The Irish musical “Once” by John Carney is very much of a gentle and quaint little elegy of life and love much like the subtle whisper that was “Me You and Everyone We Know.” Going in and out of theaters with barely a notice, it’s a shocker something so powerful as “Once” could go almost completely unnoticed. It’s just a painful crime that something as beautiful and utterly riveting as Carney’s “Once” could just completely be dismissed as another indie drama when really it’s a truly powerful musical.
Category Archives: Movie Reviews
American Gangster (2007)
I wonder why it hasn’t been further emphasized that Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster” marks the second meeting between Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Perhaps it’s because during “Virtuosity” Crowe was barely a star, or perhaps it’s because “Virtuosity” just wasn’t that good. True, this second meeting is not as notable as Paul Newman and Robert Redford’s, but I wish it were. We have a slew of incredible actors, some favorites, some up and comers, and two of the current best actors in Hollywood meeting. Yet again. The hook for this crime thriller is capitalism. Capitalism, Zaillian insists, however criminal or legal, is still nothing but deception and appealing to consumers in spite of the sleazy methods in which we act out the primary principle of business in America.
Bikini Bloodbath (2006) (DVD)
For once 80’s chic is done right with “Bikini Bloodbath” probably one of the silliest and yet entertaining horror comedies I’ve seen since “Sorority Babes in the Slime-Ball Bowl-O-Rama.” Seymour and Gorman’s “Bikini Bloodbath” is one part Troma, one part pure sleaze, and one part pure idiocy wrapped into a sick and demented hybrid of a slasher film that I couldn’t help enjoy. Taking off from those elements, “Bikini Bloodbath” involves a lot of gorgeous girls, big tits, a homoerotic party of football players, big tits, and a murderous blood soaked chef intent on slicing and dicing young girls for no apparent reason. Did I mention the big tits? A girls high school volleyball team is preparing for their last day of school after a season of wins, losses, and dodging a perverted Lesbian coach (Debbie Rochon adding her usual degree of humor and sex appeal) insistent on getting in good with the team mates.
Square Pegs (2007)
There’s not much to say about “Square Pegs” other than it’s probably one of the most surreal, and yet most powerful short films I’ve ever seen. Not only does the imagery spark a head trip of pure acidic proportions, but it’s such a fantastic statement about faith, and the ongoing war of good and evil and the religious belief of the human soul being wrestled with even after we die. Though I’m not sure I agree with the overall statement Ben Hicks makes about the atheists role in the “war” that ensues for our state of being after our death, “Square Pegs” is nonetheless a powerful little film that makes the best of its low resources.
Amateur Porn Star Killer (2005) (DVD)
This is our third consecutive review of Alter Ego Cinema’s “Amateur Porn Star Killer,” and by now with our record number of reviews for one film, it’s obvious that we pretty much support this film and Alter Ego Cinema’s methods of filmmaking. No, they’re not paying us to shill for them. Long ago, “Amateur Porn Star Killer” arrived at my doorstep and I viewed the press materials, viewed the packaged films and pretty much procrastinated reviewing it, writing it off as a home video that was filled with gore in an attempt to shock indie audiences. Trust me, I’ve come across too many movies like that. But upon viewing this film finally, Shane Ryan just blew me away and he convinced me to never prejudge a film however unusual it may be.
Ratatouille (2007)
One of my favorite modern storytellers in the animation genre happens to be Brad Bird. Not only is the man a wonderful writer, but he gets modern story themes and basic characterization, all the while building on adult themes that children can understand but will also appeal to adults as well. One of the most underrated and innovative filmmakers in film today, Brad Bird only seems to get better with every film. “Iron Giant” was a masterpiece of friendship and alienation, “The Incredibles” was a wonderful take on the dysfunctional family in modern suburbia, and now Bird yanks Pixar from its horrible “Cars,” with this fantastic follow-up “Ratatouille.”
Superbad (2007)
More of the same buddy comedies running rampant in theaters, “Superbad” is less a comedy about teens trying to get some, and more a story about coming of age and realizing that with age means shedding childish things and sadly having to part with some of your best friends who will likely disconnect from you once life comes into play. Rogen’s comedy is very much in the tradition of great films like “American Graffiti,” and “Dazed and Confused,” in which we follow one night in the lives of three soon to be college freshmen enjoying antics and hilarity in their town as they prepare to part ways. “Superbad” is hysterical, but it’s also touching in its own ways, accurately depicting friendship at such a young age.