Film Review: The Lone Ranger

Walt Disney Studios has been slipping with live-action features. The studio has had its share of critical duds but its films have typically been able to come through financially. Big budgets, a luxury for many films, were a matter of course for the Mouse House, but a more discerning public, due to the proliferation of …

Film Review: The Heat

“The Heat,” written by “Parks & Recreation” scribe Katie Dippold, and directed by “Bridesmaids” helmer Paul Feig, is a new “buddy cop” movie that updates the genre; I can’t think of a single other buddy cop movie that features two females in the principal roles. Both Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy bring strong comic timing, …

Foreign Friday: Dragon

Friday is a day we look forward to, if not only because it heralds the coming weekend then because it means a little international film; at least that’s how it is with Foreign Friday. Throw out those ugly notions of anti-artistry and subtitle negativity and embrace the cinematic offerings of the world. This week we …

Foreign Friday: The Flat

This week’s installment of Foreign Friday is going to ask a little bit extra from you. Normally all I require is that you open your mind to the realm of international narrative features, well this week we are heading to the land of international documentary film…no, no, no, don’t go! If you have chosen to …

Film Review: Before Midnight

The film trilogy, you fickle beast you.  Many franchises have attempted you, but few have mastered.  It’s that third piece that often eludes the filmmaker; a final piece of the puzzle that can be ill-fitting.  You are a host to a denizen of direct-to-DVD installments and threequels that threaten to demolish the reputation established by …