movie review
Philomena works on a number of levels, whether it is as an exploration of faith or as a film about two characters coming to terms with one another. Dench is as radiant as ever in the title role while Coogan is masterful as her foil.
"Rush" is likely to generate a tremendous amount of awards buzz and rightfully so as it is ultimately a complex portrayal of the dark sides of ambition and competition and the struggle toward redemption and self-improvement.
Director Rawson Marshall Thurber deserves a tremendous amount of credit for keeping the film running at a steady pace for its duration. There is no single dead beat or gratuitous attempts at humor during the entire movie and it will surely thrill those who give it a try. "We're the Millers" is destined to be the surprise hit of the summer thanks to a terrific combination of cast, script, and direction.
Back in 2011, Nicholas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling gave the world "Drive," a stylish psychological thriller that captivated fans and critics alike. The duo's second offering "Only God Forgives" is the polar opposite of the first feature. Where "Drive" was exhilarating, "Only God Forgives" is dull. Where the former was filled with humanity, the latter showcases actors playing automatons.
Those that worry that "Fast 5" left the bar too high will not be disappointed by the franchise's latest installment, "Fast and Furious 6," which opened in theaters today.
"I have a dumb sense of humor" utters Zach Galifianakis' Alan during "The Hangover Part 3." Sadly, that statement might be the best way to describe the final installment in the raunchy franchise.
While the immigrant story is familiar to many viewers from other similar portrayals, it provides a refreshing angle that has not been given much attention in modern-day cinema. Unfortunately, the larger context and storyline of the film gets little dramatic attention and ultimately hinders the quality of the work.
Returning to the question that started this critique; is "The Host" good enough for those who care little for Stephenie Meyer's work? The resounding answer is NO. The tremendous talent of Ronan gets wasted behind a vague premise and false stakes. For those hoping for a silver lining, here it is: "The Host" is better than the "Twilight" movies. But is that really saying much?
Those expecting a non-stop, in-your-face thriller will be pleased by the ride, but could leave the theater questioning what the whole point of it was. For those with more patience, the film will surely require multiple viewing to explore its endless secrets.
"Spring Breakers," one of the season's most anticipated movies, hit theaters this week in New York before its national release this Friday. The film features young starlets like Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens showing some serious skin and proving that they're more than ready to shed their Disney personas and break into more serious Hollywood roles. Trailers suggested that the movie would contain suggestive themes, but fans could never have imagined to what extent.
When audiences think of a revenge film, they think of guns and shootouts filled with plenty of action sequences and over the top music. However for his directional debut "Gimme the Loot," Adam Leon subverts the revenge premise by transforming it into a subtle urban drama.
Gangster Squad" ultimately offers up some thrills and will likely appeal to those who enjoy intense violence and the occasional joke. For those looking for an articulate character study or top end crime drama, this film will likely prove unsatisfying and tiresome.
Ultimately, the film purports the Christian ideal that despite all the suffering of the individual througout his life, he or she is due better later on. The film is lengthy, but Hooper manages to provide an emotional punch at every turn to keep the audience vested in the massive story. The film is filled with a long list of tragedies that bring significance to its title, but not one of them feels unimportant or overlooked. Hooper deftly maintains a strong sense of intimacy with every character and it is this sense of unity and attention to detail that makes "Les Misérables" a rousing and cathartic experience that is not easily forgotten.
The review embargo for Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained ended on Wednesday at 12 PM EST and the critics were finally able to have their say on the auteur's latest film.
Tom Cruise's career has often been overlooked thanks in part to the attention he garners on Tabloids. However, it seems that his latest film Jack Reacher might be the director's first major hit in years.
