John Sharian

Both James Franco and Jonah Hill are extremely versatile actors. Having appeared in superhero movies, comedies, dramas, animated films, and everything in between over the years, these two are now perhaps a bit overexposed. I'm a fan of both of them. However, they're always in something at the box office. It's time for them to take a little break. With fourtee...
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REVIEW: Ex Machina's Turing Test of Magician's Assistant Ava & Her Bluebook Software Boasts One Intriguing Chess Match With No Power Cuts

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 19, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Ex Machina

Directed By: Alex Garland

Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, and Oscar Isaac

There are many themes that have come to define the science fiction genre over the years. Space travel, time travel, and aliens are just a few that pervade the genre. One particular theme has stood out prominently in the last several decades, namely the battle of man versus machine. It's mankind against the artificially intelligent beings we've created. With films like The Terminator and The Matr...
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REVIEW: The Longest Ride – Romance, Art And The Toughest Sport On Dirt

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Longest Ride
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: George Tillman, Jr.

Starring: Britt Robertson, Scott Eastwood, Jack Huston, Oona Chaplin, Alan Alda, Melissa Benoist, and Lolita Davidovich

Nicholas Sparks is well known for romance novels that can be easily converted into date night movies. The films based on Sparks’ bestselling novels always find an audience. With dreamy leading men and sweeping love stories, Sparks wins over audiences despite the predictability of his tales. The Longest Ride i...
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REVIEW: With Darby's Ice Cream & Arthritis Arthritis, While We're Young Has No Process in Finding the Beautiful Truth of Life

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 5, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

While We're Young

Directed By: Noah Baumbach

Starring: Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Adam Driver, Amanda Seyfried, Charles Grodin, Adam Horovitz, and Maria Dizzia

I've still got a few good years left in my twenties, but I do realize that time is ticking away. Thankfully, I'm not at the beginning of some long monologue about getting older. I am, however, at the beginning of a rather interesting realization about how the generational gap widens with each passing generation. We live longer than ever...
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REVIEW: For Ramsey, A Supercar & the God's Eye Chip, Double Alpha Roman Almost Leads Furious 7 to Unleash the Beast

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 4, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Furious 7

Directed By: James Wan

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Kurt Russell, Djimon Hounsou, and Jason Statham

With seven movies over fifteen years, the Fast & Furious franchise has certainly had a lengthy run on the big screen. Still, it doesn't look like this series is riding into the sunset anytime soon. Unfortunately for all those who loved Dom's family as we know it, we lost one of its core members. ...
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REVIEW: Hey, Baby Doll! As Danny Collins, Al Pacino Gets His Patter Back With the Camera Thanks to a Letter from John Lennon

Posted by James Brown on Monday, March 30, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Danny Collins

Directed By: Dan Fogelman

Starring: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner, Bobby Cannavale, Christopher Plummer, Melissa Benoist, and Josh Peck

A couple of years ago, I heard of this challenge for film aficionados called Mount Rushmore. It essentially entails naming one's four favorite actors who would be on their cinematic Rushmore, figuratively speaking. Without a shadow of a doubt, the one person who has a guaranteed spot on mine is the iconic Al Pacino. In my humble opi...
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REVIEW: Get Hard Kiesters Bad Comedy Given Mayo's Status With the Crenshaw Kings for Life & Chocolate's Flailing Hollywood Luxury Bubbles

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 28, 2015,

Get Hard

Directed By: Etan Cohen

Starring: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Alison Brie, Edwina Findley, and Craig T. Nelson

Starbucks, one mighty brand in American commerce, had a rare public relations misstep recently. The company's decision to promote their baristas as experts on race relations in the United States really backfired to say the least. That's right. The young guy or girl whipping up your cappuccino or frapuccino was tasked with having a meaningful exchange with you on what is perhap...
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REVIEW: Insurgent – Action-Packed, But Tris Is A Little Too Fast For Her Own Good

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, March 22, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Divergent Series: Insurgent
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Robert Schwentke

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Octavia Spencer, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Naomi Watts, Kate Winslet, and Ashley Judd

With the flood of young adult film adaptations in theaters, it has become increasingly difficult for popular book series to stand out. Last year’s Divergent, however, was a surprise success. While Divergent did not reach Hunger Games’ he...
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REVIEW: Sex Can Kill You When It Follows, Especially for Jay

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 22, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

It Follows

Directed By: David Robert Mitchell

Starring: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, and Lili Sepe

If you've followed this site for any extended period of time, I'm sure you've discovered the fact that I have no love lost for the horror movies of today. These days, we get the millionth unwarranted entry in a long-running franchise, a supernatural horror flick that is stylistically akin to every other horror movie that's come out in the last twenty y...
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REVIEW: With the IRA on the Hunt in Belfast in '71, British Soldier Gary Hook Finds Himself in a Confused Situation & Has One Bloody, Brutal Night

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 22, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

'71

Directed By: Yann Demange

Starring: Jack O'Connell, Richard Dormer, Sean Harris, Sam Reid, Charlie Murphy, Paul Anderson, and Paul Popplewell

I must admit that I've been a bit of a pessimist when it comes to the cinematic landscape as of late. In the interest of full disclosure, there's nothing that's quite motivating me to make my way to my local theater. The next movie on my radar is Avengers: Age of Ultron, which will not arrive until May. While many would argue that this predisposes m...
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REVIEW: Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem Showcases One Wife’s Incompatibility With Her Stubborn Jewish Husband Shimon Amsalem

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 21, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem

Directed By: Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz

Starring: Ronit Elkabetz, Menashe Noy, Sasson Gabai, and Simon Abkarian

Some people just aren't meant to be together. The blinding nature of love can have disastrous consequences. Still, the divorce rate isn't exactly sky high in the United States, or most other countries around the globe for that matter. As of 2011, the divorce rate stateside sits at a respectable 6.8%, but I'm certain the percentage of unsucc...
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REVIEW: Wild Tales Rages Comically With Gabrielle Pasternak, Bombita, An Angry Driver, Rat Poison, & One Crazy Bride

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 21, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Wild Tales (Relatos Salvajes)

Directed By: Damián Szifron

Starring: Ricardo Darín, Oscar Martínez, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Érica Rivas, Rita Cortese, Julieta Zylberberg, and Darío Grandinetti

I normally am not one to review short films, but I must make an exception in the case of Damián Szifron's Wild Tales. This Argentinian anthology of shorts offers the biggest laughs I've had in a movie theater since last year's Chef. It's a rather insane series of films, but they all deliver incredible h...
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REVIEW: Into the Wind After Killing the Congo's Minister of Mining, The Gunman Jim Terrier Decides to Build a Half-Assed Treehouse

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 21, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Gunman

Directed By: Pierre Morel

Starring: Sean Penn, Idris Elba, Ray Winstone, Mark Rylance, Jasmine Trinca, Peter Franzén, and Javier Bardem

With director Pierre Morel of Taken fame at the helm, acting royalty Sean Penn in the lead role, and a host of acclaimed supporting cast members, The Gunman should have been far better than it turned out to be. On paper, it's cinematic gold. However, it's been abundantly clear in every trailer and TV spot that this film would hardly hit the spot. ...
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REVIEW: If We Run All Night With Jimmy the Gravedigger Conlon, We'll Cross This Line Together

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 14, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Run All Night

Directed By: Jaume Collet-Serra

Starring: Liam Neeson, Joel Kinnaman, Common, Ed Harris, Génesis Rodríguez, Vincent D'Onofrio, Boyd Holbrook, and Nick Nolte

"Wherever we're going, we'll cross this line together."
-Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris)

It's abundantly clear that Taken marked a turning point in Liam Neeson's career. As Bryan Mills, he became the action star we know and love today. Well, he may be getting ready to arrive at another turning point in his career. In a recent inte...
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REVIEW: Cinderella – Overshadowed By A Frozen Short

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 14, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Cinderella
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, Stellan Skarsgård, Holliday Grainger, Derek Jacobi, Helena Bonham Carter, Nonso Anozie, and Hayley Atwell

Disney has always been adept at developing and selling princess fantasies. In 1950, Disney’s animated version of Cinderella garnered critical and commercial success, and Cinderella became a vital component of the Disney brand. But Disney did not stop with Cinderella and her prede...
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REVIEW: No Longer Tetravaal's Scout 22, Black Sheep Chappie Becomes the Conscious RoboCop Copycat of 2015

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 8, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Chappie

Directed By: Neill Blomkamp

Starring: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Watkin Tudor Jones, Yolandi Visser, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Sigourney Weaver, and Hugh Jackman

There's a fine line between a director utilizing recurring stylistic flourishes throughout his or her filmography and a director doing the same thing over and over again expecting the same success time and time again. Neill Blomkamp is flirting with this line. His first film District 9 focused on aliens living in the slums of a fut...
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REVIEW: Seniors Galore, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Is All About the Supreme Quality Hotel and the Viceroy Club

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 7, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Directed By: John Madden

Starring: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup, Tena Desae, David Strathairn, Tamsin Greig, and Richard Gere

Independent films are back on the market! With the awards season having reached its conclusion, it's time for the nominees to begin trickling out of theaters and for fresh original content to begin trickling in. To get things started, we're going back to a familiar plac...
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REVIEW: In The Lazarus Effect, Zoe's Fiery Apartment Hell Nightmare Is the Bizarre DMT Compound of Horror Movies

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 28, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Lazarus Effect

Directed By: David Gelb

Starring: Mark Duplass, Olivia Wilde, Donald Glover, Evan Peters, and Sarah Bolger

It's amazing how Hollywood can get horror so right on television and so wrong on the big screen fairly consistently. Just look to the recent successes of terrific shows like American Horror Story, The Walking Dead, and Bates Motel. Then, look to the recent failures of films like Annabelle, The Purge: Anarchy, and any Paranormal Activity film of your choosing. It's a st...
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REVIEW: With the Toledo Panic Button & the Little Blind Mouse, Focus Is All Con Artists Nicky & Jess Really Need

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 28, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Focus

Directed By: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro, Adrian Martinez, and Gerald McRaney

Will Smith used to be the king of the box office. Between his 1996 breakout blockbuster Independence Day and his 2008 hit Hancock, Smith reigned supreme with 12 out of 14 of his films crossing the $100 million mark domestically. So what the hell happened in the last seven years to change this? Smith took a four-year hiatus from the box office and came back ...
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REVIEW: Creative Comedy Is What We Vampires Do in the Shadows During the Unholy Masquerade

Posted by James Brown on Friday, February 27, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

What We Do in the Shadows

Directed By: Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement

Starring: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Rhys Darby, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, and Stu Rutherford

Vampire movies have been getting increasingly creative over the last several years. 2013's Kiss of the Damned wasn't particularly enjoyable, but it certainly broke the mold for vampire flicks. Last year's post-modern drama Only Lovers Left Alive gave us some cool vampires portrayed by Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddlesto...
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REVIEW: Unusually Attached to Mommy Die, Steve Loves to Mingle, Especially With Kyla

Posted by James Brown on Friday, February 27, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

Mommy

Directed By: Xavier Dolan

Starring: Anne Dorval, Antoine-Olivier Pilon, and Suzanne Clément

I've said this a million times, but I love movies about crazy people. These are the kinds of films that feature immensely intriguing characters and offer loads of spontaneity. These are the kinds of films that tend to boast fuller, richer performances that resonate with me. It's one of the reasons I love Xavier Dolan's Mommy. The Canadian drama boasts some fascinating performances as Dolan navi...
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REVIEW: Uno, Dos, Tres. The McFarland Cougars Fly Like Blackbirds With Blanco Cross-Country Coach Jim White Guiding Them

Posted by James Brown on Monday, February 23, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

McFarland, USA

Directed By: Niki Caro

Starring: Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, and Morgan Saylor

After his turn as Jonathan Kent in Man of Steel a year and half ago, I was intrigued by the prospect of Kevin Costner getting active on the big screen again. While he delivered a heartfelt performance as the DC Universe began to get its act together, every performance Costner has given since has been a play on his manly on-screen persona. He gave us the blunt spy Kevin Costner in Jack Ryan: Shadow Rec...
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REVIEW: With Lougle's Nitrotrinadium, Choozy Doozy & the Webber Strut, Hot Tub Time Machine 2 Makes Cyclical Time Travel to 2025 Unbearable

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 21, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Hot Tub Time Machine 2

Directed By: Steve Pink

Starring: Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Adam Scott, and Chevy Chase

I was a fan of the original Hot Tub Time Machine some five years ago. It wasn't the greatest comedy I've had the pleasure of viewing, but it was thoroughly entertaining. You simply can't go wrong making fun of the 80s. That was the strength of the film. Fast forward five years to the present, and we've now got a time travel sequel looking to mar the original. Hot Tub...
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REVIEW: The DUFF = Designated Ugly Fat Friend Plus the Five Stages of Grief in High School from the Eyes & Monster Voice of Bianca Piper

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 21, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The DUFF

Directed By: Ari Sandel

Starring: Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Bianca A. Santos, Allison Janney, Romany Malco, and Ken Jeong

Thirty years ago this week, John Hughes introduced us to a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal in the most entertaining detention of all time. Thirty years ago, Hughes introduced us to his classic coming-of-age comedy-drama The Breakfast Club. With the anniversary of this cinematic heavyweight in mind, I've obviously popped o...
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REVIEW: Fifty Shades of Grey – If You Liked the Books, You’ll Like the Movie

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, February 14, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Fifty Shades of Grey
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eloise Mumford, Luke Grimes, Rita Ora, Victor Rasuk, Max Martini, Dylan Neal, Callum Keith Rennie, Jennifer Ehle, and Marcia Gay Harden

Since EL James’ provocative Fifty Shades trilogy became a worldwide phenomenon in 2012, fans have been anxious to see a film adaptation. I will confess to having read the Fifty Shades of Grey series. In my defense, I majored in English and I read everyt...
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REVIEW: Manners Maketh Man in The Secret Service While Kingsman & Gentleman Eggsy Finds His Valentine With Oxfords, Not Brogues

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 14, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Taron Egerton, and Michael Caine

"We had to destroy the myth because [the Austin Powers movies] f*cked us. I am a huge Mike Myers fan, so don't get me wrong, but he kind of f*cked us, made it impossible to do the gags."
-Daniel Craig, MI6

If the quote above proves anything, it's that spy movies have changed tremendously over the years. The days of Sean Connery facing off with Goldfinge...
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REVIEW: With Spooks & Witches But No Blue Spark, Seventh Son Poses the Wrong Question & Gets Wrong Answers

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 14, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Seventh Son

Directed By: Sergei Bodrov

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes, Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Olivia Williams, Antje Traue, Djimon Hounsou, and Julianne Moore

The first weekend in February was a disaster zone for big budget films at the box office. Just look to the failures of Jupiter Ascending and Seventh Son. As these two costly endeavors sank at the box office, SpongeBob SquarePants surprisingly rose to the challenge and is actually the one that finally vanquished American Snip...
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REVIEW: With Your Majesty Jupiter Ascending to Entitled Royalty, Aegis, Stinger & Splice Caine Wise Begin Hunting the Abrasax Siblings

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 7, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Jupiter Ascending

Directed By: Lana Wachowski and Andy Wachowski

Starring: Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw

I always look forward to films from Lana and Andy Wachowski. Whether they succeed or fail, they always put forth one hell of a production. All of their movies are intriguing, thought-provoking cinema consistently marked by ambition. No matter what, they go for it all in grand style each and every time they're up at bat. Cloud Atl...
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REVIEW: For Two Days, One Night, Sandra Tries to Sway Her Voting Co-Workers to Save Her Job Instead of Their 1,000 Euro Bonuses

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 31, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Two Days, One Night (Deux jours, une nuit)

Directed By: Luc Dardenne and Jean-Pierre Dardenne

Starring: Marion Cotillard and Fabrizio Rongione

I've been slipping on the foreign film front over the past year. Sadly, I've not seen any of the nominees in the best foreign language film category for the Oscars. It's a real shame because foreign films are often hidden gems that don't get the respect or recognition they deserve. In light of my shortcomings on this front, I'm going to make one last N...
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REVIEW: In A Black or White Custody Battle in Court, Alcoholic Elliot, Grandma Wee Wee, & Crack Addict Reggie Don’t Relearn to Breathe

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 31, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Black or White

Directed By: Mike Binder

Starring: Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Jillian Estell, Bill Burr, Jennifer Ehle, Andre Holland, Gillian Jacobs, and Anthony Mackie

There are two different categories of feel good movies. There are those flicks that are saccharine and shallow as they play up one stereotype after another in the most formulaic fashion. There's a special place in movie hell for these features. It's called basic cable. Then, there are those feel good movies that are vibr...
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REVIEW: Before the World Ends at Lollapalooza, Project Almanac's David Raskin Will Build a Halfway Decent Time Machine for MIT

Posted by James Brown on Friday, January 30, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Project Almanac

Directed By: Dean Israelite

Starring: Jonny Weston, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Sam Lerner, Allen Evangelista, and Virginia Gardner

It's Super Bowl weekend! That means it's time for me to win some money on the big game. That also means that no one cares about the movies this weekend with the possible exception of diehard aficionados such as myself. As fate would have it on one of the quietest weekends at the box office historically, 2015 is a bit of déjà vu. Three years ago, we had...
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REVIEW: Struggling With Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Linguist & Butterfly Still Alice Lives in the Moment & Masters the Art of Losing

Posted by James Brown on Monday, January 26, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Still Alice

Directed By: Richard Glatzer

Starring: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, and Hunter Parrish

I'm baaack! I am slowly but surely resuming my normal activities and getting back to my beloved big screen. As I've returned, one obvious reality finally smacked me in the face about this awards season. It's a very dark one in which films like Birdman and Whiplash have been integral players. Yes, there is the coming-of-age awards mammoth Boyhood, which is on the...
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REVIEW: Mortdecai – An Offbeat Action Comedy That Never Realizes Its Full Potential

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, January 26, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Mortdecai
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: David Koepp

Starring: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Munn, Paul Bettany, and Jeff Goldblum

Johnny Depp has entertained us for decades with quirky, fun characters from his roles in Cry-Baby to Edwards Scissorhands to the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Depp thrives on playing weird, offbeat characters. Recently, however, his choices have missed the mark. From The Lone Ranger to Transcendence, Depp has had flop after flop. Sadly, Mort...
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REVIEW: The Boy Next Door – A Surprisingly Entertaining Guilty Pleasure

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, January 24, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Boy Next Door
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Rob Cohen

Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, John Corbett, Kristen Chenoweth, and Ian Nelson

I may be a lone voice, but I actually enjoyed The Boy Next Door. Before you start hurling rotten tomatoes at my head in the “Comments” section, let me explain myself. I went into The Boy Next Door with low expectations. From the film’s trailer, it seemed reminiscent of Jennifer Lopez’s Enough. I was concerned that this would come across as a mo...
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REVIEW: To Fuel His American Dream, Abel Morales Endures A Most Violent Year On the Most Right Path

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, In : 0.00% Water

A Most Violent Year

Directed By: J. C. Chandor

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, and Albert Brooks

Margin Call, All Is Lost, and A Most Violent Year all have something in common, and it's not just that they're the first three feature films by prolific director J. C. Chandor. These terrific movies have not gotten the recognition they deserve at the culmination of awards season. The corporate thriller Margin Call about the 2008 financial crisis notched ju...
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REVIEW: American Sniper – A Gripping Tale Of Sheepdogs, Sheep and Wolves

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, January 17, 2015, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

American Sniper
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Sammy Sheik, and Cory Hardrict

The recent shootings at Charlie Hebdo and the subsequent anti-terrorist operations have brought terrorism and the conflict in the Middle East to the forefront. A film about the deadliest sniper in U.S. history and his service in Iraq is either ill-timed or perfectly timed, depending on one’s perspective.

Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) was raised in Texas. His father ...
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REVIEW: Blackhat – R.A.T.s, Hackers And The Sexiest Man Alive Could Not Save This Film

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, January 17, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Blackhat
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Michael Mann

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Wei Tang, Viola Davis, Ritchie Coster, Holt McCallany, Yorick van Wageningen, and Leehom Wang

Every week, it seems like there is news of another data breach. We have seen major companies get hacked, including Target, Home Depot and many more. There was even a story about some mysterious Russians stealing over a billion passwords. However, the attack on Sony brought cyberterrorism to the forefront more than any other ...
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REVIEW: Taken 3 – Take Me Away From This Tired Franchise

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, January 11, 2015, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Taken 3
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Luc Besson

Starring: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Dougray Scott, Sam Spruell, and Leland Orser

In 2008, Taken transformed Liam Neeson into a bona fide action star at age 55. Known for Schindler’s List and Gangs of New York, among other films, Neeson became a kickass protagonist who could draw people to the box office for an action thriller. Unfortunately, Taken 3 is a pathetic attempt at cashing in on the success of the first ...
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REVIEW: Inherent Vice – Great Cast, Great Hair, But Long, Rambling Plot

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, January 10, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Inherent Vice
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio Del Toro, Sasha Pieterse, Jena Malone, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, and Martin Short

As the credits rolled at the end of Inherent Vice, the patrons in my audience remained in their seats, confused and uncertain. After two and a half hours of the hippie detective dramedy, we were left wondering what it is we had just seen and what, if ...
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REVIEW: To Pull Off the Golden Tux, North Dakota Wedding Ringer Bic Mitchum Puts the Weed in the Coconut and Lights That Sh*t Up

Posted by James Brown on Monday, January 5, 2015, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Wedding Ringer

Directed By: Jeremy Garelick

Starring: Kevin Hart, Josh Gad, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Olivia Thirlby, Jenifer Lewis, Whitney Cummings, Cloris Leachman, and Ken Howard

By the time I actually post this review, I'll most likely be holed up and recovering from abdominal surgery. I'll be out of commission and away from my beloved big screen. With this in mind, I'll probably be in need of a good laugh. In anticipation of this, I've tried to knock out a flick or two prior to going do...
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REVIEW: In The Woman in Black 2, Angel of Death Isn't the Good Thought With Which to Fight Edward's Bad Dreams at Eel Marsh House

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 3, 2015, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death

Directed By: Tom Harper

Starring: Phoebe Fox, Jeremy Irvine, Helen McCrory, Adrian Rawlins, Leanne Best, and Ned Dennehy

"Fight bad dreams with good thoughts."
-Eve Parkins (Phoebe Fox)

Happy New Year STMR readers! We've put the doldrums of the 2014 box office behind us. The movies of 2015 now lie ahead, and we've got plenty of potentially great flicks on the horizon. This is the year of the reborn franchise. Just look to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Juras...
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REVIEW: Unbroken – Zamperini Triumphs Over The Bird In This Inspiring True Story

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Unbroken
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Angelina Jolie

Starring: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Takamasa Ishihara, Finn Witrock, and Jai Courtney

Written by Joel and Ethan Coen, Unbroken chronicles the amazing life of Olympian Louis Zamperini. I approached Unbroken with extreme reluctance. The film interrupted my traditional A Christmas Story, Elf and Home Alone Christmas marathon. Moreover, a film about survival, resilience and redemption did not fit in with my festive hol...
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REVIEW: Despite All His Grunts, Marine Painter Mr. Turner Is a Bit Too Still

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Mr. Turner

Directed By: Mike Leigh

Starring: Timothy Spall, Dorothy Atkinson, Marion Bailey, Paul Jesson, Lesley Manville, and Martin Savage

Mr. Turner is my last stop on the Christmas box office train, and I am actually thankful that I'm at the end of this long ride. This holiday season, art and painting have been a noticeable theme at the forefront of the independent marketplace. In addition to Mr. Turner, we also have Tim Burton's Big Eyes on painter Margaret Keane. While I'm sure there ar...
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REVIEW: In Big Eyes, S. Cenic & MDH Keane Suffer the Same Fate, Walter Keane

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 28, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Big Eyes

Directed By: Tim Burton

Starring: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston, Jon Polito, Krysten Ritter, Jason Schwartzman, and Terence Stamp

I've said it a couple of times already, but I feel compelled to say it again. This Christmas at the box office has sucked. Where have all the good movies gone? Normally, there are a couple of movies that alter my choices on the year's best films at the last minute. Normally, there are potential awards season powerhouses arriving right about now...
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REVIEW: For the Dignity of the Vote in Selma, Dr. King, the SCLC, & SNCC Negotiate, Demonstrate, and Resist to Outstanding Effect

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 26, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Selma

Directed By: Ava DuVernay

Starring: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth, Lorraine Toussaint, Common, Giovanni Ribisi, Omar Dorsey, Andre Holland, Niecy Nash, Colman Domingo, Wendell Pierce, Tessa Thompson, Keith Stanfield, Stephan James, Alessandro Nivola, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Martin Sheen, Tom Wilkinson, and Oprah Winfrey

"A state trooper pointed the gun, but he did not act alone.
He was murdered by the brutality of every sheriff who practices lawlessness in the name of law.

He was murdered...
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REVIEW: Despite Some Engaging Blackjack, Roulette, & English 101, The Gambler Doesn't Quite Reach the F*ck You Position

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 26, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Gambler

Directed By: Rupert Wyatt

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Brie Larson, Michael K. Williams, and Jessica Lange

Some of you may know this already, but I'm getting ready for abdominal surgery in the next week and a half. I'll be out of commission for some time and will be handing over the STMR reins to the Sober Film Chick for a while. One of the many reasons for which I'm having the surgery so early in the year is so that I can make my annual trip to Las Vegas in late February...
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REVIEW: Into the Woods With Some Magic Beans During A Blue Moon, Rob Marshall Grants Moviegoers a Musical Christmas Wish

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 25, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Into the Woods

Directed By: Rob Marshall

Starring: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, and Johnny Depp

Merry Christmas STMR readers! As happy as I am that the holidays have arrived, I'm pretty disappointed by the offering at the box office this week. For the most part, it's gloom and doom. Just look at this week's releases. We've got a self-hating blackjack addict throwing away tons of money in The Gambler. We've got an Olym...
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REVIEW: With Lord of The Rings, Katy Perry, & Honeypotting All Over Skylark Tonight, North Korean-Themed The Interview Pees & Poos on Itself

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 25, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Interview

Directed By: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Lizzy Caplan, and Randall Park

I'm sure there are some patriots out there celebrating our recent victory over terrorists trying to keep us from watching The Interview. Well, I'm not one of them. Though I appreciate their sentiments, I'm of a different mindset. Simply put, Sony fucked up. First of all, the company opted to distribute a film that casually jokes about killing an actual head of state. Th...
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REVIEW: Annie (2014) – A Made For Television Musical With An A-List Cast

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, December 24, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Annie
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Will Gluck

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, and Cameron Diaz

Annie is a classic American musical. I first saw the film in theaters as a young girl in 1982, and then starred in my high school’s production of the musical. Annie is near and dear to my heart. The songs are iconic. From “It’s The Hard-Knock Life” to “Tomorrow” to “Maybe,” the music grabs you. My fondness for the tale is why I viewed the 2014 ...
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REVIEW: To Rescue His Exhibits After A Disastrous Night at the Museum, Dangly Bells Larry Digs Into the Secret of the Egyptian Tomb & Its Magic Tablet

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 21, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Directed By: Shawn Levy

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Dan Stevens, Rebel Wilson, Ricky Gervais, and Ben Kingsley

Sometimes, it can be difficult to disentangle life from art. What I mean by this is that it can be challenging to watch a film outside the lens of real world events, even if they have absolutely nothing to do with the tale at hand. This is definitely the case for me with Night at the Museum: Secret of the To...
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REVIEW: There and Back Again, The Battle of the Five Armies Takes The Hobbit Full Circle to The Fellowship of the Ring

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 18, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian Mckellen, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, and Orlando Bloom

There and back again. This hobbit's tale has been a tumultuous journey that has never quite taken us back there to that place of movie magic called Middle Earth in a way that The Lord of the Rings trilogy did ...
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REVIEW: In The Imitation Game of Christopher Vs. Enigma at Bletchley, Alan Turing Solves the Biggest Crossword Puzzle of Them All

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 14, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Imitation Game

Directed By: Morten Tyldum

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Mark Strong, Charles Dance, Allen Leech, Matthew Beard, and Rory Kinnear

"Sometimes it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine."
-Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley)

Some of the best movies are the ones in which moviegoers learn something new about how someone did something amazing that changed the world. I know that sounds like a cliché, but that's...
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REVIEW: With Hammy the Bear, Hot Sauce, & Fry or Die Comedy, Top Five's Andre Allen and James Nielson Put Some Stank On It

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 13, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Top Five

Directed By: Chris Rock

Starring: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union, Hayley Marie Norman, Karlie Redd, Rachel Feinstein, Kevin Hart, Sherri Shepherd, J.B. Smoove, Dan Naturman, Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, and Whoopi Goldberg

Rigorous honesty is the best way to start out my review of Chris Rock's latest film. I loved it. I enjoyed the film so much that I'm going to reveal my own top five, which tells a lot about me. I'm just going on gut instincts here. My number ...
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REVIEW: When the Last Shall Be the First On a Midsummer's Night, Miss Julie Obeys Jean Like a Dog & Kisses His Shoes

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 7, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Miss Julie

Directed By: Liv Ullmann

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell, and Samantha Morton

I mentioned this earlier this year in my review of Under the Skin, but we haven't had a lot of weird ones at the indie box office this year. Few filmmakers are taking risks with the strange and bizarre, particularly in this later half of the year (with the obvious exception of Birdman). I understand their reasons, but I don't agree with them. Risks are the reasons for which many duds crash and b...
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REVIEW: Hiking A Thousand Miles Through the Pacific Crest Trail, Wild Queen of the PCTs Cheryl Strayed Chooses One Tough Form of Therapy

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 6, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Wild

Directed By: Jean-Marc Vallée

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, and Gaby Hoffmann

This may sound completely random, but I do my best thinking in the shower. My best ideas have come when the hot water is flowing, and there are no distractions chipping away at me. For me, the only thing that comes close to this is taking a leisurely stroll. When I'm out in nature getting some fresh air, great thoughts just come to me. That's why I get Cheryl Strayed’s need to get...
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REVIEW: With the Failures of the Shower Buddy & Pinkberry, Horrible Bosses 2 Doesn't Roar Like Katy Perry by Kidnaping Predator Rex Hanson

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Horrible Bosses 2

Directed By: Sean Anders

Starring: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, Chris Pine, and Christoph Waltz

Horrible Bosses was one of the first few films I reviewed when Sobriety Test Movie Reviews made its debut on the web. Looking back at the review I wrote nearly three and a half years ago now, I simply cringe. The points I make are still valid, but the manner in which I make them is in no way consistent with my writing style...
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REVIEW: In The Homesman, George Briggs & Mary Bee Cuddy Take Three Crazy Women East to Iowa

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Homesman

Directed By: Tommy Lee Jones

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, William Fichtner, Grace Gummer, John Lithgow, Tim Blake Nelson, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter, James Spader, Hailee Steinfeld, and Meryl Streep

On paper, Tommy Lee Jones and westerns go together like peas and carrots. He's exactly the kind of rugged, no nonsense actor who would thrive in the Wild West. With an elite cast featuring beloved thespians Hilary Swank, James Spader, and the great Meryl Streep, Jones's we...
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REVIEW: An Ornithologist, Philatelist, & Philanthropist, Golden Eagle John du Pont Leads Wrestler Mark Schultz to Olympic Gold at the Foxcatcher Estate

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 23, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Foxcatcher

Directed By: Bennett Miller

Starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, and Vanessa Redgrave

I don't know the story of John du Pont. I was just a kid when the multimillionaire wrestling enthusiast committed the heinous acts that made his name infamous. Not an Olympics enthusiast, I'm not terribly familiar with Mark or Dave Schultz either. Alas, the only gold medalist in the wrestling space with whom I'm familiar is Mr. Kurt Angle. I know. I should know more, but it mak...
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REVIEW: Beyond the Lights, Noni Jean's Black Bird Is Freed At Last From Her Musical Cage By Officer Hero Kaz Nicol Despite His Fear of Flying

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 23, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Beyond the Lights

Directed By: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Minnie Driver, Nate Parker, Danny Glover, and Machine Gun Kelly

You all are familiar with my less than positive sentiments on the state of the music industry today. It's all about sex appeal, club playability, and the bottom line. It's not about the music anymore. It's not about showmanship. It's not about the artistry. Because of this, the industry is a shell of its former self. While I could elaborate on the ...
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REVIEW: In The Hunger Games, Mockingjay Katniss Gets the Burning Districts to Come to the Tree Singing So That the Capitol Burns With Us

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 22, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1

Directed By: Francis Lawrence

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland

"Miss Everdeen, it is the things we love most that destroy us."
-President Snow (Donald Sutherland)

The consequences of Warner Bros. decision to split Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows into two theatrical installments still echo today as ot...
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REVIEW: For Daughter Penny's Kidney, Dumb Harry and Dumber Lloyd Blandly Reunite at the Ken Conference

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 15, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Dumb and Dumber To

Directed By: Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly

Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden, and Kathleen Turner

I'm amazed at how moviegoers need to learn the same lesson over and over again year after year. Some movies should just be left alone. In most cases, there's absolutely no need for a sequel. I was never a huge fan of the original Dumb and Dumber film or the hackneyed attempts at sequels over the years. Some twenty years later, I'm still opposed to the prosp...
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REVIEW: Despite Motor Neuron Disease, Intelligent Atheist Stephen Hawking Masters Time to Give Us The Physicist's Theory of Everything

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 15, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Theory of Everything

Directed By: James Marsh

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Emily Watson, Simon McBurney, and David Thewlis

Performances marked by darkness and conflict are the ones typically rewarded during awards season. Just look at last year's Oscar winners for Best Actor and Best Actress in leading roles. On one hand, we have a self-destructive homophobic AIDS patient with Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club. On the other, we have a crazy widow who has ...
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REVIEW: Thanks to Baymax & the Big Hero 6 Nerds Looking at Comics From a Different Angle, I Am Satisfied With My Care in San Fransokyo

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 9, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Big Hero 6

Directed By: Don Hall and Chris Williams

Starring: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans, Jr., Génesis Rodríguez, T. J. Miller, Daniel Henney, James Cromwell, and Maya Rudolph

Disney has had one hell of a year, particularly when it comes to live action films. Just look to the critical and commercial successes of films like Captain America: Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, and to a lesser extent Maleficent. The studio has found its groove and is on a roll. Wi...
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REVIEW: Interstellar Travel & Newton's Third Law Help Cooper, Brand, & TARS Find the 5th Dimension & Murphy's Ghost in a Gargantuan Wormhole

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 8, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Interstellar

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, Casey Affleck, John Lithgow, Topher Grace, David Gyasi, Josh Stewart, and Matt Damon

"Do not go gentle into that good night; Old age should burn and rave at close of day. Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
-Dylan Thomas

Ambition is the cornerstone of truly great filmmaking. If a filmmaker is not taking creative risks and is being overly ca...
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REVIEW: Laggies Is All About Relationships Shifting Over Boxed Wine

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 2, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Laggies

Directed By: Lynn Shelton

Starring: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell, Kaitlyn Dever, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, Mark Webber, and Daniel Zovatto

It's Halloween weekend, and there doesn't seem to be a film out that's I would venture to call a fright fest. Halloween only falls on a Friday every five or six years. With this in mind, we should have more than a 10th anniversary re-release of Saw. There should be some new sicko or psycho terrorizing theaters. As it stands,...
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REVIEW: With His Company Video Production News, Nightcrawler Louis Bloom Offers A Professional News Gathering Service to Thriller Aficionados

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 1, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Nightcrawler

Directed By: Dan Gilroy

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Paxton

I'm starting to think that Jake Gyllenhaal has been pigeonholing himself in the thriller genre over the last several years. Since 2012, he's appeared in End of Watch, Prisoners, and now Nightcrawler, all dark movies in their own ways. Though Prisoners was one of the outstanding films of 2013, it hasn't all been quality output from Gyllenhaal. While many moviegoers would go to bat for his tur...
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REVIEW: Dear White People, the Race Wars at Winchester University Showcase the Trouble with Pastiche's Blackface in a White Place

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Dear White People

Directed By: Justin Simien

Starring: Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon P. Bell, Kyle Gallner, Brittany Curran, Dennis Haysbert, and Marque Richardson

This has been a very interesting couple of weeks in cinema. Last week, we had the jazz drama Whiplash, a film very personal to me that reminds me of my foray into the world of percussion years ago. As it stands, I have another film very personal to me in a very different way in this weekend's Dear Whi...
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REVIEW: Boogeyman John Wick Is A Wolf Lured Back to Life at the Continental by Hen

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 25, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

John Wick

Directed By: David Leitch

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Willem Dafoe, John Leguizamo, and Ian McShane

Normally, I pay little attention to Rotten Tomatoes before I've drafted a review. I just saw the most bizarre thing though as I was pulling together a list of the cast members in John Wick. This weekend’s John Wick has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. My initial thought on this can be summed up in three word...
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REVIEW: Confusing Admiration for Love, Birdman's Super Realism Is the Unexpected Virtue of Our Cinematic Ignorance

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 25, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Birdman

Directed By: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Starring: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, Lindsay Duncan, and Naomi Watts

"Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige."
-Mike Shiner (Edward Norton)

Twenty five years later, it's hard to deny the influence of Tim Burton's Batman and its star Michael Keaton. Just look at the state of mainstream cinema today. As we eagerly await the latest news bytes on Doctor Strange, X-Men: Apo...
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REVIEW: As the Grumpy St. Vincent McKenna of Sheepshead Bay Says, It Is What It Is, A Good Old Fashioned Comedy-Drama

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 25, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

St. Vincent

Directed By: Theodore Melfi

Starring: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, Scott Adsit, Naomi Watts, and Terrence Howard

Many folks of older generations with whom I've interacted have frequently claimed that the world has gotten worse since their heyday. Maybe I'm cold-hearted. Maybe I'm callous. In my humble opinion, the world has not gotten any better or worse. We just know more about what's happening in it. In this digital age, every violent crime, every scandalous af...
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REVIEW: Fury – Ideals Are Peaceful, History Is Violent

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, October 20, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Fury
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: David Ayer

Starring: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Scott Eastwood

World War II has been depicted in countless films, most famously in Saving Private Ryan. With the war on ISIL raging, the conflict in the Ukraine, and the never ending turmoil in the Middle East, a World War II film feels oddly timely. David Ayer’s Fury is a compelling drama that depicts the savagery and the emotional and physical trauma that war inflicts on ...

REVIEW: For His Double-Time Swing Tempo for Caravan, Whiplash's Jo Jones Throws a Cymbal at Neyman to Turn Him Into the Next Charlie Parker

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 18, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Whiplash

Directed By: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons

On this weekend, I come face to face with my 27th birthday. Though that may sound a bit overdramatic, it is nonetheless true. With this, I've been reflecting on life, what I've done and where I've been in this first quarter of it. Coupling this with the fact that I was just at a dear friend's wedding a few weeks ago at which I opened up a figurative time capsule and saw some familiar faces from high school, the arr...
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REVIEW: In Men, Women & Children, the Voyager Satellite Shows the Unimportant Yet Important Connections We Make On Carl Sagan's Pale Blue Dot

Posted by James Brown on Monday, October 13, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Men, Women & Children

Directed By: Jason Reitman

Starring: Rosemarie DeWitt, Jennifer Garner, Judy Greer, Dean Norris, Adam Sandler, Ansel Elgort, Kaitlyn Dever, J.K. Simmons, and Emma Thompson

"Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, ev...
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REVIEW: With Comedic Pride, Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners (L.G.S.M.)

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 12, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Pride

Directed By: Matthew Warchus

Starring: Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Paddy Considine, Ben Schnetzer, and George MacKay

I don't normally talk about LGBT rights, but it's been an eventful week on the gay marriage front. I am not a proponent of homosexuality. However, I am a proponent of people having the free will to do whatever they believe as long as it does no harm to others. The Supreme Court I typically love to hate surprised me and, for all intents and purposes, legaliz...
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REVIEW: Watching the Media Kill the Messenger Gary Webb Over the CIA's Dark Alliance With Nicaraguan Druglords Is One Good History Lesson

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 12, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Kill the Messenger

Directed By: Michael Cuesta

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Ray Liotta, Barry Pepper, Michael Sheen, Andy Garcia, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rosemarie DeWitt, Paz Vega, Oliver Platt, Richard Schiff, Robert Patrick, and Michael K. Williams

History is often the best way to validate an opinion. We could all debate our friends and loved ones in perpetuity based on opinions alone, but facts are facts. Regardless of who’s writing history, there are always certain irrefutable facts. When...
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REVIEW: Prince Vlad Dracula, Son of the Devil, Goes to the Untold Broken Tooth Mountain to Protect His People From the Turks

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 12, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Dracula Untold

Directed By: Gary Shore

Starring: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Art Parkinson, and Charles Dance

It's another weekend and yet another reminder that every other Hollywood studio wants to be Marvel. With blockbusters Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy perpetuating the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's easy to see why everyone else is so envious. While Fox had an excellent outing with X-Men: Days of Future Past in May, the film i...
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REVIEW: Protecting His Legacy On the Bench & His Half-Staff Funeral, Judge Joe Palmer Doesn't Serve Justice or Go Fishing With His Son Hank

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 10, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Judge

Directed By: David Dobkin

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jeremy Strong, Dax Shepard, and Billy Bob Thornton

Everyone to whom I've spoken seems excited about The Judge, except me. I've been cautiously optimistic about the film. With its high voltage of star power, this movie could be great or just decent. The Academy Award winners and nominees in the cast alone send the expectations through the roof for this presumed Oscar bait. Still, ...
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REVIEW: With Fommy the Pirate Gamer, the Australian Outback, & Dick Van Dyke, Alexander's Birthday Is One Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 10, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Directed By: Miguel Arteta

Starring: Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Ed Oxenbould, Dylan Minnette, and Kerris Dorsey

It's a three-day weekend. Granted, every weekend really should be. Working more hours on average per week than the vast majority of other nations around the globe, America is overworked. It's needless to say that I get ecstatic when I think of getting some extra time face down in my pillow on Monday morning. All that b...
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REVIEW: For a Soul, Annabelle Higgins Blandly Introduces Mia Gordon to Her Satanic Cult the Disciples of Ram with Nursery Music

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 4, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Annabelle

Directed By: John R. Leonetti

Starring: Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, Tony Amendola, and Alfre Woodard

The last movie I saw about a doll was A Haunted House 2. Though the atrocious spoof was much earlier in the year, my bitterness lingers on today. With the notion of Marlon Wayans shamelessly sexing a doll named Abigail in the back of my mind, it's needless to say a horror movie about the doll on which Abigail is based is the last thing I want to see on the big screen. As it stands...
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REVIEW: Thanks to A Sugar Storm at The Bar, Gone Girl Amazing Amy Dunne Trounces Her Husband Nick's Killer Smile

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 3, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Gone Girl

Directed By: David Fincher

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon, and Scoot McNairy

"What are you thinking? What are you feeling? What have we done to each other? What will we do?"
-Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck)

Awards season has begun on a rather wicked note. Oddly enough, I find myself in the peculiar position of kicking things off admitting just how wrong I was about a movie. That movie is David Fincher's Gone Girl. I haven't read the boo...
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REVIEW: For A White Hat & A Cheese Tasting, Red Hat Snatcher & The Boxtroll Exterminators Take on Eggs the Trubshaw Baby

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 28, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Boxtrolls

Directed By: Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi

Starring: Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Elle Fanning, Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, and Tracy Morgan

Compared to last year, 2014 has been a relatively quiet year on the animated film front. How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Planes: Fire and Rescue were the only two titles to arrive at the box office this summer from the genre. As a single guy with no kids, I could personally care less, but...
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REVIEW: In the New Jimi Hendrix Experience, All Is Not By My Side Because André 3000 Doesn't Play the Hits

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 27, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Jimi: All Is By My Side

Directed By: John Ridley

Starring: André Benjamin, Hayley Atwell, Burn Gorman, Imogen Poots, Andrew Buckley, and Ruth Negga

Jimi Hendrix is before my time, but I would be a fool not to recognize the profound impact his music has had on generations of musicians to follow him. With the influence his music and his creativity have had on rock and roll and the music landscape as a whole, it should come as no surprise that filmmakers are trying to bring his tragically short l...
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REVIEW: Few Rich Patterns Are in Hector Journaling His Search for Happiness Except His Lack of a Pen & His Old Flame in a Sock Drawer Agnes

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 27, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Hector and the Search for Happiness

Directed By: Peter Chelsom

Starring: Simon Pegg, Toni Collette, Rosamund Pike, Stellan Skarsgård, Jean Reno, and Christopher Plummer

When I reflect on what happiness means to me, I think of the moments when I'm most serene. For a guy who used to live out of a suitcase like me, the answer surprisingly lies in the skyways and wherever they take me. It's about getting unplugged from the world around me and seeing the new beautiful places this world has to offe...
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REVIEW: To Be The Equalizer For Russians Teddy & Pushkin, Old Man & Gladys Knight Pip Robert McCall Gets On That Midnight Train to Georgia

Posted by James Brown on Friday, September 26, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Equalizer

Directed By: Antoine Fuqua

Starring: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Bill Pullman, and Melissa Leo

Television and cinema are inextricably bound to one another. As such, there are numerous examples in which stories are brought to life across the two media. Some success on the big screen can foreshadow future success on the smaller one. Take the Marvel Cinematic Universe for instance. The success of The Avengers has created a home for its fol...
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REVIEW: Despite Her Viager, My Old Lady Mathilde Teaches Her Alcoholic Buyer Mathias That There Is No Greater Wealth Than Life

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 21, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

My Old Lady

Directed By: Israel Horovitz

Starring: Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Dominique Pinon

"If you do not love me, I shall not be loved."
-Samuel Beckett

This is going to sound completely nerdy, but I'm going to put these words out on the web anyway. I love to learn at the movies. Some of my most treasured cinematic memories are those where filmmakers have expanded my boundaries, exposed me to different cultures and ways of life, and enlightened me with new perspecti...
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REVIEW: The Maze Runner – W.C.K.D Is Good, But Watch Out For The Grievers

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, September 21, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Maze Runner
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Wes Ball

Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Aml Ameen, Ki Hong Lee, Will Poulter, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Kaya Scodelario

After the success of The Hunger Games, the Twilight series, and Divergent, studios are constantly looking for the next big young adult film craze. The right YA book adaptation can be highly lucrative. James Dashner’s The Maze Runner is the latest young adult book brought to the big screen. While the success of The Maze Runner is sti...
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REVIEW: If Tragedy Is A Foreign Country, Then The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Walks Away From Learning Its Native Tongue

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 21, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them

Directed By: Ned Benson

Starring: Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Viola Davis, William Hurt, Isabelle Huppert, Jess Weixler, Bill Hader, Ciarán Hinds, Archie Panjabi, Katherine Waterston, and Nina Arianda

Companion films are in this year, at least for indie cinema. Veteran filmmaker Lars von Trier was bent on releasing his steamy Nymphomaniac: Parts 1 and 2 to the world this spring. Similarly, first-time director Ned Benson was bent on releasing twin f...
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REVIEW: With A Cheating Wife & A Complicated Life, This Is Where I Leave You At the Altman Family Shiva South of Maine

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 20, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

This Is Where I Leave You

Directed By: Shawn Levy

Starring: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard, Ben Schwartz, and Jane Fonda

For a director, Shawn Levy has relatively high productivity. Just look at his throughput. Since 2011, he's given us Real Steel, The Internship, the upcoming Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and several made-for-television movies. That's a busy schedule as a director, and it's...
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REVIEW: Practicing the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Private Detective Matt Scudder Takes A Bloody Good Walk Among the Tombstones

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 20, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

A Walk Among the Tombstones

Directed By: Scott Frank

Starring: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, Eric Nelsen, Brian "Astro" Bradley, Sebastian Roché, and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson

It's been a rough year at the movies, but the fall is finally here and in full swing. We've gotten through the hurdles of a rather dismal summer box office season full of duds. With the fall, we can say goodbye to being inundated with explosions, wild nonsense masquerading as humor, and unwanted sequels or reboots (i.e. Trans...
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REVIEW: According to Starship, Nothing's Gonna Stop Depressed, Suicidal Skeleton Twins Milo & Maggie Now, Even Saying See You Later

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 14, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Skeleton Twins

Directed By: Craig Johnson

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Bill Hader, and Ty Burrell

Suicide can have long-lasting consequences that reach far beyond the individual taking his or her own life. If that person has family, friends, or other loved ones left behind in this world, there's a good chance that those persons will be scarred for life. The emotional toll of someone doing something this unnatural is extremely heavy and can last a lifetime. Just ask all those unnam...
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REVIEW: Despite Dealing With Cousin Marv, Eric Deeds, & Rocco the Pit Bull, Bartender Bob Handles The Drop For the Chechens

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 14, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Drop

Directed By: Michaël R. Roskam

Starring: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts, John Ortiz, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and Ann Dowd

We've lost a lot of cherished figures in the world of entertainment in the last couple of years. For those actors who were still in the game at the time of their passing, I'm always impressed by how many completed projects they have in the pipeline. Take Philip Seymour Hoffman for instance. We've already seen him in God's Pocket and ...
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REVIEW: In No Good Deed, Malignant Narcissist Colin Evans Unfortunately Puts His Violent Tendencies on Display at 17 Creston Lane

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 14, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

No Good Deed

Directed By: Sam Miller

Starring: Idris Elba, Taraji P. Henson, Leslie Bibb, Kate del Castillo, and Henry Simmons

I miss slasher flicks. Aside from You're Next a little more than a year ago, we haven't had too many good ones in the last several years. It's all the paranormal, supernatural stuff that dominates nowadays. I prefer my antagonists to be a little more interesting like Jason Voorhees or Ghostface. That being said, I'll take it where I can get it these days, or so I tho...
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REVIEW: In Dolphin Tale 2, Clearwater's Rescue, Rehab, & Release Philosophy Isn't Perfect for Dolphins Hope and Winter

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 13, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Dolphin Tale 2

Directed By: Charles Martin Smith

Starring: Harry Connick, Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Kris Kristofferson, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, and Morgan Freeman

I'm no adoring fan of the Dolphin Tale franchise, but the rescue, rehab, and release principle by which the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) operates is something Hollywood should consider as part of its own strategy. It may help with the weak year studios have had at the North American box office. CMA rescues injured animals, rehab...

REVIEW: In The Last of Robin Hood, Alcoholic Errol Flynn Is Too Old For Lover Beverly "Woodsy" Aadland, But She's Just Young Enough For Him

Posted by James Brown on Monday, September 8, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Last of Robin Hood

Directed By: Richard Glatzer

Starring: Kevin Kline, Dakota Fanning, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Kane, Max Casella, and Patrick St. Esprit

Biographical dramas are sometimes tricky beasts. If the individual is particularly well known, directors must convince moviegoers that their vision is historically accurate. The key is to have an actor who looks, walks, and talks like the main character. Some of this is dependent upon the costume and make-up crew members on deck, but the ...

REVIEW: Thanks to the Philosopher's Stone, As Above, So Below, As I Believe the World to Be, So It Is in Hell

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 30, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

As Above, So Below

Directed By: John Erick Dowdle

Starring: Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge, and François Civil

Summer 2014 is coming to a close. The excitement I put forth back in May when The Amazing Spider-Man 2 arrived hasn't materialized into a wealth of big budget blockbusters behind which we all can rally. While I have lauded smaller films like Chef, Snowpiercer, and Boyhood, we peaked too early with films like Godzilla and X-Men: Days of Future Past. It's been downhill ever s...
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REVIEW: The November Man Peter Devereaux & Alice Fournier Don’t Exactly Rock Arkady Fedorov's Presidential Campaign in Belgrade

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 29, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The November Man

Directed By: Roger Donaldson

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, Olga Kurylenko, Eliza Taylor, Caterina Scorsone, Bill Smitrovich, and Will Patton

As I begin typing my review of the recently released The November Man, I realize that there's a certain pointlessness to it all. The studio behind this spy movie green-lit a sequel before the original even arrived in theaters. Unless they have the next Guardians of the Galaxy on their hands, I wouldn't exactly deem this to be a w...
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REVIEW: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For – A Heavy Dose Of Scantily Clad Women And Highly Stylized Violence

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, August 24, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, Eva Green, Powers Boothe, Dennis Haysbert, Jeremy Piven, Ray Liotta, Stacy Keach, and Jamie Chung

After seeing the misogynistic train wreck that was Machete Kills, I was not clamoring for another star-studded sequel from Robert Rodriguez. While the original Sin City was creative and slick...
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REVIEW: In If I Stay, Juilliard-Bound Cellist Mia Must Choose Between Her Nasty Bruises Rocker Parents & Her Willamette Stone Boyfriend Adam

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 24, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

If I Stay

Directed By: R. J. Cutler

Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos, Joshua Leonard, Stacy Keach, and Jamie Blackley

“Here's the secret baby. If you live, if you die, it's all up to you. So whatever fight you got in you, you gotta pull it out now.”
-Surgeon (Uncredited)

I was able to dodge The Fault In Our Stars earlier this year. I have no interest whatsoever in depressing, melodramatic YA adaptations like this. The sole intention of a film of this nature is to tug at the hea...
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REVIEW: From SXSW to Bluff City, Kansas, Frank & His Band SORONPRFBS Push Chinchilla Guy Jon to His Furthest Corners

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 23, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Frank

Directed By: Lenny Abrahamson

Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy, and Michael Fassbender

This isn't the first time I've said this, but 2014 has been a tame year at the movies. It's not just the fact that we've had fewer high quality movies, but we just haven't had the same level of weird inventiveness. We don't have filmmakers this year going for it all regardless of how strangely their final product may appear to moviegoers. We haven't had the next Seven Psych...
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GUEST POST: The Life and Times of Robin Williams

Posted by Sylvia Boyd (Infographic World) on Saturday, August 23, 2014,

The world lost both a comedic legend and a great human being with the death of Robin Williams recently.

We look back on his life and his accomplishments in The Life and Times of Robin Williams infographic.

Courtesy of: Infographic World

REVIEW: When the Game Stands Tall, The De La Salle Spartans, Their Winning Streak, & This Bland High School Football Movie Fall

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 22, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

When the Game Stands Tall

Directed By: Thomas Carter

Starring: Jim Caviezel, Laura Dern, Michael Chiklis, Alexander Ludwig, and Clancy Brown

These August movies are really starting to get to me. Good movies are just hard to find in this climate. With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reigning supreme for the last two weeks at the box office, it's a moviegoer's worst nightmare come true. As I make my way to the next wave of torturously bad flicks, I begin with a high school football film, this week...
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REVIEW: With Wine, Weed, & Sex, This Movie Isn't Quite All About Alex or the Dog Named Timmy

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 16, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

About Alex

Directed By: Jesse Zwick

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Max Greenfield, Maggie Grace, Jason Ritter, Jane Levy, Nate Parker, and Max Minghella

My fellow Millennials have been making quite a few movies about what it's like to make that full adjustment into adulthood. To some extent, the wild party movie Neighbors serves up some satirical commentary on the transition from a carefree twentysomething to married life with children. The recent romantic comedy What If humorously explores the chall...
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REVIEW: The Knife Before Christmas Doctor Death, Galgo & Conrad Snowbanks Can't Quite Rescue The Deletable Expendables 3

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 16, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Expendables 3

Directed By: Patrick Hughes

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Antonio Banderas, Jet Li, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Kelsey Grammer, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, Glen Powell, Victor Ortiz, Robert Davi, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, and Arnold Schwarzenegger

There comes a time when retirement is no longer a luxury but a duty, particularly when one's line of work demands a certain physicality. Professional wrestling, a young man's game, has so...
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REVIEW: Whether a Backstreet Boys Patrolman or Brothers in Blue, I Don't Want Let's Be Cops Either Way

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 15, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Let's Be Cops

Directed By: Luke Greenfield

Starring: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans, Jr., Rob Riggle, Nina Dobrev, James D'Arcy, and Andy Garcia

Parleying success on the small screen into success on the big screen can be a daunting task. There's a big difference between holding viewers' attention for 30 or 60 minutes with commercial breaks and holding it for two hours straight. Sure, there are plenty of examples to the contrary including the likes of Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence, and Will Smith. St...
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REVIEW: Using My Precise Language, Thank You to The Giver & Jonas The Receiver of Memories For Your Childhood & Lack of Sameness

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, August 13, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Giver

Directed By: Phillip Noyce

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites, Alexander Skarsgård, Odeya Rush, Katie Holmes, Taylor Swift, Cameron Monaghan, Jordan Nicholas Smal, and Saige Fernandes

Though the Chief Elder is preparing to thank the members of the Community for their childhood when The Giver arrives in theaters later this week, I want to take a moment to thank a special someone for my childhood. I will forever remember that I was at a screening of The Giver when I...
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REVIEW: Since It's Shocking to Kill a Good Priest, Calvary Is All About Brendan Gleeson's Father James Lavelle Dodging Death

Posted by James Brown on Monday, August 11, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Calvary

Directed By: John Michael McDonagh

Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen, and Dylan Moran

"Do not despair; one of the thieves was saved.
Do not presume; one of the thieves was damned.”
-St. Augustine

The Catholic Church has had a serious scandal on its hands for more than a decade now. The atrocities done to innocent children over the years will haunt the victims for the remainder of their lives and the church until the end of its days. That being said, the...
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REVIEW: In The Hundred-Foot Journey, Chef Hassan Turns Food Into Memories & A Michelin Star When He Makes Madame Mallory an Omelet

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 10, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Hundred-Foot Journey

Directed By: Lasse Halström

Starring: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, and Charlotte Le Bon

There aren't a whole lot of fictional movies out there about the culinary arts. Jon Favreau's Chef was a breath of fresh air earlier this summer. Julie & Julia and Ratatouille also come to mind when I reflect on the past decade, but not much else. Cooking-themed movies are a rare cinematic delight that must be savored. That's why I came to this weekend's The Hundred-Foot ...
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REVIEW: What If Friends Wallace & Chantry Share Elvis's Fool's Gold Sandwich?

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 10, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

What If (The F Word)

Directed By: Michael Dowse

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Megan Park, Adam Driver, Mackenzie Davis, and Rafe Spall

I'm not a perfect model of health, but sometimes we invite health issues with the things we consume. Take famed balladeer Luther Vandross. During his lifetime, the R&B singer concocted a devilish delight known as the Luther Burger (also known as the doughnut burger). This hamburger / cheeseburger is slapped right between two Krispy Kreme doughnuts rat...
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REVIEW: I'd Rather Shovel Sheep's Poop Than Watch Dance Crew LMNTRIX Step Up All In for Alexxa Brava's The Vortex on VH1

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 9, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Step Up All In

Directed By: Trish Sie

Starring: Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan, Misha Gabriel, Adam Sevani, Alyson Stoner, Mari Koda, Christopher Scott, and Luis Rosado

The life of a dancer is not easy. I know this because the Step Up series has beaten this message over moviegoers' heads four times before. That's why this weekend's Step Up All In is simply déjà vu. We've seen it all before, again and again and again. Strangely enough, this latest installment puts me in the mindset of the wizar...
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REVIEW: With Cameras Recording Time Capsules, The Tornado-Chasing Titus Team Wades Pointlessly Into the Storm at Silverton High School

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 8, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Into the Storm

Directed By: Steven Quale

Starring: Richard Armitage, Sarah Wayne Callies, Matt Walsh, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Max Deacon, Nathan Kress, and Arien Escarpeta

Like clockwork, the month of August routinely amounts to a cesspool of cinematic mediocrity. This weekend is quickly proving to be the ultimate example of this. Despite four movies arriving at the mainstream box office this weekend, I'm not impressed with a single new arrival. Unfortunately, this is likely to hold true for the...
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REVIEW: When She Discovers Project Renaissance, the Foot Clan, & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, April O'Neil Swaps Mutagen for Foam & Froth

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 8, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Buck Buck)

Directed By: Jonathan Liebesman

Starring: Megan Fox, Pete Ploszek, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, William Fichtner, Danny Woodburn, Will Arnett, Johnny Knoxville, Tony Shalhoub, and Whoopi Goldberg

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a staple of my childhood. Phrases like "Turtle Power!" and "Cowabunga!" are etched in my memory for all time. That's why I cringed when I learned that Michael Bay was involved in the reboot of the film series. ...
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REVIEW: In Born Dead Biopic Get On Up, James Brown Does Right by Himself & Pays the Cost to Be the Boss

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 2, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Get On Up

Directed By: Tate Taylor

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis, Keith Robinson, Octavia Spencer, Brandon Mychal Smith, Jill Scott, Tika Sumpter, and Craig Robinson

As you all know, I share a name with the subject of the recently released musical biopic Get On Up. Having the name James Brown comes with a certain responsibility — to endure a lifetime of singing, shouting, and dancing at the most unexpected times in the most unexpected places. For instance...
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REVIEW: Guardians Of The Galaxy – Star-Lord Takes Us On A Fun Action-Packed Ride To The Tunes of the Awesome Mix-Vol. 1

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, August 2, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Guardians of the Galaxy

SoberFilmChick

Directed by: James Gunn

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, and Benicio del Toro

Marvel has done it again. In a summer filled with lackluster movies, audiences finally have something to smile about: Guardians of the Galaxy. While films based on Marvel comics have always had an element of humor, Guardians of the Galaxy is a superh...

REVIEW: Hercules – A Twist To The Legend Of Hercules

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, July 27, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Hercules

SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Brett Ratner

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Rufus Sewell, Reece Ritchie, Peter Mullan, and Joseph Fiennes

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has had an incredibly interesting acting career. After going too far astray from his action hero chops with films like The Tooth Fairy, Johnson rebooted his career with a new agent and has become one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. Starring in the Fast and Furious franchises, the G.I. Joe series,...

REVIEW: Lucy – A Somewhat Confusing Tale About What Happens When A Woman Uses 100% Of Her Brain

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, July 27, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Lucy

SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Luc Besson

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik, Amr Waked and Analeigh Tipton

As the credits flickered on the screen at the end of Lucy, the patrons in my theater sat stunned by the film’s abrupt end. They murmured in confusion trying to ascertain what had just happened. I share their confusion.

In the film, Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) is studying abroad in Taiwan. In the midst of her studies, she takes in the city’s nightlife. She meet...

REVIEW: A Most Wanted Man Stumbles About Hamburg for Two Hours In Search of Terrorist Charity Seven Friends Navigation Company

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 27, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

A Most Wanted Man

Directed By: Anton Corbijn

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Daniel Brühl, Nina Hoss, and Robin Wright

The world is still reeling over the loss of the great Philip Seymour Hoffman earlier this year. He was truly one terrific actor who could elevate the caliber of a film with his mere presence on screen. With the passing of any celebrated artist who was still in the game at the time of his or her death, fans typically flock to theaters to see tha...
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REVIEW: In I Origins, White Peacocks, Strawberry Mentos, & Blind Eisenia Fetida Worms Open the Doors to the Reincarnated Soul Behind the Iris

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 27, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

I Origins

Directed By: Mike Cahill

Starring: Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Steven Yeun, Archie Panjabi, William Mapother, and Cara Seymour

Faith seems to be on the minds of indie filmmakers this weekend. We've got two movies where the central characters find themselves questioning their beliefs, or a lack thereof. In Woody Allen's Magic in the Moonlight, Colin Firth's Wei Ling Soo finds himself questioning whether there's something more than just the physical human experie...
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REVIEW: With Séances, Mental Impressions, & Floating Candles, Magic in the Moonlight Pits Illusionist Wei Ling Soo Against Spiritualist Sophie Baker

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 26, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Magic in the Moonlight

Directed By: Woody Allen

Starring: Emma Stone, Colin Firth, Hamish Linklater, Marcia Gay Harden, Jacki Weaver, Erica Leerhsen, Eileen Atkins, and Simon McBurney

I was probably one of the few movie bloggers who was on the West Coast this week but not in San Diego. As I was departing Seattle on Friday morning, I pondered all the fun movie buffs are having in Hall H right about now. Alas, I'm back on the East Coast, and I've got movies to review. Given that I'm slated to c...
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REVIEW: Sex Tape – A Rarely Funny Infomercial For iPads And YouPorn

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, July 20, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Sex Tape

SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Jake Kasdan

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segal, Rob Corddry, Rob Lowe, and Ellie Kemper

Every summer, studios release comedies involving adults behaving badly in the hopes of attracting audiences looking for a little raunchy humor. From Ted to We’re The Millers to Bad Teacher, raunchy comedies have become popular summer fare. Hoping to capitalize on that trend, Sex Tape opens this weekend, and unfortunately, while somewhat salacious, it is decidedly not ...

REVIEW: Even With a Well-Funded Swear Jar, Milk & Honey Isn't the Drink I Had in Mind for Jewish Comedy-Drama Wish I Was Here

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 19, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Wish I Was Here

Directed By: Zach Braff

Starring: Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Josh Gad, Pierce Gagnon, Ashley Greene, Kate Hudson, Joey King, Jim Parsons, and Mandy Patinkin

This is one of those weekends when I need a little inspiration. With the exception of Richard Linklater's outstanding Boyhood, I'm less than impressed with what's arriving at both the mainstream and independent box offices. Like its predecessor, The Purge: Anarchy fails to deliver the thrilling punch it has the power to pac...
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REVIEW: Like Mason in Richard Linklater's Boyhood, We're All Just Winging It Through Life Without Bumpers As the Moment Seizes Us

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 19, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Boyhood

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Starring: Patricia Arquette, Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater, and Ethan Hawke

I'm always in search of bold, refreshing filmmaking that pushes the bounds of what cinema can be. Rarely, do I actually find it. On this otherwise ordinary weekend at the movies, I think we've found something special, something extraordinary. The vast majority of films go into production for several months. Well, on this weekend, we have a movie that went into production fo...
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REVIEW: During the Annual Purge, Carmelo's Call to Action Against the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA) Doesn't Bring the Anarchy

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 18, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Purge: Anarchy

Directed By: James DeMonaco

Starring: Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez, and Zoe Soul

In an era when the latest and greatest scary movies are almost always about something supernatural, it's nice to see some good old fashioned horror movies where people kill people. I'm tired of ghosts, demons, and possessed mirrors dominating the horror landscape. I prefer movies that tap into the darkness inside each and every one of us and leverage this to ratchet up...
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REVIEW: In Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Koba Lives by a Code Other Than Caesar's Ape Not Kill Ape — War

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 11, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Directed By: Matt Reeves

Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Judy Greer, Kodi Smit-McPhee

"Ape not kill ape. Ape together strong."

This summer seems to have climaxed pretty early. I'd make the case that we peaked with Bryan Singer's X-Men: Days of Future Past a couple of months ago. I know that there are a few mindless moviegoers who will stand by Michael Bay's recently released Transformers: Age of Extinction, but most h...
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REVIEW: Biking Through the Nevada Desert in Earth to Echo, Tuck, Alex & Munch Beep a Bit Too Much

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 5, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Earth to Echo

Directed By: Dave Green

Starring: Teo Halm, Brian "Astro" Bradley, Reese C. Hartwig, and Ella Wahlestedt

This Fourth of July has brought us all sorts of movies at the mainstream box office, just not particularly great ones. While Deliver Us From Evil offers a rather routine possession flick, Melissa McCarthy's Tammy offers a waste of money we all can loathe. The remaining film I've yet to review is Earth to Echo. Now admittedly, I've held off on writing this review. The film is ...
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REVIEW: Life Itself Is a Machine That Generates Empathy About the Life and Times of Roger Ebert, A Soldier of Cinema

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 5, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Life Itself

Directed By: Steve James

Starring: Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, Gene Siskel, Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog, and Ava DuVernay

Nearly three years ago, Sobriety Test Movie Reviews (STMR) was born. This time in 2011, I was planning content, finalizing designs, and figuring out what this site could really be. I was doing it all because of my endless love for film. After all, it takes a special kind of person to watch and write about multiple movies on a weekly basis. Still, that's not to...
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REVIEW: To Deliver Us From Evil, Sergeant Ralph Sarchie Must Use His Radar, His Discernment of Spirits, to Stop Mick "Jungler" Santino #Invocamus

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 4, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Deliver Us From Evil

Directed By: Scott Derrickson

Starring: Eric Bana, Édgar Ramírez, Olivia Munn, Sean Harris, and Joel McHale

"Invocamus Vi Ingredi Ab Inferi”

Hollywood hasn't figured out what to do after the success of the horror genre in 2013. In a reactionary move to box office gold, they're mostly releasing halfway decent movies from a singular niche genre, possession films. Just look at the slew of flicks we've had featuring demons trying to make their way into the world. They incl...
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REVIEW: Giving Kronoles for No More Protein Bars, the Snowpiercer Train's Tail Bucks Balance & Preordained Position to Take Wilford's Sacred Engine

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 4, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Snowpiercer

Directed By: Bong Joon-ho

Starring: Chris Evans, Kang-ho Song, Go Ah-sung, Jamie Bell, Alison Pill, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, and Ed Harris

For a guy who supposedly would like to retire from acting in a few years, Chris Evans of Captain America fame seems to be a consistent presence at the box office. He reprised his role as the elder Avenger in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He's got two other comedies on the horizon later in the year in A Many Splintered Th...
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REVIEW: With Jet Skis, Pies, and Ice Cream Trucks, Topperjack's Robber Tammy & Pearl Her Alcoholic Granny Ruin the Fourth of July

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, July 3, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Tammy

Directed By: Ben Falcone

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Susan Sarandon, Allison Janney, Toni Collette, Sandra Oh, Dan Aykroyd, and Kathy Bates

Mainstream cinema is looking pretty underwhelming on this Fourth of July weekend. It's much quieter at the movies relative to 2012 and 2013. Compared to films of years past like The Amazing Spider-Man and Despicable Me 2, we have no big budget spectacles arriving at the box office this weekend. On what's traditionally considered one of the biggest m...
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REVIEW: In Begin Again, Two Lost Stars Wade Through the Strings of the Music Industry to Record a Pearl, An Outdoor Album in NYC

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, July 3, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Begin Again

Directed By: John Carney

Starring: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, James Corden, Cee Lo Green, Catherine Keener, and Mos Def

This year has yielded some solid films, but it undoubtedly pales in comparison to 2013, and even more so to 2012. We just haven't had a consistent wave of quality films hitting the box office. As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend, I hope we have a few solid summer flicks in the works. The first film I've opted to ta...
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REVIEW: Watch Me Tell You How Third Person's White is Indeed the Color of Trust, Belief, & the Lies Michael Tells Himself

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 28, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Third Person

Directed By: Paul Haggis

Starring: Liam Neeson, Milan Kunis, Adrien Brody, Olivia Wilde, James Franco, Moran Atias, Maria Bello, and Kim Basinger

It's not too often that we get Paul Haggis sitting in the director's chair. After all, it's been four years since The Next Three Days and seven since In the Valley of Elah. He spends far more time writing movies like Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, though he hasn't been particularly active on this front in the last several years eit...
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REVIEW: Transformers: Age of Extinction – In This Seemingly Endless Film, KSI, Lockdown, Yaeger, and Optimus Mix It Up

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 28, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Transformers: Age of Extinction
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Michael Bay

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, John Goodman, Ken Watanabe, Nicola Peltz, and Peter Cullen

Harold Attinger: “We have a saying here on Earth: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
Lockdown: “I too have a saying: I don’t care”

Transformers, both the toys and the cartoon, mean something to those of us who grew up in the 1980’s. So I was delighted to hear that the movie franchise was being rebo...
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REVIEW: In Australian Western The Rover, Three Robbers Get a Bloody Lesson in Why Not to Steal Another Man's Car

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 22, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Rover

Directed By: David Michôd

Starring: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, and Scoot McNairy

I've been begging for something fresh and original over the last several weeks. In my reviews of The Signal, The Grand Seduction, and Think Like a Man Too, I've been critical of filmmakers for not taking the road less traveled and offering up the same old predictable, formulaic stuff. Well, my wish is apparently director David Michôd's command. His latest film, The Rover is unlike anything I've seen...
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REVIEW: In Jersey Boys, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Don't Honor the Jersey Contract Put Forth in the Broadway Original

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 21, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Jersey Boys

Directed By: Clint Eastwood

Starring: John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Vincent Piazza, and Christopher Walken

It suffices to say that talking to an empty chair hasn't exactly paid dividends for American cinema icon Clint Eastwood. I can say with ease that I lost some respect for Harry the day he got his hands dirty in the game of politics. The five-time Oscar winner has been relegated to baseball movies like Trouble With the Curve. Now, the Million Dollar Baby and ...
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REVIEW: Instead of Zeke the Freak or the TLAM Girls' Poison, Think Like a Man Too Focuses Far Too Much on the Best Man with a Plan, Kevin Hart

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 21, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Think Like a Man Too

Directed By: Tim Story

Starring: Michael Ealy, Jerry Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence J., Romany Malco, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Gary Owen, Gabrielle Union, La La Anthony, and Kevin Hart

I'm sure my reviews of Grudge Match and Ride Along put me squarely in the corner of what some fans might deem the Kevin Hart Haters Club, but I'd like to offer a different perspective. The pint-sized comedian typically delivers big laughs, but in the last seven or ...
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REVIEW: For a Doctor to Launch a Petrochemical Repurposing Facility, Tickle Head Harbor Organizes the Grand Seduction of Cricket & Fishing

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, June 19, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Grand Seduction

Directed By: Don McKellar

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Brendan Gleeson, Liane Balaban, and Gordon Pinsent

My movie reviews are the product of my passion for or against a film. I know this sounds like a rather mundane, obvious statement, but it's something I see in every piece I pen on a movie. If I really love or hate a movie, I'll go to bat for it or tear it to shreds. If, however, I feel nothing for a movie one way or the other, my ensuing review accordingly lacks inspiratio...
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REVIEW: How to Train Your Dragon 2 – Hiccup And Toothless Take On The Alpha In This Action-Packed Sequel

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, June 16, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

How to Train Your Dragon 2

SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Dean DeBlois

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, America Ferrara, Djimon Hounsou, Craig Ferguson, Kristen Wiig, and Jonah Hill

This past weekend was more than just Jonah Hill’s one-two punch in theaters with 22 Jump Street and How to Train Your Dragon 2. In a world flooded with computer animated films, it is rare to see something new and fresh. How to Train Your Dragon 2 not only exceeds the original film, but it stand...

REVIEW: 2.3.5.41...The Signal at Area 51 is What MIT Student Nick Eastman Finds When He Goes Looking for the Hacker Nomad

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 14, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Signal

Directed By: William Eubank

Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Brenton Thwaites, Olivia Cooke, Beau Knapp, and Lin Shaye

Alien movies are a dime a dozen. Just think about it. In the last couple of months, we've had the likes of Under the Skin and Edge of Tomorrow. We have the likes of Earth to Echo, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and Guardians of the Galaxy in the coming weeks. This makes it especially difficult to craft an exceptional alien flick. After all, what can top E.T. phoni...
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REVIEW: Thanks to the Pee Farter, Pregnant Standup Comic & Obvious Child Donna Stern Has an Abortion on the Worst/Best Valentine's Day Ever

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 14, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Obvious Child

Directed By: Gillian Robespierre

Starring: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffman, David Cross, Polly Draper, and Richard Kind

In the midst of Obvious Child, Gaby Hoffman has a scene-stealing moment during which she takes it to the judicial branch of government for legislating from the bench, particularly as it relates to the matters of a woman's body and abortion. While I concur with Hoffman's character, there's a larger systemic issue at play here. Judicial activism is a product ...
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REVIEW: Work Hard? Yes. Play Hard? Yes. 22 Jump Street Is All About the WHYPHY

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 14, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

22 Jump Street

Directed By: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Peter Stormare, Ice Cube, Nick Offerman, Dave Franco, and Rob Riggle

Channing Tatum has been in entertainment headlines quite a bit lately. With his miscasting as Gambit in future X-Men films, the unfortunate prospect of a sequel to the completely unnecessary Magic Mike, and the surprise delay in the release of the Wachowskis' Jupiter Ascending, it suffices to say that there's a lot happening with...
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REVIEW: The Fault in Our Stars – Teenagers Swoon As Hazel And Gus Bond Over An Imperial Affliction

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 7, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Fault in Our Stars
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Josh Boone

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, and Willem Dafoe

Viewing The Fault in Our Stars was a traumatic experience. Not because of the content of the film, but because I was trapped in a theater with hundreds of girls ranging from eleven to sixteen years old who had read and apparently memorized John Green’s novel. I was spared seeing the Twilight films in theaters, so I was wholly unprepared...
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REVIEW: In the War of Words and Pictures, the Love Between Honors English Teacher Jack Marcus & Honors Art Instructor Dina Delsanto Wins

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 7, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Words and Pictures

Directed By: Fred Schepisi

Starring: Clive Owen, Juliette Binoche, Amy Brenneman, and Keegan Connor Tracy

Movie critics can be so snarky and judgmental. I know I'm saying this in the strangest of places — a movie review — but sometimes my fellow critics just hate a film to hate it. As I was wrapping up my review of this weekend's Words and Pictures, I took a look at Rotten Tomatoes and saw that a film that I actually quite enjoyed sits at a lowly 40%. I saw comments ess...
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REVIEW: In Edge of Tomorrow, Major William Cage & Angel of Verdun Rita Vrataski Lead UDF's Operation Downfall Against Omega & Its Mimics #LiveDieRepeat

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 7, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Edge of Tomorrow

Directed By: Doug Liman

Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, and Brendan Gleeson

"Battle’s the great redeemer. A fiery crucible in which the only true heroes are forged."
-Master Sergeant Farrell Bartolome (Bill Paxton)

The age of movie stardom may be long dead, but Tom Cruise's career on the big screen is quite far from it. After a career full of ups and downs in this risky business, the timeless actor still remains willing to take a gamble at the box office. Whil...
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REVIEW: A Million Ways To Die In The West – Unfortunately, Laughter Is Not One Of Them

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, June 1, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

A Million Ways To Die In The West

SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Seth MacFarlane

Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris, Giovanni Ribisi, and Sarah Silverman

This weekend, Seth MacFarlane’s western comedy, A Million Ways To Die In The West, hits theaters. The film is set in 1882. Albert (MacFarlane) is a sheep farmer down on his luck. Albert is not prosperous; he lacks courage, and he hates living in the west. Much to his dismay, his big ...

REVIEW: Maleficent – Jolie As Both Hero And Villain In This Sleeping Beauty Remake

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, May 31, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Maleficent
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Robert Stromberg

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manville

The latest trend is for movie studios to reinvent old fairy tales by making them darker and edgier. Snow White and the Huntsman, Jack the Giant Slayer and Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters are the most recent examples. Some adaptations have been successful, while others have floundered. On the one hand, it is refreshing to s...

REVIEW: Facing Deportation & Losing Her Sister Magda on Ellis Island to Tuberculosis, The Immigrant Ewa Turns to Bruno & the Bandits' Roost Theater

Posted by James Brown on Monday, May 26, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Immigrant

Directed By: James Gray

Starring: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, and Jeremy Renner

Because I get the pleasure of reviewing both mainstream and independent flicks, some movies are just ill-timed. Take The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for instance. Though a fun, wonderful film, it wasn't exactly the movie to see the same day as The Avengers. Lincoln wasn't exactly the most riveting film to follow up Skyfall either. On the weekend of X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Immigrant is ...
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REVIEW: Blended – Sandler and Barrymore Take Their Romance From Hooters To Sun City

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, May 24, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Blended
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Frank Coraci

Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Terry Crews, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Kevin Nealon

I actually enjoyed Blended much more than I expected. Before rotten tomatoes are hurled at my head, let me explain myself. Adam Sandler has been on a splendid Razzie run with cross dressing turns in Jack and Jill, the painful but commercially successful Grown Ups movies, That’s My Boy and a host of other film disasters. While his new movie Blended certa...

REVIEW: In X-Men: Days of Future Past, Mystique's DNA Unlocks the Key for Charles Xavier to Bear Mutants' Pain Without Breaking & Dare to Hope Again

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 24, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

X-Men: Days of Future Past

Directed By: Bryan Singer

Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Nicholas Hoult, Peter Dinklage, Ian McKellen, and Patrick Stewart

"So many battles waged over the years... and yet, none like this. Are we destined to destroy each other, or can we change each other and unite? Is the future truly set?"
-Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart)

This year has offered a glut of ambitious comic book...
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REVIEW: Palo Alto — I'm Not Bob

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 18, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Palo Alto

Directed By: Gia Coppola

Starring: Emma Roberts, James Franco, Val Kilmer, Nat Wolff, Christian Madsen, Keegan Allen, Chris Messina, Jack Kilmer, and Colleen Camp

2013 was such a great year for coming-of-age movies. We had the likes of Mud, The Kings of Summer, The Way, Way Back, The Spectacular Now, and even arguably Spring Breakers. 2014 doesn't seem to be an equally great year so far. There simply don't seem to be that many worthwhile coming-of-age movies this year. The first on...
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REVIEW: Unlike the Working Men of God's Pocket, Racist Day Laborer Leon Hubbard Doesn't Leave His Family, Life, or Legend With Dignity

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 18, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

God's Pocket

Directed By: John Slattery

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Jenkins, Christina Hendricks, John Turturro, Caleb Landry Jones, and Eddie Marsan

"The working men of God's Pocket are simple men. Everyone here has stolen something from somebody else, or when they were kids, they set someone's house on fire, or they ran away when they should have stayed and fought."
-Richard Shellburn (Richard Jenkins)

The right movie quote can say everything about the film in which it is uttered ...
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REVIEW: El Jefe Chef Big Dog Carl Casper Has a Twitter War With a Food Critic & Launches a Cubano Food Truck to Our Cinematic & Culinary Delight

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 18, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Chef

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Starring: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Downey, Jr.

Hollywood has really taken the all-or-nothing approach to heart in the last several years. Studios will drop billions on a handful of tentpoles annually and hope to reap enormous profits. Their strategy of going for special effects bonanzas that will admittedly appeal to the inner fanboy in all of us has left plenty of pot...
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REVIEW: When Operation Monarch Goes Awry in Janjira, Godzilla Takes On the 2 MUTOs & Restores Balance in Magnificent Fashion

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 17, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Godzilla

Directed By: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, Sally Hawkins, David Strathairn, and Bryan Cranston

"The arrogance of man is thinking nature is in our control... and not the other way around. Let them fight."
-Ichiro Serizawa (Ken Watanabe)

It's sometimes amazing to watch how cinema has evolved with technology, and I'm not talking about elaborate, expensive special effects. What I'm talking about is how our technological prog...
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REVIEW: Mr. JB Bernstein Channels His Inner Don Draper to Launch Million Dollar Arm & Make Dreams Come True for Rinku Singh & Dinesh Kumar Patel

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 11, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Million Dollar Arm

Directed By: Craig Gillespie

Starring: Jon Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Bill Paxton, Lake Bell, Suraj Sharma, Madhur Mittal, Pitobash, Allyn Rachel, and Alan Arkin

I'm not a fan of splitting up the finale of a movie or a television show. It's just another way for studios to milk the proverbial cash cow. There was no real need for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 and 2. There was no need for seasons 5A and 5B of Breaking Bad. There's no need for two The Hunger Games: Mocking...
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REVIEW: Pumping Concrete for His Building & Driving to See His Newborn Baby Out of Wedlock, Locke Rocks...Just a Little

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 11, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Locke

Directed By: Steven Knight

Starring: Tom Hardy

I'm a huge proponent of bold, innovative filmmaking. I'm all for writers and directors tapping into their creative juices to bring us unique cinematic visions that blow moviegoers away. That's why I've been so intrigued with Steven Knight's indie drama Locke. The concept of a movie taking place solely from the front wheel of a car is undoubtedly challenging, but I believed it could be far more rewarding when I first learned of the film. It ...
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REVIEW: Evaluating the Racial & Gender Constructs of Colonial England, Belle Does Anything But Take a Diminished Position with the Mansfield Clan

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 10, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Belle

Directed By: Amma Asante

Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Miranda Richardson, Penelope Wilton, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, and Tom Felton

2013 was a year full of movies about the plight of the black man. We saw Solomon Northrup endure hell until freedom was opportunity in 12 Years a Slave. We saw Cecil Gaines quietly smile as history marched onward for better or worse right in front of him at the White House in Lee Daniels' The Butler. We even saw Oscar Grant have...
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REVIEW: Unplugged from Cell Phones & Comedy, Moms' Night Out Needs an Oxygen Mask Just to Be an Eagle on the Dance Cam

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 10, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Moms' Night Out

Directed By: Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin

Starring: Sarah Drew, Trace Adkins, Sean Astin, and Patricia Heaton

For me, the month of May is always a hard time of year. It's the season of giving gifts. Somebody's always graduating from somewhere. There's also a multitude of birthdays. Last but not least, Mother's Day always arrives on that second Sunday of the month. While I don't mind honoring graduates, birthday revelers, and especially moms, I must say that my wallet is assaul...
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REVIEW: With Airbags, Robert De Niro Parties, & Assjuice, the Brothers of Fraternity Delta Psi Beta Make Some Damn Good Neighbors

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 9, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Neighbors

Directed By: Nicholas Stoller

Starring: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne, Dave Franco, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Lisa Kudrow, and Craig Robinson

We haven't had a good raunchy mainstream comedy in quite some time. The Frat Pack is aging, and films like Anchorman 2 aren't exactly laugh factories anymore. Stuck on party films like Project X and 21 & Over, my generation isn't exactly stepping up to the plate either on a consistent basis. Sure, we can point to films like 21 Jump Street ...
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REVIEW: With Roosevelt's Secret Station & Oscorp's Special Projects Division, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Is No Happy Birthday for Max / Sparkles / Electro

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 2, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Directed By: Marc Webb

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Colm Feore, Felicity Jones, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Paul Giamatti, and Sally Field

The summer blockbuster season has arrived! With it, we can now say goodbye to horrendous flicks like Devil's Due, A Haunted House 2, and Brick Mansions while saying hello to the likes of Godzilla, Maleficent, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. As I noted in my review of Captain America: The Wi...
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REVIEW: The Other Woman – The Wife, The Lawyer, And The Boobs Team Up Against A Lannister

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, April 27, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Other Woman
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Nick Cassavetes

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Don Johnson, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Kinney

I desperately wanted to endorse The Other Woman. Not only because I’m a huge fan of Leslie Mann’s work, but I also listened to Mann and Cameron Diaz plugging the new film on EW Radio. During the interview, they referenced the 1980’s classic film 9 to 5, and seemed to hint that The Other Woman delivered some of the sa...

REVIEW: Detroit Bombing Brick Mansions Like RoboCop's Delta City Won't Work for Sheriff Damian Collier, Deputy Lino Dupree, or Drug Lord Tremaine Alexander

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 26, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Brick Mansions

Directed By: Camille Delamarre

Starring: Paul Walker, David Belle, and RZA

RoboCop seems to be having a bit of a second life this year. There was the remake earlier this year with Joel Kinnaman, Michael Keaton, Gary Oldman, and Samuel L. Jackson. Now, the whole concept of Delta City, a revitalized utopia built on the ashes of the urban, underprivileged portion of the community, is being brought back to life. It's called Brick Mansions this time around. With the late Paul Walke...
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REVIEW: In The Quiet Ones, Poltergeist Doll Evey Dwyer, Her Host Jane, & the Devil Worshiping Lilitu Give Us Two Boring Knocks

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 25, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Quiet Ones

Directed By: John Pogue

Starring: Jared Harris, Sam Claflin, Olivia Cooke, Erin Richards, and Rory Fleck-Byrne

I've said that I'm tired of found footage horror films, but I have to say that I'm tired of supernatural horror flicks in general. Poltergeists have simply been overdone in recent years. Paranormal Activity, Insidious, & The Conjuring have all flooded our theaters. I'm more of a slasher fan of Friday the 13th or A Nightmare on Elm Street, exactly the types of old schoo...
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REVIEW: The Alan Partridge & Pat Farrell Radio Show & Siege Is Predicated Upon the Words "Just Sack Pat"

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 20, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Alan Partridge: The Movie (Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa)

Directed By: Declan Lowney

Starring: Steve Coogan and Colm Meaney

It's been a rather sparse year for the comedy genre as a whole. The only good one to have arrived at the box office this year is Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel. Considering about a third of the year is now in our collective rearview mirror, having just one notable comedy is not saying much at all. With the summer movie season looming, there's always hope that some ...
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REVIEW: Given the Contaminated O Negative Zombie Blood in Detroit & Tangier, Only Vampire Lovers Adam & Eve Are Left Alive

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 20, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Only Lovers Left Alive

Directed By: Jim Jarmusch

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Mia Wasikowska, Anton Yelchin, John Hurt, and Jeffrey Wright

When it comes to movies, I love to be proven wrong. I'm happy when a movie exceeds my expectations (provided that it's good). I'm happy when a movie is not what I envisioned and is something different (better) altogether. One thing I've noticed is that this happens far more often in independent cinema than mainstream. I guess that shouldn't be...
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REVIEW: Thanks to a Map, a Radio, & Hellacious Torture, Railway Man Eric Lomax & Japanese Interpreter Takashi Nagase Become Good Friends

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 20, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Railway Man

Directed By: Jonathan Teplitzky

Starring: Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Jeremy Irvine, Stellan Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Tanroh Ishida

“At the beginning of time the clock struck one
Then dropped the dew and the clock struck two
From the dew grew a tree and the clock struck three
The tree made a door and the clock struck four
Man came alive and the clock struck five
Count not, waste not the years on the clock
Behold I stand at the door and knock.”
-Eric Lomax (Colin Firth)

If any...
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REVIEW: Spoofing The Conjuring & Insidious: Chapter 2, A Haunted House 2 Pathetically Sexes Abigail the Doll & Satirizes Demon Agouhl

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 19, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

A Haunted House 2

Directed By: Michael Tiddes

Starring: Marlon Wayans, Jaime Pressly, Essence Atkins, Gabriel Iglesias, and Cedric the Entertainer

I've been loathing this weekend on my review calendar for quite some time, for quite some time. I knew that the completely unwarranted follow-up to Marlon Wayans's A Haunted House would be arriving in theaters on this weekend. I knew that a horrendous, trashy film was on my docket. I knew that I'd be a simultaneously embarrassed and pissed off movi...
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REVIEW: Creating a R.I.F.T. in Academia with the Artificial Intelligence Pinn, Will & Evelyn Caster Don’t Take Transcendence to the Next Level at Brightwood

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 18, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Transcendence

Directed By: Wally Pfister

Starring: Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall, Kate Mara, Cillian Murphy, Cole Hauser, and Paul Bettany

The last couple of years haven't been terribly awesome for iconic movie star Johnny Depp. Dark Shadows and The Lone Ranger weren't exactly box office successes beloved by audiences worldwide. In fact, they were duds that cost their respective studios hundreds of millions of dollars. With this in mind, I wouldn't exactly have high box office hop...
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REVIEW: For Crossroads Wesleyan Church Pastor Todd Burpo Heaven Is for Real When the Angels Sing to His Son Colton Like the Lion, the Bear & the Unicorn

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 18, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Heaven Is for Real

Directed By: Randall Wallace

Starring: Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Connor Corum, Jacob Vargas, Nancy Sorel, Thomas Haden Church, and Margo Martindale

It's been a big year for Christian moviegoers. Though many balked at the prospect of Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah, there have been a slew of other religious films aimed at churchgoing viewers. Back in February, Jesus performed a miracle or two in Son of God. In the month of March, Hercules became an atheist to debate ...
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REVIEW: Unlucky S.O.B. Dom Hemingway, a Man With No Options, Suddenly Has All the Options in the World When the Pendulum of Luck Swings His Way

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 13, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Dom Hemingway

Directed By: Richard Shepard

Starring: Jude Law, Richard E. Grant, Demián Bichir, Emilia Clarke, Kerry Condon, Jumayn Hunter, and Mãdãlina Diana Ghenea

"Oh. I'll tell you who I am. I'm the f*cker who'll tear your nose off with my teeth. I'm the f*cker who will gut you with a dull cheese knife and sing Gilbert and Sullivan while I do it. I'm the f*cker who'll dump your dead body in a freezing cold lake and watch you sink to the bottom like so much shit. I am that f*cker. Th...
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REVIEW: In Under the Skin, Hot Alien Scarlett Johansson Seduces the Men of Scotland Into Her Pool of Black Tar-Like Liquid

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 13, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Under the Skin

Directed By: Jonathan Glazer

Starring: Scarlett Johansson

It's been quite a while since we've had a weird one at the indie box office. There was no movie like Holy Motors or The Paperboy in 2013 to leave me utterly baffled by what transpired on the big screen. Thus far, I can mostly say the same thing about 2014. No filmmaker has tested the limits of moviegoers' tolerance for the bizarre or disgusting this year. One movie this spring comes close to doing so, however. That's J...
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REVIEW: Thanks to the Lasser Glass in Oculus, Tim and Kaylie Confront Their' Bloody, Troubled Childhood Right in the Mirror

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 13, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Oculus

Directed By: Mike Flanagan

Starring: Katee Sackhoff, Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites, Rory Cochrane, Annalise Basso, and Garrett Ryan

In the horror department, 2014 has some big shoes to fill. In the wake of a diverse slate of films back in 2013 including You're Next, The Conjuring, and The Purge, scary movie lovers rightfully have some pretty high expectations. Considering flicks like Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones and Devil's Due, this year's entries into the genre have missed th...
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REVIEW: Rio 2 – A Music-Filled Blue Macaw Romp In The Amazon That Falls Short

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, April 12, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Rio 2
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Carlos Saldanha

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Leslie Mann, Bruno Mars, Jermaine Clement, George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, will.i.am, Rita Moreno, Tracy Morgan, and Andy Garcia

Computer animated films are a dime a dozen at this point. In the “olden” days, one or two animated films would be released in a given year. However, studios have seized on the economic potential of family friendly animated films and are rolling out computer animated films with in...

REVIEW: For No. 1 Pick Bo Callahan & His Magic Beans, Cleveland Browns General Manager Sonny Weaver Sells the Cow on Draft Day

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 12, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Draft Day

Directed By: Ivan Reitman

Starring: Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Denis Leary, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Ellen Burstyn, and Chadwick Boseman

I despise utterly predictable films. As a moviegoer, there's nothing worse than wasting my time on a movie that offers nothing refreshing or imaginative whatsoever. Arguably, that's most of what we're facing at the box office this weekend. We've got another animated sequel in Rio 2 intended to tap into parents' wallets. We've also got ano...
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REVIEW: Despite Baseball Bats, Hammers, & Uco's Fiery Ambition, It's Rama's Time to Rage in The Raid 2: Berandal

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 5, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Raid: Berandal

Directed By: Gareth Evans

Starring: Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad, Julie Estelle, Ryuhei Matsuda, Kenichi Endo, and Kazuki Kitamura

Applause is a memorable thing in a movie theater. In a place where silence is golden, it's the rarest of signs of utter amazement and respect for what an audience has just witnessed on the big screen. I reflect on films like The Dark Knight, The Avengers, and Moonrise Kingdom and remember the applause that came ...
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REVIEW: In the Age of Miracles, A Troubled Running Man Captain America Faces the Ghost Story Winter Soldier To Stop Hydra’s Project Insight Helicarriers

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 5, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Directed By: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grilli, Emily VanCamp, Hayley Atwell, Robert Redford, and Samuel L. Jackson

"On your left..."
-Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans)

Shared movie universes are the new thing in Hollywood. With the imminent The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Sony is laying the foundations for the Sinister Six and an unfathomable nine films surroun...
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REVIEW: During Le Week-End, Nick & Meg Do the Madison Dance From Jean-Luc Godard’s Bande à part All Throughout Paris

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Le Week-End

Directed By: Roger Michell

Starring: Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan, and Jeff Goldblum

A rainy weekend means one thing for most people — staying at home and getting some R&R. Whether burying ourselves in movies, video games, or nice fluffy pillows, I'm sure we all are finding some way to enjoy the rainy weather. For me, the rain drops falling means the same old stuff. I'm headed to the movies to check out the latest and greatest in theaters. The latest, but not exactly the great...
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REVIEW: Sabotage – Breacher Delivers Violence, But Not Much Else

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, March 30, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Sabotage
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: David Ayer

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, Olivia Williams, Terrence Howard, Joe Manganiello, Harold Perrineau, Martin Donovan, Max Martini, Josh Holloway, and Mireille Enos

Since his political career ended and his marital woes took center stage, Arnold Schwarzenegger has not been able to connect with American audiences. His most recent films, The Last Stand and Escape Plan were box office duds domestically, and his latest action thriller Sa...
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REVIEW: Despite the Wicked Tubul-cain, Noah & Fallen Angels Known as the Watchers Brace for Some Watery Climate Change from the Creator

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 29, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Noah

Directed By: Darren Aronofsky

Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth, and Anthony Hopkins

In my reviews of Lars von Trier's Nymphomaniac films, I wrote at length about how more socially conservative moviegoers bashed the film without having seen it. In the case of Darren Aronofsky's Noah, the studio enabled this portion of the moviegoing public to take some shots at the movie long before it arrived in theaters. Holding test scree...
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REVIEW: Divergent – There Is A Certain Beauty In Dauntless Stiff Tris’s Resistance to the Principle of Faction Over Blood

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 22, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Divergent

SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Neil Burger

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ashley Judd, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, Tony Goldwyn, Maggie Q, and Kate Winslet

Another young adult book series has been given the big screen treatment. With the success of The Hunger Games, the Twilight series and Harry Potter, studios are constantly searching for the next big thing. Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and Beautiful Creatures are two recent unsuccessful adaptat...

REVIEW: To Win the Golden Quill National Spelling Bee, 40 Year-Old Guy Trilby Uses Quite a Few Bad Words

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 22, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Bad Words

Directed By: Jason Bateman

Starring: Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney, Phillip Baker Hall, Ben Falcone, Rachael Harris, and Rohan Chand

Spelling bees aren't the riveting stuff that make movies great. It takes a strong director and an equally strong cast to pull off a movie about a bee. After all, every film can't be Akeelah and the Bee and make the orthography of the word "xanthosis" thrilling cinematic material. That's why there have been so few movies about the world of...
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REVIEW: Whether a Hungry Tiger or a Deformed Tree on a Hill Named Fido, Nymphomaniac Joe Tells Us 3 + 5 = 8 All Over Again in Volume II

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 22, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Nymphomaniac: Volume II

Directed By: Lars von Trier

Starring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, Jamie Bell, Stacy Martin, Mia Goth, Michael Pas, and Shia LaBeouf

Lars von Trier's Trilogy of Depression is no longer really a trilogy. With the unedited cut of Nymphomaniac topping five hours, this movie was destined from the beginning to require two parts. This means that the Danish sex addiction drama has had twice as many chances to ruffle the feathers of more socially cons...
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REVIEW: Accepting the Mud But Not the Pirate Pride, Addict Veronica Mars Returns to Life as a Sleuth Thanks to Bonnie DeVille's Serendipity

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 16, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Veronica Mars

Directed By: Rob Thomas

Starring: Kristen Bell, Jason Dohring, Krysten Ritter, Ryan Hansen, Francis Capra, Percy Daggs III, Chris Lowell, Tina Majorino, and Enrico Colantoni

Networks can be cruel when it comes to scheduling their primetime lineups. We've all had television shows that were gone too soon courtesy of that greedy old cancellation bear. For me, shows that come to mind are ABC's endlessly inventive fantasy murder procedural Pushing Daisies or NBC's little show that cou...
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REVIEW: The Single Moms Club – Five Moms, Five OK Stories

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 15, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Single Moms Club
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Tyler Perry

Starring: Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Cocoa Brown, Amy Smart, and Zulay Henao

Fresh off of his Razzies’ win for A Madea Christmas, Tyler Perry is back in theaters this month with his new film, The Single Moms Club. Say what you will, but Perry knows his audience and he sticks with his standard themes in this new film. The Single Moms Club involves a fair amount of sisterhood and female empowerment, as well as some serious male b...

REVIEW: For the Painting Boy With Apple, Grand Budapest Hotel Concierge M. Gustave & Lobby Boy Zero Find Glimmers of Humanity at Checkpoint 19

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 15, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Jude Law, Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Léa Seydoux, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Owen Wilson, and Tony Revolori

Wes Anderson is back! Indie film lovers everywhere will have some good laughs this weekend. In his follow-up to his mega hit Moonrise Kingdom, the acclaimed director has assembled o...
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REVIEW: From Mt. Khisko to the Secret De Leon, Tobey Marshall & Dino Brewster Have a Need for Speed to Settle Their Feud

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 15, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Need for Speed

Directed By: Scott Waugh

Starring: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Kid Cudi, Imogen Poots, Ramón Rodriguez, and Michael Keaton

Movies based on video games are a hard sell. Titles like Mortal Kombat, Doom, and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time should all evoke some bad memories. We've all regretted going to go see one of these often cheesy, underdeveloped adaptations that don't do justice to the games we love. That being said, I had anything but high expectations for Scott Waugh'...
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Rounders Sequel Reportedly in the Works

Posted by Drew Keller on Wednesday, March 12, 2014,

Poker fans rejoice. The 20 year deal struck between the legendary producing team of the Weinstein Brothers and Miramax back in December of 2013 means the return of several beloved properties from the late 90's, including sequels to the Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love and the cult hit Rounders. While the Shakespeare sequel sounds spectacularly unnecessary, fans have been clamoring for a return to the seedy world of underground poker for over 15 years. Released back in 1998, Rounders centered...
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REVIEW: With the Empty Lunchbox, the Wrong Train Gets Saajan & Ila to the Right Station — Bhutan

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 9, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Lunchbox (Dabba)

Directed By: Ritesh Batra

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui

"Sometimes the wrong train will get you to the right station."
-Shaikh (Nawazuddin Siddiqui)

2014 marks another year in which the Academy got it wrong, particularly for Best Foreign Language Film. Sure, The Great Beauty rightfully was nominated and won the award. The problem is that it didn't face off with the other great foreign language films of the year like The Past and Blue Is the Warm...
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REVIEW: With Fly Fishing, Ash Trees, Fibonacci Numbers, & Polyphony, Nymphomaniac: Volume 1 Makes Love the Metaphorical Cantus Firmus of Sex

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 9, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Nymphomaniac: Volume I

Directed By: Lars von Trier

Starring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård, Stacy Martin, Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Uma Thurman, and Connie Nielsen

"When the ash tree was created, it made all the other trees in the forest jealous. It was the most beautiful tree. You couldn't say anything bad about it. Then, in the winter, when the ash tree lost all of its leaves, all the trees noticed the black buds and started laughing. 'Oh look! The a...
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REVIEW: Mr. Peabody, Sherman, & Penny Rip Open the Space-Time Continuum With the WABAC Because George Washington Didn't Chop Down a Cherry Tree

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 8, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Directed By: Rob Minkoff

Starring: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter, Leslie Mann, and Stephen Colbert

Children are taking over the box office we all know and love. Every time I turn around, there's a new movie for them in theaters. What happened to the good old days when they used to have a handful of flicks during the summer? What happened to the good old days when Hollywood was fixated on the 18-49 demographic and not their children? This year already, we've seen...
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REVIEW: With Stout Wooden Ships & A Tidal Wave of Heroes' Blood, Themistocles Unites a Free Greece Against the Rise of Artemisia's Empire & Can Sit at the Table

Posted by James Brown on Friday, March 7, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

300: Rise of an Empire

Directed By: Noam Murro

Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Hans Matheson, and Rodrigo Santoro

"It begins as a whisper... a promise... the lightest of breezes dances above the death cries of 300 men. That breeze became a wind. A wind that my brothers have sacrificed. A wind of freedom... a wind of justice... a wind of vengeance."
-Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey)

With the Oscars now in our rearview mirror, we can fully focus on what lies ahead this year. More ...
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REVIEW: Dark Vengeance – Literally Made For Television

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Dark Vengeance
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Keoni Waxman

Starring: Steven Seagal, Warren Christie, Sarah Lind, Tzi Ma, Meghan Ory, and George Takei

As a child of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, I have a certain affinity for cheesy martial arts/crime/sci-fi fare. I grew up on films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal. For heaven’s sake, I’ve seen Cyborg multiple times. Thus, I am not opposed to the resurgence of 80’s actors, who are provi...
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REVIEW: The Broken Circle Breakdown – A Heart-Wrenching Tale of Love, Loss, Religion and Bluegrass

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 1, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Broken Circle Breakdown
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Felix Van Groeningen

Starring: Veerle Baetens, Johan Heldenbergh, Nell Cattrysse, Geert Van Rampelberg

President Barack Obama once said that having a child is like having your heart walking around outside of your body. That comment always struck me. When you have a son or a daughter, you become vulnerable and exposed because of your overwhelming love for that child. As a parent, your worst fear is that some type of harm will come to your...
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REVIEW: In Non-Stop, Air Marshal Bill's Magic Blue Ribbon Isn't a Bad Defense from Terrorists Who'll Kill a Passenger Every 20 Minutes for $150MM

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 1, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Non-Stop

Directed By: Jaume Collet-Serra

Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Nate Parker, Michelle Dockery, Linus Roache, Scoot McNairy, and Corey Stoll

"Someone on this flight is threatening to kill someone every 20 minutes, unless $150 million is transferred to this account number."
-Bill Marks (Liam Neeson)

Year after year, Liam Neeson continues to cash in on the success of his 2008 action thriller Taken. We've seen this guy — who was once considered a more dramatic actor — try to chann...
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REVIEW: Don't Be Afraid to Skip Son of God

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 1, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Son of God

Directed By: Christopher Spencer

Starring: Diogo Morgado, Roma Downey, and Darwin Shaw

2014 might just be the year of the biblical movie. Hollywood is taking us to church in the coming weeks and months. Several weeks from now, Darren Aronofsky's Noah will be storming into theaters and bringing on the floodwaters. Later in the year, Moses will be telling Pharaoh to let his people go all over again and leading them to the Promised Land in Ridley Scott's Exodus. Before we get ahead o...
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REVIEW: Thérèse and Laurent Don't Make a Sound & Keep Quiet In Their Secret Affair

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, February 23, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

In Secret

Directed By: Charlie Stratton

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Felton, Oscar Isaac, and Jessica Lange

I've shied away from indie cinema for the last several weeks or so. Things typically remain quiet on this front during the awards season. Sure, I've missed a couple of foreign flicks such as Gloria and Like Father, Like Son, but indie theaters have primarily been screening awards darlings like Her, Dallas Buyers Club, and 12 Years a Slave. Given that the awards season is coming to an ...
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REVIEW: For Those of Us About to Die of Boredom, We Don't Salute Pompeii or the Celt Horseman Milo

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 22, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Pompeii

Directed By: Paul W. S. Anderson

Starring: Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Carrie-Anne Moss, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica Lucas, Jared Harris, and Kiefer Sutherland

Gladiator is one of my all-time favorite movies. The noble character Russell Crowe gives us as Maximus, the delicious sicko to which Joaquin Phoenix treats us with Commodus, and the rousing yet beautiful filmmaking from director Ridley Scott all make the film an unrivaled modern epic of the highest caliber. With this ki...
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REVIEW: With The Wolf & The Albino on His Hit List, Cancer-Stricken Ethan Has 3 Days to Kill With Zoey as a Father Who Clearly Doesn't Know Best

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 22, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

3 Days to Kill

Directed By: McG

Starring: Kevin Costner, Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld, Connie Nielsen, Richard Sammel, and Eriq Ebouaney

McG isn't exactly a director who gets me excited for a movie. Sure, he's had a decent movie or two in his time. A great example is 2012's This Means War. At the same time, he's had many more missteps with films like Charlie's Angels and Terminator Salvation. His problem is that he tends to make undercooked films flush with gaping plot holes and underwhelmi...
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REVIEW: About Last Night – Kevin Hart Plays Lando Calrissian To Michael Ealy’s Vader In This Sexy Romantic Comedy

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Tuesday, February 18, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

About Last Night
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Steve Pink

Starring: Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Joy Bryant, Adam Rodriguez, and Paula Patton

Kevin Hart is without question the comedian of the moment. With sold out arenas for his comedy tour across the country, a hit television show on BET, and his appearance in every movie trailer imaginable, Hart is clearly riding high. 2014 has already started out with a bang for Hart with his hit movie Ride Along, which has grossed $116 million dome...
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REVIEW: In the City of Justice, Everything Is Connected by Starlight Except the Winter's Tale of Peter Lake & Beverly Penn

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 15, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Winter's Tale

Directed By: Akiva Goldsman

Starring: Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, Eva Marie Saint, Will Smith, and William Hurt

We've got no originality at the box office this Valentine's Day weekend. Three of the movies arriving in theaters are remakes of films from the 80s. While I certainly don't mind the new RoboCop, three remakes in the same weekend is a bit much. However, that's not enough for Hollywood. There's another film arriving in theater...
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REVIEW: In the Matter of OmniCorp Vs. the Dreyfuss Act, RoboCop Alex Murphy Wins With an Assist from The Novak Element

Posted by James Brown on Friday, February 14, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

RoboCop

Directed By: José Padilha

Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Williams, Jennifer Ehle, and Jay Baruchel

I'm very much looking forward to many of the blockbusters in 2014. It's not that Hollywood is breaking new ground, but they are revisiting many of the franchises that have brought us movie magic for generations. Who can turn down a showdown between Godzilla, the King of the Monsters, and Heisenberg, a...
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REVIEW: For the Shadow-Kissed Dhampir Rose Hathaway Bound to Royal Moroi Lissa Dragomir, Weird Doesn't Begin to Cover It in Vampire Academy

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, February 9, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Vampire Academy

Directed By: Mark Waters

Starring: Zoey Deutch, Danila Kozlovsky, Lucy Fry, Dominic Sherwood, Olga Kurylenko, Cameron Monaghan, Sami Gayle, Ashley Charles, Claire Foy, Sarah Hyland, Gabriel Byrne, and Joely Richardson

With the Harry Potter franchise wrapping up almost three years ago and The Hunger Games series concluding in the very near future, studios are on the hunt for the next big literary adaptation. 2013 boasted mostly mediocre additions to the niche genre including Beau...
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REVIEW: Everything Is Awesome in The Lego Movie When the Special Master Builder Emmet Finds the Piece of Resistance to Stop the Kragle Before Taco Tuesday

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 8, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Lego Movie

Directed By: Phil Lord and Chris Miller

Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson, and Morgan Freeman

Wonder Woman has finally arrived on the big screen. No, Gal Gadot hasn't picked up her lasso and gotten an early start before Batman Vs. Superman arrives in 2016. No, there isn't some new animated Justice League film. Voiced by How I Met Your Mother's Cobie Smulders, the Amazonian warrior princess arr...
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REVIEW: The Hunt A.K.A. Jagten – A Modern Day Scarlet Letter

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, February 8, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Hunt
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Thomas Vinterberg

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Alexandra Rapaport, Annika Wedderkopp, and Lasse Fogelstrom

Within the last week, Hollywood has been rocked as the molestation allegations against Woody Allen resurfaced. Allen’s stepdaughter Dylan Farrow wrote an open letter chastising Hollywood for honoring the man who allegedly molested her as a child. Battles have been waged on daytime talk shows disputing the issue, and articles have be...

REVIEW: To Protect the Bruges Madonna and Child & Prevent the Führer Museum, The Monuments Men Undertake One Boring Assignment

Posted by James Brown on Friday, February 7, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Monuments Men

Directed By: George Clooney

Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville, and Cate Blanchett

Unless you're Martin Scorsese and getting geared up to release the next The Wolf of Wall Street, getting your movie's release date pushed back within just months of its arrival in theaters is an ominous sign. Not that it ever really had a chance at greatness, but I'm sure you all remember last year's G.I. Joe: Retaliation....
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REVIEW: Over Labor Day Weekend, Henry and Adele Wheeler Learn About Peach Pie & Baseball Thanks to Escaped Convict Frank Chambers

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, February 2, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Labor Day

Directed By: Jason Reitman

Starring: Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith, Tobey Maguire, and Clark Gregg

Jason Reitman's Labor Day certainly has some odd timing. Coming out just after the Christmas season and MLK Day, a movie themed around the holiday that closes the summer just doesn't feel right. I know that Valentine's Day is right around the corner and that romances are a dime a dozen around this time of the year. Regardless, the timing of the movie just doesn't feel rig...
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REVIEW: Best Man Down – Lumpy’s Secret Life Is Uncovered In This Comedy Drama

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, January 26, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Best Man Down
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Ted Koland

Starring: Justin Long, Jess Weixler, Tyler Labine, Addison Timlin, Shelley Long, and Frances O’Connor

Happy belated New Year movie lovers! I am delighted to return to the movie review scene after a brief holiday hiatus. My first review of 2014 is Justin Long’s indie flick Best Man Down. Although billed as a dark comedy, this uneven film is at times touching, but never humorous.

Scott (Long) and Kristin (Jess Weixler) are having the time o...
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REVIEW: With Gargoyles Ascending & Demons Descending, I, Frankenstein Is All About Adam Finding His Soul & His Higher Purpose

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 25, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

I, Frankenstein

Directed By: Stuart Beattie

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Socratis Otto, Jai Courtney, and Kevin Grevioux

Harvey, Harvey, Harvey Dent. What has happened to Aaron Eckhart’s career since The Dark Knight? His most notable credits since his turn as Gotham's White Knight include The Rum Diary, Olympus Has Fallen, and Battle Los Angeles. That's not saying much at all. The same can be said for Miranda Otto, whom most may remember as Eowyn in...
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REVIEW: That Awkward Moment "The So" Is Exactly What These Boys Need to Fill Their Rosters, Plus Some Ice Cream & A 40 Oz. Malt Liquor

Posted by James Brown on Friday, January 24, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

That Awkward Moment

Directed By: Tom Gormican

Starring: Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Imogen Poots, Mackenzie Davis, and Jessica Lucas

Many, including myself, have said in recent years that the romantic comedy is dead. I have to retract my statement. I'm more likely today to argue that it's an endangered species. The sappy, formulaic rom com is indeed dead. However, fresh takes on the genre do pop into movie theaters every now and then. For 2013, that fresh take was Enough Sai...
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REVIEW: In the Shadows of the Frozen Deep, Charles Dickens Dryly Oscillates Between His Public Love & Secret Invisible Woman Nelly "Lawless" Ternan

Posted by James Brown on Monday, January 20, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Invisible Woman

Directed By: Ralph Fiennes

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Tom Hollander

"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other."
-Charles Dickens

Ralph Fiennes is one of the few big screen talents who can seamlessly navigate between the worlds of big budget blockbusters and indie cinema. He's a very versatile talent and has proven it time and time again. After all, h...
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REVIEW: Born From Death, the Antichrist Comes Through a Pregnant Sam During Her Last Hour in Devil's Due

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 19, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Devil's Due

Directed By: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett

Starring: Allison Miller, Zach Gilford, Sam Anderson, and Robert Belushi

"Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour."
1 John 2:18

It's the third weekend of the year, and we've already gotten our second found footage horror movie (the first being Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones). It's needless to say that I'm gett...
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REVIEW: Jack Ryan Is a Napoleonic Shadow Recruit Who Meets Us Halfway in Waterloo

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 18, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Directed By: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh, and Keira Knightley

After his noble turn as Jonathan Kent in Man of Steel last year, Kevin Costner is trying to make a comeback this year. As of right now, he's got five movies slated for release in 2014. I think he's trying to fill the void of the all-American male movie star. The proof is in the pudding. Next month, Costner will portray a Secret Service agent in action thriller 3 Da...
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REVIEW: In a Ride Along Full of 126s, Black Hammer Kevin Hart Shows & Proves That He's Unfortunately Unlocked the Platinum Level

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 18, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Ride Along

Directed By: Tim Story

Starring: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill, Bryan Callen, Tika Sumpter, and Laurence Fishburne

Kevin Hart seems to be everywhere. He was in This Is the End and Grudge Match last year. He's done several stand-up comedy tours all over the country over the last several years. He's got two big romantic comedies this year with About Last Night and his follow-up to Think Like a Man. Strangely enough, he's even been on ESPN lately. All of this po...
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REVIEW: With a Blood-Stained Dress, Love Letter Emails & Suicide by Detergent, The Past Is Steeped in One Rich Mystery

Posted by James Brown on Monday, January 13, 2014, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Past (Le Passé)

Directed By: Asghar Farhadi

Starring: Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim, and Ali Mosaffa

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has gotten it wrong on many, many occasions. With this year's Oscar nominations to be announced later this week, let's talk about a film the Academy won't even consider nominating. When the Academy announced its short list of foreign language film contenders — an all-inclusive list of potential nominees — several films were noticeably abse...
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REVIEW: Whether Prince Alcides or Hercules Son of Zeus, This Legend Sucks

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 12, 2014, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Legend of Hercules

Directed By: Renny Harlin

Starring: Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins, Roxanne McKee, and Liam Garrigan

2014 is the comeback year for the sword-and-sandal picture. Just look at the lineup at the box office in the coming months. Russell Crowe will be building an ark to prep for some major floodwaters in Darren Aronofsky's Noah in a couple of months. Christian Bale will be asking Pharaoh to let his people go as Moses in Ridley Scott's Exodus in the fall. We've even g...
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REVIEW: Despite Mouth Cancer, "Lay Down Sally" and Truth-Telling Are Drug Addict Violet Weston's Specialties in August: Osage County

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 11, 2014, In : 0.00% Water

August: Osage County

Directed By: John Wells

Starring: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Julianne Nicholson, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Sam Shepard, and Misty Upham

Earlier this week, Emma Thompson was named Best Actress at the National Board of Review awards dinner in New York. The Saving Mr. Banks star was honored by fellow actress Meryl Streep. Unlike blander ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and the O...
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REVIEW: Unlike the Movie, Marcus Luttrell, Frogman & Lone Survivor of Operation Red Wings, Is Saved by the Code of Honor Pashtunwali

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 11, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Lone Survivor

Directed By: Peter Berg

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, and Eric Bana

"There’s a storm inside of us. I’ve heard many team guys speak of this. A burning. A river. A drive. An unrelenting desire to push yourself harder and further than anyone could think possible."
-SO1 Mark Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg)

I try to stay away from other critics' reviews before I see a movie. Every now and then, however, my eyes wander, and I find myself delving into ...
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REVIEW: The Grudgement Day Match Between Razor Sharp & Billy "The Kid" McDonnen Has a Few Too Many Butterscotch Jellybeans 30 Years Too Late

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Grudge Match

Directed By: Peter Segal

Starring: Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Alan Arkin, Kevin Hart, Jon Bernthal, LL Cool J, and Kim Basinger

The AARP is getting into the holiday movie season! They're giving us a pairing of the Raging Bull and Rocky as the 70 year-old Robert De Niro and the 67 year-old Sylvester Stallone square off on the big screen. Ten to fifteen years ago, this might have been a halfway good idea. As it stands, Grudge Match is set to be Grumpy Old Men on crack. It...
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REVIEW: Despite the Possessed Simon Game, Marked One Jesse Loses It With Anna & One Creepy Coven of Witches in This Paranormal Activity Spinoff

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 5, 2014, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones

Directed By: Christopher B. Landon

Starring: Andrew Jacobs, Jorge Diaz, Richard Cabral, Carlos Pratts, and Gabrielle Walsh

Happy New Year STMR readers! Whether you've travelled, visited family and friends, or just watched some good movies, I hope you've had a holiday season full of much-needed rest and relaxation. As we kick off 2014, we begin things with a horror franchise that was noticeably absent in a banner year for the genre. While movies like The Pu...
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REVIEW: From Prisoner to President, Mandela Wears Some Long Trousers on His Long Walk to Freedom

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 26, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Directed By: Justin Chadwick

Starring: Idris Elba and Naomie Harris

We lost a global icon this year. With the passing of Nelson Mandela several weeks ago, we should celebrate this legendary leader's accomplishments and honor his legacy. As it turns out, Hollywood is doing just that in their own way this awards season. Though not the means to combat poverty or eradicate social injustice, the biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is the means by which another genera...
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REVIEW: In Her, Operating System 1 Samantha Learns to Love Letter Writer Theodore Twombly

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 26, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Her

Directed By: Spike Jonze

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johannson, Chris Pratt, and Kristen Wiig

Man falls in love with his personal assistant. Stranger things have happened in human history. When that personal assistant is digital and can take no physical form whatsoever, things get a little more interesting. This is exactly the situation with which we're presented in Spike Jonze's Her. With the advent of Siri and other technologies in recent y...
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REVIEW: Wolf of Wall Street & Lude Addict Jordan Belfort Rises in a Straight Line from Pond Scum to One Rich Oompa Loompa Selling Pens at Stratton Oakmont

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 26, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

The Wolf of Wall Street

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Jean Dujardin, Matthew McConaughey, Margot Robbie, Jon Favreau, Kyle Chandler, Cristin Milioti, and Rob Reiner

I've always believed that the Academy is too stuffy for its own good. Mostly comprised of old white men, it doesn't exactly embrace the cutting edge films of the day. You can look to Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender getting ignored for their great work in Shame two years ago. You can loo...
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REVIEW: In Dry Revenge Flick 47 Ronin, Some Master-Less Samurai & A Half-Breed Trained By Demons Face Lord Kira & His Witch Mizuki

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, December 25, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

47 Ronin

Directed By: Carl Erik Rinsch

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Rinko Kikuchi, Tadanobu Asano, and Hiroyuki Sanada

America hates Keanu Reeves! There's nothing profoundly surprising about this statement. While I'll certainly agree that he's not the world's greatest actor, I have to say that we've never given him credit for the gems he's given us. Just think of Speed, The Devil's Advocate, and of course The Matrix trilogy. As 47 Ronin hits theaters this Christmas week, I can't help but think th...
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REVIEW: Ground Control to Major Tom! Though Not Adventurous, Brave, or Creative, Ben Stiller Tries to Capture the Quintessence of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, December 25, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Directed By: Ben Stiller

Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn, and Sean Penn

-“To see things thousands of miles away, things hidden behind walls and within rooms, things dangerous to come to, to draw closer, to see and be amazed.”
LIFE Magazine Motto

Everybody wants to be an actor-director these days. Clint Eastwood and Woody Allen were once the exceptions. Since Ben Affleck took home the Best Picture Oscar for Argo e...
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REVIEW: In Anchorman 2, The Legend of Ron Burgundy Sadly Continues With the Global News Network (GNN), Infotainment & Jack Lame

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 21, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Directed By: Adam McKay

Starring: Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell, Kristen Wiig, James Marsden, Meagan Good, Dylan Baker, Greg Kinnear, and Josh Lawson

I wasn't a huge fan of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't find the film to be pretty damn funny. With this in mind, I haven't been overly excited for Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Sure, we all do...
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REVIEW: Saying No to Pears, Animation, & Everything Else, Mary Poppins' Family P.L. Travers is Perfectly Capable of Saving Mr. Banks

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 21, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Saving Mr. Banks

Directed By: John Lee Hancock

Starring: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Rachel Griffiths, Ruth Wilson, and Colin Farrell

"Winds in the east, mist coming in.
Like somethin' is brewin' and bout to begin.
Can't put me finger on what lies in store.
But I fear what's to happen all happened before."
-Travers Goff (Colin Farrell)

It would be an understatement to say that our generation of moviegoers is a jaded, cynical one. Anything that is che...
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REVIEW: If We Had Wings, The Coens & Their Cat Ulysses Would Take Us Soaring From the Gaslight Cafe With Some Soulful Folk Songs in Inside Llewyn Davis

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 20, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Inside Llewyn Davis

Directed By: Joel & Ethan Coen

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, and Justin Timberlake

As I conclude another year of running STMR, I've begun reflecting on all the movies I've seen and the hundreds of reviews I've written during the 2+ years since the site was founded. After doing so, I can say one thing with the utmost confidence. I have absolutely no idea what movies I'll end up loving. With the holiday mass of films starting to crowd ...
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REVIEW: Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas – Time For Madea To Retire

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, December 15, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

A Madea Christmas
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Tyler Perry

Starring: Tyler Perry, Anna Maria Horsford, Larry The Cable Guy, Chad Michael Murphy, Tika Sumpter, Eric Lively, Alicia Witt, Lisa Whelchel, Kathy Najimy, and JR Lemon

Enough is enough. Tyler Perry’s popular cross-dressing grandma Madea has been through too much. She has had a reunion, weddings, been to jail and has even been involved with the witness protection program. Now, in Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas, she is involved wi...

REVIEW: The Desolation of Smaug Is All About the Burglar Hobbit Stealing the Arkenstone From the King Under the Mountain on Durin Day

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 13, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Ken Stott, and James Nesbitt

"The lord of silver fountains. The king of carven stone. The king beneath the mountain shall come into his own. And the bells shall ring in gladness at the mountain king's return. But all shall fail in sadness, and the lake will shine and burn."
-Bard the Bowman (Luke E...
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REVIEW: In the Rotten & Delicious American Hustle, Irving Rosenfeld Survives Ice Fishing in Atlantic City With the FBI Thanks to Sydney's London Banking Connections

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 12, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

American Hustle

Directed By: David O. Russell

Starring: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis C.K., Michael Peña, and Robert De Niro

Director David O. Russell has a way of making authentically American films that's undeniable. Just look at his two most recent films, The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook. What could be more American than boxing or the Philadelphia Eagles? Russell's answer to that was apparently getting over on people. In his lat...
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REVIEW: Seeing The Great Beauty of Roma as a Vanishing Trick, Jep Gambardello, King of the High Life, Does Know Why He Never Wrote Another Novel

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 8, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza)

Directed By: Paolo Sorrentino

Starring: Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli, Carlo Buccirosso, Iaia Forte, and Pamela Villoresi

It's been a week to remember. On Wednesday, President Obama gave a potent speech advocating for the poor that might just indicate the direction for the rest of his second term. On Thursday, we lost a giant of the twentieth century in former South African President Nelson Mandela, a fierce opponent of not just against apa...
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REVIEW: Out Of the Furnace – Although the Acting Is Compelling At Times, This Depressing Tale Has a Bad Ending

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, December 7, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Out of the Furnace
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Scott Cooper

Starring: Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, and Sam Shepard

Merry Christmas movie lovers! We have hit the second best time of the year for movies. This week is a slow one as it does not contain any big budget releases. During a brief hiatus from blockbusters like The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Frozen and the new Hobbit movie, Relativity Media released its dark drama, Out of t...
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REVIEW: For a New Truck & Compressor, Woody Grant Endures the Circling Vultures in Hawthorne on His Way to Lincoln, Nebraska for His Million Dollars

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 1, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Nebraska

Directed By: Alexander Payne

Starring: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Stacy Keach, and Bob Odenkirk

Bruce Dern was not a lock for the role of Woody Grant in Nebraska. Director Alexander Payne sought out several other talents prior to casting Dern in the role. He reportedly went after his About Schmidt star Jack Nicholson. Rumor has it that the notoriously picky screen legend turned him down. Payne also sought out actor Gene Hackman. The retired star called it a wrap after Wel...
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REVIEW: Black Nativity – Great Music, But This Langston Hughes’ Musical Is Thin On Substance

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, November 30, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Black Nativity
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Kasi Lemmons

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Nas, and Jacob Latimore

Black Nativity should have been the perfect storm for movie magic. It stars a heavy lineup of Oscar winning and nominated actors, including Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson and Angela Bassett. Black Nativity is set during the holiday season, it revolves around Christianity and family, and is based on a La...

REVIEW: At a Homefront With Meadows & Horse Trails, Ex-Narc Phil Broker & His Daughter Maddy Get Into a Feud With Meth Cook Gator

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 28, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Homefront

Directed By: Gary Fleder

Starring: Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder, and Kate Bosworth

Jason Statham movies are always hit-or-miss for me. You certainly get good action sequences, but not much else. He's an action star, not an acclaimed actor. Recognizing this reality, I'm a little ambivalent about his latest thriller Homefront. He offers plenty of great fight sequences and amusing trash talking, but there's no depth to his character whatsoever. The sad thing is that Home...
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REVIEW: Frozen – For The First Time In Forever, A Disney Musical

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Thursday, November 28, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Frozen
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee

Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, and Santino Fontana

"That's no blizzard, that's my sister!"
- Anna (Kristen Bell)

Disney has given us the best animated musicals: The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and so much more. However, in recent years, except for The Princess And The Frog, Disney’s animated musicals have been nonexistent. Clever computer animation a la Toy Story...

REVIEW: In Philomena, the Evil Nuns at Roscrea Abbey Ease Martin Sixsmith's Choice Between Russian History & Human Interest Stories

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Philomena

Directed By: Stephen Frears

Starring: Judi Dench and Steve Coogan

At the start of the Thanksgiving weekend, the last thing I thought I needed was a movie about some old lady trying to find her long-lost son. Even with Dame Judi Dench, Philomena sounded like a made-for-television movie you'd find on Lifetime or the Hallmark channel in the wee hours of the night. Nonetheless, I've now seen it, and I must admit that I was quite wrong. Stephen Frears's Philomena packs a surprising punch...
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REVIEW: All the Dumplings in the World Can't Help Spike Lee Answer the Fundamental Question About Evergreen Oldboy Joe Doucett

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Oldboy

Directed By: Spike Lee

Starring: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Imperioli

We're seeing an interesting trend this month at the box office. Hollywood is in the mood to distribute English-language remakes of successful foreign films. Last weekend, Ken Scott gave us an Americanized version of his Canadian comedy Starbuck with Delivery Man. It's safe to say that this flick was horrendous. Now, this Thanksgiving week, we have a much bolder remak...
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REVIEW: Guardian Angel David Wozniak and His 533 Children Fail to Make the Delivery Man Any Different From Starbuck

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 23, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Delivery Man

Directed By: Ken Scott

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, and Cobie Smulders

Remakes are part of the film industry's DNA, but directors remaking their own original works is something entirely different. That's what's happening with this weekend's comedy vehicle Delivery Man starring Vince Vaughn in which director Ken Scott is remaking his own Canadian comedy Starbuck. It's a bold move to say the least. The directors I can notably recall who decided to reimagine their own works ...
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REVIEW: Tick Tock, Tick Tock... Remember Who the Real Enemy Is in Catching Fire Despite All the Moves and Countermoves in the 75th Hunger Games

Posted by James Brown on Friday, November 22, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Directed By: Francis Lawrence

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland

May the odds be ever in Jennifer Lawrence's favor. Her rise to stardom has been meteoric to say the least. Just three short years ago in 2010, Hollywood's new golden girl was debuting in the indie Winter's Bone. In 2011, she had a couple of suppo...
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REVIEW: The Best Man Holiday – A Shirtless Morris Chestnut And Friends Still Have It After “15” Years

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, November 17, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Best Man Holiday
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee

Starring: Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, Harold Perrineau, and Eddie Cibrian

2013 has been touted as the year of the African American film renaissance. I am not quite ready to go that far, but it has been an absolute delight to see so many films with African American actors and actresses in lead roles meet critical and/or commercial success. This year, films like Fruitvale S...

REVIEW: Reading About Grave Digging & Playing the Accordion, Book Thief Liesel and Her Papa Hans Don't Make the Cut

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 16, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Book Thief

Directed By: Brian Percival

Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Ben Schnetzer

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Independent filmmakers need to stop making World War II movies. In the last year or so, we've had Lore, Emperor, and Simon and the Oaks. Now, we have The Book Thief, another film that takes us back to the so-called greatest generation and the dark days marked by the Holocaust. While I certainly respect the history, it's been done a...
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REVIEW: In Great Expectations, the Spider and a Mysterious Benefactor Are at Play with Pip

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 10, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Great Expectations

Directed By: Mike Newell

Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Helena Bonham Carter, Holliday Grainger, Ralph Fiennes, and Robbie Coltrane

We all know there's been a growing trend in which movie stars are headlining cable TV shows. While it's been a great way for us to get a weekly dose of actors with immense talents, it's also been a way for lesser known talents to make a splash into the industry and gain recognition. For every Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) or Laura Linney (The Big C), t...
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REVIEW: Battling Against the FDA & AZT, AIDS-Stricken Bull Rider Ron Woodroof Launches the Dallas Buyers Club

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 9, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Dallas Buyers Club

Directed By: Jean-Marc Vailée

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Jared Leto

I recently discovered Breaking Bad. For the last three weeks, I've been inhaling the saga of Walter White day and night. I've been so addicted to the series that I actually completed it in its entirety as of two nights ago. The circumstances under which this high school chemistry teacher stricken with lung cancer becomes a drug kingpin are unbelievable. Walter "Heisenberg" White d...
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REVIEW: With the Imminent Convergence of the Nine Realms and the Aether Released by Jane, Thor and Malekith Rock the Dark World

Posted by James Brown on Friday, November 8, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Thor: The Dark World

Directed By: Alan Taylor

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, Jaimie Alexander, and Rene Russo

"Some believe that before the universe, there was nothing. They're wrong. There was darkness...and it has survived."
-Odin (Anthony Hopkins)

Of all the movies I've seen, The Avengers is the only movie wit...
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REVIEW: In How I Live Now, Daisy's Will Power Is Not Quite Enough, Especially When It Comes to Cow Cheese

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

How I Live Now

Directed By: Kevin Macdonald

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, Anna Chancellor, George MacKay, and Harley Bird

"If the world doesn't end, that's how I want to be, here with you. And that's how I live now."
-Daisy (Saoirse Ronan)

Romances can kill movies sometimes. The undying need to have repeatedly schmaltzy moments can sap away all the energy on screen. I'm sure there are a million movies that fit this description. The worst ones usually involve teens. When this happens, ...
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REVIEW: In Kill Your Darlings, We Get No Inspired Vision of Lucien Carr's Guardian Angel Allen Ginsberg

Posted by James Brown on Monday, November 4, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Kill Your Darlings

Directed By: John Krokidas

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Ben Foster, Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Elizabeth Olsen

"Another lover hits the universe; the circle is broken."
-Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan)

The Beat generation is getting a healthy dose of attention lately from independent filmmakers. Earlier this year, Walter Salles tried to adapt Jack Kerouac's On the Road. Despite a rather robust cast, things didn't work out terribly well for Sal...
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REVIEW: For Adèle, Emma's Blue is the Warmest, Sexiest Color

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 3, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Blue is the Warmest Color

Directed By: Abdellatif Kechiche

Starring: Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux

Since founding STMR, I've been to more movies than I care to count. Because of this, I've seen and interacted with all kinds of audiences. Until last night, I thought I had seen it all. When I attended a screening of Blue is the Warmest Color, however, I checked off one more thing I never could have anticipated, especially at an independent theater. As you may know, Palme d'Or winner Bl...
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REVIEW: Ender’s Game – Wiggin Battles With Salamanders And Dragons Before Entering The Formic Wars

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, November 3, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Ender’s Game
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Gavin Hood

Starring: Harrison Ford, Asa Butterfield, Viola Davis, Abigail Breslin, Hailee Steinfeld, and Ben Kingsley

“In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him." – A.E. Wiggin

Ender’s Game is the latest science fiction book series to be converted into a movie. Written by Orson Scott Card, the book was first published in the 1980s. For many years, filmmake...

REVIEW: In Free Birds, the Pardoned Great Turkey Would Seriously Like Us to Eat Pizza for Thanksgiving

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 2, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Free Birds

Directed By: Jimmy Hayward

Starring: Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Amy Poehler

It's the holiday movie season, which means we're going to get some great blockbusters, the next batch of awards contenders, and some horrible seasonally-themed family flicks. This weekend, we're getting a little bit of everything. We've possibly got the next big sci-fi series with Ender's Game. We've got the steamy film that took top honors at Cannes earlier this year, Blue is the Warmest Color. We'...
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REVIEW: For the Flatbush Four in Last Vegas, No One Calls Them Names, Like a Movie That Sucks, Except Us

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 2, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Last Vegas

Directed By: Jon Turteltaub

Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, and Morgan Freeman

Hollywood has a tendency to milk every drop out of whatever idea that’s become their latest cash cow. Take The Hangover's wild bachelor party concept for instance. Because of Hollywood's insistence on sacrificing originality for profitability, I have a love-hate relationship with the Wolf Pack. I love the original Hangover movie and hate parts 2 and 3. With this in mind, it sho...
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REVIEW: With Its Secret Formula for Happiness, About Time Takes Us on a Remarkably Fun Ride Through Tim's Extraordinary Ordinary Life

Posted by James Brown on Friday, November 1, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

About Time

Directed By: Richard Curtis

Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, and Margot Robbie

A couple of months ago, I said that the age of romantic comedies was over. As the fall season has demonstrated, I might have to retract my statement. Since then, we've seen British rom com I Give It a Year. We came back stateside last month with the charming indie Enough Said starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini. Now, we're headed back across t...
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REVIEW: Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa – Irving Zisman And His Grandson Billy Invade Vending Machines, Strip Clubs, Funeral Homes, Parks and Weddings As They Make Their Way Across The Country

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, October 27, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Jeff Tremaine

Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, and Georgina Cates

I must confess that I have never seen a Jackass movie before. While I have seen Johnny Knoxville and his cohorts on MTV, I never actually spent money or time on a feature length film. I was pleasantly surprised by Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa. The film, though crass and certainly appealing to the lowest common denominator, is quite amusing. Moreover, if ...

REVIEW: All Is Lost for the Virginia Jean and Her Crafty Captain Robert Redford

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 26, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

All Is Lost

Directed By: J.C. Chandor

Starring: Robert Redford

In the 2012 awards season, veteran directors stepped up to the plate. We saw the likes of Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Kathryn Bigelow, and Ang Lee rising to the occasion and putting out great movies. To some extent, the opposite is happening this year. For instance, first-time director Ryan Coogler has got plenty of Oscar buzz for his poignant drama Fruitvale Station. The same can be said for director Steve McQueen, who ...
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REVIEW: #HaveYouBeenBad? For All Its Drugs, Diamonds, & Cheetahs, The Counselor Strangely Doesn't Fit the Bill

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 26, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Counselor

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, and Brad Pitt

Some movies seem like the perfect recipe for success on paper but unexpectedly turn out to be failures on the grandest of scales. Until today, the best example in recent memory was the 2007 thriller Lions for Lambs. The film starred Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, and Robert Redford. To top things off, Redford was playing multiple roles by sitting in the director's chair ...
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REVIEW: Carrie – Margaret And Carrie White Are A Terrifying Mother And Daughter Pair In This Remake Of A Stephen King Classic

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, October 20, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Carrie
SoberfilmChick

Directed by: Kimberly Peirce

Starring: Chloe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Judy Greer, Gabriella Wilde

Generally, I am not a fan of remakes because they usually end up being a less interesting copycat of an original concept. The story of Carrie, in particular, has been told numerous times via Stephen King’s novel and multiple film and theatrical adaptations. However, with Boys Don’t Cry director Kimberly Peirce at the helm, this Carrie adaptation shines on its own. ...

REVIEW: Julian Assange May Have Hundreds of Volunteers in The Fifth Estate, But They Don't Get the Information Revolution Started Right

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 19, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Fifth Estate

Directed By: Bill Condon

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Brühl, Anthony Mackie, David Thewlis, Alicia Vikander, Stanley Tucci, and Laura Linney

As the media unanimously covered the GOP's shutdown of the federal government and their manufactured debt ceiling crisis, some news fell through the cracks this week. Recently, a judge in New York approved the NSA's continued bulk collection of Americans' call logs, something to which I would imagine most Americans are vehementl...
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REVIEW: 12 Years a Slave, Solomon Northrup Brilliantly Plays the Fiddle as Georgia Runaway Platt to Survive Until Freedom is Opportunity

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 19, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

12 Years a Slave

Directed By: Steve McQueen

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard, Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, and Adepero Oduye

In a review two months ago, I wrote about how filmmakers are taking us to school this year. With films like Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniels' The Butler, and even 42, we've gotten a healthy dose of black history from Hollywood. We've arrived at our fi...
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REVIEW: Machete Kills – Machete Don’t Tweet, But He Slaughters Everything Else, Including Any Entertainment Value in This Grindhouse Movie Gone Wrong

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, October 13, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Machete Kills

Directed By: Robert Rodriguez

Starring: Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Amber Heard, Lady Gaga, Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Walton Goggins, William Sadler, Demián Bichir, Mel Gibson, and Jessica Alba

Machete Kills is the sequel to the 2010 cult hit Machete. Unfortunately, Machete Kills fails to deliver the fast-paced, brutal fun of the original film. In fact, Machete Kills is so bad, that patrons actually walked out of my theater in the middle of the fi...
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REVIEW: Dr. Judith's Adult Children of Divorce Is Not Quite a Bestseller Even With Rick

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 12, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

A.C.O.D.

Directed By: Stu Zicherman

Starring: Adam Scott, Richard Jenkins, Catherine O'Hara, Amy Poehler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clark Duke, Ken Howard, Jessica Alba, and Jane Lynch

There's not a whole lot that's funny right now. We're witnessing the devastating implications of the government shutdown orchestrated by childish House Republicans who do not like green eggs and ham. We may be getting a front row seat to the beginnings of a government-induced recession. On a lighter note, we can...
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REVIEW: Yankee Irish Captain Phillips Grabs Seat 15 for Dear Life When Somali Pirates Board the Cargo Ship the Maersk Alabama as Fishermen

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 6, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Captain Phillips

Directed By: Paul Greengrass

Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener, and Barkhad Abdi

The fall movie season undoubtedly had a rocky start. We had a rough first few weeks with duds like Getaway, Riddick, and The Family. With movies like these, I was beginning to get a little disillusioned with Hollywood. Once the awards contenders began landing at the box office in rapid succession, however, things kicked into gear. Over the last several weeks, we've had great films like Priso...
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REVIEW: Runner Runner – Richie Furst Fails in This Online Gambling Drama, #nodisrespecttobenaffleck

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, October 5, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Runner Runner
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Brad Furman

Starring: Justin Timberlake, Gemma Arterton, Anthony Mackie, and Ben Affleck
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I knew that Runner Runner was going to be a bad movie. I am not a part of the “I hate Ben Affleck” fan club. To the contrary, Affleck has had some great films: Good Will Hunting, Dogma, Argo, and The Town to name a few. I did not join the countless fanatics that practically shut down Twitter when Affleck was cast as the new Batman. I think he is a radically d...
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REVIEW: Given Clear Skies with a Chance of Satellite Debris, All Eyes Are on Dr. Ryan Stone and Her Journey Over that Big Blue Earth with No Gravity

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 4, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Gravity

Directed By: Alfonso Cuarón

Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and Ed Harris

When it comes to technically impressive films, Avatar has long been my gold standard. There's nothing quite like being immersed in James Cameron's daring vision of Pandora. While I've got tremendous respect for the movie from a special effects standpoint, I've always thought that the story lacked substance. When I initially heard of Gravity, I had similar concerns. The trailer looked incredible, but ...
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REVIEW: For Spunky Little Girl Wadjda, Memorizing and Reciting the Koran is the Key to Riding Her Own Bike

Posted by James Brown on Monday, September 30, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Wadjda

Directed By: Haifaa al-Monsour

Starring: Waad Mohammed, Reem Abdullah, and Abdullrahman Al Gohani

Cinema is at its absolute best when it exposes us to different ways of thinking, different belief systems, and different ways of life. A movie is a way of transporting one's culture all across the globe to viewers of all backgrounds. With the homogeneity of blockbuster filmmaking in Hollywood, you're often not going to find this in mainstream cinema. You have to set your sights on independ...
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REVIEW: During Estate Manager François's Last Harvest, the Land Chooses Philippe to Be Paul's Son & Heir Instead of Martin

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 29, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

You Will Be My Son

Directed By: Gilles Legrand

Starring: Niels Arestrup, Lorànt Deutsch, Nicolas Bridet, Anne Marivin, and Patrick Chesnais

As I've matured, I've made an interesting transition as a drinker. I used to be all about the spirits. I had a love for cocktails and martinis of all kinds. Specifically, I was a gin man. Things have changed as time has marched on. Nowadays, I prefer wine to spirits, especially white wines. I guess the transition to wine happens for a good chunk of us...
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REVIEW: Baggage Claim – An Incredibly Predictable Rom Com, But You Can’t Totally Hate A Movie That Includes A New Edition Dance Routine

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, September 29, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Baggage Claim
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: David E. Talbert

Starring: Paula Patton, Adam Brody, Djimon Hounsou, Taye Diggs, Christina Milian, Derek Luke, Boris Kodjoe, Trey Songz, and Jill Scott

I am well aware that Baggage Claim currently is certified rotten by other critics. After seeing the film’s underwhelming trailer, I was fully prepared to join that chorus of boos. Much to my surprise, although the film is obvious and predictable, Baggage Claim does have some charm.

Montana Moore (Paul...
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REVIEW: Masseuse Eva Hears More Than Enough Said about Her Flabby Boyfriend Albert from Human TripAdvisor and Poet Marianne

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 28, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Enough Said

Directed By: Nicole Holofcener

Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone, and Toby Huss

We've lost many iconic figures in Hollywood this year. We've said goodbye to the likes of Roger Ebert, Jean Stapleton, and even Cory Monteith. Though celebrity deaths generally don't take an emotional toll on me. I do have to say that I was troubled by James Gandolfini's passing earlier this year. The beloved actor made his mark on the world ...
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REVIEW: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 – Foodimals, Tacodiles, And Cheesespiders, Oh My!

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, September 28, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn

Starring: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Benjamin Bratt, Terry Crews, Will Forte, and Kristen Schaal

Greetings movie lovers! After a bit of an “end of summer” hiatus, I am back to the movie review business. Naturally, my reign as animated movie review queen continues, and this week I had an opportunity to view Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. The original...
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REVIEW: Don Jon Loses Himself in the Hilarious Moment When Deciding Between One-Sided Internet Porn & Real Sex with Barbara Sugarman

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 28, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Don Jon

Directed By: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza, Rob Brown, Glenn Headly, and Brie Larson

Over the last couple of decades, the Internet has revolutionized the way we do things. It's changed the way we communicate, the way we shop, and even the way that some of us satisfy ourselves. Yes, the Internet has made porn more widely available and has helped meet many men's needs when the women in their lives apparently aren't doi...
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REVIEW: In Formula One Racing Movie Rush, the Intense Rivalry Between Superstar James Hunt & Asshole Niki Lauda Blazes Like No Other

Posted by James Brown on Friday, September 27, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Rush

Directed By: Ron Howard

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Pierfrancesco Favino, David Calder, and Natalie Dormer

It would be an understatement to say that I had low expectations for Rush. Let's be real. Did anyone really expect a serious awards contender out of a racing movie led by Thor? I sure as hell did not. I knew the film had Ron Howard in the director's chair. I knew that there was a rich, intriguing story for Howard to tell based on t...
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REVIEW: Sex Addiction Comedy Thanks for Sharing Lets Its Inhibitions Run a Little Too Wild

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 21, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Thanks for Sharing

Directed By: Stuart Blumberg

Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Gad, Joely Richardson, Alecia Moore, and Patrick Fugit

Addiction is a rarely funny subject that's often dramatized on the big screen. More often than not, you're going to see films like Flight, Smashed, and Shame hitting theaters when it comes to depicting folks looking to get their latest fix. This weekend, things are a little different. Director Stuart Blumberg and his cast are adding ...
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REVIEW: Prisoners Is One Intense Abduction Thriller Chock Full of Snakes, Torture, and Mazes

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 21, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Prisoners

Directed By: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano

It's official. The awards season has begun at the box office. Though we've had some early contenders such as Fruitvale Station, Blue Jasmine, and The Butler, we've now hit that time of year where we'll see more of the movies that will be competing for golden statuettes in January and February of next year. Last year around this time, we had Pau...
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REVIEW: Whether Meredith or Parker Crane, the Bride in Black and His Mother of Death Make Chapter 2 of Insidious Worth Skipping

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 14, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Insidious: Chapter 2

Directed By: James Wan

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Ty Simpkins, and Barbara Hershey

It's Friday the 13th, and I don't have a new Jason Voorhees flick to go see. Slasher flick You're Next is still in theaters, but I could use something fresh. What we have instead this weekend is James Wan's follow-up to his 2010 horror flick Insidious. While I certainly am no fan of the series, it's hard to deny that the Saw director found success earlier this year in ...
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REVIEW: In Normandy, France, The Blake Family Adds a Bad Chapter to Writer-Mobster Giovanni Manzoni's Memoirs

Posted by James Brown on Friday, September 13, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Family

Directed By: Luc Besson

Starring: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones, Dianna Agron, John D'Leo, and Domenick Lombardozzi

Several weeks ago, screen legend Robert De Niro turned 70 years old. With a filmography spanning five decades ranging from Mean Streets to Silver Linings Playbook, it suffices to say that the Raging Bull has had an illustrious career on the big screen and stands as one of the greatest performers of all time. That being said, I have to tell you that...
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REVIEW: In Afternoon Delight, Rachel Throws Sex Worker Bomb McKenna on Her Life With Husband Jeff Boyardee

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 7, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Afternoon Delight

Directed By: Jill Soloway

Starring: Kathryn Hahn, Juno Temple, Josh Radnor, Jane Lynch, and Jessica St. Clair

I will never know what it's really like to be a bored homemaker. Beyond the simple fact that I get up and go to work every day, I just can't relate. It certainly doesn't help that I'm a single guy in my twenties. At this point in my life, the closest I'll ever get to understanding the boredom that plagues them is watching a few episodes of Desperate Housewives. With...
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REVIEW: Despite a Triple Threat Match Amongst Box Boy Santana, Big Daddy Johns & Riddick on Not Furya, This Sci-Fi Flick Lacks a Spine

Posted by James Brown on Friday, September 6, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Riddick

Directed By: David Twohy

Starring: Vin Diesel, Jordi Mollá, Matt Nable, Katee Sackho, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine, Raoul Trujillo, and Karl Urban

The fall movie season is officially underway, which means I should think about taking a break for a few weeks from the box office. I genuinely wouldn't miss much. We've got The Family, another action movie penned by writer-director Luc Besson who I've yet to forgive for the abysmal Taken 2 last year. We've got Battle of the Year, a Step ...
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REVIEW: Thérèse Has the Wrong Ideas About Smoking Cigarettes, Arsenic Drops, and Especially the Pines

Posted by James Brown on Monday, September 2, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Thérèse (Thérèse Desqueyroux)

Directed By: Claude Miller

Starring: Audrey Tautou and Gilles Lellouche

The French had a really good run for a few years with cinema. Think of films like The Artist, The Intouchables, and Amour. With the notably consistent quality films that had been coming from across the Atlantic over the last several years, I've come to expect more of them. Sadly, however, the French have been letting me down this year. Augustine was a really dry period piece earlier this...
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REVIEW: Given Her Unwanted Pregnancy, Her Abusive Dad's Parole, and Her New Mini-Me Jayden at Short Term 12, Grace May Just Be Going Crazy

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 1, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Short Term 12

Directed By: Destin Daniel Cretton

Starring: Brie Larson, John Gallagher, Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek, and Keith Stanfield

There aren't that many films that tackle the issues of troubled youths, so I must always commend those filmmakers who opt to address these often unaddressed issues on the big screen. The latest film to do so is Destin Daniel Cretton's Short Term 12. It's a potent little indie centered by the talented young actress Brie Larson, who you may have just seen se...
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REVIEW: When Ip Man's Wing Chun Meets Gong Er's 64 Hands in The Grandmaster, Everybody Wins the Chess Match

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 1, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Grandmaster

Directed By: Wong Kar-wai

Starring: Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Zhao Benshan, Song Hye-kyo, and Wang Qingxiang

I've been in need of a good martial arts flick for some time now. 2012 gave us such good films as The Raid: Redemption and The Man With the Iron Fists. So far in 2013, we've had nothing to match these movies. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's taken notice of this void throughout the year. Well, things are finally looking up for those moviegoers who love the...
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REVIEW: Former Race Car Driver Mr. Brent Magna Meets His Greatest Fan in One Stupid Movie Titled Getaway

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 31, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Getaway

Directed By: Courtney Solomon

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Selena Gomez, Jon Voight, Bruce Payne, Paul Freeman, Rebecca Budig, and James Maslow

There have been a lot of bad movies this year, and the pain just won't stop for whatever reason. We've had horror movies that have made me cringe at how inept the victims are, spoof movies that have made me wonder how high the writers were during the creative process, and action movies that have made me laugh at their goal to outdo Michael Bay with bi...
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REVIEW: After the Bombing of Borough Market in London-Based Thriller Closed Circuit, MI5's Powers are at Play But Beyond John Crowley's Control

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, August 29, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Closed Circuit

Directed By: John Crowley

Starring: Eric Bana, Rebecca Hall, Ciarán Hinds, Jim Broadbent, Riz Ahmed, and Julia Stiles

The all-encompassing reach of covert government organizations has been a hot topic for discussion this year. That's largely thanks to whistleblower Edward Snowden and his disclosures about the NSA several months ago. The American government is getting all the data in the world on us, and I use the term "us" fairly loosely. If you use the Internet, you're one of...
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REVIEW: The World’s End – The King And His Pals Tackle The Glorious Golden Mile Pub Crawl In This Ridiculously Fun Sci-Fi Comedy

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, August 25, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The World's End
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Edgar Wright

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan, Paddy Considine, Rosamund Pike, and Pierce Brosnan

The World’s End is upon us, and I could not be more delighted. As a huge fan of 2004’s Shaun of the Dead and 2007’s Hot Fuzz, I was incredibly excited when I discovered that Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright had teamed together once again for a final film in their Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. The films are not connected...
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REVIEW: It's Getting Hot in Here at Austenland With Aficionados Jane Erstwhile, Elizabeth Charming, and Henry Nobley

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 24, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Austenland

Directed By: Jerusha Hess

Starring: Keri Russell, JJ Feild, Jennifer Coolidge, Bret McKenzie, Georgia King, James Callis, Jane Seymour, and Ricky Whittle

I'm not a casual fan or a devoted aficionado of beloved novelist Jane Austen, nor do I aspire to be. With this in mind, I wasn't overly enthused with the prospect of checking out indie romantic comedy Austenland, a film entrenched in Austen fandom. It should come as no shock that I have no love lost for Elizabeth Bennet or her roma...
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REVIEW: With Clary, Jace, and Bach, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Offers Some Pretty Mundane Shadow Hunters

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 23, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Directed By: Harald Zwart

Starring: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Lena Headey, Kevin Durand, Aidan Turner, Jemima West, Godfrey Gao, CCH Pounder, Jared Harris, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Casting can make or break a movie. That's never been more apparent than this weekend. With the announcement that Ben Affleck will be donning the cape and mask of the Dark Knight in the Man of Steel sequel, there has been a swift and harsh ...
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REVIEW: With Machetes, Axes & Crossbows, the Lamb, Fox & Tiger Unleash Hell in You're Next

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 23, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

You're Next

Directed By: Adam Wingard

Starring: Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Barbara Crampton, and Rob Moran

Hollywood has been on a mission to reinvigorate the horror genre this year. With movies like The Purge and The Conjuring serving up plenty of original terror, studios have given me some semblance of hope that future films will do just the same, if not more. Given that I had lost all hope in the genre for the better part of a decade, this is quite n...
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REVIEW: In a World Without the Legendary Don LaFontaine...Let the Amazon Games Begin Because a Voice is a Choice

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 18, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

In a World...

Directed By: Lake Bell

Starring: Lake Bell, Fred Melamed, Demetri Martin, Michaela Watkins, Ken Marino, Rob Corddry, Nick Offerman, and Tig Notaro

As one who frequents the movies on a regular basis, I'm one who's seen one too many trailers. For each movie I go see, there are fifteen to twenty minutes worth of leading advertisements for other films. If they're good trailers, I'm typically fine. If they're bad, however, they're just an annoying pit stop on the way to my movie. As...
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REVIEW: Jobs – Steve Jobs As An Innovative Jerk

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, August 18, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Jobs
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Joshua Michael Stern

Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad, Lukas Haas, J.K. Simmons, Lesley Ann Warren, Ron Eldard, Ahna O’Reilly, John Getz, James Woods, and Matthew Modine

Believe it or not, I did not have any interest in seeing a film about Steve Jobs. While I respect his legacy and the impact he has had on my life, I was not exactly doing cartwheels when I was tasked with reviewing the film. Sure, I have seen Toy Story, used an iPod, an iPad...
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REVIEW: Cool Technology Like 3DPS and the Accura Phone Can't Make Up for a Lack of Thrills in Corporate Thriller Paranoia

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 17, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Paranoia

Directed By: Robert Luketic

Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, Harrison Ford, Lucas Till, Embeth Davidtz, Julian McMahon, Josh Holloway, and Richard Dreyfuss

Corporate life is something that sounds cool on paper but is insanely difficult to make interesting on the big screen. Sure, rivalries in the workplace exist. People often face complex real-world challenges, and there are those who cheat to get ahead. Nonetheless, the vast majority of any white collar worker's ...
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REVIEW: The Butler Is the Tale of Two Faces Needed to Survive — the Subversive Black Domestic Cecil Gaines and Freedom Rider Louis Gaines

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 17, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Lee Daniels' The Butler

Directed By: Lee Daniels

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, Vanessa Redgrave, Mariah Carey, Robin Williams, Melissa Leo, James Marsden, Minka Kelly, Liev Schreiber, John Cusack, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda, Alex Pettyfer, Yaya DaCosta, Colman Domingo, Aml Ameen, Orlando Eric Street, Nelsan Ellis, Alex Manette, Lenny Kravitz, and Jesse Williams

Filmmakers are taking us to school, and black history is front and center t...
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REVIEW: In Kick-Ass 2, Colonel Stars and Stripes' Justice Forever Fails to Deliver Against The Motherfcker's Toxic-Mega Cnts

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 17, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Kick-Ass 2

Directed By: Jeff Wadlow

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloë Grace Moretz, Jim Carrey, and Morris Chestnut

Many good movies don't need sequels. The Wolfpack never needed to hit the Strip (or any other place of debauchery for that matter) after their wild outing in The Hangover. Badass spy Bryan Mills had no need to go beat the hell out of Albanian baddies after the brutal hunt for his daughter throughout Paris in Taken. Cindy and Brenda certainly didn't...
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REVIEW: The Girl Next Door Linda Lovelace Obeys Her Husband Chuck Traynor and Becomes an Iconic Porn Star in Deep Throat

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 10, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Lovelace

Directed By: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Peter Sarsgaard, Sharon Stone, Adam Brody, Juno Temple, James Franco, Hank Azaria, and Bobby Cannavale

I'm no expert on the history of the pornographic industry, and I have no intentions of ever professing to be that. In all honesty, I've never seen Deep Throat, and I've never gone to an adult movie theater to see a sexploitation film. All of this old school stuff predates me. It's simply before my time. That b...
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REVIEW: In The Spectacular Now, Paper Girl Aimee Finecky Gets Alcoholic Sutter Keely to Write One Hell of a Personal Statement On Hardship

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 10, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

The Spectacular Now

Directed By: James Ponsoldt

Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kyle Chandler

The summer of coming-of-age movies is coming to a close. Before we say adios, I'd just like to say that it's been a fun ride. With films like Mud, The Kings of Summer, and The Way, Way Back, we simply haven't gone wrong. The closer for this summer is James Ponsoldt's The Spectacular Now, a daring comedy-drama that puts a new me...
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REVIEW: Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters – Rick Riordan’s Second Book In The Olympians’ Series Comes To Life

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, August 10, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Thor Freudenthal

Starring: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Leven Rambin, Stanley Tucci, and Nathan Fillion

In 2010, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief debuted in theaters and grossed just over $226 million dollars worldwide. The reception to the first installment of the film adaptation of Rick Riordan’s best-selling book series was mixed at best, and it did not have the success of juggernauts li...

REVIEW: Meerkat Frey Forever Grabs All the Fruit She Can From Elysium While Standing on Hippo Max

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 9, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Elysium

Directed By: Neill Blomkamp

Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, and William Fichtner

2013 has been a pretty good year for sci-fi lovers. We've had plenty of fun with movies like Oblivion, Star Trek Into Darkness, and even Pacific Rim. If District 9 director Neil Blomkamp has anything to say about it, we're not done quite yet. Hitting theaters this weekend, his latest film Elysium is the last big science fiction film until the like...
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REVIEW: In Planes, Farm Boy and Love Machine Dusty Crophopper Takes His Wings Around the Globe, But Not Quite Around Greatness

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 9, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Planes

Directed By: Klay Hall

Starring: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Priyanka Chopra, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Cedric the Entertainer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Roger Craig Smith, Gabriel Iglesias, John Cleese, Carlos Alazraqui, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Colin Cowherd, Sinbad, Oliver Kalkofe, and Brent Musburger

The unprecedented onslaught of children’s movies continues this weekend with Planes. The spin-off to Cars, which was originally slated for straight-to-VOD release, is hitting theaters now...
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REVIEW: Counting to Three & Chasing TLC's Waterfalls, The Millers Bring a Smidge and a Half of Pablo Chacon's Marijuana But No Comedy

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

We're the Millers

Directed By: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts, Will Poulter, Ed Helms, and Nick Offerman

The universe has a strange way of telling us the most mundane things sometimes. For me, it comes in the form of Nick at Nite. When I was growing up, shows like I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, and The Brady Bunch were on Nickelodeon in the wee hours of the night. As time went on, Nick moved to somewhat younger shows including The Jeffersons, ...
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REVIEW: In I Give It a Year, I Never Knew Love Like This Before

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 4, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

I Give It a Year

Directed By: Dan Mazer

Starring: Rose Byrne, Rafe Spall, Anna Faris, Simon Baker, Stephen Merchant, Minnie Driver, Jason Flemyng, and Olivia Colman

In my review of Drinking Buddies recently, I wrote about the fact that romance films are an endangered species. Naturally, a romantic comedy hits theaters as soon as I say that. The British rom com I Give It a Year has made its way across the pond, and I just have to say that I never knew love like this before. It's a quirky film ...
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REVIEW: Popping Xanax Pills and Talking to Herself, Blue Jasmine Can't Get Past Her Past With Hal and That Fateful Song Blue Moon

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 3, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Blue Jasmine

Directed By: Woody Allen

Starring: Alec Baldwin, Cate Blanchett, Bobby Cannavale, Louis C.K., Andrew Dice Clay, Sally Hawkins, Peter Sarsgaard, and Michael Stuhlbarg

"Anxiety, nightmares, and a nervous breakdown. There's only so many traumas a person can take ‘til they take to the streets and start screaming."
-Jasmine (Cate Blanchett)

It's that time of the year again. Woody Allen has another film out. However, that shouldn't come as a shock since the beloved director has been pu...
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REVIEW: With a Looming Smurf-a-geddon, & One Naughty Smurfette, the Smurfs Clan & the Winslow-Doyles Smurf It Up Too Much in The Smurfs 2

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 2, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Smurfs 2

Directed By: Raja Gosnell

Starring: Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Jayma Mays, Katy Perry, Hank Azaria, Christina Ricci, Jonathan Winters, J.B. Smoove, George Lopez, and Anton Yelchin

Maybe it's just me, but this summer has had one too many movies for kids. With Epic, Monsters University, Despicable Me 2, and Turbo, there's been a glut of animated movies, and it's about time I voice my disapproval. The summer movie season is about catering to the young, but Hollywood has go...
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REVIEW: In 2 Guns, Robbing Tres Cruces is Worse Than Robbing the Bank Across the Street From a Diner With the Best Donuts in Three Counties

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 2, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

2 Guns

Directed By: Baltasar Kormâkur

Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, James Marsden, Bill Paxton, Edward James Olmos, and Fred Ward

The summer movie season is starting to wind down. It's been an underwhelming summer to say the least. With bomb after bomb after bomb hitting the box office, we've been continuously disappointed. The duds have included films like After Earth, White House Down, The Lone Ranger, and R.I.P.D. Though there have certainly been standouts lik...
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REVIEW: Drinking Buddies Kate & Luke Act Like Fanatics By Ignoring the Love in the Atmosphere

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Drinking Buddies

Directed By: Joe Swanberg

Starring: Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston, and Jason Sudeikis

If this year has proven anything, it's that romance films are all but dead. Just take a good look at the movies of 2013, and see if you can find some grand film with a sweeping romance. You won't find it. At best, you'll find Safe Haven, a watered-down, formulaic imitation of what romance movies once were. Perhaps this is because our rather cynical generation of...
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REVIEW: In The To Do List, Newbie Brandy Clark Does the Back Door But Not for Lifeguard Rusty Waters

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 27, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The To Do List

Directed By: Maggie Carey

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Johnny Simmons, Bill Hader, Scott Porter, Alia Shawkat, Rachel Bilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Andy Samberg, Connie Britton, and Clark Gregg

When I first heard of The To Do List, I was pretty skeptical. After all, the 29 year-old Aubrey Plaza isn't the youngest actress in the world, and her time to portray 17 year-old teenage girls has mostly passed. Before you shoot the messenger for daring to talk about a woman's age, I'm not...
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REVIEW: According to Yashida, The Wolverine is a Ronin, a Samurai Without a Master

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 26, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Wolverine

Directed By: James Mangold

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Haruhiko Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, Svetlana Khodchenkova, and Famke Janssen

I feel like Marvel and DC Comics have largely taken the year off at the box office. Though Iron Man 3 was thoroughly entertaining, it couldn't hold a candle to 2012's The Avengers. Despite all the pre-release hype, Man of Steel didn't live up to its potential. While Thor 2 is on the way this fall, ...
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REVIEW: Turbo – That Snail Is Fast

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, July 22, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Turbo
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: David Soren

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolph, Michelle Rodriguez, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ken Jeong

2013 has undoubtedly been a huge year for 3D cartoon adventures. In past years, there has typically been one, possibly two big animated films. But now, it feels like they’re hitting theaters every week. In a fairly short timeframe, The Croods, Epic, Despicable Me 2, and Monsters University have all arrived at the b...
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REVIEW: R.I.P.D. – Men In Black With Dead-ohs

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, July 21, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

R.I.P.D.
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Robert Schwentke

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker, and Stephanie Szostak

When the trailer for R.I.P.D. debuted, I immediately thought that it looked like Men in Black with dead people instead of aliens. Good-looking rookie cop a la Will Smith? Check. Grumpy old Tommy Lee Jones type veteran? Check. Secret agents who secretly save the world from destruction? Check. Check. Check. Unfortunately, that is where the similari...
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REVIEW: Back in Exolife in Ocean City, Playwright Imogene Duncan is the Girl Most Likely to Kill George Bousche But Not Backstreet Boys Fan Lee

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 20, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Girl Most Likely

Directed By: Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, Matt Dillon, Christopher Fitzgerald, and Darren Criss

It's been a little more than two years since Bridesmaids took the box office by storm. By now, I would've imagined that Kristen Wiig would have had a long, long list of comedies to which she were attached as the lead. As fate would have it, Wiig is finding greater success in animated films and television programming. She's Lucy in...
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REVIEW: With the Angel of Vengeance Running the Show, Only God Forgives Is Drive on Crack in Thailand

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 20, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Only God Forgives

Directed By: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Vithaya Pansringarm

Ryan Gosling has been all about re-teaming with his past directors this year. He did just that in The Place Beyond the Pines with his Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance. He's doing it again this weekend by getting back together with his Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn in Only God Forgives. Despite repeat collaborations with directors who each took Gosling's caree...
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REVIEW: In Fruitvale Station, Oscar Grant Tragically Doesn't Get the 30 Days Oprah Recommends to Form His New Habits

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 20, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Fruitvale Station

Directed By: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Ahna O'Reilly, Kevin Durand, and Chad Michael Murray

Race and equality have been at the forefront of the American psyche for the last week or so. With George Zimmerman being acquitted after killing 17 year-old Trayvon Martin, a long overdue conversation about what it means to be a black man in America may finally be getting started. That conversation looks to be focused on a variety of topic...
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REVIEW: In The Conjuring, Demonologist & Clairvoyant Ed & Lorraine Warren Endure Infestation, Oppression, & Possession With Witch Bathsheba

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 19, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Conjuring

Directed By: James Wan

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Mackenzie Foy, and Joey King

The slate of horror movies at the box office has actually impressed me this year. There's largely been a step away from the outright torture porn that’s dominated the genre in recent years and a step toward what perhaps may be the next generation of horror films. With Evil Dead earlier this spring and Carrie later in the fall, remakes sadly aren't going anywh...
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REVIEW: With a Wikileaks Cable on Project Nightshade & Bailey's Red Mercury, Frank, Marvin, and Sarah Hit Paris, Moscow, & London in Red 2

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 19, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Red 2

Directed By: Dean Parisot

Starring: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lee Byung-hun, Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Brian Cox, David Thewlis, and Neal McDonough

Thursday July 18th marked some interesting anniversaries in movie history earlier this week. It marked the 25th anniversary of John McTiernan's Die Hard, a movie that redefined the action genre and put Bruce Willis on the map in Hollywood. It also marked the 5th anniversary of Christopher Nol...
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REVIEW: Hairy Crystal Fairy & Pollo & the Magical San Pedro Cactus & the World's End in 2012 on the Mayan Calendar & One Crazy Movie

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, July 18, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus and 2012

Directed By: Sebastián Silva

Starring: Michael Cera, Gaby Hoffmann, Juan Andrés Silva, José Miguel Silva, and Agustín Silva

With all that's going on in America these days, it might be time for a little vacation. Regardless of your perspective on the array of events and issues of the day, I'm sure you can agree that it might be time to get some distance, perhaps in the form of international travel. While we all can't just hop on a plane and leave ...

REVIEW: Unfortunately for Vampires Clara and Eleanor, Neil Jordan Throws the Pages of Their Story at Byzantium to the Wind

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 14, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Byzantium

Directed By: Neil Jordan

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Sam Riley, Jonny Lee Miller, and Caleb Landry Jones

As prevalent as vampire movies are, it's difficult to find a good one. The ones we've gotten in recent years say enough. Just go torture yourself with Twilight, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, or Kiss of the Damned. Like the horror genre as a whole, it's bad, but it just keeps on going. When Neil Jordan, the director who created the delightfully devilish show The B...
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REVIEW: Pacific Rim – Jaegers Battle Kaijus In This Godzilla Meets Voltron Meets War Of The Worlds Flick

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, July 14, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Pacific Rim
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro

Starring: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, Rob Kazinsky, and Max Martini

Pacific Rim is an interesting entry into the summer 2013 blockbuster season. It is not a sequel, it does not contain an A-list cast, and the title is a little bland. Moreover, there was even controversy before its release as Michael Bay seemingly took potshots at Pacific Rim as a Transformers rip-off. Pacific Rim however delivers ...
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REVIEW: Cop Shaquille O'Neal, Frat Boy Taylor Lautner, and Bully Stone Cold Can't Save the 80s Burpsnart-Filled Disaster Called Grown Ups 2

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 12, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Grown Ups 2

Directed By: Dennis Dugan

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello, and Nick Swardson

The Burpsnart. What in the blue hell has gone wrong with the 2013 summer movie season, and why has this idiotic concept creeped its way into what some deem entertainment? Let me explain. The Burpsnart is a three part act during which a middle-aged loser proceeds to burp, sneeze, and fart in very rapid succession. It was invented by Kevi...
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REVIEW: With a Psychic, an Actor, a Dominatrix, and Three Gay Male Flight Attendants, I'm Not So Excited for Peninsula Flight 2549

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 6, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

I'm So Excited

Directed By: Pedro Almodóvar

Starring: Javier Cámara, Cecilia Roth, Lola Dueñas, Raúl Arévalo, Carlos Areces, Antonio de la Torre, Hugo Silva, and Guillermo Toledo

After Pedro Almodóvar's The Skin I Live In a couple of years ago, I swore I'd never watch one of his movies again. It was too much for me. It was just too much. Two years later, here I am again with I'm So Excited, Almodóvar's latest comedy. Unfortunately for me, his twisted, often perverted sense of humor is...
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REVIEW: In The Way, Way Back, Pop-N-Lock Duncan Leaves the Riptide Beach House and Hits the Slides at Water Wizz

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 5, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

The Way, Way Back

Directed By: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash

Starring: Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, AnnaSophia Bobb, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Rob Corddry, Amanda Peet, and Liam James

2013 marks the summer of coming-of-age comedies at the indie box office. The proof is in the pudding. This past June, Joe, Patrick, and Biaggio jammed on some logs in the woods in The Kings of Summer. This month, Duncan is breaking it down on a cardboard dance floor at Water Wizz in The Way, Way Back....
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REVIEW: Despicable Me 2 – Gru, Kevin, Stuart And The Other Minions Work With The AVL To Bring Down A Mystery Villain In This Fun Sequel

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Despicable Me 2
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud

Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Benjamin Bratt, Russell Brand, Steve Coogan, and Ken Jeong

As the only mom on the STMR staff, I often get saddled with the animated fare (i.e. Brave, Wreck-It Ralph, The Croods, and Monsters University). You name the animated flick, and I have seen it. Although I am slightly bitter about being dumped into the mommy movie review bucket, I certainly bring a differe...

REVIEW: With Spirit Walker Kemosabe and Comanche Spirit Warrior Tonto, The Lone Ranger May Not Be the Wrong Brother of Pirates After All

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Lone Ranger

Directed By: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, Ruth Wilson, James Badge Dale, and Helena Bonham Carter

Ten years ago this coming Tuesday, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was born. Director Gore Verbinski and star Johnny Depp proved a winning combination and put swashbuckling action back in style at that time. Now some ten years later, Verbinski and Depp are back together to see if they can recreate the fun ...
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REVIEW: In Unfinished Song, Rusty Old Banger Arthur Shows His True Colors When His Wife Marion Says Let's Talk About Sex

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 29, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Unfinished Song (Song for Marion)

Directed By: Paul Andrew Williams

Starring: Terence Stamp, Gemma Arterton, Christopher Eccleston, and Vanessa Redgrave

Is it just me or do elder British actors have a lock on movies about old people? In the last year or so, we've had The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Quartet, and now Unfinished Song. With the exception of Amour, there haven't been too many non-British films about the elderly hitting theaters as of late. I will say that each of these British fli...
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REVIEW: The Heat – Werkin’ Girls Bring Laughs In This Buddy Cop Romp

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 29, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Heat
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Paul Feig

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport, and Jane Curtin

Melissa McCarthy has been on a comedic roll since her breakout performance in Bridesmaids. With her hit film Identity Thief, and scene stealing cameos in This Is 40 and The Hangover Part III, McCarthy has had a meteoric rise. The new film The Heat pairs McCarthy with America’s sweetheart Sandra Bullock, and I suspect both actresses have another hit on ...

REVIEW: For White House Down, the Pen is Not Quite Mightier Than the Sword Despite Being a Die Hard Knockoff With Political Overtones

Posted by James Brown on Friday, June 28, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

White House Down

Directed By: Roland Emmerich

Starring: Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, James Woods, Garcelle Beauvais, Lance Reddick, Joey King, Rachelle LeFevre, and Michael Murphy

It's been one hell of a week. The very foundations of American democracy have been rocked by an outright malicious Supreme Court. Our Congressmen continue to extend their record streak of sitting on their asses doing nothing. We’re ultimately left to suffer from all...
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REVIEW: With Ovarian Hysteria & Sexually Stimulating Attacks, the Desensitized Augustine is the Most Sensual Patient of All

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 23, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Augustine

Directed By: Alice Winocour

Starring: Vincent Lindon, Soko, and Chiara Mastroianni

There haven't been quite as many weird movies at indie theaters this year thankfully. I'm happy to say we haven't gotten another Holy Motors or The Paperboy. This week, however, I think we're getting our first dose of weirdness with the French drama Augustine, a film that explores the relationship between neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot and his most interesting patient.

Augustine (Soko) is a housemaid a...
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REVIEW: Female Suicide Bomber Siham Leaves a Big Mess for Her Doctor Husband Amin in The Attack

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 23, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Attack

Directed By: Ziad Doueiri

Starring: Ali Suliman, Evgenia Dodena, Reymond Amsalem, Dvir Benedek, Uri Gavriel, Ruba Salameh, Karim Saleh, and Ramzi Makdessi

Because it's the summer season, we haven't been reviewing too many serious films, and I wouldn't have it any other way at this time of year. That being said, I do recognize that some moviegoers would prefer some more serious material at the box office. Well, those moviegoers are getting exactly what they've been craving this weeke...
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REVIEW: Joss Whedon's Foray Into Shakespeare With Much Ado About Nothing Does Prove That Man is a Giddy Thing

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 22, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Much Ado About Nothing

Directed By: Joss Whedon

Starring: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Reed Diamond, Fran Kranz, Sean Maher, Spencer Treat Clark, Riki Lindhome, Jillian Morgese, and Ashley Johnson

I can't believe I'm saying this, but what do Shakespeare and The Avengers have in common? The beloved Joss Whedon. In his first directorial effort after his mega blockbuster with Marvel, Whedon takes a break from adapting comics to the big screen and focuses on a smaller pr...
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REVIEW: The Bling Ring Hits Up Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, & Orlando Bloom for Cash & Clothes But Completely Misses the Mark

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 22, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Bling Ring

Directed By: Sofia Coppola

Starring: Israel Broussard, Katie Chang, Taissa Farmiga, Claire Julien, Georgia Rock, Emma Watson, and Leslie Mann

Earlier this year, Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers rocked the box office. It was an oversexed movie with a purpose about four teen princesses turning to a life of crime for the chance of having a legendary spring break. Showing a life of crime and partying in all its decadent glory, Korine dished out some potent commentary on what the myt...
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REVIEW: Monsters University – We Scare Because We Care

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 22, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Monsters University
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Dan Scanlon

Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Helen Mirren, Nathan Fillion, Sean Hayes, and John Krasinski

It has been 12 years since Monsters, Inc. debuted in 2001. It was a solid animated movie, but in my humble opinion, it never quite reached the legendary heights of Toy Story, Shrek or The Incredibles. I am happy to report that Monsters University, a prequel to Monsters, Inc., surpasses its predecessor, and is smart, fun and filled with li...

REVIEW: In World War Z, the Number 12 Train Helps the World's Best Serial Killer Mother Nature Infect Everyone Except the 10th Man

Posted by James Brown on Friday, June 21, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

World War Z

Directed By: Marc Forster

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, Matthew Fox, and David Morse

I've rarely seen a film more plagued with production issues than World War Z. There have been twenty million rewrites to the screenplay, an adaptation of the 2006 novel by Max Brooks. The movie, which has been in the works for six years, had a really hard time getting financing. To cap off this movie's woes, casting changes took place throughout filming. With all of this, ...
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REVIEW: In Man of Steel, A Modern Superman Proves That Evolution Wins Most of the Time

Posted by James Brown on Friday, June 14, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Man of Steel

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, and Russell Crowe

"You will give the people an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join you in the sun. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders."
-Jor-El (Russell Crowe)

Every movie lover has that one film each year they can't wait to see above all else. F...
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REVIEW: This Is The End – Jay and Seth Versus The Apocalypse At James Franco’s House

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Friday, June 14, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

This Is The End
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen

Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Kevin Hart, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Channing Tatum, and Paul Rudd

Ridiculous. Campy. Over the top. Self-deprecating. These are all apt descriptions of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s new comedy This is the End. But most of all, This is the End is pure fun. Based on the 2007 short film Jay and Seth Versus the...

REVIEW: In The East, Preventing Eco-Terrorist Jams Proves to Be a Challenge for Hiller Brood Operative Sarah Moss

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 8, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The East

Directed By: Zal Batmanglij

Starring: Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgård, Ellen Page, Toby Kebbell, Shiloh Fernandez, Julia Ormond, Patricia Clarkson, and Jason Ritter

"We are the East. We don’t care how rich you are. We want all those who are guilty to experience the terror of their crime. It’s easy when it’s not your life. Easy when it’s not your home. But when it’s your fault, it shouldn’t be so easy to sleep at night — especially when we know where you live. Lie ...
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REVIEW: The Kings Of Summer – Joe, Patrick And Biaggio Brave The Forest And Boston Market In This Endearing Coming Of Age Story

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 8, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Kings Of Summer
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Starring: Nick Offerman, Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Megan Mullally, and Alison Brie

When I saw the trailer for The Kings of Summer, I was sold. Not because I was excited about another suburban coming of age story, but because Nick Offerman is in the film. I love Offerman as Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation and I even enjoy when he reads tweets from young female celebrities on Conan. With his dry delive...

REVIEW: Blessed Be the New Founding Fathers of America, a Nation Reborn With One Big Moral Dilemma Called The Purge

Posted by James Brown on Friday, June 7, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Purge

Directed By: James DeMonaco

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, and Max Burkholder

America is the poster child for gun-loving nations across the globe. I'm not going to delve too deep into the divisive, often illogical misconceptions that are floating around the web about whether or not we should arm ourselves to death, but I can't deny that this has been a hot button issue this year. What I will delve into are the many, many victims of gun violence and some of the mal...
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REVIEW: Before Midnight, Take a Time Machine Back to Six Lovely Weeks in the Peloponnesian Islands

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 2, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Before Midnight

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Starring: Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy

Unlike Hollywood movies, it's very rare that an indie film gets a sequel. With the exception of some sick horror films, this just doesn't happen too often. You won't see Midnight in Paris Deux, 1000 Days of Summer, or Moonrise Kingdom 2. Even when they generate big profits, they're not coming back to theaters again. The exception to this rule is the Before series from Richard Linklater. First, there was Bef...
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REVIEW: Stuck in a Blender But Now Saving Lives, Billy and Nick Get Us Psyched for One Hilarious Google Internship and a Vicious Quidditch Match

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 2, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Internship

Directed By: Shawn Levy

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne, Max Minghella, JoAnna Garcia, John Goodman, Josh Brener, Tobit Raphael, Dylan O'Brien, Tiya Sircar, Aasif Mandvi, and Will Ferrell

If The Hangover Part III proved anything, it proved that it's time for the Wolfpack to step aside. With this in mind, I have some good news. The Frat Pack is back! Later this year, Vince Vaughn will be starring in The Delivery Man, an English language remake of the Canadian com...
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REVIEW: In Now You See Me, the Four Horsemen Employ the Targeted Deception and Misdirection of Magic for the Eye and for Shrike

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 31, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Now You See Me

Directed By: Louis Leterrier

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Mélanie Laurent, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Common

"Come in close, because the more you think you see, the easier it'll be to fool you."
-J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg)

Everyone loves a good magic trick. It's the stuff that makes you put faith in the impossible, the inexplicable. It's just hard to translate the awe and wonder of magic to the big screen. Jus...
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REVIEW: Father-Son Sci-Fi Flick After Earth Does a Little Too Much Ghosting Because of the Fear Factor Named Ursa

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 31, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

After Earth

Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan

Starring: Jaden Smith, Will Smith, Isabelle Fuhrman, Sophie Okonedo, Zoë Isabella Kravitz, and David Denman

"Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create…Now do not misunderstand me, danger is very real. But fear is a choice."
-General Cypher Raige, Prime Commander (Will Smith)

In all the advertisements for After Earth over the course of 2013, one major credit has been noticeably missing, the director. The marketing efforts heavily focuse...
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REVIEW: Ahoy Sexy! Frances Ha is Definitely Undateable With All Her Wild Antics That Aren't Really Antics

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 25, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Frances Ha

Directed By: Noah Baumbach

Starring: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver, and Grace Gummer

Greta Gerwig has had a long, hard road to success on the big screen. Frances Ha doesn't mark her first leading role. We've seen her lead the pack for somewhat underwhelming films like Damsels in Distress and Lola Versus. She hasn't had that breakout role yet, that performance that leaves an indelible mark on movie-goers. Frances Ha might just be that role. We'll just have to wait and s...
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REVIEW: The Epic Clash Between Leafmen & Boggans Over a Pod Proves That There Are Many Leaves But One Tree...Plus a Couple of Stompers

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 24, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Epic

Directed By: Chris Wedge

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Colin Farrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Josh Hutcherson, Christoph Waltz, Aziz Ansari, Chris O'Dowd, Pitbull, Jason Sudeikis, and Steven Tyler

Is it me or are animated films more violent these days? I'm going to date myself by saying this, but I grew up during the Second Golden Age of Disney with movies like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. I grew up when films were told with a song and dance, not a sword and shield. Just look...
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REVIEW: When It Comes to Toretto's Family Code Versus Shaw's Precision in Fast & Furious 6, the Samoan Thor Luke Hobbs Steals the Show

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 24, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Fast & Furious 6

Directed By: Justin Lin

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Sung Kang, Luke Evans, Gina Carano, Gal Gadot, Elsa Pataky, and John Ortiz

It's official. I'm convinced that the Fast & Furious films are the 007 flicks of our time. I'm not talking about Daniel Craig, the James Bond we know and love today. I'm talking about the old days with Sean Connery, the master British spy o...
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REVIEW: The Hangover Part III – Leslie Chow Leads The Wolfpack Through Tijuana and Vegas, But The Party Is Clearly Over

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Friday, May 24, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Hangover Part III
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, Heather Graham, Jeffrey Tambor, Justin Bartha, and John Goodman

Comedies very rarely have successful sequels, let alone a trilogy. As I watched The Hangover Part III, all I could think was that the creators should have stopped after the original Hangover movie. Why did they have to taint my memories of Stu, Phil and Alan? Oh right—because the franchise is worth ...

REVIEW: From a Porn Lab to the Mob, The Iceman is One Cold-Blooded Contract Killer

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 19, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Iceman

Directed By: Ariel Vromen

Starring: Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Chris Evans, Ray Liotta, James Franco, David Schwimmer, Stephen Dorff, and Erin Cummings

Michael Shannon might just be the most underrated actor of his generation. Despite a very impressive filmography and a long list of memorable characters on screen, Shannon has never attained mainstream popularity and is still relatively unknown to the movie-going public at large. It's unfortunate because he's a really prolific ac...
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REVIEW: Star Trek Into Darkness – Captain Kirk, The Mysterious John Harrison, and Robocop Mix It Up Aboard The NCC-1701 In This Phenomenal Sci-Fi Flick

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Thursday, May 16, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Star Trek Into Darkness
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch, Karl Urban, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Peter Weller, Alice Eve, Bruce Greenwood, and Anton Yelchin

Director J.J. Abrams appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart this week and revealed that he was not originally a fan of the Star Trek television series. After becoming involved with developing a new Star Trek movie series, he did revisit the television show and gre...
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REVIEW: In the House Is All About Math Tutor Claude Peeping Through the Keyhole at Middle Class Woman Esther and Her Watercolors

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 12, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

In the House

Directed By: François Ozon

Starring: Fabrice Luchini, Ernst Umhauer, Kristin Scott Thomas, Emmanuelle Seigner, Yolande Moreau, and Denis Ménochet

I write so many reviews that I find myself struggling sometimes to get a review started. Writing my fifth review this weekend, I've once again found myself in this very familiar place, stuck on the introduction. I don't have a damn clue what to write to get this review on In the House going. Fittingly, this indie is a film that's all ...
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REVIEW: With Peanuts, Chocolate Kennedys, & Moby Dick Day, Tyler Perry Presents Some Strange Peeples

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 12, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Tyler Perry Presents Peeples

Directed By: Tina Gordon Chism

Starring: Kerry Washington, Craig Robinson, David Alan Grier, Diahann Carroll, Tyler James Williams, and Kali Hawk

Tyler Perry Presents Peeples is the most ostentatious title for a movie I've ever heard in my entire life. I understand that producer Tyler Perry wants to associate his name and his brand with the film to fill theaters around the country. He's trying to make some money. I completely get that. However, that doesn't mean ...
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REVIEW: My Brother the Devil is a Terrorist, Not a Homo???

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 11, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

My Brother the Devil

Directed By: Sally El Hosaini

Starring: James Floyd, Fady Elsayed, and Saïd Taghmaoui

I was just having a conversation yesterday about homosexuality in Islamic culture. Though I wasn't particularly interested in the conversation at the time, another individual and I were discussing how being gay is more than just taboo to Muslims. It's comparable to a mortal sin and can often have fatal consequences. It's so fitting that I ended up seeing Sally El Hosaini's My Brother th...
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REVIEW: Kiss of the Damned Is One Steamy Erotic Mess of a Vampire Movie

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 11, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Kiss of the Damned

Directed By: Xan Cassavetes

Starring: Josephine de La Baume, Roxane Mesquida, Milo Ventimiglia, and Anna Mouglalis

As the owner of Sobriety Test and its webmaster, I try to regularly stay abreast of comments by readers checking out reviews all over the site. I would like to say thank you to all those who take the time to contribute to the discourse here on this small website. Whether encouraging, enthused, or critical of my reviews, I do appreciate all of your comments and l...
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REVIEW: Even With Bootlegging, Boozing, & Partying, Old Sport Jay Gatsby Lacks Valor Extraordinaire and Any Hope Whatsoever

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 10, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Great Gatsby

Directed By: Baz Luhrmann

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke, Amitabh Bachchan, and Elizabeth Debicki

Baz Luhrmann's "modern" take on the classic American novel The Great Gatsby was originally set to be released on Christmas day last year. This would have landed the film in direct competition with the likes of Les Miserables and Django Unchained, which were also released on the same day. To make matters worse, L...
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REVIEW: Kon-Tiki is a Slow Ride Through an Interesting Theory

Posted by Zach Davis on Monday, May 6, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Kon-Tiki
Zach Davis

Directed By: Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg

Starring: Pål Sverre Valheim Hagan, Anders Bassmo Christiansen, Tobias Santelmann, Gustaf Skarsgård, Odd-Magnus Williamson, Jacob Oftebro, and Agnes Kittelsen

Kon-Tiki is a harrowing tale of survival propelled by an interesting theory from Thor Heyerdahl. According to Heyerdahl, the Peruvians were the first to colonize Polynesia from the east contrary to the traditional notion that Asians migrating from the west settled on th...
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REVIEW: Number One in Seven Counties, Henry Whipple Will Expand or Die At Any Price, Including Reselling Liberty Seeds

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 5, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

At Any Price

Directed By: Ramin Bahrani

Starring: Zac Efron, Dennis Quaid, Heather Graham, Clancy Brown, Ben Marten, Kim Dickens, Chelcie Ross, Red West, Maika Monroe, and Sophie Curtis

Running a business is a tough endeavor, especially in a saturated market. I sure as hell know it. The competition is stiff. The customers are demanding. The regulations within the industry are nothing more than a setback. All in all, running a business is like survival of the fittest. You'll either expand or...
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REVIEW: Love Is Not Quite All You Need When There Are Lemons from Italy

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 4, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Love Is All You Need

Directed By: Susanne Bier

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Trine Dyrholm, Kim Bodnia, Paprika Steen, Sebastian Jessen, Molly Blixt Egelind, Christiane Schaumburg-Müller, Micky Skeel Hansen, Bodil Jørgensen, and Line Kruse

Is it me or is it déjà vu this weekend? Last year on this very weekend, Marvel jumpstarted the summer movie season with The Avengers starring Robert Downey, Jr. This weekend, Marvel is again kicking off the summer with Iron Man 3, once again starring the per...
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REVIEW: Blue Da Ba Dee Da Ba Die...Mechanic Tony Stark's Avengers Demons & Aldrich Killian's Extremis Are Giving Him Anxiety Attacks in Iron Man 3

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 3, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Iron Man 3

Directed By: Shane Black

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, Jon Favreau, Ben Kingsley, and William Sadler

The summer movie season is upon us! As usual, superhero flicks will dominate this summer’s blockbusters. Interestingly enough, we're seeing a changing of the guard this year. With the end of Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy, the Man of Steel will be substituting for the Dark Knight. For...
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REVIEW: Mud, Ellis, & Neckbone Make One Good Deal for a Boat, a Pistol, and Love

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 28, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Mud

Directed By: Jeff Nichols

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Shannon, Sarah Paulson, Sam Shepard, and Stuart Greer

Matthew McConaughey has been pigeonholing himself recently. He's been in a slew of Southern-themed indie flicks. Think Bernie. Think Killer Joe. Think The Paperboy. While these are all distinct films, they share some geographic similarities, which isn't necessarily a plus for McConaughey's filmography. I'd very much like ...
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REVIEW: A Malt Mill is the Whisky of Choice in The Angels' Share

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 28, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Angels' Share

Directed By: Ken Loach

Starring: Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, William Ruane, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, and Siobhan Reilly

Every year, two percent of alcohol evaporates from a barrel of whisky. It's what's called the angels' share. It's a damn shame. Nature steals two percent of one of God's greatest gifts every year. It's the good stuff too! The whisky lost has aged and has only gotten better with time. On the other hand, this is what makes older whisky much more va...
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REVIEW: Blancanieves - A Silent Film Turns Snow White Into A Bullfighter And Brings New Tragedy To The Fairytale

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, April 28, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Blancanieves
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Pablo Berger

Starring: Maribel Verdú, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Ángela Molina, Pere Ponce, Macarena García, and Sofía Oria

As of late we have been inundated with reinvented fairytales. Snow White’s story has been of particular interest to filmmakers, and two movies tackled the legendary tale last year: Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman. Mirror Mirror was colorful, but ultimately unimaginative and a little too sweet. The Huntsman was ...

REVIEW: For the Love of the Mets and Graffiti, Gimme the Loot is All About Malcolm and Sophia Bombing the Apple at Shea Stadium

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 27, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Gimme the Loot

Directed By: Adam Leon

Starring: Ty Hickson, Tashiana Washington, Zoë Lescaze, Meeko, Sam Soghor, and Joshua Rivera

The New York Mets have an interesting tradition for celebrating home runs. Whenever a player knocks the ball straight out of the park during a home game, a giant apple rises out of Shea Stadium with the Mets' logo front and center. The apple rising is a pivotal moment in any Mets game and presents an interesting opportunity to claim some fame for those who are bol...
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REVIEW: The Big Wedding: Dirty Talk, Catholicism, Sex And Scandal For The AARP Crowd

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, April 27, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Big Wedding
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Justin Zackham

Starring: Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Amanda Seyfried, Topher Grace, Katherine Heigl, and Robin Williams

Color me disappointed. When I go into a film with Robert De Niro, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams and Diane Keaton, I have certain expectations. Add in Topher Grace, and I automatically expect wit and character. But I should have known that the Katherine Heigl romantic comedy curse would continue. I cannot thi...

REVIEW: Sun Gym Bodybuilder Danny Lugo is a Doer Trying to Gain the American Dream, But Teaming with El Dad & Torturing Pepe Only Bring Pain

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 26, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Pain & Gain

Directed By: Michael Bay

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, Rebel Wilson, Ken Jeong, Jennifer Nicole Lee, Yolanthe Sneijder-Cabau, and Bar Paly

We've been seeing quite a bit of The Rock lately. Unfortunately, he's had more misses than hits. He starred in the less than memorable Snitch back in February. He was then the lead in G.I. Joe: Retaliation, which was just a decent action flick by any standard. From what I've hea...
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GUEST POST: The Great Western Revival

Posted by Lindsey McMahon on Saturday, April 20, 2013,

In previous decades, from the 1950s through the 1980s, the Western genre was alive and well. Many Western movies were made each year, featuring the hottest actors of the day, such as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and many others. Since the 1990s, however, Western movies have been few and far between. Several years have had no major Western movies made at all. The Western genre has given way to crime movies, superhero movies, space adventures, and modern-day action.

Now, that is about to change....
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REVIEW: In Oblivion, Jack Harper and Julia Make Quite an Effective Team Despite Scavengers, Drones, and Even Victoria

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 19, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Oblivion

Directed By: Joseph Kosinski

Starring: Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Riseborough, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

"And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods."
-Thomas Babington Macaulay, "Horatius", Lays of Ancient Rome

The summer movie season is almost upon us! In a couple of weeks, Iron Man 3 will roll into theaters, and we'll be getting down to some real business. Until then, we have a littl...
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REVIEW: If You're a Member of the Weather Underground Organization Like Nick Sloan, Secrets are the Only Company You Keep

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 14, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Company You Keep

Directed By: Robert Redford

Starring: Robert Redford, Shia LaBeouf, Julie Christie, Susan Sarandon, Jackie Evancho, Brendan Gleeson, Brit Marling, Anna Kendrick, Terrence Howard, Richard Jenkins, Nick Nolte, Sam Elliott, Stephen Root, Keegan Connor Tracy, Stanley Tucci, and Chris Cooper

Robert Redford has been a busy man as of late. He's joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nick Fury's boss in Captain America: Winter Soldier. He'll be appearing in survival thriller All...
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REVIEW: To the Wonder Does Nothing to Awaken the Love, That Divine Presence Within Us

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 14, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

To the Wonder

Directed By: Terrence Malick

Starring: Ben Affleck, Olga Kurylenko, Rachel McAdams, and Javier Bardem

Two years ago, I went to bat for Terrence Malick's Tree of Life. It was an artsy movie without a lot of dialogue. At the same time, however, it was a beautiful, impactful statement about life, the universe, and parenthood. In Malick's latest movie To the Wonder, he's moved onto smaller themes, namely love and faith. Once again, he creates a film with sparse dialogue that tries ...
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REVIEW: In the Bloody Hypnosis Thriller Trance, Strawberry is the Word You Can't Forget

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 13, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Trance

Directed By: Danny Boyle

Starring: James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, and Vincent Cassel

I rarely find myself in a guessing game while at the movies. You've got to be a really great director to keep me on my toes wondering what's real and who's got what agenda. There's no film in recent cinema history that does this better than Inception, but this doesn't mean that I shouldn't welcome worthy imitators. Once again, I find myself in a guessing game of sorts while watching Danny Boyle's latest...
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REVIEW: With Vacuum Cleaners Partying, Erica Ash Ghettoizing Black Swan, and Morgan Freeman Narrating, Scary Movie 5 is Just Plain Weird

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 13, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Scary Movie 5

Directed By: Malcolm D. Lee

Starring: Ashley Tisdale, Simon Rex, Erica Ash, Molly Shannon, Heather Locklear, J.P. Manoux, Jerry O'Connell, Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, and Morgan Freeman

How many times have you gone to an R-rated film and been appalled to see parents bringing their kids to the theater? I've honestly lost count at this point. Whether it be some violent, bloody horror flick or the latest rude and crude comedy, we've all sadly been there. It's needless to say that...
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REVIEW: Mr. Rickey Helps Number 42 Jackie Robinson Control His Temper and Go Home Sweet Home on the Baseball Field

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 12, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

42

Directed By: Brian Helgeland

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Christopher Meloni, Jud Tylor, Alan Tudyk, Lucas Black, Jon Bernthal, and Nicole Beharie

Jackie Robinson is one of the most iconic athletes of the 20th century. It's 2013. It's been 66 years since Robinson began his historic rookie season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and we're just getting our first feature film in my lifetime about his incredible journey. Well, it's about damn time. Sure, we had the film The Jackie Rob...
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REVIEW: Luciano Holds onto His Big Brother Dreams Too Long, Which is a Sad Reality for Moviegoers

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 7, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Reality

Directed By: Matteo Garrone

Starring: Aniello Arena, Loredana Simioli, Claudia Gerini, Paola Minaccioni, Ciro Petrone, Nunzia Schiano, Nando Paone, Arturo Gambardella, and Angelica Borghese

I was never big on reality TV. Sure, I watched the first few seasons of American Idol and the first season of Survivor back in the day. After that brief foray into it, I went right on back to scripted programs. That's what I knew and that's what I loved. I've never watched any of the popular serie...
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REVIEW: With Bank Robbers, Corrupt Cops, and Bitter Sons, The Place Beyond the Pines is the Place Where Luke and Avery Show Their True Colors

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 6, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Place Beyond the Pines

Directed By: Derek Cianfrance

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, Ben Mendelsohn, Rose Byrne, Mahershala Ali, Bruce Greenwood, Harris Yulin, Dane DeHaan, Emory Cohen and Olga Merediz

"If you ride like lightning, you're gonna crash like thunder."
-Robin (Ben Mendelsohn)

I am a big advocate of filmmakers who take creative risks. Many are so afraid of crashing and burning that they don't think or do anything outside the box, particularly in main...
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REVIEW: In Evil Dead, the Intervention for Drug Addict Mia Seriously Backfires, and the Evil Book Takes Withdrawal to New, Bloody Lows

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 5, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Evil Dead

Directed By: Fede Alvarez

Starring: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, and Elizabeth Blackmore

We lost a true legend this week. Roger Ebert, the man who invented modern film criticism and one whose works I've read for years, has passed away. He will definitely be missed. While we'll never get the chance to hear his thoughts on the films of tomorrow, his words are just as relevant today in an era of remakes and adaptations. This is definitely the case for ...
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REVIEW: The 533 Children Father-To-Be David Wozniak Had Under the Alias Starbuck Apparently Weren't Enough

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 30, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Starbuck

Directed By: Ken Scott

Starring: Patrick Huard, Antoine Bertrand, and Julie LeBreton

At the ripe old age of 25, I can tell you with 100% certainty that I am not ready to have kids. They sap all your energy. They eat up all your time. They spend all your money. I do know this. Whenever I do decide to become a father, I'll have one and then I'll be done. Multiple kids are not in the cards for me. I can't fathom having more than one kid terrorizing my home on a 24/7 basis, much less...
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REVIEW: The Host - The Wanderer, Wanda and Melanie Battle The Seeker In Stephenie Meyer’s New Film

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 30, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Host
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Andrew Niccol

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger, Jake Abel, Max Irons, and William Hurt

With the end of the wildly successful, but critically panned Twilight series last year, teenagers are looking for the next Stephenie Meyer series to fall in love with. Enter The Host. I must say, that as I sat in the theater and a horde of giggly teenagers came pouring in, I could not help but roll my eyes and curse my luck at drawing the short stick on movie revie...

REVIEW: In The Sapphires, Bridesmaids' Chris O'Dowd and the Songbirds Take Some Aboriginal Soul on the Road to Vietnam

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 30, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Sapphires

Directed By: Wayne Blair

Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, and Miranda Tapsell

The music of today is some real crap. We all know it. We all hear it. Some of us even do something about it. Personally, I've found that I spend very little time listening to Top 40 radio anymore. It genuinely sucks. What passes for music today is truly a sin and a shame. Consequently, I stay in the past and tend to go for the oldies. I listen to the likes of...
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REVIEW: Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor – If You’ve Seen The Trailer, You’ve Seen The Movie

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 30, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Tyler Perry

Starring: Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Lance Gross, Robbie Jones, Kim Kardashian, Brandy Norwood, and Vanessa Williams

When I first saw the movie trailer for Temptation: Confessions Of A Marriage Counselor, I thought it revealed too much about the film’s plot. From the movie preview alone, I could see that the lead character is a woman who is tired of being ignored by her husband. She is tempted by a rich exe...

REVIEW: In G.I. Joe, Project Zeus Offers Cobra Commander Some Fitting Retaliation, But Roadblock is Here

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, March 28, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Directed By: John M. Chu

Starring: Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson, D.J. Cotrona, Lee Byung-hun, Adrianne Palicki, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce, Ray Stevenson, and Channing Tatum

Up until now, all indicators pointed to the foregone conclusion that G.I. Joe: Retaliation would suck. It's not just the fact that its predecessor G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra sucked. Afraid of competing with The Amazing Spider-Man, Paramount pushed its release date back from Fourth of July last year (to...
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REVIEW: On the Road, Dean and Sal Have More Sex, Drugs, and Liquor Than I Thought Humanly Possible

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 24, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

On the Road

Directed By: Walter Salles

Starring: Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Amy Adams, Tom Sturridge, Danny Morgan, Alice Braga, Elisabeth Moss, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, Terrence Howard, and Steve Buscemi

Despite its impressive cast, I was never really looking forward to On the Road. This adaptation of Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel may have Mary Jane, Lois Lane, and Aragorn, but it also has Bella. I always have my doubts with a Kristen Stewart movie, or any film starring a...
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REVIEW: In Like Someone in Love, Millipedes Akiko and Noriaki Quarrel All the Time

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 24, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Like Someone in Love

Directed By: Abbas Kiarostami

Starring: Rin Takanashi, Tadashi Okuno, and Ryo Kase

Love might just be the most dangerous force on Earth. Some people really can't handle it when they're rejected by the one they love. It devastates them to the point that they just snap. They become a danger to any and every person around them. That being said, this is something we've seen depicted on the big screen many times before with countless angry husbands, wives, boyfriends, and gir...
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REVIEW: In Ginger & Rosa, the Young War Protester and Dad's Side Chick Can't Be Best Friends Forever

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 24, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Ginger & Rosa

Directed By: Sally Potter

Starring: Elle Fanning, Alice Englert, Alessandro Nivola, Annette Bening, Timothy Spall, Oliver Platt, and Christina Hendricks

There have been a lot of period pieces this month. We've been taken back to post-WWII Germany and Japan in Lore and Emperor. We've been taken to Chile back in the 1980s in No. This weekend, we're being taken back to 1960s London during the height of the Cold War with the United States and the Soviet Union embroiled in a tense fe...
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REVIEW: Olympus Has Fallen – They’ve Taken The White House! Where is Dennis Rodman When You Need Him?

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, March 24, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Olympus Has Fallen
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Antoine Fuqua

Starring: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Rick Yune, and Dylan McDermott

Late last weekend, I was flipping through cable channels and I stumbled across Air Force One on the Starz network. I was reminded of what a well-done presidential, terrorist, kidnapping action flick looks like. Olympus Has Fallen is decent, but it is no Air Force One.

In Olympus Has Fallen, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is a par...

REVIEW: Thanks to Boring Old Portia, the Secret to Getting Into Princeton-Based Comedy Admission is That You Just Can't

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 23, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Admission

Directed By: Paul Weitz

Starring: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Michael Sheen, Lily Tomlin, Wallace Shawn, Nat Wolff, and Gloria Reuben

From the day I heard about it, I was destined to see Tina Fey's latest comedy Admission, a film shot at my alma mater Princeton University. It's a movie that satirizes the university's admissions process in which a random few get highly coveted acceptance letters. Director Paul Weitz clearly has a bull’s-eye fixed on the orange bubble and other Ivy League i...
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REVIEW: Spring Break Forever Bitches! These Four Little Chickies' Trip to Florida Seems Like a Dream

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 23, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Spring Breakers

Directed By: Harmony Korine

Starring: James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine, and Gucci Mane

I came into Spring Breakers with some pretty low expectations. The trailer simply didn't make the sale for me. A gangster party movie with some all grown up, scantily clad teen princesses and a thugged up James Franco didn't leave me expecting much. There are so many ways that a movie like this could go wrong. In my mind, there was no way this thing ...
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REVIEW: The Croods 3D – Cavemen, They’re Just Like Us

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 23, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Croods 3D
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Chris Sanders, Kirk De Micco

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, and Cloris Leachman

TGIF moviegoers! We are starting the weekend off with a little family fun. The Croods is the latest animated movie to present the nuclear family in a unique setting (i.e The Incredibles). Although The Croods is not as strong as some of its predecessors, it is fun and clever in its own way.

In The Croods, Grug (Nicolas Cage) is the...

REVIEW: In Stoker, Both India and Charlie Put Dad's Belt to Bloody Good Use

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 17, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Stoker

Directed By: Park Chan-wook

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, Nicole Kidman, Dermot Mulroney, Jacki Weaver, and Phyllis Somerville

"He used to say, sometimes you need to do something bad to stop you from doing something worse."
-India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska)

With the indie box office back in full swing post awards season, all I've heard about is Oldboy director Park Chan-wook's latest thriller Stoker. With good will for Chan-wook and his strong cast, the film has had lots of buzz. ...
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REVIEW: In Upside Down, Pink Bees and TransWorld's Inverse Matter Are the Cure to All Adam and Eden's Double Gravity Woes

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 17, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Upside Down

Directed By: Juan Diego Solanas

Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kirsten Dunst, and Timothy Spall

Originality is something that's desperately missing from movies these days. Everything is a sequel, a remake, an adaptation, or a true story. This is a sad state of affairs for cinema today, but the blame cannot be totally hoisted upon the shoulders of studio execs in Hollywood. We as moviegoers share a good chunk of that blame as well. We buy into it. Of the highest-grossing movies of 2012,...
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REVIEW: In Beyond the Hills, No Confession or Exorcism Can Cure Alina's Evil Spirit or the Movie

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 16, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Beyond the Hills

Directed By: Cristian Mungiu

Starring: Cristina Flutur, Cosmina Stratan, Valeriu Andriutâ, Dana Tapalagâ, Catalina Harabagiu, Gina Tandura, Vica Agache, Nora Covali, Dionisie Vitcu, Ionut Ghinea, Liliana Mocanu, Doru Ana, and Costache Babii

Exorcism movies are frequent, but intelligent ones are a rare gem. Like the horror genre as a whole, teen-oriented mindless exorcism movies are the norm. We're plagued with films like The Devil Inside and The Last Exorcism Part II as oppo...
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REVIEW: The Brain Rapist, Rance Holloway, and the Astonishing Jane Can't Save the Magical Friendship of Burt Wonderstone and Anton Marvelton

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 16, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Directed By: Don Scardino

Starring: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini, and Jim Carrey

American culture today is bereft of any real values or meaningful qualities. Sadly, this is the product of my generation, the Millennials. The plague of reality television and an ever-growing, ever-popular online library of senseless YouTube videos are symptomatic of these problems. I'm not going to go on a full rant about everything that'...
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REVIEW: The Call Packs Plenty Of Suspense And Emotional Pull, But Veers Off Course When Berry Leaves The Hive

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 16, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Call
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Brad Anderson

Starring: Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund, and David Otunga

Going in to see Halle Berry’s new suspense thriller, I had low expectations. WWE films are not usually known for their high quality. I assumed with David Otunga, WWE Wrestler and former contestant on I Love New York as part of the cast, The Call would be more mindless “entertainment.” Given that the movie's trailer was incredibly revealing, I assum...

REVIEW: Heaven or Hell, Lore Will Do What She Must to Get to Her Omi in Hamburg

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 10, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Lore

Directed By: Cate Shortland

Starring: Saskia Rosendahl, Kai-Peter Malina, Nele Trebs, and Ursina Lardi

In my review of Emperor, I wrote that I was tired of movies about World War II. I said that filmmakers had covered every aspect of the second Great War and that there was nothing more that could be done. Honestly, I'm going to have to retract the second part of that statement. There was one thing I had never fathomed I would see in a World War II movie, but it's here with Australian war ...
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REVIEW: Emperor — The Fate of This Living God Is Not the Spark That Keeps This Movie Alive

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 9, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Emperor

Directed By: Peter Webber

Starring: Matthew Fox, Tommy Lee Jones, Eriko Hatsune, Toshiyuki Nishida, Kaori Momoi, and Colin Moy

World War II has been done to death on the big screen. If there's some aspect of WWII that's not been brought back to life on film, I would be genuinely stunned. Over the last 20 years alone, we've had films like Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Pearl Harbor, and many more. That's why another WWII movie is the last thing we need right now, but that's exa...
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REVIEW: In Revenge Flick Dead Man Down, 719 Is All About Killing the Devil Slowly, Not When You Find Him

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 9, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Dead Man Down

Directed By: Niels Arden Oplev

Starring: Colin Farrell, Noomi Rapace, Terrence Howard, Dominic Cooper, Isabelle Huppert, and Wade Barrett

Noomi Rapace's career has been on the rise for quite some time now, and it's well-deserved given her raw acting talent. In the last couple of years, the original girl with the dragon tattoo has gotten some major exposure on the big screen. Rapace had a supporting role alongside Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shado...
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REVIEW: With the Help of China Girl, the Sour Puss Nook, and One Funny Flying Monkey Named Finley, the Con Man Oz is Indeed Great and Powerful

Posted by James Brown on Friday, March 8, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Oz: The Great and Powerful

Directed By: Sam Raimi

Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, Bill Cobbs, and Joey King

Anything is possible. If you had asked me a few years ago whether we'd ever go back to Oz on the big screen, I would have laughed in your face. I would have thought that no filmmaker would have the guts to deal with their work being forever in the shadow of Victor Fleming's The Wizard of Oz, an untouchable classic. As this weekend demonst...
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REVIEW: Voting NO Against Pinochet Means Happiness is Coming for Our Comrades in Chile; YES Means a Better Sex Life With the Same Old Dictator

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 3, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

NO

Directed By: Pablo Larrain

Starring: Gael García Bernal, Néstor Cantillana, Amparo Noguera, Antonia Zegers, Marcial Tagle, and Luis Gnecco

"No me gusta, no. No lo quiero, no... (I don't like him, no. I don't want him, no...)"
-Chilean Singers

The Academy Awards have come and gone. That means that the awards season is finally done. The golden statuettes handed out this year are now collecting dust on the trophy-laden shelves of the winners. Slowly but surely, films like Amour, Beasts of t...
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REVIEW: In The Last Exorcism Part II, Abalam Fails to Seduce Us When Nell Says This Demon Isn't Real

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 2, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Last Exorcism Part II

Directed By: Ed Gass-Donnelly

Starring: Ashley Bell, Julia Garner, Spencer Treat Clark, Muse Watson, and Louis Herthum

When it comes to horror movies nowadays, I'm at my wit's end. They all just suck. Dark Skies, Texas Chainsaw, and Paranormal Activity 4 are all potent examples of the genre's decline in recent years. The good news is that we've had fewer horror movies in recent months. The bad news is the downward spiral of this genre continues. This weekend's The L...
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REVIEW: In 21 & Over, Jeff Chang and His Boys Have Anything But an Awesome Night With an Indian Chief and Some Latina Sorority Sisters

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 2, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

21 & Over

Directed By: Jon Lucas and Scott Moore

Starring: Justin Chon, Miles Teller, Skylar Astin, Francois Chau, and Sarah Wright

The first weekend in March seems to be the party movie weekend. Exactly one year ago, we had Thomas Mann and Oliver Cooper trying to live like legends in Project X. We all saw what happened with that movie, nothing but pointless juvenile antics. With that in mind, Hollywood has decided to fast forward a few years and tackle the big 2-1, the last frontier before r...
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REVIEW: Jack The Giant Slayer 3D – Between Heaven And Earth, Jack And The King’s Guardians Battle Some Pretty Ruthless Giants

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, March 2, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Jack The Giant Slayer 3D
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Bill Nighy, and Ian McShane

"Fee Fye Foe Fumm. Ask not whence the thunder comes. For between Heaven and Earth it's a perilous place. Home to a fearsome giant race."
–King Brahmwell (Ian McShane)

Jack the Giant Slayer is the latest movie to update a traditional fairy tale into an action adventure film. Because X-Men and Usual Suspects director Bryan Si...

REVIEW: Snitch – The Rock Enters The Drug War To Save His Son, But Doesn’t Quite Lay The Smackdown

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, February 24, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Snitch
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Ric Roman Waugh

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Michael Kenneth Williams, Benjamin Bratt, Jon Bernthal, Rafi Gavron

I am a huge fan of Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson. He is an amazingly charismatic wrestler and he has parlayed that into an impressive movie career (i.e. The Rundown, Fast Five). Thus, I was enthusiastic about his new movie Snitch. I anticipated a butt-kicking father out for justice for his son. I thought it had the potential to be a ...

REVIEW: In Dark Skies, the Sandman and the Grays Do Nothing But Let Us Down

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 23, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Dark Skies

Directed By: Scott Stewart

Starring: Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, and Dakota Goyo

It's Oscar weekend. I'm happy to say that we're at the end of another lengthy awards season. While it means that awards shows are thankfully at an end, it also means that we're almost through the worst part of the year for moviegoers. The key word there is almost. Unfortunately, snoozers are still crowding movie theaters. This weekend, the new snoozer at the box office goes by the name of Dark Skies...
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REVIEW: The ABC’s Of Death – 26 Tales Of Horror By 26 Different Directors

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The ABC’s Of Death
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Nacho Vigalondo, Marcel Sarmiento, Adam Wingard, Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Simon Barrett, Angela Bettis, Xavier Gens, etc.

Starring: Fraser Corbett, Dallas Malloy, Darenzia, Lee Hardcastle, and Hiroko Yashiki

The ABC’s of Death is a compilation of 26 different horror stories directed by 26 different directors. Inspired by children’s storybooks, producers Ant Timpson and Tim League assigned a different letter of the alphabet to different ...

REVIEW: Safe Haven – An Incredibly Long Tale Involving Domestic Violence And Rediscovering Love Set In The Familiar Town Of Southport, North Carolina

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, February 18, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Safe Haven
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Lasse Hallstrom

Starring: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, David Lyons, Cobie Smulders, Mimi Kirkland, Noah Lomax

Happy belated Valentine’s Day movie-lovers! On cue, an adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks’ novel has hit theaters for those looking for a romantic date movie. Sparks has brought us such films as The Notebook, Message In A Bottle, Dear John, etc. Except for The Notebook, which was a phenomenal film, he is generally renowned for somewhat sappy...

REVIEW: Light or Dark, Caster Lena Duchannes Doesn't Exactly Take Gatlin by Storm in Beautiful Creatures

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 16, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Beautiful Creatures

Directed By: Richard LaGravanese

Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, and Emma Thompson

It's Valentine's Day weekend, so there's plenty of love to be found at the box office. Sappy moviegoers (and their unfortunate boyfriends or husbands) are making the obvious choice and going to see Safe Haven. Action junkies can strangely find John McClane offering a healthy dose of fatherly love in A Good Day to Die Hard. Final...
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REVIEW: The Sorcerer And The White Snake – A Cheesy Martial Arts Meets Demon Fantasy Tale

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, February 16, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Sorcerer And The White Snake
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Ching Siu-tung

Starring: Jet Li, Eva Huang, Raymond Lam, Charlene Choi, Zhang Wen

The Sorcerer and the White Snake is a 2011 Chinese film that was not released to U.S. theaters until 2013. As a Jet Li fan, I was enthused to see the film—although all I really knew about the movie was that Jet Li was a sorcerer fighting a thousand year old demon. While that sounds ridiculous on its face, Li has successfully dabbled in the fantasy ...

REVIEW: After Your Latest Outing in A Good Day to Die Hard Detective McClane, Forget the Vacation in Chernobyl. Just Retire.

Posted by James Brown on Friday, February 15, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

A Good Day to Die Hard

Directed By: John Moore

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch, Radivoje Bukvic, Cole Hauser, and Yuliya Snigir

I can't believe it's been 25 years since the original Die Hard came out. Arguably the most influential action movie of all time, this beloved film has reached its silver anniversary and is now legitimately a classic. This year marks a time to celebrate and honor John McClane for what he's done for action movies. With that in mind, Bruce Willis...

REVIEW: Knife Fight – The Master Of Disaster Shows The End Justifies The Means In This Political Drama

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, February 10, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Knife Fight
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Bill Guttentag

Starring: Rob Lowe, Jamie Chung, Carrie-Anne Moss, Julie Bowen, and Eric McCormack

“To win in politics, you have got to be the person who is willing to bring a gun to a knife fight.” – Paul Turner (Rob Lowe)

My early year movie slump continues. I have yet to see a stellar film this year and I was hoping against hope that the Rob Lowe driven political indie Knife Fight would jump start 2013 for me. Unfortunately, it did not.

Pau...

REVIEW: With Murder, Insider Trading, & Conspiracy, Sleepwalking is One of the Milder Side Effects of Depression Drug Ablixa

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 9, 2013, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Side Effects

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum, Ann Dowd, Vinessa Shaw, Polly Draper, and David Costabile

In this first full week of February, I'm going to go ahead and declare it. Our January slump is over! We've been plagued with junk movies for weeks now, but that rough patch has finally come to an end. Some good movies are hitting theaters once again. The director up at bat this weekend is Steven Soderbergh, and he kn...

REVIEW: Whether Sandy Bigelow Patterson or Dawn Budgie, Melissa McCarthy is One Funny Identity Thief

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 9, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Identity Thief

Directed By: Seth Gordon

Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, T.I., Genesis Rodriguez, Morris Chestnut, John Cho, Robert Patrick, Eric Stonestreet

Since the massive success of Bridesmaids some two years ago, Melissa McCarthy's career has been on the rise. Her show Mike & Molly continues to be a hit on CBS. She's scheduled to headline several comedies this year at the box office. She's even rumored to be appearing in The Hangover Part III (whi...

REVIEW: For Stand Up Guys Pacino, Walken, and Arkin, It's Time to Kick Ass or Chew Gum?! Seriously?

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 2, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Stand Up Guys

Directed By: Fisher Stevens

Starring: Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin, Julianna Margulies, Mark Margolis, Katheryn Winnick, Vanessa Ferlito, Addison Timlin, and Lucy Punch

Al Pacino is my favorite actor in all of film history. He is the consummate performer on the big screen, the small screen, and stage. If you say Pacino is in something, I'm watching whatever it is. It doesn't matter whether he's playing Michael Corleone, Sonny Wortzik, or even Joe Paterno. I'm d...

REVIEW: Crawlspace – An Evil Eve, Aliens and Telepathy Could Not Save This Australian Sci-Fi Horror Flick

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, February 2, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Crawlspace
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Justin Dix

Starring: Amber Clayton, Eddie Baroo, Ditch Davey, and Nicholas Bell

The January/February movie slump continues, even in the indie world. The latest entry is Crawlspace. Crawlspace is an Australian film set in the middle of the desert. The Australian and U.S. governments established a secret underground research facility in a remote location. A disaster has taken place at the facility and the government has lost contact with the underground i...

REVIEW: Warm Bodies Exhumes the Zombie Movie Genre and Cures It with a Fresh, Funny Tale of Romance

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 2, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Warm Bodies

Directed By: Jonathan Levine

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Rob Corddry, Dave Franco, Cory Hardrict, and Analeigh Tipton

Zombie movies are misses more often than hits. We get so many movies about these undead terrors that are as lifeless and mindless as the walking dead themselves. With countless films in the genre, it's got to be terribly difficult to think outside the box and pull together a fresh, innovative story. However, director Jonathan Levine...

REVIEW: At the Beecham House Annual Gala, the Quartet Brings Down the House with Verdi's Rigoletto

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 26, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Quartet

Directed By: Dustin Hoffman

Starring: Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins, Billy Connolly, Michael Gambon, and Sheridan Smith

"Old age is for sissies."
-Cecily "Cissy" Robson (Pauline Collins)

It's no secret that we have an aging population in the US. The baby boomers are dragging our population into old age. Consequently, we're starting to see more and more movies about the elderly at the box office. In the last year, we've had films such as The Best Exotic Marigold Hote...

REVIEW: What is Movie 43? A Series of Ridiculous Shorts About the iBabe, Leprechauns, and a Cat Named Beezel

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 26, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Movie 43

Directed By: Peter Farrelly, Elizabeth Banks, Steven Brill, Steve Carr, Rusty Cundieff, James Duffy, Griffin Dunne, Patrik Forsberg, James Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Brett Ratner, and Jonathan van Tulleken

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Emma Stone, Chloë Grace Moretz, Gerard Butler, Elizabeth Banks, Kristen Bell, Naomi Watts, Dennis Quaid, Greg Kinnear, Common, Kate Winslet, Anna Faris, Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Seann William Scott, Justin Long, Jason Sudeikis, Josh Duhamel, Leslie ...

REVIEW: Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D – Not Exactly Grimm’s Fairytale

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, January 26, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Tommy Wirkola

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, and Peter Stormare

“If you’re gonna kill a witch, set her ass on fire.”
– Hansel (Jeremy Renner)

There has been a recent trend of modernizing traditional fairy tales and converting well known characters into butt-kicking action stars. Snow White and the Huntsman and the upcoming Jack the Giant Slayer come to mind. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D ...

REVIEW: Even With the Chaos from Danzinger and Chicago, Parker Doesn't Follow Through on Delivering a Decent Action Flick

Posted by James Brown on Friday, January 25, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Parker

Directed By: Taylor Hackford

Starring: Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Chiklis, Wendell Pierce, Clifton Collins, Jr., Bobby Canavale, and Nick Nolte

Jason Statham is one of the busiest action stars in the business, but it's rare that he actually produces something good. In the last two years alone, he's appeared in The Mechanic, Killer Elite, and The Expendables 2. This guy is clearly in the habit of making bad movies. That's why it's so fitting for him to grace theaters dur...

REVIEW: Struck By Lightning – Glee’s Chris Colfer Branches Out In This Tribeca Indie Flick

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, January 20, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Struck By Lightning
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Brian Dannelly

Starring: Chris Colfer, Rebel Wilson, Allison Janney, Dermot Mulroney, Christina Hendricks, Sarah Hyland

Struck By Lightning boasts an impressive cast of television actors from shows like Modern Family, Weeds, Mad Men, Desperate Housewives and The Office. Written by Glee’s Chris Colfer, the film is a high school comedy-drama that has a great deal of promise, but ultimately plays like a made for television movie.

Struck By Ligh...

REVIEW: Lily, Mama, Victoria. The Helvecia Cabin is a Full House of Horror

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 19, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Mama

Directed By: Andres Muschietti

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Megan Charpentier, Isabelle Nélisse, and Daniel Kash

"A ghost is an emotion, bent out of shape, condemned to repeat itself, time and time again, until it rights the wrong it was done."
-A Local Record-keeper

We don't get too many ghost stories at the box office. I'm talking about real ghost stories, not Paranormal Activity. I'm talking about films like last year's The Woman in Black. I'm talking about ...

REVIEW: In The Last Stand at the Mexican Border, the Sheriff of Summerton Puts a Cheesy Hurtin' on Druglord Gabriel Cortez

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 19, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Last Stand

Directed By: Kim Ji-woon

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Rodrigo Santoro, Luis Guzmán, Jaimie Alexander, Eduardo Noriega, Peter Stormare, Zach Gilford, and Genesis Rodriguez

The Last Stand presents a very interesting question about classic action star Arnold Schwarzenegger. After all, the Terminator is a little antiquated at the ripe old age of 65. To make matters more interesting, it's now been ten years since Terminator 3: Rise of the M...

REVIEW: Like the Bolton Village Sale, Broken City Just Doesn't Add Up

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 19, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Broken City

Directed By: Allen Hughes

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Barry Pepper, Kyle Chandler, Natalie Martinez, and Jeffrey Wright

January must be trash collection month at the box office because Hollywood keeps dumping crap onto the big screen. Our latest junk film is Broken City, a crime drama starring Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. If released any other time of the year, it's something that would have been considered a worthwhi...

GUEST POST: Skyfall- Will This Be Daniel Craig's Last Bond Movie?

Posted by Jessica Piscos on Thursday, January 17, 2013,

Last year saw James Bond make his twenty-third official big screen outing. Skyfall was also the third to star the current Bond, Daniel Craig; although he won the hearts of critics in 2006's Casino Royale, its follow-up Quantum of Solace was generally received as a disappointment. Skyfall, then, had the potential to either return the series to form or cement Craig as a one-hit wonder. Would Skyfall be his last Bond film?

Fortunately, for both Craig and for fans of Ian Fleming's immortal ...

REVIEW: John Dies At The End – I Should Have Read The Book And Had A Shot of Soy Sauce Before Watching This Wacky Comedy Horror Trip

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, January 14, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

John Dies At The End
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Don Coscarelli

Starring: Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Paul Giamatti, Glynn Turman, Clancy Brown

Happy New Year movie lovers! John Dies at the End is the first movie I am reviewing for 2013, and it is kicking my movie year off to an interesting start. A film that opens with its lead character beheading someone with an ax and pondering in a detached fashion whether an ax remains the same after it has been broken certainly gets your attention qu...

REVIEW: Amour Is a Superior Distraction About the Tragic Beauty of Long Life and One Bold Pigeon

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 13, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Amour (Love)

Directed By: Michael Haneke

Starring: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, and Isabelle Huppert

Getting old sucks, or so I've heard. If we live long enough, it's a journey we all must take. It's a subject that's often glossed over at the movies, but the floodgates have opened as of late on this topic. While we've had lighter fare like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in recent months, director Michael Haneke, a septuagenarian himself, has decided to tackle the darker side o...

REVIEW: Paranormal Activity Spoof A Haunted House Keeps Its Eye on Sex, Not Comedy

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 12, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

A Haunted House

Directed By: Michael Tiddes

Starring: Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Cedric the Entertainer, Nick Swardson, David Koechner, and Dave Sheridan

Horror movies are bad enough on their own these days. There's absolutely no need to make matters worse by making spoofs of these often horrible flicks. It's absolutely pointless. The only evidence I need to justify my position is that there is a Scary Movie 5 coming this year. Nothing more needs to be said to make my case. However,...

REVIEW: In Zero Dark Thirty, Maya's Canaries Follow Courier Abu Ahmed to Deliver Justice Upon Osama bin Laden

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 12, 2013, In : 0.00% Water

Zero Dark Thirty

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Kyle Chandler, Edgar Ramirez, Mark Strong, Jennifer Ehle, Mark Duplass, Scott Adkins, and Taylor Kinney

History seems to be the predominant story of this awards season. It's the history of our sixteenth president and his fight to pass the Thirteenth Amendment in Lincoln. It's the history of six American diplomats making a fake movie to escape Iran in Argo. It's the history o...

REVIEW: In the Matter of Progress vs. a Better Future, Gangster Squad Loses Its Badge

Posted by James Brown on Friday, January 11, 2013, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Gangster Squad

Directed By: Ruben Fleischer

Starring: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Peña, and Robert Patrick

2012 was the year of long movies. Many of them were good, but they were long. The Avengers, Skyfall, and Lincoln all flirted with the two and a half hour mark, while The Dark Knight Rises, Les Misérables, and Django Unchained blew right past it. Those are some long movies. Because of this I made a New Year'...

REVIEW: Please Stand By...Bad Movie Alert for Not Fade Away

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 5, 2013, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Not Fade Away

Directed By: David Chase

Starring: John Magaro, Will Brill, Jack Huston, Bella Heathcoate, Brad Garrett, James Gandolfini, and Christopher McDonald

It's January. What that means is that good new movies are hard to find at the box office. Whether you're an action junkie or an indie lover, you're in for a drought for the next couple of months. The holdovers from November and December are here to stay through the awards season. At this point, studios are gearing up to release ...

REVIEW: Texas Chainsaw 3D Can't Get Around the Good Book or August 19th

Posted by James Brown on Friday, January 4, 2013, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Texas Chainsaw 3D

Directed By: John Luessenhop

Starring: Alexandra Daddario, Dan Yeager, Tremaine Neverson (Trey Songz), Tania Raymonde, Thom Barry, Paul Rae, and Bill Moseley

Most bad movies just suck, but some can actually be fun to watch. While I'm a man who believes that a few beverages with some kick can make any movie an enjoyable experience, some of the rotten ones are laughably bad all on their own. It's been a while since I've seen a bad horror movie that I actually somewhat enjoyed, ...
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REVIEW: In the Absolut Madness of Promised Land, Athena Dirties Up the Natural Gas Business

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 29, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Promised Land

Directed By: Gus Van Sant

Starring: Matt Damon, John Krasinki, Frances McDormand, Hal Holbrook, Rosemarie DeWitt, Scoot McNairy, Lucas Black, and Titus Welliver

For all intents and purposes, this year is just about a wrap at movie theaters around the country. There are no major new releases slated before the new year. The Hobbit, Les Misérables, and Django Unchained should continue to rock the box office, and I'm willing to bet money on that. With this in mind, I've decided...

REVIEW: If Parental Guidance is the Voice of Fartie Decker, Billy Crystal Needs to Use Some New Words

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, December 26, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Parental Guidance

Directed By: Andy Fickman

Starring: Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, and Tom Everett Scott

It's the end of the holiday movie season, and I definitely have to say that we've been on a wild ride. We've seen manly hobbits, a mutilated bisexual Bond villain, balladeer Russell Crowe, and much more. This winter has certainly had its ups and downs, but it has been a good one overall. While I would like to close the holiday season on a high note, my hands are tied. I ...

REVIEW: Django Unchained – A Western, Slavery-Themed Revenge Flick

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, December 26, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Django Unchained
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson

I started off this morning playing Santa Claus for my three year old daughter. Suffice it to say that watching a western set during slavery with a significant body count was not exactly how I thought my Christmas night would end. However, Quentin Tarantino films are always worth the effort.

Django Unchained is set in 1858, shortly ...

REVIEW: Les Misérables. I Dreamed a Dream of Time Gone by With Prisoner 24601, the French Revolution, and the Perfect Christmas Movie

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, December 25, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Les Misérables

Directed By: Tom Hooper

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks, Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, and Sacha Baron Cohen

In musicals, acting is often compromised at the expense of singing. Because a musical's selections are traditionally recorded before filming occurs, actors are playing to performances they gave before ever arriving on set. As such, creativity and spontaneity are often stifled in actors' portrayals of their...

REVIEW: Rust and Bone is OPé (Operational)

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 22, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Rust and Bone (De rouille et d'os)

Directed By: Jacques Audiard

Starring: Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts

At the indie box office, it seems to be the weekend for depressing movies. After revisiting one of the worst natural disasters in human history, I now get the distinct pleasure of watching Rust and Bone, a movie about a killer whale trainer who loses her legs in a tragic accident with the very orcas she trained. What happened to putting out happy movies around the holiday sea...

REVIEW: Fasten Your Seatbelt Because The Impossible Shoots for the Stars

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 22, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

The Impossible (Lo Imposible)

Directed By: J.A. Bayona

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast, Geraldine Chaplin, Marta Etura, and Simon Blyberg

There's always some tragedy on the news related to a natural disaster. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes leave paths of devastation marked by unthinkable death tolls and billions of dollars in damages. When we see it on the news, we often get the big picture. It's completely understandable because ...

REVIEW: This Is 40 – Sex, Weed, Kids and Lost

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, December 22, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

This Is 40
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Judd Apatow

Starring: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, John Lithgow, Megan Fox, Albert Brooks, and Melissa McCarthy

“F*ck 40. 40 can suck a d*ck.”
– Debbie (Leslie Mann)

I hear you sister! After I saw the trailer for This is 40, I begged the SoberFilmCritic to let me review the film. It includes some of my favorite comedic actors and was written by Judd Apatow who brought us gems like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bridesmaids, Stepbrothers, and Anchorman: The ...

REVIEW: Like James Barr's Crime Scene, Jack Reacher is Too Good to Be True

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 21, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Jack Reacher

Directed By: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Robert Duvall, Werner Herzog, and Richard Jenkins

"There's this guy. He's a kind of cop, at least he used to be. He doesn't care about proof, he doesn't care about the law, he only cares about what's right. He knows what I did. You can't protect me. No one can."
-James Barr (Joseph Sikora)

Last year around this time, I was raving about Tom Cruise in his fourth outing as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible...

REVIEW: With Scieoclean, Deleted Messages, and Peanut M&M's, The Guilt Trip Doesn't Make a Great Sales Pitch

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 21, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Guilt Trip

Directed By: Anne Fletcher

Starring: Seth Rogen, Barbra Streisand, Yvonne Strahovski, Adam Scott, Colin Hanks, Danny Pudi, Kathy Najimy, and Casey Rose Wilson

You've got to really be comfortable with somebody to go on a road trip with them. You're stuck with him or her for days without end in a tight space. Once you're in the car, there's no escape. I've had good road trips, and I've had some rough ones. I speak from experience when I say that you will get to know all a pe...

REVIEW: The Details is a Disastrous Series of Bad Dreams About Raccoons

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 20, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Details

Directed By: Jacob Aaron Estes

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Kerry Washington, Ray Liotta, Laura Linney, and Dennis Haysbert

I'm rarely at a loss for words when it comes to churning out a movie review. For Jacob Aaron Estes's The Details, I find myself in this fairly unfamiliar position. This movie is just so strange and uninteresting that I don't quite know where to begin writing. However, I do know that this indie comedy-drama is not something you should find yoursel...
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REVIEW: Save the Date is an Authentic Romance with Plenty of Drawings

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Save the Date

Directed By: Michael Mohan

Starring: Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend, and Mark Webber

With the awards season well under way, we at Sobriety Test have not been paying too much attention to the indie VOD marketplace over the last several months. We've had bigger fish to fry. We've dropped the ball on this and plan on getting back on our A-game with these often surprising indies over the next several months. A great starting point is a little romantic co...

REVIEW: With Hot Dogs, Mistresses, and 1812 Cartoons, Hyde Park on Hudson Takes a Swing at History and Misses

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 15, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Hyde Park on Hudson

Directed By: Roger Michell

Starring: Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Samuel West, Olivia Colman, Elizabeth Marvel, Olivia Williams, Elizabeth Wilson, Martin McDougall, and Andrew Havill

Hollywood has made one too many movies with the Great Depression and World War II as the historical backdrop. Just look to movies like The Way Back, The Debt, and Red Tails for examples over the last couple of years alone. It's time to make movies about some other era. More specifically, we ...

REVIEW: Though Not a Burglar, Hobbit Bilbo Baggins Goes on an Unexpectedly Funny Adventure Through the Misty Mountains

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 14, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, and Andy Serkis

There's something that's so right about visiting Middle Earth in December. Since The Lord of the Rings trilogy came out a decade ago, I have made it an annual ritual to revisit director Peter Jackson's adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy literature dur...

REVIEW: Despite the Comedy, Home Looks Like a Much Better Option Than Deadfall

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 8, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Deadfall

Directed By: Stefan Ruzowitzky

Starring: Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Charlie Hunnam, Kate Mara, Treat Williams, Kris Kristofferson, and Sissy Spacek

We're in this annual post-Thanksgiving slump at the box office. All studios want to capitalize on the holidays, so releases are clustered around Turkey Day and Christmas. Between the holidays, we're stuck with several weekends of nothingness. Last year, it was something we just witnessed at mainstream theaters. This year, however, the ...

REVIEW: Playing For Keeps – Painfully Dull And Underwhelming

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, December 8, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Playing For Keeps
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Gabriele Muccino

Starring: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Judy Greer and Dennis Quaid

I have a confession—I have had a little crush on Gerard Butler since Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life. (Don’t judge me—for seeing Cradle of Life or liking Butler). In any event, after his star turn in the blockbuster 300, Butler has starred in a string of forgettable films, leaning towards the romantic comedy genre. ...

REVIEW: Like America, Killing Them Softly is All About the Almighty Dollar

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 1, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Killing Them Softly

Directed By: Andrew Dominik

Starring: Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta, and Sam Shepard

In recent years, a lot of people have begun to think that America has lost its way, that we're on a downward trajectory as a people, and that the highest offices in government go to the highest bidders. While we can certainly debate the first two points, there's no debating the final one. After all, we live in an America where th...

REVIEW: Hitchcock is a Fiendishly Entertaining Look at the Man Hiding in the Corner with a Camera Watching

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 24, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Hitchcock

Directed By: Sacha Gervasi

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Toni Collette, Danny Huston, Jessica Biel, and James D'Arcy

Last year, the awards season was dominated by movies about making movies. All the buzz was about films like The Artist, Hugo, and My Week with Marilyn. Hollywood apparently missed one because they've decided to do a biopic on the legendary Master of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock and the making of Psycho, one of the defining films of his ca...

REVIEW: As a Hobo, Motion Capture Actor, & Leprechaun, Monsieur Oscar Likes to Punish Others in Holy Motors, Including Us

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 22, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Holy Motors

Directed By: Leos Carax

Starring: Denis Lavant, Édith Scob, Eva Mendes, Kylie Minogue, Élise L'Homeau, Michel Piccoli, and Jeanne Disson

I have seen some weird movies this year. Up until this point, Lee Daniels's The Paperboy held the crown for the strangest film of the year. After all, watching Nicole Kidman give John Cusack an imaginary blow job and urinating all over Zac Efron is some pretty crazy stuff. After seeing Holy Motors though, my opinion changed. The Paperboy i...

REVIEW: Life of Pi – Ang Lee Brings Yann Martel’s Novel, And One Amazing Tiger, To Life

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Thursday, November 22, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Life of Pi
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Ang Lee

Starring: Suraj Sharma, Tabu, Adil Hussain, Irrfan Khan, Gerard Depardieu

Many years ago, I read Yann Martel’s coming of age tale Life of Pi. When I first learned that the novel was being turned into a film, I was a little skeptical. I found it difficult to believe that the true emotional weight of the tale could be translated to film. However, when I discovered that Ang Lee was at the helm, I actually began to get excited about the adaptation. ...
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REVIEW: The Wolverines Throw Some Dirt on Red Dawn

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 22, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Red Dawn

Directed By: Dan Bradley

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki, Isabel Lucas, Connor Cruise, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Propaganda films are not known for being of the highest quality. I'm not saying this is a hard and fast rule. After all, Casablanca, one of the greatest movies of all time, has its roots in World War II themed propaganda. What I am saying is that quality movies are hard to find within the genre. That's why I'm so surprised that an...

REVIEW: Believe in Rise of the Guardians Because the Moon Said So

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Rise of the Guardians

Directed By: Peter Ramsey

Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Jude Law, and Dakota Goyo

It's hard to believe that 2012 is coming to a close so quickly. It seems like just yesterday when some of the year's top flicks were arriving in theaters. What's even harder to believe is that we've arrived at the final animated film of the year, Peter Ramsey's Rise of the Guardians. This team-up of fantasy legends is a fitting film to lead us through th...

REVIEW: Despite the Trash Bag for Attire, Mr. Excelsior Runs with Greatness in Silver Linings Playbook

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 18, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Silver Linings Playbook

Directed By: David O. Russell

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Anupam Kher, Julia Stiles, and Chris Tucker

"You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining."
-Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper)

Two years ago, director David O. Russell rocked my world with The Fighter. In my opinion, it may be the best boxing movie in the last three decades. When I hear...

REVIEW: Despite Bingo, the Cemetery, and Paris, Starlet Is All About the Benjamins

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 18, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Starlet

Directed By: Sean S. Baker

Starring: Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Stella Maeve, James Ransone, and Karren Karagulian

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you found some large sum of money by chance? Would you head straight to the bank? Would you hit the mall? If you knew the person to whom it belongs, would you return it? You’re probably thinking all the politically correct things right now. While it all seems clear when you talk about this in the hypothetical, it m...

REVIEW: Anna Karenina's Impure Love Doesn't Get the Job Done. What a Sin!

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 17, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Anna Karenina

Directed By: Joe Wright

Starring: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfayden, Emily Watson, Domhnall Gleeson, and Alicia Vikander

"Romantic love will be the last delusion of the old order."
-Nikolai Levin (David Wilmot)

With the possible exception of Moonrise Kingdom, Anna Karenina has been the most heavily marketed indie flick this year. Over the course of 2012, I have seen more advertisements for this tale of love than I care to remem...

REVIEW: With the Merchant of Venice and the Loch Ness Monster, Breaking Dawn Part 2 Almost Breaks the Crappy Twilight Mold

Posted by James Brown on Friday, November 16, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2

Directed By: Bill Condon

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, and Michael Sheen

It's finally over! After three novels, four years, and countless bad performances, the Twilight plague is finally over! After enduring the first four films, I came to the final installment The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 ready to break out the shot glasses. I had every right to be. After all...

REVIEW: What Sex is This Carrot Cheyenne? This Must Be the Place Doesn't Even Know

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 11, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

This Must Be the Place

Directed By: Paolo Sorrentino

Starring: Sean Penn, Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsch, Eve Hewson, Kerry Condon, and Harry Dean Stanton

"Something's not quite right here. I don't know what, but something."
-Cheyenne (Sean Penn)

That quote perfectly captures my mindset after seeing the trailer for Paolo Sorrentino's This Must Be the Place. I doubt anyone is genuinely interested in watching a road trip movie on some middle-aged rocker in retirement. Who really wants to se...

REVIEW: With Steven Spielberg's Compass, Lincoln Finds Its True North

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 10, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Lincoln

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley, Jared Harris, John Hawkes, and David Oyelowo

"We must cure ourselves of slavery. This amendment is that cure. We’re stepped out upon the world stage now with the fate of human dignity in our hands. Blood's been spilled to afford us this moment. Now! Now! Now!"
-President Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis)

REVIEW: In Skyfall, The Last Two Rats Eat Each Other Alive for Our Pleasure

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 8, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Skyfall

Directed By: Sam Mendes

Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Lim Marlohe, and Albert Finney

I can't believe it's been four years since Daniel Craig's last outing as James Bond in Quantum of Solace. We've all certainly missed 007, his shaken martinis, and his happy trigger finger. That being said, Skyfall is upon us! It's been a year full of hype ranging from an appearance by Craig at the 2012 Olympics with Queen Elizabeth, an ...

REVIEW: The Fugue Unleashes Their Passion in A Late Quartet

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 4, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

A Late Quartet

Directed By: Yaron Zilberman

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir, Imogen Poots, and Wallace Shawn

Harmony is a difficult thing to achieve. In musical groups, it's all about having one's instrument in tune and being in sync with other group members. In life, it's about navigating multiple views, competing agendas, and human imperfection. In Yaron Zilberman's A Late Quartet, harmony is even harder to achieve amongst the musician...

REVIEW: The Loneliest Planet May Just Be the Most Boring Too

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 3, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Loneliest Planet

Directed By: Julia Loktev

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Hani Furstenberg, and Bidzina Gujabidze

The Loneliest Planet has been a film I've been curious about for some time now. Having garnered quite a bit of love on the festival circuit and even getting nominated for a Best Feature Gotham Independent Film Award, I was of the mindset that this was going to be a great film. However, I'm going to have to go against the grain here and say that The Loneliest Planet is a thor...

REVIEW: When There's Money, Things Get Funny in Jungle Village and RZA Gets Down to Bloody Business as The Man with the Iron Fists

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 3, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Man with the Iron Fists

Directed By: RZA

Starring: Russell Crowe, Cung Le, Lucy Liu, Byron Mann, RZA, Rick Yune, David Bautista, and Jamie Chung

Hurricane Sandy may have wreaked havoc upon movie theaters over the last week or so, but it looks like moviegoers on the East Coast have got a little cabin fever this weekend. Business has certainly picked up at theaters, and it's the perfect time. It's the start of the holiday movie season, and there's a little something for everyone. For th...

REVIEW: Wreck-it Ralph 3D – A Fun Romp With Villains from Pac-Man, Streetfighter and Super Mario Brothers

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, November 3, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Wreck-it Ralph 3D
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Rich Moore

Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Mindy Kaling, Ed O’Neill

In a week jammed with diverse and exciting releases such as Flight and The Man With The Iron Fists, I chose lighter fare this weekend and opted to review Wreck-it Ralph in 3D. How could I go wrong when the trailer for the film included a support group filled with some of the most notorious villains in video game history? When I saw villains f...
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REVIEW: With Bottles, Cans, & Even Minis, Whip Keeps the Drinks Flowing in Flight

Posted by James Brown on Friday, November 2, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Flight

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman, Bruce Greenwood, and Melissa Leo

The age of movie stars is over. Can you think of larger-than-life actors or actresses in their 20s and 30s? I certainly can't. There's nobody with that X factor. The glory days of mega stars like Will Smith, Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt are in the rear view mirror. While they're all still active and making good movies, the next generation has not steppe...

REVIEW: Abraham's Sons Isaac & Ishmael Find a Common Bond in The Other Son

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Other Son

Directed By: Lorraine Lévy

Starring: Emmanuelle Devos, Pascal Elbé, Jules Sitruk, Mehdi Dehbi, Areen Omari, Khalifa Natour, and Mahmud Shalaby

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a touchy subject to say the least, and there have probably been a thousand movies bringing this controversial subject to light. Most probably think of Steven Spielberg's Munich as the most prominent film on the topic. Others probably think of the documentary Waltz With Bashir. None are more creati...

REVIEW: With Violins, Shipyards, and Secret Letters, Simon and the Oaks is Really the War of the Dads

Posted by James Brown on Monday, October 29, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Simon and the Oaks (Simon och ekarna)

Directed By: Lisa Ohlin

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Helen Sjöholm, Jonatan Wächter, Stefan Gödicke, and Jan Josef Liefers

Violins seem to be back in style at indie theaters this fall. We had Chicken with Plums last month, Simon and the Oaks this month, and A Late Quartet next month. All these films are about violinists. While I definitely love the strings, I would happily welcome a flick about some other instrument. For now, I'm going to tell you a...

REVIEW: Despite Spidey, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and One Mean Kitty Fun Size Is Just Not Worth Fighting For

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 28, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Fun Size

Directed By: Josh Schwartz

Starring: Victoria Justice, Jane Levy, Thomas McDonnell, Chelsea Handler, Thomas Mann, Osric Chau, and Jackson Nicoll

More often than not, Halloween means bad horror movies for Hollywood. Every once in a while though, we get a Halloween comedy, and I do mean every once in a while. Until this weekend, it had been 17 years since the last comedy themed around the nightmarish holiday. With this in mind, this weekend's Fun Size may just be the only Halloween...

REVIEW: The Children of the Tides May Understand the Four Pillars of the Human Foundation, But Chasing Mavericks Doesn't Quite Understand the Four Pillars of Good Filmmaking

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 28, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Chasing Mavericks

Directed By: Curtis Hansen and Michael Apte

Starring: Gerard Butler, Leven Rambin, Jonny Weston, Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer, and Taylor Handley

"We all come from the sea. But we are not all of the sea. Those of us who are, we children of the tides, must return to it again and again."
-Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler)

I'm not a risk-taker, at least not when it comes to my physical health. I'm certainly not one who would ever willingly put myself in harm's way purely for t...

REVIEW: For Ellen: An Ode To Deadbeat Dads

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, October 27, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

For Ellen
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: So Yong Kim

Starring: Paul Dano, Jon Heder, Shaylena Mandingo, Margerita Levieva

I had high hopes when I saw the cast of For Ellen. I enjoyed Paul Dano in Little Miss Sunshine and Jon Heder is a quirky actor. The premise of a rock musician dad struggling for custody of his daughter sounded promising; and I anticipated a profound and compelling tale. While the acting is superior, the film is unfortunately quite dull.

Joby Taylor (Dano) is a struggling rock ...
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REVIEW: Full of Flashbacks & Flash-Forwards, the Cloud Atlas Sextet is an Ambitious, Brilliant, & Beautiful Composition

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 27, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Cloud Atlas

Directed By: Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski, and Andy Wachowski

Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D'Arcy, Zhou Xun, Keith David, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, and Hugh Grant

"Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others, past and present. And by each crime, and every kindness, we birth our future."
-Sonmi-451 (Doona Bae) / Abbess (Susan Sarandon)

Ambition is the word of the day thanks to...

REVIEW: Alessa & the Order of Valtiel Don't Bring the Darkness in Silent Hill: Revelation 3D

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 26, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Silent Hill: Revelation 3D

Directed By: Michael J. Bassett

Starring: Adelaide Clemens, Sean Bean, Kit Harrington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Malcolm McDowell, Radha Mitchell, Deborah Kara Unger, and Martin Donovan

I'm so happy that this is the last weekend of October! That means we get a reprieve from bad horror movies for a couple of months. So far in the fall, we've had Sinister, Paranormal Activity 4, and Silent Hill: Revelation 3D. All of these attempted fright fests leave a lot to be desired ...

REVIEW: Kate May Have a Boring New Life in Smashed, But There's Always Some Moist Cake Around

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 20, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Smashed

Directed By: James Ponsoldt

Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, and Megan Mullally

Each and every member of the STMR team can hold his or her liquor, so we have no problem whatsoever knocking back some drinks when a film calls for it. Alcohol can help overcome any bad movie. However, I do realize that everyone who frequents the site may not be so responsible in their drinking, and I've discovered just the right flick for them. James Ponso...

REVIEW: Alex Cross- Madea Versus A Psychopath

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, October 20, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Alex Cross
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Rob Cohen

Starring: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Edward Burns, Cicely Tyson, Jean Reno, Rachel Nichols, Carmen Ejogo

Maybe my title is a little harsh. However, I am pretty sure that is what everyone was thinking when they saw the trailer for the movie, along with other burning questions: Is that Madea as a cop? Can Tyler Perry fill the shoes of Morgan Freeman who previously played Alex Cross in film adaptations of James Patterson’s novels? Why on God’s...
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REVIEW: Katie and Hunter Drop the Ball in Paranormal Activity 4

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 19, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Paranormal Activity 4

Directed By: Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

Starring: Katie Featherston, Kathryn Newton, Matt Shively, Brady Allen, Aiden Lovekamp, Stephen Dunham, and Alexondra Lee

I normally start out a review on a crappy horror movie by throwing around some wisecracks about Hollywood's obsession with terrible scary movies that are often tantamount to torture porn. I've got something a little different to talk about today, Hollywood's recent obsession with kids in horror movies. La...

REVIEW: A Sex Surrogate. A Wild Priest. An Iron Lung. The Sessions Will Touch You with Its Kinky Words

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, October 18, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Sessions

Directed By: Ben Lewin

Starring: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, and William H. Macy

Sometimes, I wonder what makes a screenwriter tick. I wonder how they come up with some of the crazy stuff they put in screenplays. With all I've seen in recent months (e.g., For a Good Time, Call..., Cosmopolis, The Paperboy, etc.), I've really been pondering this lately. Every once in a while, it's sheer creativity. More often than not though, they simply got the idea from somebody else. In the ...

REVIEW: Seven Psychopaths-An Eye For An Eye Leaves The Whole World Blind, Except For The Last Guy Standing

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, October 13, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Seven Psychopaths
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Martin McDonagh

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson

Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Colin Farrell and Woody Harrelson are in Seven Psychopaths. Frankly, that sentence alone should be enough to make you run, not walk to theaters to see the film. I personally could not wait to see some of my favorite character actors unleashed in a comedic, murderous romp. I must say, the film and most importantly, the actors,...
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REVIEW: Argo is No Longer a Fake Movie or a Fake Hit

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 13, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Argo

Directed By: Ben Affleck

Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman

Argo couldn't have come to theaters in a more timely fashion. Just several weeks after the attack in Benghazi that left the US ambassador J. Christopher Stevens to Libya and three other Americans dead, we revisit a similar situation, the Iran Hostage Crisis during which the lives of 52 embassy employees were put in grave danger for a total of 444 days. While the film was put into production lo...

REVIEW: Here Comes The Boom - The King Of Queens Takes On MMA To Show That Without Music Life Would Be A Mistake

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, October 13, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Here Comes The Boom
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Frank Coraci

Starring: Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler, Bas Rutten, Charice, Greg Germann

Well color me surprised. Here Comes the Boom was not completely horrible. Please hear me out before you revoke my critic’s badge. I had incredibly low expectations going into the film. While I like Kevin James, aside from the King of Queens and Hitch, he has been a part of one bad film after another. (I’m looking at you Zookeeper, Paul Blart: ...
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REVIEW: Mr. Boogie is Anything But Sinister. Try Infinitely Boring.

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 12, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Sinister

Directed By: Scott Derrickson

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Fred Thompson, James Ransone, Clare Foley, and Michael Hall D'Addario

Halloween is on the horizon. That means it's the season of crappy horror movies! That's unfortunately what we as moviegoers are subjected to on an annual basis. A couple of long-running franchises such as Paranormal Activity or Saw release their next terrible installments, and a few newcomers typically fall flat. This weekend, we have a horror newbie...
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REVIEW: In The Oranges, the Old Cow Eating the Young Grass Does Not Lead to a Happy Movie

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 6, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Oranges

Directed By: Julian Farino

Starring: Hugh Laurie, Leighton Meester, Catherine Keener, Adam Brody, Alia Shawkat, Oliver Platt, and Allison Janney

New Jersey. The Garden State. The state where you can't pump your own gas. It's not exactly the hottest travel destination (for good reason). It's suburbia. It's where urbanites go to die. With this in mind, it's the perfect location for a film like the dramedy The Oranges. Nothing quite says quintessential suburban life like the ...

REVIEW: I'm Not Getting Good Vibrations About The Paperboy. This is a Weird One!

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 6, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Paperboy

Directed By: Lee Daniels

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Zac Efron, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack, David Oyelowo, Macy Gray, and Scott Glenn

Every once in a while, I catch a flick that leaves me feeling weird afterward. I don't know quite how to describe it. A film of this nature leaves me with seven words streaming through my mind: "What the hell did I just watch?". These flicks typically come out of left field, and it takes a while for me to process everything I've witnessed. ...

REVIEW: When a Dog Gets a Bone, It Makes a Sequel...Taken 2

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 5, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Taken 2

Directed By: Olivier Megaton

Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, and Rade Šerbedžija

Taken was one awesome movie. Despite the mediocrity around him, Liam Neeson rose to the occasion to turn a formulaic action flick into something much, much more. Over the last four years, the film has become a beloved cult film. When I first learned of the sequel Taken 2, I thought Liam Neeson would come back and give us everything we loved about the original all over again. It ...

REVIEW: Hotel Transylvania May Be Paradise for Monsters, But It's Not My Zing

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 30, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Hotel Transylvania

Kids' Rating:

Adults' Rating:

Directed By: Genndy Tartakovsky

Starring: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, John Lovitz, Cee Lo Green, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, and David Spade

Animated films have really taken a dark turn in recent weeks. While we had lighter films like The Lorax and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted earlier in the year, we've now got studios bringing all kinds of monsters, ghouls, and witches to life for the kids. We...

REVIEW: Pitch Perfect Hits Most of the Right Notes

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 30, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Pitch Perfect

Directed By: Jason Moore

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Skylar Astin, Freddie Stroma, Alexis Knapp, Adam DeVine, Ester Dean, and Brock Kelly

Anna Kendrick has been pretty busy as of late. In the last year or so, she's been in more than half a dozen films ranging from 50/50 and End of Watch to ParaNorman and What to Expect When You're Expecting. She's chosen a variety of roles that have helped showcase her versatility...

REVIEW: Though Won't Back Down Says "Yes We Can", This Movie Really Has No Hope

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 30, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Won't Back Down

Directed By: Daniel Barnz

Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Holly Hunter, Oscar Isaac, Rosie Perez, Ving Rhames, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste

Sometimes, I watch a trailer, and I just know a movie will be bad. I don't have to have any reasons. I don't have to have any evidence. I just know. More often than not, I'm unfortunately right. I just knew that I was in for a bad one when I saw the trailer for the drama Won't Back Down several months ago. Because the movie ...

REVIEW: Butter - Jennifer Garner Versus An African Iowan

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, September 30, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Butter
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Jim Field Smith

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Ty Burrell, Olivia Wilde, Yara Shahidi, Hugh Jackman, Alicia Silverstone

When I saw the trailer for Butter, I was incredibly excited. The premise looked interesting; and the cast boasted movie stars, as well as television actors from Modern Family, The Office and 30 Rock. Moreover, it is a Weinstein Company production. How could it go wrong? Having just viewed Butter, I must say that the film did not disappoint.

Butte...
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REVIEW: Looper Closes the Loop. Bruce Willis is Killing It!

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 29, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Looper

Directed By: Rian Johnson

Starring: Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Piper Perabo, and Jeff Daniels

Time travel is quintessentially sci-fi. Some of the greatest sci-fi flicks have turned the time and space continuum on its head. What would cinema be like today if Marty McFly never went back to 1955 or if the Terminator never went back in time to kill John Connor? Time travel is a cornerstone of the science fiction genre, and Rian Johnson decid...

REVIEW: Dear Friend, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is Infinitely Entertaining

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 29, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Directed By: Stephen Chbosky

Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd, Kate Walsh, and Dylan McDermott

It's been a long time since we've had a good teen movie. These days, Hollywood spews crap at us like Prom and I Love You, Beth Cooper. It's rare that we actually get a worthwhile flick that deals with growing up, surviving high school, and finding the right group of friends. It's been a long time since the heyday of John Hughes when we w...

REVIEW: 10 Years Tries Too Hard to Be the Best You've Never Had

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 23, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

10 Years

Directed By: Jamie Linden

Starring: Channing Tatum, Justin Long, Kate Mara, Chris Pratt, Scott Porter, Brian Geraghty, Anthony Mackie, Rosario Dawson, Oscar Isaac, Lynn Collins, Max Minghella, Juliet Lopez, Aaron Yoo, Kelly Noonan, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, and Aubrey Plaza

Hollywood has a tendency to rely on its older, more proven talents to portray younger characters. Because of this, we sometimes don't relate to characters that are our age and are going through struggles similar to our...

REVIEW: In The Master, Paul Thomas Anderson Finds His Inherent State of Perfect

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 23, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

The Master

Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern, Jesse Plemons, and Ambyr Childers

It's been awhile since we've seen Paul Thomas Anderson at work. It's been five years since Daniel Day-Lewis struck oil in Anderson's There Will Be Blood. Now, Anderson has returned to the big screen with The Master, an ambitious, challenging masterpiece. Featuring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams, the film delves int...

REVIEW: End of Watch is a Cop Mockumentary with a Foul Mouth

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 23, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

End of Watch

Directed By: David Ayer

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Natalie Martinez, America Ferrera, Frank Grillo, and David Harbour

We've had our fair share of bromances this year. With This Means War, 21 Jump Street, and Savages having already rolled into theaters in the last several months, it's safe to say that there has been plenty of male bonding on the big screen. With David Ayer's cop mockumentary End of Watch hitting movie theaters this weekend, it's al...

REVIEW: Trouble with the Curve Has a Little Trouble of Its Own...Moneyball

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 22, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Trouble with the Curve

Directed By: Robert Lorenz

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake, Matthew Lillard, and John Goodman

As most of you know by now, Clint Eastwood made some rather interesting remarks at the Republican National Convention several weeks ago to an empty chair in which an invisible Obama supposedly sat. While I believe his comments were insulting to the presidency, I have a website to run, and I have to be able to separate the political activist from the scr...

REVIEW: As Judge, Jury, and Executioner, the Sentence is Always Death with Dredd

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 22, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Dredd

Directed By: Pete Travis

Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Wood Harris, and Lena Headey

The fall movie season is officially under way. In other words, it's a sad time for me. We're no longer getting those awesome blockbusters with big stars like The Avengers or The Dark Knight Rises, and we're waiting on the awards season to really get started (though the release of The Master is duly noted). It's most evident this weekend with Dredd, a film based on the futuristic British comic...

REVIEW: Carrie Ann Is Insane in House at the End of the Street

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Friday, September 21, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

House at the End of the Street
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Mark Tonderai

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Max Thieriot, Gil Bellows, Elisabeth Shue, and Eva Link

As I have said before in prior reviews of horror flicks, Jason, Freddy and Michael Myers do not scare me. However, the depiction of truly insane people freaks me out. Any time I see a female walking around in white pajamas with hair in her face and one crazy eye showing, I’m ready to run for the border. Call it The Ring effect. Hou...

REVIEW: For the Love of Ludo, Little White Lies Reveals His Real Friends and the Weasels

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 16, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Little White Lies

Directed By: Guillaume Canet

Starring: François Cluzet, Marion Cotillard, Benoît Magimel, Gilles Lellouche, Jean Dujardin, Laurent Lafitte, Valérie Bonetton, and Pascale Arbillot

Lies almost always catch up with you, especially the small ones. The worst lies are those that you tell yourself. You can't evade the truth forever. Sometimes it just comes crashing down on you, and you're absolutely helpless when it does. This is definitely the case for a group of longtime friends ...
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REVIEW: When the Angel of Death Faces the Power of Prayer, We Get Chicken with Plums

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 16, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Chicken with Plums

Directed By: Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud

Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Edouard Baer, Maria de Medeiros, Golshifteh Farahani, Eric Caravaca, and Chiara Mastroianni

A title can sometimes tell you everything about a movie long before you see it or absolutely nothing at all. Of all the movie titles I've encountered over the years, I have to say Chicken with Plums might just be the most enigmatic I've ever heard. When I first learned of this movie, my initial thought was "...
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REVIEW: With Fraud & Involuntary Manslaughter on His Résumé, Robert Miller Has No Problem Playing the Devilish Role of the Patriarch in Arbitrage

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 15, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Arbitrage

Directed By: Nicholas Jarecki

Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling, Nate Parker, and Laetitia Casta

Well, I'm back. While I've been gallivanting around Spain and Portugal, I didn't miss much based on what I've been reading. The Words and The Cold Light of Day tanked from the start, and the box office suffered its worst weekend in nearly four years. It sounds like I picked the right time to go on vacation. Now that I'm back on the movie scene, the first ite...
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REVIEW: Resident Evil: Retribution – A Played Out Video Game With No Plot

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, September 15, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Resident Evil: Retribution
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
Starring: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Boris Kodjoe, Shawn Roberts, Bingbing Li, Oded Fehr, Sienna Guillory

When a film is not screened in advance of its release by critics, that is usually because the movie sucks, and the studios are trying to avoid negative buzz dampening opening weekend. Resident Evil: Retribution was not screened by critics in advance and after suffering through the film, I can understand why.

T...
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REVIEW: The Words: Incomplete

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, September 9, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Words
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Dennis Quaid, Jeremy Irons, Olivia Wilde

I hate to quote the President in a film review, but if I had to give The Words a grade, it would be “Incomplete.” That is how I felt as the credits rolled, and I daresay most other viewers felt the same way. But I am jumping ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning.

The Words is a story within a story within a story. Clayton Hammond (D...
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REVIEW: The Cold Light Of Day: Sigourney And Bruce Still Kickin’ Butt

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, September 8, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Cold Light Of Day
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Mabrouk El Mechri

Starring: Henry Cavill, Sigourney Weaver, Bruce Willis, Caroline Goodall, Rafi Gavron

I have a confession to make: I had multiple films on tap this weekend and I knew The Cold Light Of Day starred Bruce Willis. But somehow I confused The Cold Light Of Day with Bruce’s other upcoming September film, Looper. So as I sat down excited to see a time jumping action flick, I saw Henry Cavill, and I thought to myself, “Superman is...
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REVIEW: With Jackals, DustBuster Olympics, and Pizza Pillows, Sleepwalk with Me is All About the Dreams

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 1, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Sleepwalk with Me

Directed By: Mike Birbiglia

Starring: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, Carol Kane, James Rebhorn, and Cristin Millioti

I used to sleepwalk. When I was a kid, I would get up in the middle of the night and just do stuff. Regardless of whatever the hell I was doing at that time of night, somebody usually would wake up and take notice. Often times, my mom would hear me rumbling through the house and just tell me to go back to bed. As an obedient sleepwalker, I would just do it. ...
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REVIEW: For a Good Time, Call...1-900-MMM-HMMM, a Phone Sex Hotline That'll Keep You Busting Out Laughing

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 1, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

For a Good Time, Call...

Directed By: Jamie Travis

Starring: Lauren Miller, Ari Graynor, Justin Long, Seth Rogen, Mimi Rogers, and Kevin Smith

For moviegoers everywhere, there's nothing worse than a studio spoiling a film with a trailer that reveals too much. We've all been there. It's when a movie is nothing more than an extended version of a trailer. It's a damn shame. It's really bad for comedies because then the film's best jokes aren't even funny. You've laughed at them already. There...
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REVIEW: The Possession: A Lightweight Exorcist Loosely Based On A True Story

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, September 1, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Possession
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Ole Bornedal

Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Natasha Calis, Grant Show, Madison Davenport

I am not bothered by horror movies involving random killers like Jason, Freddy or Michael Myers. However, insanity, demons, possession and creepy kids (i.e. The Ring) freak me the hell out. So when I received the assignment to check out the new film The Possession, I was not thrilled to have to watch a tale about a possessed little girl, especially ...
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REVIEW: The Moonshine Bootlegging Bondurant Brothers May Think They're Invincible, But Lawless Shows All Their Flaws

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, August 30, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Lawless

Directed By: John Hillcoat

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce, and Dane DeHaan

On paper, Lawless may be the perfect movie for me. I've been in need of a good crime movie as of late. They're so rare these days. On top of that, it's about moonshine bootlegging during Prohibition. That's just about as good as it gets for the SoberFilmCritic. That being said, Lawless doesn't fully realize its potential as director J...
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REVIEW: Bachelorette: Mean Girls As Bridesmaids Kind Of Sucks

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Bachelorette
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Leslye Headland

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, Adam Scott, James Marsden, and Rebel Wilson

Well color me disappointed. I have seen promos for Bachelorette On Demand for the last few weeks and I was incredibly excited to see the movie. The film features some of my favorite comedic actors: Isla Fisher, James Marsden, and Adam Scott (fresh off of a hilarious turn in Friends with Kids). Moreover, it was produced by Will Ferrell and Ada...
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REVIEW: With Spankings, Jumping Jacks, & Rape, Compliance Shows That Prank Phone Calls Aren't So Harmless

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 26, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Compliance

Directed By: Craig Zobel

Starring: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, and Pat Healy

With Killer Joe earlier this month, I thought I had seen the sickest stuff I would see this summer. It's an NC-17 film, so there shouldn't really be anything else that can leave me in a cold, dejected state quite like that. What could top what Matthew McConaughey's Joe did with a chicken leg from KFC? Well, I found it in Craig Zobel's Compliance. Apparently, sick, twisted prank phone calls are more unnerving...
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REVIEW: When the Rat Becomes the Unit of Currency, a Specter by the Name of Robert Pattinson Haunts Cosmopolis

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 26, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Cosmopolis

Directed By: David Cronenberg

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Paul Giamatti, Samantha Morton, Sarah Gadon, Mathieu Amalric, Juliette Binoche, and Kevin Durand

As I mentioned in my review of Robot & Frank, the other futuristic movie this weekend is David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis. Before I began writing this review, I did something I rarely do. I went to Rotten Tomatoes to check out the Tomatometer, and I was thoroughly disappointed. Apparently, Cosmopolis has a rating of 64% on RT. That...
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REVIEW: With Memory Problems, Gardening, and Theft, Robot & Frank Showcases How Old People are Sharper Than You Think

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 25, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Robot & Frank

Directed By: Jake Schreier

Starring: Frank Langella, Peter Sarsgaard, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, and Susan Sarandon

Indie cinema is all about the future this weekend. With David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis and Jake Schreier's Robot & Frank, we've got two different movies at the indie box office that look ahead to what’s next for mankind. While I'll talk about Cosmopolis later this weekend, I'd like to take a little time to talk about the futuristic comedy-drama Robot & Frank and how...
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REVIEW: While No Brakes May Mean Death for Wilee, Premium Rush is the Deadliest Thing of All for the Coyote Man

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 25, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Premium Rush

Directed By: David Koepp

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Aaron Tveit, Dania Ramirez, and Jamie Chung

For all of us drivers out there who live in or near a major city, I have to say one thing. Bikers suck and can be annoying as hell. They're either hogging too much road thereby slowing us down or they're acting crazy and trying to get us killed in accidents. With this in mind, I come to David Koepp's Premium Rush a very jaded moviegoer. It's hard for me to feel e...
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REVIEW: Hit and Run Pounces, Drives and Crashes into a Theater Near You

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Friday, August 24, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Hit and Run
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: David Palmer and Dax Shepard

Starring: Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper, Tom Arnold, Joy Bryant, Kristin Chenoweth

Dax Shepard has come a long way since pulling pranks on MTV’s Punk’d. Shepard wrote, directed and starred in the new film Hit and Run. The film follows Charlie Bronson (Shepard), who has been hiding in the witness protection program for four years in the middle of nowhere. Charlie is protected by accident-prone U.S. Marshall Ran...
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REVIEW: 2 Days In New York: An Understated Chris Rock Shines In This Cross-Cultural Rom Com

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

2 Days In New York
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Julie Delpy

Starring: Chris Rock, Julie Delpy, Dylan Baker, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau

2 Days in New York is a funny independent film that serves as a sequel to Julie Delpy’s 2 Days in Paris. Written, directed by and starring Delpy, the film follows 38 year old Marion who is in a loving relationship with Mingus (Chris Rock). Both Mingus and Marion have children from prior relationships and they have carved out a sweet life in Manhattan for th...
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REVIEW: Sparkle: Dreamgirls Without The Budget

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, August 18, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Sparkle
SoberFilmChick

Directed by: Salim Akil

Starring: Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Carmen Ejogo, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Tika Sumpter

I was faced with a major crisis in nostalgia this weekend. I could review The Expendables 2 which includes every 80’s action star you can imagine or I could take a walk down memory lane with the remake of the 1976 film Sparkle. As much as I would love to see a movie that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis just for the she...
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REVIEW: Norman May Be a Freak, But ParaNorman Freakin' Rocks

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 18, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

ParaNorman

Directed By: Sam Fell and Chris Butler

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, John Goodman, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Elaine Stritch

In recent years, animated films have been walking a fine line. They keep the kiddies entertained with the silly stuff, but they incorporate nuggets of humor for the adults that should fly right over the kids' heads. If mom and dad are forced to go see a cartoon about an ogre in a world o...
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REVIEW: Despite All the Cheese, The Expendables 2 Reunites the Babysitters with the Lone Wolf Chuck Norris. No Matter How Bad It Gets, You Can't Go Wrong with Chuck.

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 17, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Expendables 2

Directed By: Simon West

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger

It's time for the AARP's annual night at the movies, and we've got a few special guests. Sylvester Stallone, a guy who lives in the past and misses his glory days, will be serving as the MC. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be strutting into the...
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REVIEW: While He's the Boy Who Keeps on Giving Leaves, Timothy Green Is Far from Perfect & Leads an Odd Life

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 17, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Directed By: Peter Hedges

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, CJ Adams, Ron Livingston, Dianne Wiest, Odeya Rush, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, M. Emmet Walsh, Lois Smith, David Morse, and Common

August is the anti-climactic part of the summer movie season. Every year, we basically get the same thing. We'll get a healthy dose of B movies, awful horror flicks, and one or two sappy films. This year, one of those sappy movies is The Odd Life of Timothy...
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REVIEW: Celeste and Jesse Keep Fighting for Love Forever, But It Becomes More About Being Right Than Happy

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 11, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Celeste and Jesse Forever

Directed By: Lee Toland Krieger

Starring: Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts, Eric Christian Olsen, Ari Graynor, and Chris Messina

Romantic comedies typically have this nice smooth formula that generally leads to a happy ending. It's rare that we get a break-up movie hitting theaters. It goes against everything rom coms are about. It's even rarer that we get a divorce movie. Celeste and Jesse Forever is just that though. It's refreshing to get s...
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REVIEW: Aaron Cross Takes Up the Bourne Legacy, While Sin-Eater Eric Byer Tries to Burn Operation Outcome Down to the Ground

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 11, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Bourne Legacy

Directed By: Tony Gilroy

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Joan Allen, and Albert Finney

The Bourne Legacy is a film that's had a shadow cast over it from the day it was announced. It's the Jason Bourne movie without Jason Bourne. With Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon departing the franchise, it's a new chapter in the series. Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton, Duplicity) is taking the director's chair from Greengrass, while Jeremy Renner (The Avengers, Mission: ...
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REVIEW: The Campaign is Taking Care of Business

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 10, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Campaign

Directed By: Jay Roach

Starring: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Katherine LaNasa, Dylan McDermott, John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd, and Brian Cox

I am sick and tired of hearing about Mitt Romney and Barack Obama this year. I'm sick of the constant barrage of ads. I'm sick of the incessant media coverage. I'm sick of obvious half-truths. I'm sure the election season has gotten on your nerves as well. With this in mind, Jay Roach's The Campaign could not have had bett...
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REVIEW: Dr. Feld Breaks Some Noses to Get Things Going for Arnold and Kay in Hope Springs

Posted by James Brown on Friday, August 10, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Hope Springs

Directed By: David Frankel

Starring: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell, and Elisabeth Shue

Life is good for Meryl Streep this year. She's added another statue named Oscar to her award shelf. She's considered by most to be the greatest living actress. She's enjoying her status as acting royalty and taking her career in whatever direction she chooses. Now that she's brought The Iron Lady to the big screen, the legendary actress is joining forces with Tommy Lee Jones to e...
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GUEST POST: Are Casinos Really Like the Movies?

Posted by Guest on Wednesday, August 8, 2012,

If the films about casinos have taught us anything, it's that they and their surroundings provide a place where you can slip off to and get lost for a while, in whatever mischief, mayhem or simple fun-loving you fancy. No film better portrays this than 2009’s The Hangover, where a bunch of dudes descend for a stag-weekend on Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, prepared for one last big one before one of their group walks up the aisle. While in real life you might struggle, as they do in the fil...
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REVIEW: Killer Joe Actually Made KFC Disgusting. No More Chicken for Me.

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 5, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Killer Joe

Directed By: William Friedkin

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Gina Gershon, and Thomas Haden Church

The feared NC-17 rating is a label few studios and filmmakers willingly embrace. These bold few often take sex and violence to new heights. They defy the MPAA and do what they need to do to get their message across in an artistic way. It's been nine months since an NC-17 film has graced even a handful of theaters around the country. While Steve McQueen's Sh...
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REVIEW: While the Fall Enslaves Us All, Bad Filmmaking Enslaves Total Recall

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, August 4, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Total Recall

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Starring: Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, John Cho, and Bill Nighy

Remakes are a dime a dozen in Hollywood. To an extent, it's understandable. After more than a century of making movies, there are only so many ways you can make a film with a happy ending. However, we should never stop trying to make fresh, innovative movies. Sadly, Hollywood has gone and done just the opposite. Studios aren't really creative anymore. They ...
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REVIEW: Farewell, My Queen is the Wrong Title for This Movie. 'Goodbye' is Not in Sidonie's Vocabulary

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 29, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Farewell, My Queen

Directed By: Benoít Jacquot

Starring: Diane Kruger, Léa Seydoux, and Virginie Ledoyen

I can't lie. When I first heard of Farewell, My Queen, I thought it would be a rather steamy film that highlighted an alleged lesbian romance between Marie-Antoinette and the Duchess of Polignac with the French Revolution as the backdrop for the film. As it turns out, it's just the opposite. This lesbian romance is emphasized in the film but takes a backseat to the French Revolution and ...
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REVIEW: In Trishna, Freida Pinto Blossoms Like a Jasmine Flower & Then Shows Us the Sad Truth Love Has Taught Her

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 29, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Trishna

Directed By: Michael Winterbottom

Starring: Freida Pinto and Riz Ahmed

I love movies about Indians. There's something special about getting exposure to Indian culture on the big screen—their music, their dance, their arts. These movies are often uniquely enjoyable experiences. To some extent, it's like traveling without actually going anywhere. With the British drama Trishna, we get just that, a healthy dose of Indian culture.

Jay (Riz Ahmed) and his friends are traveling in India. ...
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REVIEW: Step Up Revolution – So You Think You Can Dance Does The Movies

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, July 29, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Step Up Revolution
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Scott Speer

Starring: Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman, Adam G. Sevani, and Peter Gallagher

Despite Soberfilmcritic’s blistering reviews of the Step Up series, we here at STMR love dance movies. Correction-I love dance movies. How could I not? As a child of the 1980’s, I grew up in the Flashdance, Footloose, Staying Alive, Dirty Dancing era. Cheesy dance movies are my forte. So I gladly volunteered to see Step Up Revolution and save my fellow ...
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REVIEW: With Orgies, Magnum Condoms, & Green Semen, The Watch Keeps Its Eye on All Kinds of Sex But Not Another Damn Thing

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 28, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Watch

Directed By: Akiva Schaffer

Starring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, and Rosemarie DeWitt

This final weekend in July feels like déjà vu. Around this time last year, I was talking about the film Cowboys & Aliens and how it failed to live up to its hype. Despite all its talent in front of and behind the camera, the film couldn't deal with the complicated task of being a sci-fi western. Aliens don't fit too well in a world of cops and robbers. As it turns out...
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REVIEW: When Calvin Makes Ruby Sparks Real, She Becomes a Dream Come True for Moviegoers

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, July 26, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Ruby Sparks

Directed By: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

Starring: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening, Steve Coogan, Elliott Gould, and Chris Messina

With The Dark Knight Rises rocking the mainstream box office right now, I've been waiting to see what indie cinema would provide as counter-programming to the year's most anticipated summer blockbuster. It seems they've decided upon Ruby Sparks this week. As opposed to a dark superhero tale full of pain and struggles, we hav...
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REVIEW: He May Only Find Pain When He Gets Back in the Game, But The Dark Knight Rises to the Occasion

Posted by James Brown on Friday, July 20, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

The Dark Knight Rises (TDKR)

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Morgan Freeman

During a summer blockbuster season that's offered moviegoers ass-kicking Avengers, web-slinging heroes, time-traveling secret agents, and weed-smoking teddy bears, the Dark Knight has finally arrived! It's been four years since Christopher Nolan's landmark film The Dark Knight, and not much has chan...
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REVIEW: Despite Manipulative Sirens, Pirate Apes, & Continental Drifts, Ice Age Understands the Most Important Thing — Family

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 14, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Ice Age: Continental Drift

Directed By: Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier

Starring: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Keke Palmer, Chris Wedge, Peter Dinklage, Jennifer Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Drake, and Nicki Minaj

If Paramount hadn't chickened out with G.I. Joe: Retaliation last month, this could have been a more interesting weekend at the movies. If the studio didn’t push the film out to March 2013 to "convert it to 3D", we would have had so...
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REVIEW: Take This Waltz — Playful Flirtation, Lust, Marriage and The “A” Word

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, July 8, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Take This Waltz
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Sarah Polley

Starring: Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, and Luke Kirby

It is incredibly difficult to tell an original story about love and marriage. Let’s face it, romance has been stirred, beaten and cooked to death by books, television and movies. But with Take This Waltz, Director Sarah Polley offers a fresh and real perspective on marriage and relationships between men and women.

Margot (Michelle Williams) is a young married writer...
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REVIEW: For the Love of Strong Weed, Savages Gets Down to Bloody Business

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, July 8, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Savages

Directed By: Oliver Stone

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Blake Lively, Salma Hayek, Benicio del Toro, Emile Hirsch, and John Travolta

We're at the peak of the summer movie season. There is something for everybody right now. We've got a lot in theaters, but we really hadn't had a movie that gets down and dirty in a bloody, brutal way until now. This weekend Oliver Stone comes to fill this void with his new movie Savages. With all the sex, drugs, and guns in this flick, you'll...
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REVIEW: As the Fabric of Her Universe Unravels, Hushpuppy Learns How to Survive in the Bathtub in Beasts of the Southern Wild

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, July 7, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Directed By: Benh Zeitlin

Starring: Quvenzhané Wallis and Dwight Henry

"The whole universe depends on everything fitting together just right. If one piece busts, even the smallest piece... the whole universe will get busted."
-Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis)

The SoberFilmCritic has the inside scoop for you today. I just checked out Beasts of the Southern Wild, an indie based on Lucy Alibar's play Juicy and Delicious. The moviegoers in my screening got a special treat....
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PREVIEW: Bond Girl Berenice Marlohe Talks Skyfall

Posted by Matt Becker on Wednesday, July 4, 2012,

Bond fans (and those who love action movies in general) have been waiting for years for the newest installment of the Bond franchise to hit theaters, with a release date now finally in sight. The newest Bond film Skyfall will debut on October 26, 2012 in the UK followed by a US release date of November 9, 2012, with the 23rd installment of the series being shown in IMAX theaters as well for the first time and the subject of much fanfare around the world, as it marks the 50th anniversary of th...
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REVIEW: In a World Without Weakness, The Amazing Spider-Man Nearly Succeeds at Becoming Amazing

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Amazing Spider-Man

Directed By: Marc Webb

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Irrfan Khan, and Chris Zylka

Ten years ago, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man changed the landscape of comic book movies. The film is considered one of the greatest comic book flicks of all time. Fast forward five years, and you'll get the regrettable Spider-Man 3. The film tried to do too much. Now that another five years have passed, we've arrived at the inevitable reboot, perha...
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REVIEW: In People Like Us, Sam Leans Into It Despite the Fact That He Has a Certain Talent for Running Away From His Family's Drama

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 30, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

People Like Us

Directed By: Alex Kurtzman

Starring: Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mark Duplass, and Jon Favreau

You don't see too many mainstream family dramas coming out at this time of year. With films like Ted, Magic Mike, and The Amazing Spider-Man getting all the buzz, a good family drama is likely to be a flop at the box office. People Like Us is an interesting choice for release on 4th of July weekend. It's a great movie. Sadly, it's also a film that's ...
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REVIEW: Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection: Time For Madea To Retire

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 30, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Madea's Witness Protection
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Tyler Perry

Starring: Tyler Perry, Eugene Levy, Denise Richards, Romeo Miller, Doris Roberts, and Marla Gibbs

While I like Tyler Perry, I suspect that he has run out of good ideas for his most famous character, Madea. Madea’s Witness Protection is just one stereotype and predictable joke after another. Rich white family? Check. Working class black family? Check. Rich white family comes into contact with black family and become fish ou...
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REVIEW: Magic Mike — I Want To Go To There, But Only For Channing Tatum’s Dancing

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 30, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Magic Mike
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Cody Horn, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, and Matthew McConaughey

When women saw the Magic Mike movie trailer, I believe they said, a la Liz Lemon on 30 Rock, “I want to go to there.” My Magic Mike movie experience was a riot, but it wasn’t due to the actual movie. I arrived at my theater and saw hundreds of women in a line that roped to the theater doors waiting for entry into Magic Mike. Men...
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REVIEW: In To Rome With Love, Woody Allen Gives Us Inexplicable Fame, Passionate Romance, and Impeccable Singing in the Shower

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 30, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

To Rome With Love

Directed By: Woody Allen

Starring: Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, and Ellen Page

I need to get on Woody Allen's travel tip. This man is getting everywhere. I am so jealous. I look at his "work" locations and feel like a bum. I need to step my travel game up a few notches. This guy has taken us to the count city in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. He's taken us to the city of light in Midnight in Paris. Now,...
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REVIEW: Ted Can't Quite Find the Right Gear, But He Can Show Some Love for Flash Gordon's Sam Jones

Posted by James Brown on Friday, June 29, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Ted

Directed By: Seth MacFarlane,

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane, Giovanni Ribisi, Jessica Stroup, and Patrick Warburton

This summer has not been a good one for comedies. After last year's surprise hit Bridesmaids, I've been waiting for something great this year. Last week's Seeking a Friend for the End of the World was decent. In May, The Dictator was just okay. Tim Burton's Dark Shadows brought the freaks to help kick off the summer, but not the laughs. All of this ...
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REVIEW: God Bless America — A Vicious Indictment of American Culture

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Monday, June 25, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

God Bless America
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Bobcat Goldthwait

Starring: Joel Murray, Tara Lynne Barr, Mackenzie Brooke Smith, and Melinda Page Hamilton

In the opening scene of God Bless America, the antihero dreams of going next door and shooting his incredibly obnoxious neighbors. He shoots the father and then shoots the baby as blood splatters all over the mother. As a viewer, at that point, I had to decide whether to follow my instinct and recoil from the sight or momentarily suspend my ho...
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REVIEW: You Can Get All Your Classic Rock While Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 23, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Directed By: Lorene Scafaria

Starring: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Rob Corddry, Patton Oswalt, Adam Brody, Derek Luke, and Martin Sheen

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think Steve Carell has been typecast as an actor. In one way or another, he always plays somebody with an emotional imbalance. His characters are either way too jolly or way too depressing. He hardly ever plays normal people. Just look back at a long list of films ranging fro...
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REVIEW: Brave — Solid, But Not Courageous Enough

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 23, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Brave
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman

Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Julie Walters, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane, and John Ratzenberger

Brave was not exactly what I expected. From the movie’s trailer, I thought the film would follow the path of animated films like Mulan where the female protagonist bucks tradition and takes on a role or activities that are usually reserved for men. While Brave does have some of those elem...
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REVIEW: History Remembers the Battle But Forgets the Blood. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Remembers the Blood But Forgets How to Make a Good Movie

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 23, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Directed By: Timur Bekmambetov

Starring: Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell, and Marton Csokas

"History prefers legends to men, nobility to brutality, soaring speeches to quiet deeds. History remembers the battles, but forgets the blood. If history remembers me at all, it will only be a fraction of the truth."
-Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker)

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Based on the title alone, this film...
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REVIEW: In the Matter of Lola Versus Love, Saturn Is Telling Lola to Be Selfish and Do Her

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 17, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Lola Versus

Directed By: Daryl Wein

Starring: Greta Gerwig, Zoe Lister Jones, Bill Pullman, Hamish Linklater, Debra Winger, Joel Kinnaman, and Cheyenne Jackson

Greta Gerwig has been a very busy woman this year. She's been all over indie cinema in 2012. We saw her in Damsels in Distress a couple of months ago. We've got her in Lola Versus this week. We'll even be seeing her in Woody Allen's To Rome With Love later this month. In her current film Lola Versus, Gerwig stars as a young woman str...
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REVIEW: That's My Boy Sucks. Wassssssssssuuuuup With That?

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, June 17, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

That's My Boy

Directed By: Sean Anders

Starring: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, and Leighton Meester

Hollywood has decided to travel back in time this weekend. We're going back to the 80s! With the star-studded musical Rock of Ages and the new Adam Sandler comedy That's My Boy, we're getting a double dose of the past. Unfortunately for Happy Madison and Adam Sandler, going back in time won't help to undo the damage done to their brand in recent years with films like Jack & Jill. That's My Boy i...
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REVIEW: The Indian & the Lesbian Get Some Good Work Experience By Stalking Folks & Traveling Back in Time in Safety Not Guaranteed

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 16, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Safety Not Guaranteed

Directed By: Colin Trevorrow

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni, and Mark Duplass

"Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke. You'll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. I have only done this once before. Safety not guaranteed."
-Classified Ad

There's a thin line between genius and insanity. More often than not, we label somebody as cuckoo when they're trying to think outside the box and do something others would d...
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REVIEW: Getting Drunk, Going Down, & Getting Weird. Jack and Hannah Clearly Have a Good Time in Your Sister's Sister

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 16, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Your Sister's Sister

Directed By: Lynn Shelton

Starring: Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Mark Duplass

If a guy and a girl are best friends for a long period of time, chances are that they're going to fall in love some time down the road if they haven't done so already. It's been proven time and time again in life. It's even been proven on the big screen. From When Harry Met Sally... to Zack and Miri Make a Porno, there are tons of examples on film. The latest movie about best friends fall...
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REVIEW: Rock of Ages — Rock-n-Roll, Sex, and 80’s Hair

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 16, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Rock of Ages
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Adam Shankman

Starring: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Akerman, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, and Tom Cruise

As a musical aficionado and a child of the 80’s, I was naturally chosen to review the highly anticipated Rock of Ages. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of the film. I had heard that Tom Cruise was phenomenal, and the movie trailer showed a lot of rock music, partying and big hair. That is...
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REVIEW: Bel Ami May Not Be a King, But Being a Manwhore Pays Well Enough

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 9, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Bel Ami

Directed By: Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci, and Colm Meaney

I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Robert Pattinson is not my favorite actor. His Twilight flicks are everything movies shouldn't be — utter crap. Team Edward has corrupted a generation of female moviegoers. If his career in the acting world must continue, a film like Bel Ami is a good fit for him. After all, playing a manwhore is a step up fro...
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REVIEW: Chickens, Sparrows, and Peacocks. Peace, Love & Misunderstanding Has a Serious Obsession with Birds...and Weed

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 9, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Peace, Love & Misunderstanding

Directed By: Bruce Beresford

Starring: Jane Fonda, Catherine Keener, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Elizabeth Olsen, Chace Crawford, Nat Wolff, Marissa O'Donnell, Kyle MacLachlan, and Rosanna Arquette

If you were a hippie back in the day, you're now officially old. The 60s were a long, long time ago, and the world has changed quite a bit. There's one thing that hasn't changed. People still love weed. That's why we need hippie grandmothers like Jane Fonda's Grace in Peace...
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REVIEW: With References Like Kool & the Gang and Earth, Wind & Fire, Driss Gives Us One Wild Ride in The Intouchables

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 9, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

The Intouchables

Directed By: Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano

Starring: François Cluzet and Omar Sy

It was voted the cultural event of the year in France last year. It's won countless awards. It has enamored millions of international moviegoers and conquered the box office overseas, raking in hundreds of millions of dollars in the process. The celebrated film The Intouchables has finally made it to the US. With the rather tepid reception here though, it's been a bit anticlimactic. A fil...
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REVIEW: Whether With a Feather Duster or the Jolly Molly, Hysteria Always Satisfies With Some Old School Sex Toys

Posted by James Brown on Friday, June 8, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Hysteria

Directed By: Tanya Wexler

Starring: Felicity Jones, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, and Rupert Everett

Before we arrived at the medical and scientific knowledge we have today, many doctors were educated fools. You wouldn't believe what some of them thought back in the day. Many completely disregarded science and ignored life-changing discoveries from the research of a few. They didn't believe germs existed and fostered situations in which they hurt their patients far m...
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REVIEW: Prometheus Has Some Big Questions For the Engineers & the Real Engineer Ridley Scott Gives Some Damn Good Answers

Posted by James Brown on Friday, June 8, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Prometheus

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, and Charlize Theron

It's been 33 years since Ridley Scott took us to LV-426. After all this time, he's come back to the Alien universe to tell another epic sci-fi story. Now, he takes us to LV-223 in his latest film Prometheus. We've all seen the awesome marketing campaign for the film. We've all been waiting for it and wondering what he'll bring to the table this ti...
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REVIEW: ¡Viva Cristo Rey! This Doesn't Mean You Won't Need Some Tequila During For Greater Glory Though

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, June 7, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

For Greater Glory

Directed By: Dean Wright

Starring: Andy Garcia, Eva Longoria, Eduardo Verástegui, Peter O'Toole, Bruce Greenwood, Oscar Isaac, and Nestor Carbonell

Religious tolerance has been a major issue throughout all of human history. Nobody wants to be told by anyone else what to believe or what not to believe. People want religious freedom (at least for themselves). Nonetheless, what history remembers most often concerns those who are persecuted and denied the right to believe in wh...
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REVIEW: Sam, Suzy, & the Orchestra Bring the Thunder During the Black Beacon Storm in Moonrise Kingdom

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, June 2, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Moonrise Kingdom

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Starring: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Bob Balaban, Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, and Harvey Keitel

It's been a few years since we've seen Wes Anderson at the box office, and we've definitely missed his signature filmmaking style. His eccentric visuals, his dry humor, and his caricatured characters are the things that make his films so special. They're why we love his movies so much. We ...
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REVIEW: Snow White and the Huntsman — Not Your Mother’s Fairytale

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, June 2, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Snow White and the Huntsman
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Rupert Sanders

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, and Ian McShane

Finally! Something has come along to erase the memory of Julia Roberts’ lackluster Snow White tale Mirror, Mirror from earlier this year. If we had to ask the mirror on the wall which was the fairest film of all based on Snow White, The Huntsman would win by a landslide. With sweeping cinematography, interesting characters, and a heft...
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REVIEW: Polisse. That's How the Good Lord Works

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 26, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Polisse

Directed By: Maïwenn

Starring: Karin Viard, Joeystarr, Marina Foïs, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Karole Rocher, Emmanuelle Bercot, Frédéric Pierrot, Arnaud Henriet, Naidra Ayadi, Jérémie Elkaïm, and Maïwenn

Our society has a way of turning some of our more serious problems or struggles in life into entertainment. Reality TV is a prime example of this. It's turned love and relationships into a joke with shows like The Bachelor and Flavor of Love. It's turned family life into a gag with...
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REVIEW: Men in Black 3 — Will Smith Is In The Building

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, May 26, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Men in Black 3
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Barry Sonnenfeld

Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Emma Thompson

I have a confession to make: I love Will Smith. Whether I’m watching him on reruns of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, watching him play a down on his luck homeless man in The Pursuit of Happyness, or seeing him backhand a rude reporter attempting to kiss him, I’m a fan. Thus his hiatus for the last few years has been disappointing...
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REVIEW: Yes Amanda, Your Friends Are Morons and So Are You in Chernobyl Diaries

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 25, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Chernobyl Diaries

Directed By: Bradley Parker

Starring: Jesse McCartney, Jonathan Sadowski, Devin Kelley, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Nathan Phillips, Ingrid Bolso Berdal, and Dimitri Diatchenko

Last month, I gave The Cabin in the Woods a 0.06% rating. While the first half of the film was a little dry for my taste, the second half had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I didn't realize it then, but I think Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard might have raised my standard for the horror genre by just a few ...
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REVIEW: What You're Fixin' to Get in Bernie is Some Good Old Texas Charm and a Damn Good Comedy

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 19, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Bernie

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Starring: Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, and Shirley MacLaine

There's nothing quite like a small town, especially in the South. Everybody is in everyone else's business like it's their job. The townspeople think they know everything about everyone else. Because of that, a man's reputation is everything. Rumors and perception rule these cul de sacs. Back in the 90s in a little town in East Texas named Carthage, a man named Bernie Tiede enamored the tow...
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REVIEW: The Dictator – Politically Incorrect Fun

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, May 19, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Dictator
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Larry Charles

Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, Megan Fox, and John C. Reilly

Do you know those jokes that are highly inappropriate and border on making you uncomfortable as a viewer? Jokes that often result in nervous laughter or dead silence? The Dictator is filled with those moments, but you cannot expect anything else from Sacha Baron Cohen.

Haffaz Aladeen (Cohen) is a ruthless dictator from the fictional north African country of ...
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REVIEW: What to Expect When You’re Expecting — Pregnancy Sucks

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, May 19, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

What to Expect When You're Expecting
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Kirk Jones

Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Matthew Morrison, Rodrigo Santoro, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Brooklyn Decker, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Chace Crawford, and Cheryl Cole

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I read the best-selling book What to Expect When You’re Expecting and it really was a pregnancy “bible.” So I was excited to see what the film would do with the topic of pregnancy and preparing for ...
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REVIEW: With Chicken Burritos, Mighty Mo, & the Art of War, Hasbro's Battleship is a Transformers Wannabe

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 18, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Battleship

Directed By: Peter Berg

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson

When I first heard of the movie Battleship, I laughed uncontrollably. First of all, Hollywood is so desperate for money that they’re trying to turn a board game into a film. Second, the film's got plenty of potential to have some terrible acting from a cast that includes the likes of Rihanna and Brooklyn Decker. Finally, the awful trailers made it clear to me that Battlesh...
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REVIEW: The Perfect Family Plays Like a Lifetime Movie

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Perfect Family
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Anne Renton

Starring: Kathleen Turner, Emily Deschanel, and Jason Ritter

I am a huge Kathleen Turner fan. I grew up on films like Romancing the Stone and The War of the Roses. So I was delighted when I was tasked to review The Perfect Family, Turner’s new indie flick. While the film definitely has some bright moments, it unfortunately feels more like a made for television movie.

The Perfect Family follows Eileen Cleary (Turner), a dutiful Catholic...
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REVIEW: With Super Secret Handshakes, Earthworms, & Time Travel, Sound of My Voice Puts Its Own Spin on Cult Movies

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, May 13, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Sound of My Voice

Directed By: Zal Batmanglij

Starring: Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicius, and Brit Marling

Let's be real. Cults are for suckers. The weak-minded fools of the world believe any crap that their leaders spew, no matter how far-fetched it may be. They just go along believing in their "wise" leaders and taking their marching orders. That's what makes cult movies so interesting. We get to watch these fools in action or what we imagine them to be. Zal Batmanglij's Sound of My Voi...
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REVIEW: Blood Is Thicker Than Water, But Barnabas Fights on for the Collins Family in Vain in Dark Shadows

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 12, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Dark Shadows

Directed By: Tim Burton

Starring: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Bella Heathcoate

When 21 Jump Street came out back in March, we all thought it was just another adaptation of a TV show to the big screen. What was the point of bringing the 80s show back to life? When Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum proved us wrong however, we couldn't have been happier. I was hoping Dark Shadows, an adap...
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REVIEW: Sink or Swim, The Old Folks Do It Up in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, May 5, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Directed By: John Madden

Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, and Penelope Wilton

"Everything will be alright in the end. So if it's not alright, it is not yet the end."
-Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel)

It's the summer blockbuster season once again, and we're at a time when all we get from Hollywood at the end of a hard week is a happy ending. The world can be destroyed, but filmmakers have to make moviegoer...
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REVIEW: When the Ants Get the Boot, The Avengers Kick Some Ass. Then They Get Some Shawarma.

Posted by James Brown on Friday, May 4, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

The Avengers

Directed By: Joss Whedon

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, and Samuel L. Jackson

"There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, so when we needed them, they could fight the battles that we never could... "
-Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)

2011 was a good year for comic book movies, but 2012 is the year of the superhero movie. If movies were people, last year's comic book flick...
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REVIEW: Monsieur Lazhar is the King of the Hill with a Classroom Full of Trees and Chrysalises

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 29, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Monsieur Lazhar
E7UBG7XVG7N8

Directed By: Philippe Falardeau

Starring: Mohamed Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron, Danielle Proulx, Brigitte Poupart, and Jules Philip

A child's innocence is a one-time deal. Once it's gone, it's gone for good. That's why we as a society value it so much. When a child is robbed of this innocence, it's a true tragedy. That's why it's so incomprehensible that a suicidal teacher would hang herself in a classroom for all the school to see. That's the proble...
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REVIEW: The Moth Diaries – 82 Minutes Too Long

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Sunday, April 29, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Moth Diaries
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Mary Harron

Starring: Sarah Bolger, Lily Cole, Sarah Gadon, and Scott Speedman

The Moth Diaries is only 82 minutes in duration. However, those 82 minutes felt like an eternity when I watched this uninteresting tale. If only I had a time machine, I would go back and tell the SoberFilmCritic that I was not available to waste my time on this crap. But we don’t have time for should have, could have, would have on STMR and every movie can’t be a gem....
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REVIEW: Leading Is Dangerous Business, and We Have a Pope Who Knows It

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 29, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

We Have a Pope (Habemus Papam)

Directed By: Nanni Moretti

Starring: Michel Piccoli and Nanni Moretti

Being a leader is hard work. How many people have shied away from opportunities to lead a student organization, a neighborhood association, or some committee at work? Stepping up to the plate can be tough stuff, and often none of us want to do it in the midst of our already stressful lives. You know you've avoided something like this at some point in your life. Hell, I certainly have...on mor...
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REVIEW: Quoth The Raven, "Nevermore Shall I Torture Myself with This Crap!"

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 28, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Raven

Directed By: James McTeigue

Starring: John Cusack, Alice Eve, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Luke Evans, Kevin McNally, Pam Ferris, Sergej Trifunovic, Ian Virgo, and Sam Hazeldine

2012 supposedly marks the end of the world. Since I'm writing this review, I'm inclined to think otherwise. Hell, I'd argue that 2012 marks the year history will be rewritten. We've got Abraham Lincoln becoming a vampire hunter. We've got Snow White becoming an action hero. We've even got Edgar Allan Poe becoming...
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REVIEW: Goon — Opens Up A Seriously Funny Can of Whoopass

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, April 28, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Goon
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Michael Dowse

Starring: Seann William Scott, Liev Schreiber, and Jay Baruchel

“This is not f**king baseball.” This statement was hurled out by an angry coach in Goon, and truer words were never spoken. Goon tells the story of Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott), a bouncer at a local bar in Massachusetts. Doug has the honor of being the not so bright black sheep in a family of doctors. While his brother is a surgeon, Doug is skilled in fighting and “bouncing,...
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REVIEW: Jason Statham Eats Bullets for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Safe. That's Just Good Business Right There.

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 28, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Safe

Directed By: Boaz Yakin

Starring: Jason Statham, Catherine Chan, and Chris Sarandon

This weekend really is the preamble to the summer blockbuster season. With Marvel's The Avengers next weekend, it seems almost pointless to go to the movies right now. Almost. Having seen action star Jason Statham's latest flick Safe, I can easily say that this movie might be worth stepping out to the box office one last time before the Marvel superheroes assemble next week.

Former NYPD police officer Luke...
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REVIEW: The Five-Year Engagement May Be the Five-Year Comedy, but It Brings Plenty of Laughs with Elmo, Cookie Monster, & Doughnuts

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 28, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Five-Year Engagement

Directed By: Nicholas Stoller

Starring: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie, Lauren Weedman, Mimi Kennedy, David Paymer, Jacki Weaver, Jim Piddock, and Eric Scott-Cooper

With 2012 marking its 100th anniversary, Universal Pictures has got a great line-up of movies this year, especially in the comedy department. Ted and This Is 40 are on the way later this year from Universal. For now, we've got The Five-Year Engagement, a wedding-themed comedy that will s...
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REVIEW: In Its Search for the Light, The Only Destiny That The Lucky One Finds is Deep Darkness

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 21, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Lucky One

Directed By: Scott Hicks

Starring: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling, Jay R. Ferguson, and Blythe Danner

Love is the theme of the weekend at the box office. After a couple of months full of comedies and action flicks, studios decided to throw the dating public a bone and try to give them something a little more romantic. With the adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel The Lucky One, they failed miserably though.

US Marine Logan Thibault stumbles across a photo of a beautiful woman whil...
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REVIEW: Despite the Gender War, Think Like a Man Doesn't Hate the Player. It Just Changes the Game...For the Better

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 21, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Think Like a Man

Directed By: Tim Story

Starring: Michael Ealy, Jay Ferrara, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Jenkins, Romany Malco, and Gabrielle Union

Hollywood has decided to make this third weekend in April about love. At their center, the two films headlining the box office this weekend are love movies. The Lucky One is the latest romance drama to hit theaters, while Think Like a Man is the new romantic comedy. Normally, I would say that having two romanti...
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REVIEW: The Algebra of Love. With Too Many Doufi and Not Enough Playboy Operators, Damsels in Distress Doesn't Quite Get the Math Right

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 15, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Damsels in Distress

Directed By: Whit Stillman

Starring: Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore, Hugo Becker, and Ryan Metcalf

While I typically go to the movies to be swept away in some story or adventure, I occasionally learn something when at the theaters. When I recently watched Whit Stillman's Damsels in Distress, I got an interesting lesson in ethics. According to the girls in the film, one's morality and the size of his or her posterior are conn...
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REVIEW: Moe, Larry, and Curly are Back as The Three Stooges, But Why? Just Let the Damn Eye Poke Stay Retired.

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 15, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Three Stooges

Directed By: Farrelly Brothers

Starring: Chris Diamantoloulos, Sean Hayes, and Will Sasso

Back in the good old days, The Three Stooges were the kings of comedy. Their antics brought smiles to the faces of millions for more than 45 years. For nearly half a century, they helped shape the landscape of television and film with their unique brand of slapstick comedy. Moe, Larry, and Curly are arguably the most iconic comedy act of the twentieth century. With that in mind, Peter ...
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REVIEW: Lockout Takes Crappy Movies to the Next Frontier—Space

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 14, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Lockout

Directed By: James Mather and Stephen St. Leger

Starring: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Vincent Regan, Joseph Gilgun, Lennie James, and Peter Stormare

April is really a filler month in the box office schedule that's hit-or-miss for moviegoers. More often than not, the release schedule is filled with crap. The heavy hitters released in March are still hanging around in theaters, and the new stuff is just the preamble to the summer blockbuster season. The futuristic thriller Lockout is just...
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REVIEW: Brake- Don’t Stop For This Crap

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, April 14, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Brake
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Gabe Torres

Starring: Stephen Dorff, Chyler Leigh, JR Bourne, and Tom Berenger

Imagine Die Hard if Bruce Willis was trapped in a glass coffin for an hour and a half and all he had was his wits to battle terrorists. Oh yeah, and Bruce was neither charismatic nor funny. Does that sound entertaining? No? Well neither was Brake.

In Brake, Secret Service agent Jeremy Reins (Stephen Dorff) wakes up in a glass coffin. Much to his horror, he is being held captive by t...
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REVIEW: Puppet Masters Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon Bring Blood and Brutality to Reality TV with The Cabin in the Woods

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 14, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Cabin in the Woods

Directed By: Drew Goddard

Starring: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford

It's Friday the 13th, and I'm here to talk about a newly released horror flick. There is a catch though. It doesn't involve the undead, machete-wielding menace Jason Voorhees. I'm talking about the new horror movie The Cabin in the Woods by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon. While this new horror flick does pay homage to Ja...
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REVIEW: ATM - Getting A Few Bucks Has Never Been So Deadly

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Saturday, April 7, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

ATM
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: David Brooks

Starring: Alice Eve, Josh Peck, and Brian Geraghty

I am always paranoid if I use an ATM at night. I have a fear that someone is going to sneak up behind me and rob me just as I’m keying in my code. The ATMs that require you to swipe your card to enter into a windowed room at the front of a building are even worse because then you’re trapped in a room. So ATM the movie is really my paranoia come to life, but on crack.

ATM is the story of David (B...
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REVIEW: American Reunion May Be Filled With All Kinds of Sex, But It Ain't That Funny

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, April 7, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

American Reunion

Directed By: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg

Starring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, Mena Suvari, and Tara Reid

It's hard to believe that it's been 13 years since the first American Pie film came out. It's even harder to believe that the movie has spawned seven sequels. Filmmakers have revisited the original gang twice and introduced viewers to other members of the Stifler family in several spin-offs....
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REVIEW: Aunque los Rancheros Dicen que Saben Nada, Saben lo que es Cómico en Casa de Mi Padre. (Even Though The Rancheros Claim They Nothing, They Know What's Funny in Casa de Mi Padre.)

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 6, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Casa de Mi Padre

Directed By: Matt Piedmont

Starring: Will Ferrell, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Génesis Rodríguez, Pedro Armendáriz, Jr., Nick Offerman, Efren Ramirez, and Adrian Martinez

Will Ferrell used to be the SNL vet that gave moviegoers mainstream comedies that set the standard for everybody else. Just think of future classics like Old School, Elf, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Lately, he's been on the indie scene. We recently saw him in the independent flic...
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REVIEW: If the American Educational System is Dead, Detachment is the Eulogy

Posted by James Brown on Friday, April 6, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Detachment

Directed By: Tony Kaye

Starring: Adrien Brody, James Caan, Christina Hendricks, Lucy Liu, Marcia Gay Harden, Tim Blake Nelson, Bryan Cranston, Sami Gayle, and William Petersen

Teaching is a tough vocation, particularly in public schools. Aside from being underpaid and overstressed in a thankless job, teachers have to deal with the most dangerous force on Earth, ignorance. They have to deal with ignorant parents who don't equip their kids with the tools or the mindset to thrive in th...
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REVIEW: The Kid with a Bike Is a Scrappy Little Pitbull

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, April 1, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Kid with a Bike

Directed By: Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne

Starring: Cécile de France and Thomas Doret

If you recall from my review of Delicacy last week, I was hoping that the saccharine romantic comedy was a hidden gem among a slate of great films from or involving France. I was wrong then, and have some leftover Merlot to prove it. I'm happy to say that I've found a gem in Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's French (and Belgian) film The Kid with a Bike.

Cyril (Thomas Doret) is a 12 ...
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REVIEW: The Deep Blue Sea Is Lethally Romantic

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 31, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Deep Blue Sea

Directed By: Terence Davies

Starring: Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston, and Simon Russell Beale

"Sometimes, it's tough to judge when you're caught between the devil and the deep blue sea."
-Hester Collyer (Rachel Weisz)

Love is the most powerful force on Earth. It can be the best and worst part of life. It can give you a euphoria you've never known, or it can just as easily put you through a hell that clouds your judgment. This is the case for Hester Collyer when she tries to comm...
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REVIEW: Mirror, Mirror – Decent, But Not The Fairest Of Them All

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Friday, March 30, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Mirror, Mirror
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Tarsem Singh

Starring: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, and Sean Bean

I have to admit, it was hard for me to get excited about seeing Mirror, Mirror. After all, trailer 2 for Snow White and the Huntsman was recently released and it looks 10 different kinds of awesome. While the films are obviously drastically different and should not necessarily be compared, it is hard not to compare two films about the same fairy tale released ...
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REVIEW: In Wrath of the Titans, Randomness Is the Name of the Game

Posted by James Brown on Friday, March 30, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Wrath of the Titans

Directed By: Jonathan Liebesman

Starring: Sam Worthington, Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy, Édgar Ramirez, Toby Kebbell, Danny Huston, Ralph Fiennes, and Liam Neeson

Wrath of the Titans has finally hit theaters. This means we get to watch studios take a big crap all over Greek mythology for the millionth time. I'm not a fan of the 2010 flick Clash of the Titans. I'm also not a fan of Sam Worthington. That being said, I went into Wrath of the Titans with pretty low expectations...
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REVIEW: Delicacy May Not Find the Right Balance, But You Can with a Little Wine

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 24, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Delicacy

Directed By: David Foenkinos, Stéphane Foenkinos

Starring: Audrey Tautou, François Damiens, Bruno Todeschini, Mélanie Bernier, Joséphine de Meaux, Pio Marmaï, Monique Chaumette, and Marc Citti

France has played a big role in a lot of the great films of 2011. Whether laying claim to the Academy Award-winning film for Best Picture The Artist or being prominently featured in acclaimed films such as Midnight in Paris and Hugo, France has been the center of attention for the last year ...
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REVIEW: The Raid: Redemption Is a Bloodbath That Just Fits

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 24, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Raid: Redemption

Directed By: Gareth Evans

Starring: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Tegar Setrya, and Ray Sahetapy

The world of movies has turned on its head this weekend. For once, the big blockbuster of the weekend is one for the ladies, while the indie is more so for the guys. As I mentioned in my review of The Hunger Games, the film is a rich story with limited action. Though it's a great movie, The Hunger Games has inherently more appeal to women. ...
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REVIEW: The Girl on Fire Has a Promising Start in The Hunger Games

Posted by James Brown on Friday, March 23, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Hunger Games

Directed By: Gary Ross

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland

There's been a lot of hype around The Hunger Games over the last couple of months. In no small way, that's due to some strong marketing. Lionsgate's tagline for the film is "The World Will Be Watching". That's big talk for the first installment in a series even if it's based on a bestselling book. It's been...
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REVIEW: The Snowtown Murders- A Painfully Brutal Australian Drama

Posted by SoberFilmChick on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Snowtown Murders
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Justin Kurzel

Starring: Daniel Henshall, Lucas Pittaway, and Louise Harris

I am traumatized. I viewed The Snowtown Murders yesterday and it took me a full day to collect my thoughts and write about what I witnessed. I usually do not read other critical reviews of a film until after I have seen the movie. I like to watch a film unbiased so that I can give a fresh perspective for Sobriety Test readers. So going into Snowtown, all I knew was that ...
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REVIEW: Jeff Should've Stayed at Home

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 17, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Directed By: Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass

Starring: Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer, Rae Dawn Chong, and Susan Sarandon

If there is one universal thing that can drive anyone and everyone crazy, it's family. They know what makes you tick and how to exploit it. They know how to push your buttons more so than anyone. That's why you have to move out when you come of a certain age. Apparently, Jeff, Who Lives At Home, didn't get the memo.

Thirty something Jeff (Jason Sege...
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REVIEW: The Decoy Bride – Not Quite Bridget Jones, But Decent

Posted by Mary Dieng on Saturday, March 17, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Decoy Bride
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Sheree Folkson

Starring: David Tennant, Alice Eve, and Kelly MacDonald

The Decoy Bride is a British romantic comedy about Lara Tyler (Alice Eve a.k.a. the braless nanny from Sex and the City 2), an international movie star who is attempting to marry British writer James Arber (David Tennant). Unfortunately for Lara, the paparazzi is hounding her every move and journalists from all over the world are hell bent on snapping pictures of the wedding. One p...
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REVIEW: 21 Jump Street Ain't What It Used To Be

Posted by James Brown on Friday, March 16, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

21 Jump Street

Directed By: Phil Lord and Chris Miller

Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Ellie Kemper, Rob Riggle, and Ice Cube

With the lack of creativity that's been raging in Hollywood in recent years, studios have been bringing many classic television shows to the big screen. Just look at films like Bewitched, Charlie's Angels, and Get Smart. All of these movies are attempts to replicate the magic of the past, and this rarely works. In actuality, the studios ...
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REVIEW: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Has a Little Bit of Something for Everyone

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 11, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Directed By: Lasse Holström

Starring: Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Amr Waked

Running a site like STMR means I have to go see movies that don't necessarily appeal to me. In the last few weeks alone, I've seen the crappy party movie Project X, the absolutely humorless film Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie, and the less than impactful romance The Vow. Now, I'm relegating myself to going to see movies about fishing with the British romantic...
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REVIEW: Friends with Kids- The Bridesmaids Cast Grows Up In This Sexy Rom Com

Posted by Mary Dieng on Sunday, March 11, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Friends with Kids
SoberFilmChick

Directed By: Jennifer Westfeldt

Starring: Adam Scott, Jennifer Westfeldt, Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Chris O'Dowd, Megan Fox, and Edward Burns

I cannot write this review without a nod to Bridesmaids. After all, a good portion of the cast of Friends with Kids consists of Bridesmaids alumni: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm and Chris O’Dowd. But aside from the fact that both films are funny as hell, that is pretty much where the similarities end. ...
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REVIEW: Being Flynn Is All About Being Homeless on the Cold, Hard Streets

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, March 11, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Being Flynn

Directed By: Paul Weitz

Starring: Robert De Niro, Paul Dano, Olivia Thirlby, and Julianne Moore

Every single one of us has some homeless person we encounter on a regular basis. He may be that guy you see on the subway or bus on your way to school. He could be someone you regularly pass on the streets while walking to work. He could even be the guy you see in the mirror when you wake up in the morning. My point is that homelessness is an all too common phenomenon, and you never kn...
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REVIEW: The Comeback Has Ended for Eddie Murphy. A Thousand Words Says It in a Thousand Ways

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 10, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

A Thousand Words

Directed By: Brian Robbins

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke, and Allison Janney

Six months ago, the writing was on the wall. Eddie Murphy was making his big comeback. Tower Heist was supposed to herald the return of the old Eddie Murphy. Then, he was supposed to host the Oscars for the first time. Finally, he was going to cap everything off with the comedy vehicle A Thousand Words. To date, I can say that this comeback has definitely been o...
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REVIEW: Silent House Is Authentically Mediocre

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 10, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Silent House

Directed By: Chris Kentis and Laura Lau

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens, Julia Taylor Ross, and Haley Murphy

These days, the horror genre is more predictable than ever. You get a few kills, a few hot girls, and more than a few bad actors. When there's talk of the downfall of modern mainstream cinema, the conversation wouldn't be complete without mentioning how crappy horror flicks are these days. That's why I'm so surprised that the talented young actr...
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REVIEW: John Carter of Mars, Welcome to the Big Screen. What Took You So Long?

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 10, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

John Carter

Directed By: Andrew Stanton

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, and Willem Dafoe

John Carter is a movie that's destined to be a flop. With a hefty $250 million dollar production budget and a lot of negative pre-release buzz, Disney stands to lose some big bucks. With all this negative attention surrounding the movie, it should be hard to watch and critique John Carter objectively. I don't give a damn abou...
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REVIEW: We Need To Talk About Kevin...Seriously. This Kid Is Evil!

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, March 8, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

We Need To Talk About Kevin

Directed By: Lynne Ramsay

Starring: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, and Ezra Miller

Some kids are just born monsters. From the moment they arrive, you know they're rotten to the core. Their parents can dish out all the love and affection in the world. They can try to instill some semblance of moral values. They can do everything in their power to give these black sheep normal lives. At the end of the day, they're just pure evil in human form. There's absolutely n...
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REVIEW: The Forgiveness of Blood - The Kanun And Blood Feuds

Posted by Mary Dieng on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Forgiveness of Blood
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Joshua Marston

Starring: Tristan Halilaj, Sindi Lacej, Refet Abazi, and Ilire Vinca Celaj

There are some films that make you surf the Internet and do a little research upon viewing them. You feel compelled to find out whether the subject matter is real or whether the filmmakers were pulling your leg. Joshua Marston's The Forgiveness of Blood is that kind of film and I found myself googling Albania and the Kanun as soon as the credits started rol...
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REVIEW: A Separation Is Undeniably Riveting

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 3, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

A Separation

Directed By: Asghar Farhadi

Starring: Leila Hatami, Peyman Moaadi, Shahab Hosseini, Sareh Bayat, and Sarina Farhadi

I'm a little late to the game for A Separation. This Iranian drama has been in theaters for a while now and has had a lot of good buzz. It's won the Golden Bear for Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival. It's won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. With all this hype, it's the must-see foreign film of the year. Having now seen A Separat...
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REVIEW: Declaration of War- A Parent’s Worst Nightmare

Posted by Mary Dieng on Saturday, March 3, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Declaration of War
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Valérie Donzelli

Starring: Valérie Donzelli, Jérémie Elkaïm, and César Desseix

A parent’s worst nightmare is that their child will become sick. From the moment you have a baby, you feel an overwhelming need to protect him or her from anything and everything. But there are some things, like disease, that even mom can’t make go away. The French film Declaration of War takes us into the heart of a family’s struggle with the unthinkable.

Romeo ...
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REVIEW: Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie Is a Billion Dollar Piece of Crap

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, March 3, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie (B$M)

Directed By: Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim

Starring: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Zach Galifianakis, and Will Ferrell

Once in a while, I go to the movies, and I almost forget why I love the movies so much. Sometimes the movies I go see are just so terrible that my faith in the magic of cinema wavers a bit. Particularly now, in this early part of the year, I really just go into this sort of movie depression. There's a lot of crap making its way into...
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REVIEW: Project X Is Anything But Epic

Posted by James Brown on Friday, March 2, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Project X

Directed By: Nima Nourizadeh

Starring: Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown, Nichole Bloom, and Alexis Knapp

Project X has been a pretty hyped up film. With it being marketed as "Superbad on crack" and having filmmaker Todd Phillips (Old School, The Hangover) on board as a producer, the movie has every reason to be awesome. With all that in mind, I expected it to be. I expected to laugh my ass off. Having now seen Project X, I can say that it's not so awesome after all...
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REVIEW: Gone is a Well-Intentioned Thriller on Crack

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 25, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Gone

Directed By: Heitor Dhalia

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Carpenter, and Wes Bentley

Amanda Seyfried is one actress who is definitely on the rise. She has the talent to do great things in her career. She just hasn't had the right roles. Having been in films such as Dear John, Jennifer's Body, and Red Riding Hood, she hasn't exactly built a stellar filmography. Seyfried is so much better than the films she makes. Unfortunately, she's added another bad film to her résumé — Heito...
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REVIEW: Hippies, and Sex, and Drugs! Oh, My! Wanderlust Throws the Kitchen Sink at Moviegoers

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 25, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Wanderlust

Directed By: David Wain

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux, Malin Akerman, Lauren Ambrose, Joe Lo Truglio, Kathryn Hahn, Melissa Joan Hart, and Alan Alda

Raunchy slapstick comedies have taken a very interesting turn in recent years. These films have become more reliant on penises for laughs. This new obsession has manifested itself in many ways on the big screen. I can think of quite a few comedies where filmmakers try to get a rise out of their viewers by putting...
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REVIEW: Tyler Perry's Good Deeds – Not Too Bad

Posted by Mary Dieng on Saturday, February 25, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Good Deeds
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Tyler Perry

Starring: Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, Brian J. White, Rebecca Romijn, Jamie Kennedy, Phylicia Rashad, and Gabrielle Union

I will confess, I was not excited when I was asked to review Tyler Perry’s new film Good Deeds. Not that I don’t like Perry (Mr. Brown aside). At their core, his films tend to be about redemption and the triumph of the human spirit. They are, however, often predictable, and the trailer for Good Deeds looked like a made-for...
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REVIEW: The Damn Few Have Every Reason to Be Proud of Act of Valor...Except for Some Bad Acting

Posted by James Brown on Friday, February 24, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Act of Valor

Directed By: Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh

Starring: Roselyn Sanchez, Nestor Serrano, and Emilio Rivera

Movies based on true stories have the greatest advantage over fictional films—the plethora of people who can offer expertise on the story being told based on their actual life experiences. Their consultation in the filmmaking process can often lend a film a certain authenticity. Look no further than recent films like Moneyball and In the Land of Blood and Honey. These flicks rea...
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REVIEW: I'm Not a Racist, But I Know Somebody Who Is — Dave Brown in Rampart

Posted by James Brown on Monday, February 20, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Rampart

Directed By: Oren Moverman

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Ned Beatty, Anne Heche, Steve Buscemi, and Sigourney Weaver

It's good to see a movie about a hardcore racist. Hollywood has been obsessed in recent years with sugary dramas about overcoming racial barriers. They show harmonious relationships where an upstanding white member of the community helps out some downtrodden, oppressed blacks. Just look at films like The Blind Side and The Help. They're movies that make you feel good abou...
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REVIEW: Ghost Rider Has a Spirit of Vengeance, But It's Still One Ride You Don't Wanna Take

Posted by James Brown on Friday, February 17, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Directed By: Neveldine/Taylor

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Fergus Riordan, Ciarán Hinds, Violante Placido, Idris Elba, Christopher Lambert, and Johnny Whitworth

Nicolas Cage was once a respected, formidable actor. This guy is an Oscar winner with some great films on his résumé including Face/Off, The Rock, and Adaptation. When the IRS came knocking though, his career stopped rocking. It's clear. He's become known for making some of the worst films in recent years...
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REVIEW: This Means War Means Business

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

This Means War

Directed By: McG

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Chelsea Handler, and Til Schweiger

Guys, it's Valentine's Day weekend, and you're looking for that right movie that can please you and your significant other. It needs to be action-packed, funny, and somehow romantic. That’s a tall order though. Having some badass action sequences for you and some heartfelt, raw emotional scenes for the ladies is a challenging task for any movie. No one film can do all of t...
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REVIEW: Kill List - A Brutal, Disturbing Thriller

Posted by Mary Dieng on Sunday, February 12, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Kill List
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Ben Wheatley

Starring: Neil Maskell, Michael Smiley, MyAnna Buring, and Emma Fryer

Confused and Disturbed. That would describe my feelings at the end of viewing Kill List. WTH would also be appropriate. Kill List is the story of Jay (Neil Maskell), an ex-British soldier who has hit hard financial times. He has not worked in over eight months and his wife Shel (Myanna Buring), also a former soldier, is irate. The film begins with them bickering at a dinner pa...
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REVIEW: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - Terminal Intensity For Kids

Posted by Mary Dieng on Saturday, February 11, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Brad Peyton

Starring: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Michael Caine, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Kristin Davis

I encountered the best part of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island days before its release. In the Twitterverse, actor Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) commented on the Journey 2 movie poster, saying “Every morning on the way to work I see a big poster of The Rock riding a bee with termina...
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REVIEW: Moments of Impact. The Vow Offered Very Few of Them.

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 11, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Vow

Directed By: Michael Sucsy

Starring: Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams, Sam Neill, Scott Speedman, Jessica Lange, and Jessica McNamee

I can't lie. I'm not a huge fan of Channing Tatum. I think he's a very limited actor whose best moments on screen are those when he's not talking. At the same time, I'm a fan of Rachel McAdams. It's been a long time since the days of Mean Girls and Wedding Crashers, and I've enjoyed watching her grow as an actress over the years. With each new role she ta...
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REVIEW: Safe House Plays It Too Safe

Posted by James Brown on Friday, February 10, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Safe House

Directed By: Daniel Espinosa

Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, and Sam Shepard

These last several months have been an interesting time for movies with big actors. Time and time again, we've all been asking whether great acting is enough to make a movie great. Well, the results have been mixed thus far. In J. Edgar, Leonardo DiCaprio gives a powerhouse performance. The problem is that the movie absolutely sucks. In The Iron Lady, Meryl Stre...
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REVIEW: Perfect Sense – A Sexy Love Story In The Midst Of the Apocalypse

Posted by Mary Dieng on Saturday, February 4, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Perfect Sense
Mary Dieng

Directed By: David Mackenzie

Starring: Eva Green and Ewan McGregor

The mark of a solid independent film is whether it leaves you thinking long after you have seen it. You know what I’m talking about—the films where you’re not sure what you just saw after the lights go up and you walk out of the theater; the films that leave you conversing with a friend, questioning what the purpose was and what it all means; the films that make you want to go back to a college comp...
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REVIEW: The Woman in Black Takes Us Way Back

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 4, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Woman in Black

Directed By: James Watkins

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey, Liz White, and Alisa Khasanova

Most scary movies these days just don't get the job done. Ghost stories and old school thrillers have gone out of fashion. We're left with remakes of 80s slasher flicks like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th that can never quite live up to the originals. Alternatively, we get unnecessarily gory films that are tantamount to torture po...
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REVIEW: Chronicle Rocks!

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, February 4, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Chronicle

Directed By: Josh Trank

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Dane DeHaan, Michael Kelly, and Alex Russell

It's hard to go to the movies and find something fresh and new. Hollywood is not a place where there's a great deal of innovation anymore. There's still some hope though. Some filmmakers have dared to turn traditional filmmaking on its head by making mockumentaries. These documentary-like flicks are the next big thing in cinema. Just think about movies like Paranormal Activity and Dis...
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REVIEW: Loosies – Pickpockets Have Problems Too

Posted by Mary Dieng on Sunday, January 29, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Loosies
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Michael Corrente

Starring: Peter Facinelli, Jaimie Alexander, Michael Madsen, Joe Pantoliano, and Vincent Gallo

Criminals, they’re just like the rest of us! They work their nine to five jobs with little financial reward and the “man” on their backs. They take care of their moms, and they don’t make the best decisions when it comes to love. Who knew?

Bobby (Peter Facinelli) is a thirty-something year old pickpocket who works the streets of New York. Bobb...
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REVIEW: Albert Nobbs Is a Daft Picture of Repression

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 29, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Albert Nobbs

Directed By: Rodrigo García

Starring: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, Janet McTeer, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Brendan Gleeson, and Maria Doyle Kennedy

January is the worst time of year for movies. We as moviegoers get the short end of the stick in so many ways. For mainstream films, we get all the crap that studios can't put out any other time of the year when there's real competition. For indie films, we're stuck with the flicks we've already seen in the fall. They've ...
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REVIEW: One for the Money Is One for the Crapper

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 28, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

One for the Money

Directed By: Julie Anne Robinson

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Jason O'Mara, Daniel Sunjata, John Leguizamo, Sherri Shepherd, and Debbie Reynolds

2010 marked the beginning of the end for Katherine Heigl. When studio execs decided to give her a gun in the romantic comedy Killers, we all knew that she could only go downhill from there. As expected, the film was awful and bombed at the box office. Heigl hasn't had a hit since that disastrous film. For some strange reason, some st...
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REVIEW: Albatross – A Lightweight, Less Provocative American Beauty

Posted by Mary Dieng on Saturday, January 28, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Albatross
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Niall MacCormick

Starring: Jessica Brown-Findlay, Sebastian Koch, Julia Ormond, and Felicity Jones

I guess it is unfair to compare this British coming of age dramedy to American Beauty. But it’s not a big leap. Bored middle-aged dad? Check. “Shrew-like” mom? Check. Relatively nondescript teenage daughter? Check. Sexy free-spirited best friend of said teenage daughter? Check. Dysfunctional family? Check, Check, Check, Check.

Jonathan Fischer (Sebastia...
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REVIEW: The Man on a Ledge Should Go Ahead and Jump Off. It Would Make My Day.

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 28, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Man on a Ledge

Directed By: Asger Leth

Starring: Ed Harris, Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Anthony Mackie, Jamie Bell, and Génesis Rodriguez

In any heist flick, there's a certain amount of crap that filmmakers pull that will just never be believable, but we as moviegoers let it slide. We suspend our disbelief. In Fast Five, did you really think Toretto and O'Conner were able to swap vaults with their team members while they were all driving at 80 to 90 miles per hour? In the Ocean's flick...
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REVIEW: The Grey Is a Smart Movie, But It's Also Really Stupid

Posted by James Brown on Friday, January 27, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Grey

Directed By: Joe Carnahan

Starring: Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney, Dallas Roberts, Joe Anderson, Nonso Anozie, and James Badge Dale

Attention everyone! It's that time of year for a kick-ass Liam Neeson B-movie, and no actor in the world wanted to go toe-to-toe with the famed Irish actor this time around. Liam Neeson has beaten the hell out of every human badass on camera and is now relegated to fighting wolves. Writer/director Joe Carnahan took a stab at bringing a wolf ...
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REVIEW: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Is Extremely Slow & Incredibly Boring

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 22, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Directed By: Stephen Daldry

Starring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Max von Sydow, Viola Davis, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright, and Zoe Caldwell

For all of us, September 11th, 2001 is a day that will be etched in our memories until the day we die. We'll never forget the devastation that took place in New York and DC on that day. Having just recently marked the tenth anniversary of one of the most tragic days in American history, it's fitting that Holly...
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REVIEW: Red Tails Never Takes Off From the Runway

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 21, 2012, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Red Tails

Directed By: Anthony Hemingway

Starring: Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Daniela Rush, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Ryan Early, Method Man, Elijah Kelley, and Ne-Yo

Black History Month will be upon us in a couple of weeks, but Hollywood has decided to get the jump on everyone else this weekend by putting out a film on the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American pilots in the US armed forces. In the face of racism, prejudice, and discrimination, they were trailbl...
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REVIEW: Haywire Satisfies But Does Not Electrify

Posted by Mary Dieng, Esq. on Saturday, January 21, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Haywire
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Michael Angarano, Antonio Banderas, and Michael Douglas

Maybe my expectations were just a little too high. Maybe, I’m a dreamer. I was excited to see Haywire. And why not? A film directed by Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, the Oceans series, Contagion) with a cast that includes new “it” actor Michael Fassbender, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas and Ewan McGregor is de...
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REVIEW: Underworld Is a Kickass Awakening to the Vampire & Werewolf Genre

Posted by James Brown on Friday, January 20, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Underworld: Awakening

Directed By: Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Sandrine Holt, Theo James, Michael Ealy, and India Eisley

What ever happened to the good old fashioned movies with vampires and werewolves beating the holy hell out of each other? Those were the good old days. Then, Twilight arrived and forever tainted the vampire and werewolf genre. That series threw romance into the picture and created insanely popular crap. Before Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattins...
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REVIEW: Angelina Jolie's In the Land of Blood and Honey Is Quite Savage But Very Rarely Sweet

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 15, 2012, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

In the Land of Blood and Honey

Directed By: Angelina Jolie

Starring: Goran Kostić, Zana Marjanović, and Rade Šerbedžija

I don't ever go into a war movie expecting to come out a happy camper. With a wartime romance though, I wasn't quite sure how I'd come out feeling. After seeing Angelina Jolie's directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey though, I can tell you that they're just as depressing. With all the rape, torture, and murder I've witnessed during this film, I need a drink wit...
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REVIEW: Roman Polanski Gives Us Carnage of a Delicious Kind

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, January 15, 2012, In : 0.00% Water

Carnage

Directed By: Roman Polanski

Starring: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, and John C. Reilly

Great comedies are hard to come by. When I do get them though, there's nothing better because I know I'm leaving the theater in a good mood. The last great comedy we had on our hands was Woody Allen's charming Midnight in Paris, which took a satirical look at some of the great intellectuals of the Roaring Twenties. Now, we have Carnage, another satire in which Roman Polanski takes a g...
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REVIEW: As Margaret Thatcher, Meryl Streep Gives Us the Rusty Old Iron Lady

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, January 14, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Iron Lady

Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd

Starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Anthony Head, and Richard E. Grant

Does great acting make a film great? This awards season has answered this very important question. Though it was never posed, it is worthwhile. Well, the answer has consistently been an adamant "no". Just look at Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar. On paper, the film was destined for the Oscars. What we got however was a subpar historical drama on one of America's most controversial m...
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REVIEW: Joyful Noise Hits a Surprisingly Good Note

Posted by Mary Dieng, Esq. on Saturday, January 14, 2012, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Joyful Noise
Mary Dieng

Directed By: Todd Graff

Starring: Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, and Jeremy Jordan

Color me surprised. I enjoyed Joyful Noise. There, I said it. Now before you throw tomatoes at me and revoke my STMR critic pass for life, hear me out. I walked into the movie theater with a catchy title to pan the movie already dancing in my head. While I love Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and KeKe Palmer for their memorable roles in some of my favorite films (Chicago, Steel M...
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REVIEW: A Couple of Cocktails Are Needed to Confront The Devil Inside

Posted by Zach Davis on Friday, January 13, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Devil Inside
Zach Davis

Directed by: William Brent Bell

Starring: Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman, Evan Helmuth, Ionut Grama, and Susan Crowley

It seems every year there is a new film out about possession and exorcism, with very few offering new perspectives or insights. The Devil Inside is another one of these movies although it offers a bit of originality given that it’s presented in the format of a documentary. This documentary style helps make the movie seem more real and authentic...
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REVIEW: Contraband Is Not the Good Stuff We've Gotten Used to These Past Few Weeks

Posted by James Brown on Friday, January 13, 2012, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Contraband

Directed By: Baltasar Kormákur

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, and Giovanni Ribisi

As a moviegoer, January is always the hardest time of the year. Having just finished the awards season, we now have to put up with the crap that Hollywood wouldn't put out at any other point in the year because it simply isn't good enough. We're starting out this January with a little star power in Contraband. With Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale, you can't go wrong, in theor...
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REVIEW: Steven Spielberg’s War Horse Is Gritty and Glorious

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

War Horse

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, David Thewlis, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Hiddleston

When I first about Steven Spielberg's War Horse, I thought I was going to be in for a bunch of sentimental crap. Come on. It's a movie about a horse. When I heard the movie was two and a half hours, only one word came to mind — damn. I had to watch a movie about a horse for that long. When I finally saw War Horse, I was pleasantly surprised. ...
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REVIEW: For The Darkest Hour, Take Ben's Advice. Drink Religiously.

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Darkest Hour

Directed By: Chris Gorak

Starring: Olivia Thirlby, Emile Hirsch, Rachael Taylor, Max Minghella, and Joel Kinnaman

The movie industry has been pretty bipolar this year. 2011 has had some really great films, but there have been plenty of horrible flicks that have driven up my bar tab. It just so happens that Summit Entertainment has been at the forefront of half-assed filmmaking over the past twelve months. They've given us crap like The Three Musketeers and The Twilight Saga: ...
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REVIEW: With Silent Movie The Artist, Hazanavicius Makes A Loud Declaration of His Love For The Films of the Past

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 25, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Artist

Directed By: Michel Hazanavicius

Starring: Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo

Fall 2011 seems like the season for filmmakers to put out movies about making movies. First, we had Martin Scorsese's Hugo. Then, we had Simon Curtis' My Week with Marilyn. Now, we have French director Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist. With all these films, I'm now just waiting on some bold director to tackle the current period in movie history. I wonder how they're going to glorify the crap that studios ...
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REVIEW: The Adventures of Tintin Is a Fun Ride, But I Was Ready to Get Off the Rollercoaster at the End of the Movie

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, December 22, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Adventures of Tintin

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Daniel Craig

Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg turned 65 this past Sunday, and crossing that feared milestone of becoming a senior citizen hasn't stopped him from doing what he loves best — making movies. This holiday season, he's releasing The Adventures of Tintin and War Horse (for which a review is forthcoming later this week). In fact, he's doing something he's never d...
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REVIEW: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Is Scarred, Strong And Bloody Brilliant

Posted by Mary Dieng, Esq. on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Mary Dieng

Directed By: David Fincher

Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, and Joely Richardson

Hello movie lovers! Your regular sober critic is busy reviewing other films in this jam-packed Christmas movie season, and I am humbly filling in the shoes of the great one. Rest assured, to stay true to the site motto, I am writing this review while sipping a little Sangria. ...
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REVIEW: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a Good Old Fashioned Espionage Flick

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 18, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Directed By: Tomas Alfredson

Starring: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Ciarán Hinds

The Cold War is the perfect backdrop for any spy thriller. There was so much palpable tension and corruption back then that it just makes things easy for filmmakers. The only problem is that these films are always about the feud between the United States and the Soviet Union. Other countries had interests in what ha...
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REVIEW: A Dangerous Method Is a Dangerously Long Conversation About The Importance of Sex

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 18, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

A Dangerous Method

Directed By: David Cronenberg

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, and Vincent Cassel

Michael Fassbender has a bit of a penchant for making movies about sex. This year alone he's made Shame and A Dangerous Method. While Shame portrays a sex addict at his worst, A Dangerous Method deals with sex in a more intellectual manner. David Cronenberg's latest film tackles the importance of sex with regard to psychology and whether it should have been the c...
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REVIEW: For Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible is a Hard Knock Life. For Us, It's One Great Ride.

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 17, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Directed By: Brad Bird

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, and Anil Kapoor

It's hard to believe that it's been five years since our last outing with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the Impossible Mission Force (IMF). Having seen the latest installment in this famed action series, I have only one thing to say. Tom Cruise has still got it!

Agent Jane Carter (Paula Patton) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) break Agent Hunt (Cruise) out of priso...
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REVIEW: Young Adult Is a Little Too Heavy at Times. I Might Have to Take a Break at the Bar.

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 17, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Young Adult

Directed By: Jason Reitman

Starring: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, and Patton Oswalt

When I first heard of Jason Reitman's Young Adult, I got pretty excited. With great films like Up In the Air and Juno on this guy's resume, I figured we were in for a real treat. Those black comedies that Reitman's has done in the past have a great blend of humor and drama. Given this, I expected more of that same good stuff in Young Adult, especially considering that Charlize Theron is starrin...
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REVIEW: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a Fun Game of Wits

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 16, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Directed By: Guy Ritchie

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, and Rachel McAdams

We've seriously been lacking good, entertaining blockbusters in recent months. The most popular flick we have to show for the fall up to this point is The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, which is a really sad statement. While Hollywood has been complaining about record lows for attendance this year at the box office, they continu...
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REVIEW: The Sitter is a TV Movie That Fell Through the Cracks and Somehow Made It to the Big Screen

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, December 11, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Sitter

Directed By: David Gordon Green

Starring: Jonah Hill, Ari Graynor, and Max Records

Whether a comedian or action star, most male actors have had low points in their careers where they end up babysitting on the big screen. The Pacifier, Daddy Day Care, and Kindergarten Cop all epitomize these low points. In his latest film The Sitter, Jonah Hill decides to join the club and go down this same sad path as many actors before him have gone.

Noah (Jonah Hill) was suspended from college af...
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REVIEW: New Year's Eve Doesn't Get the Party Started Right

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 10, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

New Year's Eve

Directed By: Garry Marshall

Starring: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jon Bon Jovi, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, Hilary Swank, Abigail Breslin, Halle Berry, Katherine Heigl, Jessica Biel, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lea Michele, Josh Duhamel, Sofia Vergara, Ludacris, Til Schweiger, and Seth Meyers

New Year's Eve is one of my favorite days of the year. The booze are freely flowing, and the party never stops no matter where you are. If you happen to be in New York for New Year's, the h...
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REVIEW: To Be Porn Or Not To Be Porn? That Is the Question For Shame

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, December 3, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Shame

Directed By: Steve McQueen

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, Nicole Beharie, and James Badge Dale

I will never ever forget that I saw Steve McQueen's Shame on this night. Given the well-deserved NC-17 rating for the film, there's a lot of material with which I can play here on Sobriety Test. It's like Steve McQueen went into this film thinking about all the different ways and positions in which his star Michael Fassbender could have sex or jerk off. When looking at the menu ...
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REVIEW: Michelle Williams Brings the Beloved Sex Symbol Marilyn Monroe Back To Life in My Week With Marilyn

Posted by James Brown on Friday, December 2, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

My Week With Marilyn

Directed By: Simon Curtis

Starring: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne, Emma Watson, and Judi Dench

When I think of Marilyn Monroe, I think of an iconic actress of the twentieth century, an eternal sex symbol, and a perpetual pill popper. Monroe will forever be remembered as a star who was gone too soon, but people have forgotten that she was also a woman with immense influence. She was very powerful in the sense that she could get the attention of any man ...
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REVIEW: We Bought a Zoo Is Better Than It Looks, Seriously

Posted by James Brown on Monday, November 28, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

We Bought a Zoo

Directed By: Cameron Crowe

Starring: Matt Damon, Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, Scarlett Johansson, and Desi Lydic

The holidays inevitably bring lots of attempts by Hollywood to make heartwarming films. More often than not, they're a bunch of sappy crap, but every once in a while, a good family film is made that's both stirring and realistic. When I heard acclaimed director and screenwriter Cameron Crowe was tackling the story of Benjamin Mee in We Bought a Zoo,...
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REVIEW: Melancholia Delves Into Depression in Grand Style

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 26, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Melancholia

Directed By: Lars von Trier

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgard, Cameron Spurr, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Jesper Christensen, Stellan Skarsgard, Brady Corbet, and Udo Kuer

A good title can go a long way in filmmaking. With an informative name, viewers know exactly what to expect and are ready to go when the theater goes dark and the movie begins. For example, Midnight in Paris tells you that there's something special taking pla...
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REVIEW: Hugo Is An Ode to the Movie Magic of Yesteryear

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, November 24, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Hugo

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Sir Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz, Ray Winstone, Emily Mortimer, and Jude Law

We don't often think of filmmakers as fans, but that's all they really are. They're the cinephiles who took the torch from a previous generation. Whether actor or director, cast or crew, all filmmakers started somewhere as movie aficionados. Even the great Martin Scorsese has a love of film that predates his career as a director. I...
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REVIEW: The Descendants Is One Big Beautiful, Somber Take on Hawaiian Life

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 20, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Descendants

Directed By: Alexander Payne

Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Judy Greer, and Beau Bridges

George Clooney has been a busy man this year. He's directed and starred in The Ides of March. Now he's starring in Alexander Payne's The Descendants. In both films, he's been at his absolute best. On the other hand, Alexander Payne, who's known for his films About Schmidt and Sideways, has been just the opposite. We haven't seen him behind the camera in seven years. In The D...
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REVIEW: Like Bella, I Have Nightmares. Last Night, I Dreamt About Twilight

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 19, 2011, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1

Directed By: Bill Condon

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner

I always try to see the best in movies, but sometimes films are just so crappy that they're downright nightmarish. In my first official review of a Twilight film, I wanted to give a decent review. I wanted to be nice and not piss off those diehard Twilight fans, but the temptation to trash this crappy film is just too great. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part...
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REVIEW: Happy Feet Two Thinks It's a Champion But Will Only Rock You a Little

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 19, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Happy Feet Two

Directed By: George Miller

Starring: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink, Sofia Vergara, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Hugo Weaving, Anthony LaPaglia, Hank Azaria, Johnny A. Sanchez, Lombardo Boyar, Carlos Alazraqui, Michael Cornachia, Danny Mann, Meibh Campbell, Lil P-Nut, and Mark Klastorin

There is one theory about movies that almost never fails. Sequels cannot outdo original films. There are a few rare exceptions to this like The Empire Strikes Back, The Lord of the Rings: The Return...
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REVIEW: Margin Call Is the Right Call for Moviegoers

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, In : 0.00% Water

Margin Call

Directed By: J.C. Chandor

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci

With the Occupy Wall Street movement raging around the country, this is an ideal time to put out a movie about the decisions of a few that have tremendously impacted the lives of many. J.C. Chandor's Margin Call chronicles the beginning of doomsday for a large investment bank on Wall Street. Margin Call is a gripping ...
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REVIEW: J. Edgar Is a Class Act for One of America's Most Controversial Men...BORING!

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, November 13, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

J. Edgar

Directed By: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, and Judi Dench

Clint Eastwood is a legendary actor, a beloved filmmaker, and an American icon. He has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of film. It's only fitting that he be the one to tackle a biopic on J. Edgar Hoover, the infamous, controversial FBI Director who forever changed the landscape of law enforcement. On top of that, he has a phenomenal star playing Hoover--Leona...
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REVIEW: Let the Bodies Hit the Floor in Immortals

Posted by James Brown on Friday, November 11, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Immortals

Directed By: Tarsem Singh

Starring: Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Luke Evans, Isabel Lucas, Kellan Lutz, Freida Pinto, Mickey Rourke, and John Hurt

There's something refreshing about watching a guy chopping off another guy's head and kicking his carcass off a cliff. The popcorn and beer taste so much better when bludgeoned and bloodied bodies are flying left and right. Four years ago, the adaptation of Frank Miller's 300 showed us just how much blood, gore, and kickass stunts action...
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REVIEW: Like Crazy Balks Hollywood Tradition and Tells the Truth About Love

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, In : 0.00% Water

Like Crazy

Directed By: Drake Doremus

Starring: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, and Jennifer Lawrence

Love is a truly unpredictable thing that can challenge, inspire, and torment you at the same time. When you find it, you should hold onto it. It undoubtedly will present many challenges and a taste for a few strong drinks along the way. No challenge is more difficult or painful than distance. Specifically, long distance relationships can hurt like hell and can kill the spark between two love...
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REVIEW: Martha Marcy May Marlene Lives Up to Its Insane Title

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Martha Marcy May Marlene

Directed By: Sean Durkin

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Sarah Paulson, and Hugh Dancy

Martha Marcy May Marlene. That's definitely a tongue twister for a title. It's actually a pretty good name for a film. When I first heard it, I instantly thought I was in for a good psycho thriller, and I always enjoy watching films about crazy people. A peek inside the mind of a neurotic can never let you down on the big screen. Sean Durkin's first feature film in the dire...
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REVIEW: Tower Heist Is The Eddie Murphy Show Plus A Few Guest Stars

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, November 5, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Tower Heist

Directed By: Brett Ratner

Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Téa Leoni, Michael Peña, Gabourey Sidibe

In recent years, film trailers have become a bit of a contentious issue for moviegoers. Many think that trailers have gotten better because they can make folks salivate at the mouth for the next Transformers or Twilight. I'm not gonna lie. Some trailers are pretty damn awesome. However, others argue that trailers have gotten pretty...
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REVIEW: The Rum Diary Proudly Stumbles Into Theaters in a Drunken Stupor

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 30, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

The Rum Diary

Directed By: Bruce Robinson

Starring: Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Rispoli, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, and Giovanni Ribisi

What's so special about the Sixties? Sure, they had MLK, JFK, and hippies, but studios have fallen for this decade a bit too hard lately. After the success of AMC's Mad Men, shows like Pan Am and the short-lived The Playboy Club started popping up everywhere. The small screen wasn't good enough however. We also had films like Hairspray, Get Smart,...
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REVIEW: Puss Is a Player in Boots

Posted by James Brown on Friday, October 28, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Puss in Boots

Directed By: Chris Miller

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris, Zeus Mendoza, and Constance Marie

Animated films were made to make parents happy by making their kids happy and docile. A couple of hours of harmless, distracting entertainment helps mommy and daddy get a buzz without the headache of kids running around the house looking to get into something. Any decent animated film can do this flawlessly. A great animated fil...
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REVIEW: One For All, All For Nothing. The Three Musketeers Is An Epic Failure

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 23, 2011, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

The Three Musketeers

Directed By: Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring: Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich, Matthew Macfayden, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Mads Mikkelsen, James Corden, Juno Temple, Orlando Bloom, and Christoph Waltz

Every once in a while, I have reasonably high hopes for a film even when I know I shouldn't. When I heard about The Three Musketeers, I thought it had potential to be a sleeper hit. Then, I learned about the cast, a melting pot of lesser known actors and stars who stopped shining ...
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REVIEW: Supernatural Horror Flick Paranormal Activity 3 Is All Too Natural

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, October 22, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Paranormal Activity 3

Directed By: Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost

Starring: Lauren Bittner, Christopher Nicholas Smith, Chloe Csengery, Jessica Tyler Brown, Kate Featherston and Sprague Grayden

By the time you get around to the third installment in a horror franchise, the filmmakers have probably used all their tricks. Viewers could predict every move by Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, or Michael Myers in the third flicks of their respective film series. How many ways can a serial killer use a...
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REVIEW: Footloose Let's Loose But Can't Find the Right Decade

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 16, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Footloose

Directed By: Craig Brewer

Starring: Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Andie MacDowell, and Dennis Quaid

In X-Men: First Class, Kevin Bacon's character Sebastian Shaw has the ability to absorb energy and preserve his youth. If Bacon could use this mutant power in real life, I would certainly drink to that. We could have definitely used his talent in Footloose, this newly released remake of this 1984 hit. There's no doubt that Craig Brewer's remake of Footloose is fun and enjoyable, but ...
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REVIEW: In The Ides of March, Clooney Shows How Politics Kills Souls

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 9, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

The Ides of March

Directed By: George Clooney

Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, and Philip Seymour Hoffman

The Ides of March may have some really bad timing for its release. At a time when citizens are fed up with every aspect of the political system in America, the last thing we probably want to see is another thriller about political corruption. At the same time, one could argue that George Clooney's The Ides of March has some great timing...
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REVIEW: Real Steel is the Real Deal

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, October 9, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Real Steel

Directed By: Shawn Levy

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangelline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, and Kevin Durand

After four starring roles in X-Men films and a cameo in this year's X-Men: First Class, I was starting to get worried that Hugh Jackman would get pigeonholed into playing a metal-bearing mutant with anger management issues and amnesia. His latest outing in Shawn Levy's Real Steel gives me hope however. Though Jackman still portrays a dude with an attitude problem, his lov...
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REVIEW: 50/50 Beats the Odds and Strikes Cinematic Gold

Posted by James Brown on Monday, October 3, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

50/50

Directed By: Jonathan Levine

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Anjelica Huston

Generally, dealing with the subject of cancer is a touchy subject, even on the big screen. When the powers that be decided to tackle the life of screenwriter Will Reiser and the nearly insurmountable challenges posed by his cancer and the notion of dying young, they knew that they needed a few jokes to cut the tension of such depressing subjects. In the dramedy...
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REVIEW: Moneyball Has a Perfect Batting Average

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 25, 2011, In : 0.00% Water

Moneyball

Directed By: Bennett Miller

Starring: Brad Pitt, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt, and Casey Bond

Most sports movies capture the thrill of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. They delve into the joys of winning and the sorrows of losing. They do nothing more than depict competition and what drives it. That's your basic sports movie. Anything beyond that is a bonus. Given this, I went into Bennett Miller's Moneyball expecting a decent baseball fl...
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REVIEW: Killer Elite Is in An Elite Group of Crappy Action Films

Posted by James Brown on Saturday, September 24, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Killer Elite

Directed By: Gary McKendry

Starring: Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, Yvonne Strahovski, and Dominic Purcell

Catwoman, Alexander, The Last Airbender, and the recent movie Abduction are among an elite group of action films that absolutely, unequivocally suck. With each of these films, there was a megastar or a lot of hype surrounding the movie, and with each of these films, audiences were sorely disappointed. Clearly, bad action flicks aren't hard to come by. When I hear...
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REVIEW: I Want Whatever James Woods Was Drinking in Straw Dogs

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 18, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Straw Dogs

Directed By: Rod Lurie

Starring: James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård, and James Woods

Remakes are a dime a dozen these days in Hollywood. Very few live up to the originals. More often than not, you'll see movies like Poseidon, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and Clash of the Titans as opposed to True Grit, Ocean's Eleven, and The Departed. Unfortunately, Rod Lurie's remake of Straw Dogs falls in the former category, and you'll need to pre-game for this one.

After her d...
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REVIEW: Ryan Gosling Puts the Pedal to the Metal in Drive

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 18, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Drive

Directed By: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, and Ron Perlman

Every once in a while, a movie comes along, and you don't quite know what to make of it. You know you enjoyed it, but you feel that something is missing that's keeping you from running to the mountaintops shouting how great the movie is. You wonder if it could have been just a little better. Nicholas Winding Refn's Drive is one of those films. Do...
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REVIEW: Germ Freaks, All Your Fears Come True in Contagion

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, September 11, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Contagion

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, and Kate Winslet

Utter disgust and fear. They're those feelings you get when the guy next to you on a plane or train starts coughing uncontrollably and has the nerve to not cover his mouth. You're both outraged at him and concerned for your own well-being. You're focused on protecting yourself from a massive onslaught of germs. You don't want to be the one disgustin...
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REVIEW: Warrior is a Decent Sports Flick Worth a Few Rounds

Posted by James Brown on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Warrior

Directed By: Gavin O'Connor

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, and Nick Nolte

There's an unique euphoria we all get from watching people beat the hell out of each other for a couple of hours in a great sports flick. It just makes us feel good inside. The mixed martial arts (MMA) film Warrior has plenty of great moments, but it drowns in unnecessary drama.

Paddy Conlon (Nick Nolte) is a former alcoholic whose addictive and abusive tendencies ripped his family apart years ago. His wife...
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REVIEW: Helen Mirren is No Kick-Ass Granny in The Debt

Posted by James Brown on Monday, September 5, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Debt

Directed By: John Madden

Starring: Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington, Jessica Chastain, and Tom Wilkinson

A good spy thriller always has twists and turns in the plot. It keeps you guessing for a while. A great spy thriller always has a badass lead. Steven Spielberg's Munich is a strong example of a great spy thriller. All the drama, thrills, and plot twists were there, but those boys were kicking some ass in the process. With Helen Mirren starring in John Madden's The Debt, I was hopin...
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REVIEW: Don't Be Afraid of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 30, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Directed By: Troy Nixey

Starring: Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, and Bailee Madison

2011 has not been a particularly great year for horror flicks. There's just been one waste of fake blood after another. Bringing Guillermo del Toro into the horror fold for a run at producing Don't Be Afraid of the Dark was a beacon of hope. His well-documented creativity and unique visuals would have been a welcomed addition to the genre. It was supposed to be the light at the end of t...
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REVIEW: Colombiana is a B-Movie with Style

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 30, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Colombiana

Directed By: Olivier Megaton

Starring: Zoe Saldana, Cliff Curtis, Michael Vartan, Lennie James, Amandla Stenberg, and Jordi Mollá

I generally have low expectations for movies that are released during the month of August. Hollywood throws a lot of crap at moviegoers at this time. It's not quite the summer season with big budget blockbusters every week, nor is it the fall season with high-quality films contending for awards. Colombiana, starring Zoe Saldana, is a pleasant surprise d...
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REVIEW: Midnight in Paris is the Vacation You Never Want to End

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Midnight in Paris

Directed By: Woody Allen

Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni, and Michael Sheen

Once in a while, a film comes along that makes you lose all sense of reality. You lose track of time and how long you've been in the theater. You forget what else is going on in your life. You become fully immersed in an engaging fictional tale that takes you to another world. That's the magic of a truly great film. Woody Allen's Midnig...
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REVIEW: Conan Has Its Flaws, But It's Bloody Fun

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Conan the Barbarian

Directed By: Marcus Nispel

Starring: Jason Momoa, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan, Stephen Lang, and Rachel Nichols

August is a weird month of the film year. The blockbuster season is not quite over, while the fall season hasn't quite begun. The transition has always been turbulent at best. Hollywood doesn't know how to go from releasing big budget summer blockbusters to their lower budget counterparts. In the last few weeks, we've had Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Final Dest...
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REVIEW: The Tree of Life Is a Motion Picture That Says a Thousand Words

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 16, 2011, In : 0.00% Water

The Tree of Life

Directed By: Terrence Malick

Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, and Jessica Chastain

Never before have I seen a film that captures life. That's a huge concept with a range of implications. It's a nearly impossible endeavor for any filmmaker. However, Terrence Malick has proven me wrong. Malick's The Tree of Life does the impossible in a grand way. From grappling with the meaning and scope of life to questioning the purpose of faith, Malick covers a broad array of topics. The ...
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REVIEW: Open Up a Tab At the Bar for Final Destination 5

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 16, 2011, In : 0.12% Hard Liquor

Final Destination 5

Directed By: Steven Quale

Starring: Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Arlen Escarpeta, and Miles Fisher

Great horror films are the stuff from which nightmares are born. They can make the most fearless individuals a bit apprehensive. The terrors in these movies are immortalized on film and in our memories. Bad horror flicks are exactly the opposite. They're the examples that give the horror genre a bad rap. Final Destination 5 is sadly just another bad horror pic that lacks s...
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REVIEW: The Chimps Rise to the Challenge in Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, In : 0.03% Wine Coolers

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Directed By: Rupert Wyatt

Starring: James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, and Tom Felton

I can't lie. I never was a big fan of the Planet of the Apes series. We didn't have the technology to make it enjoyable in the past. The apes always looked fake, and I was pretty critical of that. Even in the 2001 flick Planet of the Apes, the monkeys were just humans in ape costumes. In Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the reboot to the well-kno...
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REVIEW: Crazy, Stupid, Love. Is Fun But Not Crazy, Stupid Fun

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Directed By: Glen Ficarra and John Requa

Starring: Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone

Crazy, Stupid, Love. That's an interesting title for a film that really stands out. It's unique. It's captivating. It's sentimental. Much like it's catchy title, the film is all of these things. Crazy, Stupid, Love. is far from the typical romantic comedy, and that's refreshing to see on the big screen. In this summer season during which moviegoers have been...
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REVIEW: The Change-Up Needs a Makeover Into an R-Rated Comedy

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 7, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

The Change-Up

Directed By: David Dobkin

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Leslie Mann, and Olivia Wilde

Ryan Reynolds and Olivia Wilde cannot put out a good film this year. Green Lantern and Cowboys & Aliens— films starring Reynolds and Wilde respectively — have been critically panned and have had anything but stellar performances at the box office. For The Change-Up, they bring Jason Bateman and Leslie Mann into their slump. The Change-Up is a heartwarming, wholesome comedy trying ...
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REVIEW: Cowboys & Aliens Has the Right Talent But Not the Right Act

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 7, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Cowboys & Aliens

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde

The idea of combining the Wild West and outer space in a film is just so crazy that it could have worked. With names like Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, and Jon Favreau behind Cowboys & Aliens, we should have expected great things from the film. An even better case could be made for the movie given that it's starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. Unfortunately, the film does not live up to its h...
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REVIEW: Friends with Benefits Offers Few Benefits for Moviegoers

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 7, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Friends with Benefits

Directed By: Will Gluck

Starring: Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis

The romantic comedies keep coming this summer. Most of them lack originality and style. Some even lack genuine romance or comedy. Nowadays, they're just counter-programming to big blockbusters like Harry Potter and Transformers. Will Gluck's Friends with Benefits is another one of these unoriginal, unfunny romantic comedies. The romance between Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis is there, but the laughs a...
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REVIEW: Captain America Is An Old School Hero With Style

Posted by James Brown on Sunday, August 7, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Captain America: The First Avenger

Directed By: Joe Johnston

Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, and Stanley Tucci

In the age of caped crusaders, reformed weapons developers, and Norse gods, it's refreshing to see a wholesome American superhero in the tradition of Superman and Spider-Man. In recent years, we have definitely been missing this in the comic book film genre. Most superheroes these days on the big screen are flawed in...
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REVIEW: The Magic of Harry Potter Comes Full Circle in a Spectacular Finale

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, In : 0.00% Water

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Directed by: David Yates

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham-Carter, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, and Maggie Smith

We have patiently waited a decade for this moment in film history. We have been on a long, long journey with our three young stars and some of the greatest British actors of our time. We have enjoyed this storied franchise and unflinchingly supported it throughout seven films. At last, I...
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REVIEW: The Bosses Aren't So Bad in Horrible Bosses

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, In : 0.06% Beer or Wine

Horrible Bosses

Directed by: Seth Gordon

Starring: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, and Jamie Foxx

I measure great comedies by how hard I laugh during them. The funniest movies make me laugh until I cry. Bridesmaids set the bar for comedies this summer. I haven't laughed (and cried) that much during a movie in years. So far, it's been a pretty tough act to follow. The Hangover: Part II was literally The Hangover with a location chang...
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REVIEW: Transformers Fails to Transform the Hype into Greatness

Posted by James Brown on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, In : 0.09% Cocktails

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Directed by: Michael Bay

Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and John Turturro

Like any moviegoer, I went into Transformers expecting lots of action and lots of laughs. I certainly got all the guns, stunts, and special effects that an action junkie like myself could ever want. I certainly got the laughs too, but I was still disappointed at the end of the film. A lot is missing from the film that keeps it from becoming ...
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Coming Soon

Posted by James Brown on Thursday, June 16, 2011,