The Vatican Tapes movie review: to the devil with it
The demonic-possession subgenre isn’t exactly one crammed with quality cinematic experiences, but it hits a dull, unscary new low with this inept flick.
Crank High Voltage
critic’s minifesto #2: I work for you, not for the studios
When I am pushed to choose between being faithful to readers and making nice with studios, I will always — always — choose you, my dear readers.
totally quotable! 2009
Here are the most quotable movie lines of the year 2009. No ranking — newer quotes are posted at the top. [Warning: May contain spoilers.] “I’m craving a burger. Is that strange?” –Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce), as he puts on his bomb suit, The Hurt Locker “If he wasn’t an insurgent, he sure the … more…
not screening for critics: the 2009 list — latest: ‘Armored,’ ‘Transylmania’
UPDATED 11.30: Just cuz it’s awards season doesn’t mean there isn’t crap to be found… UPDATED 10.16: When will someone make a horror movie that can stand up to the critics? UPDATED 9.21: Another horror movie, not screening for critics… UPDATED 9.09: Two more not-at-all surprising additions to the list… UPDATED 8.21: Shocking news! End-of-August … more…
Gamer (review)
It’s visually incomprehensible, emotionally empty, thematically nihilistic, almost entirely plotless… and it thinks those are virtues.
August 28: DVD alternatives to this weekend’s multiplex offerings
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but you’re still hung over from celebrating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. But you can have a multiplex-like experience at home with a collection of the right DVDs. And when someone asks you on Monday, “Hey, did you see Taking Woodstock … more…
trailer break: ‘Gamer’
Take a break from work: watch a trailer… So the guys who did Crank and Crank: High Voltage — Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor — are back… and it looks a lot like a lot of other shit we’ve seen before, doesn’t it? Prisoners forced to play bloodsports? A game that’s really real? Gee, why … more…
U.K. box office: Brits like ‘State of Play,’ even though they’ve already seen it
Nice. I dunno why British audiences seem to like grownup movies more than American audiences, except that I am clearly a biast Anglophile who thinks everything is better in England. What other explanation could there be: 1. State of Play: £1.5 million (NEW) 2. Monsters vs. Aliens: £1.08 million (4th week; drops 48%) 3. Fast … more…
North American box office: ‘Obsessed’ goes crazy
They didn’t screen it for critics, it’s a complete piece of tripe, and it wins the weekend? Oh no they didn’t. Oh yes they did: 1. Obsessed: $28.6 million (NEW) 2. 17 Again: $11.5 million (2nd week; drops 51%) 3. Fighting: $11 million (NEW) 4. The Soloist: $9.7 million (NEW) 5. Earth: $8.8 million (NEW) … more…
U.K. box office: ‘Monsters vs. Aliens’ is back on top
Well, lookee that — nothing new can trump the cartoon juggernaut: 1. Monsters vs. Aliens: £2 million (3rd week; drops 27%) 1. Fast & Furious: £1.9 million (2nd week; drops 61%) 3. 17 Again: £1.8 (2nd week; drops 31%) 4. I Love You, Man: £1.1 million (NEW) 5. Crank: High Voltage: £.55 million (NEW) (actual … more…
