Category Archives: Mainstream Film

Telling the main story in flashbacks has failed consistently in its effectiveness in contemporary films. We have seen this in the weaknesses of The Social Network and The Iron Lady and in most biopics. These movies have won awards from antiquated institutions by using stale stylistic flourishes, ways of making that have worked in theContinue reading “The Fifth Estate (2013) – Dir: Bill Condon (Breaking Dawn, Kinsey, Gods and Monsters)”

A brutal historical drama (based on a true story) in a muted, morose way. Watching this film, feels like being bludgeoned. Sorry for him, but only that. Not moved, or changed by the experience. It feels like the movie is only the first half of the story, it would have been nice if what happenedContinue reading “12 years a slave (2013) – Dir: Steve McQueen (Shame)”

I admit I am kind of happy to see the beginning of the film verbatim as it was in the book. This film feels G-rated, unlike the intellectually sophisticated, elegant and violent story that it is based on. Valentine Wiggin (Abigail Breslin) is frail and empty as a character. Ender (Asa Butterfield) is weak andContinue reading “Ender’s Game (2013) – Dir: Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Tsotsi)”

I appreciate the exposition of the alien versus mecha theoretical construct, yet the audio feels like it’s been swiped directly from Alien. Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam – Sons of Anarchy) as our narrator/hero, Raleigh Becket, is somewhat cool. Typecasting be damned, it’s nice to see a sauve gangster taking on aliens and trying to saveContinue reading “Pacific Rim (2013) – Dir: Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy: The Golden Army, The Devil’s Backbone)”

Feels like a National Lampoon’s comedy. Bartleby ‘B’ Gaines (Justin Long) keeps quiet about his feelings for Monica (Blake Lively,) due to a fear of being exposed, humiliated by rejection. Justin Long is lively, funny and committed to the role. Bartleby, as a character, is witty and more Ferris Bueller than Ferris Bueller. Schrader (JonahContinue reading “Accepted (2006) – Dir: Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine – he also wrote High Fidelity and Grosse Point Blank)”

Despite containing a mystery (which once you’ve seen the film, you know the secret,) Traitor is immensely re-watchable. This is a complex spy game. We know that someone is a traitor, but from whose perspective? Who is the traitor? And did he betray the cause, or his country? Stuck in a Yemen prison, we areContinue reading “Traitor (2008) – Dir: Jeffrey Nachmanoff”

It’s a little unsettling to begin by watching a woman give birth. We all knew well in advance of this film’s release, that Russell Crowe was going to take up Marlon Brando’s role as Jor-El. Russell rocks the shiznit. However, as good a job as the makers did on this film, a lot of theContinue reading “Man of Steel (2013) – Dir: Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen, Sucker Punch)”