The greatest thing about magicians is their ability to amaze us by performing seemingly impossible parlor tricks. The greatest thing about “Now You See Me” is that it ends. The new film (released May 31) was directed by Louis Leterrier, a man known for cranking out disappointing blockbuster adaptations of beloved stories and characters that [...]
Archive | Movies RSS feed for this section
Vaughn and Wilson reunite for hilarious Google movie
You know something has really taken off when its name becomes a verb in everyday conversation. In the case of Internet search engines, “Just Google it” has become the universal answer to any and every question, replacing phrases like “Look in an encyclopedia” or “Go to the library.” However, a few things never really cross [...]
‘Into Darkness’ outdoes first installment
Sorry, Stanley Kubrick, but why couldn’t J.J. Abrams have faked the moon landing? After seeing his new movie, “Star Trek Into Darkness” (released May 17), I’m sure it would have been a space adventure of epic proportions starring Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin with music by Michael Giacchino. Following up 2009’s “Star Trek,” Abrams returns [...]
Final ‘Hangover’ ends series hilariously
Who’s ready to let the dogs out again? Because the Wolf Pack is back in “The Hangover Part III.” The film, out May 23, reunites the iconic group of everyone’s favorite man-child Alan Garner, pretty boy school teacher Phil Wenneck, pathetic dentist Stu Price, and Doug Billings (Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Justin [...]
‘The Iceman’ tells incredible true story of cold-blooded Mafia hitman
When it comes to movies based on true stories, it is always fascinating to see unbelievable events transpire in a real-life setting. While most schlocky horror movies these days claim to be extracted from reality, it is the crime genre that really succeeds in grabbing and holding my attention. In “The Iceman,” Israeli director Ariel [...]
DiCaprio commands screen as a millionaire in ‘The Great Gatsby’
“We’re gonna party like it’s 1922, old sport!” is what you might be inclined to say at your next soiree after seeing “The Great Gatsby.” Out May 10, the 3-D extravaganza was directed by Australian director Baz Luhrmann, the man behind “Strictly Ballroom” (1992), “Romeo + Juliet” (1996), “Moulin Rouge!” (2001) and “Australia” (2008). Leave [...]
‘Iron Man 3’ elevated by Downey Jr. performance
At one point in “Iron Man 3,” Tony Stark declares that no matter what you take away from him, he will always be Iron Man. This is true not only for Stark but also for Robert Downey Jr., who will forever be held in our minds as the cocky billionaire who trounces around in a [...]
Michael Bay film devoid of strength
Michael Bay’s “Pain & Gain” is a true crime movie on steroids, which is just the kind of film you would expect to get from the man behind the “Transformers” franchise. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Tony Shalhoub, among others, “Pain and Gain” is a ludicrous comedy at times and a gruesome [...]
Robinson biopic hits home run
Play ball! Spring is finally here, and as the weather warms up, so does baseball season — and baseball-themed movies. If you can’t make it to the stadium to enjoy America’s greatest pastime, then perhaps your local movie theater will get the job done with the release of “42” (out April 13), a movie that [...]
‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ conjures Hollywood magic
We’re off to see the wizard in “Oz the Great and Powerful,” Disney’s first foray into the world of L. Frank Baum since 1985’s misunderstood cult hit “Return to Oz.” Released March 8, the $200 million film was directed by Sam Raimi, the man behind the hugely successful Spider-Man trilogy as well as the “Evil [...]
Affleck’s ‘Argo’ comes out on top at the Oscars
The long run of awards shows and ceremonies culminated Feb. 24 with the 85th annual Academy Awards, which took place in the customary location, the glamorous Dolby Theater in downtown Los Angeles. This year’s Oscars were hosted by Seth MacFarlane, the creator of the television show “Family Guy” and the hit comedy “Ted.” The “Music [...]
Silence sweeps over crowd at Mumford & Sons concert
Mumford & Sons took the stage in Camden, N.J., for the second straight night Feb. 17 and played what would be the last stop on their North American East Coast tour. The date was added after their first scheduled show at the Susquehanna Bank Center sold out in a matter of seconds. The band, which [...]
Soderbergh caps off film career with new thriller ‘Side Effects’
“Side Effects” is the most recent and allegedly last film from director Steven Soderbergh (“Traffic” and “Ocean’s Eleven”). The highly talented and Oscar-winning director said that he would call it quits in the film industry after his 50th birthday (which was Jan. 14), and if he holds true to that promise, it will be a [...]
‘Identity Thief’ robs time with forgettable humor
“Identity Thief” is a new film from “Horrible Bosses” director Seth Gordon, starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy. Much like actually getting your identity stolen, the film is a long and tedious process with few moments that make it at all memorable. The film follows Diana (McCarthy), a professional identity thief who lives on the [...]
‘Warm Bodies’ breathes life into an all-too-familiar undead genre
Finally, a zombie flick with some brains! See what I did there? “Warm Bodies” (released Feb. 1) is not your typical undead fare. Not since 2009’s “Zombieland” has there been such a highly entertaining and clever movie about the walking dead. All too often, these films rely too heavily on mindless violence and gore, leaving [...]
‘Hansel & Gretel’ gives bad name to children’s fairy tale
When there are witches in your neighborhood, who ya gonna call? The new movie “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” (released Jan. 25) sets out to answer this question, guns (and crossbows) a-blazing. Written and directed by Norwegian filmmaker Tommy Wirkola (“Kill Buljo,” “Dead Snow”), this classic German fairy tale gets a new twist in the [...]
‘Gangster Squad’ pays homage to crime genre
When making a good mob movie, it is imperative that you have a murderous gangster, someone trying to stop him, and plenty of gunfire thrown in for flavor. “Gangster Squad,” released Jan. 11, has enough of these three elements to keep you entertained for its 113-minute running time. Known for his first two comedic films, [...]
Tarantino explores slavery and racism in ‘Django’
The D is silent in “Django Unchained,” the new film by Quentin Tarantino released Dec. 25, or as some may call it, one of the greatest Christmas gifts of all time. Paying tribute to the famous Spaghetti Westerns of the 1960s, this revenge flick stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a slave who is freed by [...]
Bigelow depicts arduous hunt for Osama bin Laden
Unless you have been hiding out in a cave for the past 18 months, you know that Osama bin Laden was killed back in May 2011 by an elite team of U.S. Navy SEALs. There were countless interviews, descriptions, computer simulations and television specials that advertised and analyzed the now infamous raid. But what most [...]
Loading ...