The Green Hornet for Dummies

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Green Hornet
  • IMDB: link

Director Michel Gondry and star/co-writer Seth Rogen set out to do their version of the Green Hornet. They’ve succeeded. This is unlike any Green Hornet I’ve seen, and probably as far removed from my idea of who these characters are as could be done and still title the film The Green Hornet. In fact, the main character is so unrecognizable you have to wonder why even use the Green Hornet characters instead of simply making an original film.

The Green Hornet debuted on radio in the 1930’s alongside other popular programs such as The Lone Ranger and The Shadow. Since then the character has bounced around comics, low budget movie serials, and, most notably, the 60’s television show starring Van Williams and Bruce Lee.

…

The Green Hornet for DummiesRead More »

The Green Hornet for Dummies Read More »

Casino Jack

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Casino Jack
  • IMDB: link

Jack Abramoff was a greedy prick. That’s really the only message Casino Jack has. If you were expecting anything more from this political biopic by director George Hickenlooper and screenwriter Norman Snider you’re bound to leave disappointed.

Kevin Spacey stars as the Washington D.C. super-lobbyist who became a household name working for Preston Gates & Ellis and Greenberg Traurig and a director of the National Center for Public Policy Research. The film gives us a look into Abramoff’s rise to prominence and the personal flaws and series of events which led to his conviction on charges of embezzlement, fraud, and corruption.

The script is never quite sure what to do with this charismatic character who has dreams of helping the world while robbing his defrauding of Native American tribes and lining his own pockets with gold. It’s certainly a meaty role for Spacey, but the film gives us no reason to root either for or against this deeply flawed individual addicted to both money and power.

…

Casino JackRead More »

Casino Jack Read More »

Rabbit Hole

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Rabbit Hole
  • IMDB: link

Is there anything worse than the loss of a child? Adapted from his play, writer David Lindsay-Abaire gives us the tale of a couple struggling with the death of their young son Danny (Phoenix List) eight months after his death.

On the outside the lives of Howie (Aaron Eckhart) and Becca (Nicole Kidman) seem normal enough. But we can tell something is wrong. We slowly realize there is a missing member of this family whose absence is not only felt in every frame but is slowly destroying the couple from within.

For 90 minutes we follow Howie and Becca through their pain, various coping techniques, and watch each of them struggle with their inability to move beyond such a devastating loss. Director John Cameron Mitchell‘s film is not a fun hour-and-a-half by any means. This version of Lindsay-Abaire’s play is full of raw emotion just under (and often boiling over) the surface.

…

Rabbit HoleRead More »

Rabbit Hole Read More »

The Cape

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: The Cape – Pilot
  • tv.com: link

The “Pilot” for The Cape, NBC’s new super-hero drama, is a mess. First, the basic set-up: A cop (David Lyons) is framed by a super-villain entrepreneur (James Frain) losing his job, life, and family (Jennifer Ferrin, Ryan Wynott). Disgraced, and believed dead, our hero takes up with the “Circus of Crime” (led by Keith David) who help him hone his skills to become a super-hero. With their help, and that of the mysterious Oracle Orwell (Summer Glau), he plans to prove that one man can make a difference and save the city.

…

The CapeRead More »

The Cape Read More »