Love Birds (2011) Doug (Rhys Darby) is dumped by his longtime girlfriend and falls into a tailspin of depression. When he finds an injured duck and nurses it to health, he emerges from his depression and falls in love with veterinarian Holly (Sally Hawkins). This New Zealand romantic comedy is not very imaginative, but Rhys… Continue reading Hijacking love birds
Stalking a serial killer in the wild west
Stalker (1979) The eponymous stalker guides The Writer and The Professor to The Room, a magical place in the middle of a heavily restricted area known as The Zone, where your innermost desire becomes reality. The Writer is afraid he’s lost his inspiration and wants to use The Room as a muse. Initially reluctant to… Continue reading Stalking a serial killer in the wild west
Dreaming of the end
This is the End (2013) Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen were best friends growing up in Canada, but since Seth became a major star, their friendship has strained. When both of them go to a huge party at James Franco’s house, the apocalypse happens. You wouldn’t think the end of the world would be fertile ground for comedy,… Continue reading Dreaming of the end
Hello, I loved you, but not anymore
The Doors (1991) Unlike the standard musical biopic, this movie makes no effort to portray Jim Morrison as a redeemable character. When your protagonist is a selfish asshole who likes drugs, your film is at a disadvantage. When you spend considerable amounts of time recreating one acid trip after another, your movie becomes tedious. Val Kilmer… Continue reading Hello, I loved you, but not anymore
Hi-yo Silver!
The Lone Ranger (1956) The first feature film starring Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger feels like an extended TV episode. It doesn’t hold up well. It’s nearly 60 years old and feels older. Unless you’re interested in wasting time, don’t bother. The Lone Ranger (2013) One reason I think this film failed to… Continue reading Hi-yo Silver!
In prison; escaping from prison; going to prison
Caesar Must Die (2012) This film about prisoners in an Italian suburb staging a production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar won the Golden Bear at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. The director used actual prisoners in the cast, which makes the film interesting, but it didn’t do anything for me. The Last Stand (2013) Ray… Continue reading In prison; escaping from prison; going to prison
An old man goes to a hell house and a flood breaks out
Venus (2006) Elderly actor Maurice (Peter O’Toole) begins a relationship with Jessie, the much younger niece of his friend Ian. Jessie tolerates his amorous advances because she’s struggling financially and Maurice provides her with a steady income, while the pursuit of Jessie provides Maurice with a purpose and renewed vitality. Richard Griffiths, Leslie Phillips, and… Continue reading An old man goes to a hell house and a flood breaks out
All my orphans
Orphans of the Storm (1921) In the late 18th century, Henriette (Lillian Gish) takes her blind sister Louise (Dorothy Gish) to Paris to find a doctor who can cure her condition. The two are separated by the political forces of the French Revolution. This romantic epic is really a warning about the then contemporary dangers of Bolshevism and… Continue reading All my orphans
DNA testing the men of the Robinson clan
Gattaca (1997) In this version of the future, genetic testing determines everything. Vincent Anton Freeman (Ethan Hawke), wants to be an astronaut, but is denied this opportunity because his genetic code indicates weakness and a limited lifespan. In order to pursue his dream, he assumes the identity of Jerome Morrow (Jude Law) who has a perfect genetic… Continue reading DNA testing the men of the Robinson clan
A vampyr played tennis in the Big East for 12 Years
Requiem for the Big East (2014) A part of ESPN’s excellent 30 for 30 series, this is the story of the Big East Conference from its founding in 1979 until its demise in 2013. While the Big East exists as a conference today, it’s a completely different entity. This was fascinating, but rushed. It’s too difficult to condense thirty years… Continue reading A vampyr played tennis in the Big East for 12 Years