Showing posts from April, 2014

Movie Review: 'That Awkward Moment' (2014)

"That awkward moment" when you realize that a movie is not what you expected. As three 20-something yuppies set out to stay single in support of their newly separated friend, the slippery slope of expectations quickly crumble.

“That Awkward Moment” is just as much about bromance as it is romance. For approximately an hour and a half, the film tries to convince its audience that its trio of young, irrepressible bachelors are worth caring for, and capable of personal improvement.

TV Report Card | 'Dallas' Season 3A Review

Overview: The showdowns continued as John Ross (Josh Henderson) lied and cheated in an attempt to gain control of Ewing Global. Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) grew a beard and romanced a sassy ranch-hand (AnnaLynne McCord). Elena (Jordana Brewster) plotted revenge and embarked on a romance with her adopted brother. Bobby (Patrick Duffy) was on his toes trying to stop John Ross. Anne (Brenda Strong) and Sue Ellen (Linda Grey) attempted to rein in their despotic children to no avail.

Emma (Emma Bell) had an affair with John Ross and remained smugly self-confident throughout it all. Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) was none the wiser, failing to figure out her husband’s betrayal. The Rylands (Mitch Pileggi and Judith Light) continued their run as a mother/son team to be reckoned with, as the thin line between love and hate, became blurry for one side of the duo.

TV Rundown: April 20 - 25: No One is Safe on 'Vikings'

Most Provocative Close Call: Vikings: Rollo’s life was left hanging in the balance after another fearsome battle. In the world of “Vikings”, no one is ever safe and the atmosphere is always tinged with an ominous tension, as a result. The second season is winding down and not without its share of c…

See It or Free It: 'Fargo'

As someone who is not a huge fan of the Coen Brother’s classic film, expectations for an anthological television series were limited. With that said, FX's new series is a spectacular surprise. Opening up with the equivalent of a cinematic presentation, its pilot “The Crocodile’s Dilemma” immediately succeeded in enthralling with a gripping premiere.

The directing, writing and acting performances were all supremely top notch. While there are tones of similarity to the film narrative, the characters in this TV version, pop in a naturalistic fashion that is superlatively engrossing. They are sympathetic, terrible and sinisterly understandable.

TV Rundown: April 13 - 18: 'Dallas' Shocks

Biggest Shockers: Dallas: It was one explosive moment after another during the series’ mid-season finale. The shockers definitely left viewers with something to mull over, until the second half of the season kicks off in August. After this installment had started out strong, it experienced some mellowing with the adultery storyline involving John Ross and Emma. If the finale is any indication, there is hope the show is getting back on track after it slightly deviated off-course.

Retro Movie Review: 'The Raid: Redemption' (2011)

"The Raid: Redemption" is a cult action flick that has become somewhat of a phenomenon given its strong word of mouth. Given that pre-screening expectations were high. Perhaps that is why upon actually seeing it, there was a bit of disappointment.

Movie Review: 'Phantom' (2013)

Expertly acted by an impressive ensemble, the grim material is elevated to the next level. Set in the claustrophobic scenery of a submarine circa The Cold War, “Phantom” tells the story of a Soviet naval team tasked with an apparent suicide mission. As the battle lines are drawn between two ideologies, the fate of the entire world could be altered forever.

Movie Review: 'Bad Words' (2013) - Flows with Pitch Perfect Precision

Outrageous, curiously outlandish and absolutely hilarious, these sentiments sum up Jason Bateman’s directorial debut, "Bad Words." A sharp script by Andrew Dodge serves as the perfect platform for Bateman to shine as the horribly cruel and shockingly crude, Guy Trilby. Trilby is similar to Billy Bob Thornton’s profanity soaked character from “Bad Santa” even finding his Grinch-stricken heart melted infinitesimally by a sweet kid.

Best & Worst: The 2014 MTV Movie Awards

Wait…was this the People's Choice Awards? As the night's winners were revealed, one couldn't help notice that only the victors were present.

Why so bored? Without fail, every time the camera panned out to the crowd, a star appeared dismayed by the current happenings. With the exception o…

TV Rundown: April 6 - 11: 'Game of Thrones' Returns

Best Return: Game of Thrones: What a sight for sore eyes! Fans have had to wait an entire year for Tyrion, Arya and the Mother of Dragons, among others to make their valiant return and their patience finally paid off. The opening seconds packed a punch as the symbols of the House of Stark were dismantled, complete with the melting of their swords.

Elsewhere, characters were still reeling from last season’s brutal Red Wedding. Jon Snow made his way back to Castle Black to face the music for breaking his virginity oath with firebrand Wilding, Ygritte.

It was an episode lavished with beautiful cinematography and character intrigue. The only downside was the lack of Lord Varys, who always offers tremendous philosophical insight.

Retro Movie Review: 'The Big Picture' (2010)

Psychologically taxing and impressively acted, “The Big Picture” is a sensationally enthralling French film based on the identically titled novel by Douglas Kennedy. Opening up with a baby’s cries, the film introduces us to Paul (Romain Duris), a loving family man and prominent attorney in Paris.
L…

Sonic Assembly: Apollo Junction, Jykkala, No One Sun, Quinn Archer

Sonic Assembly is a feature that spotlights 2 or more talented musical artists (in alphabetical order), their works or a new musical project and shares how you can listen to them.

Movie Review: 'The Lifeguard' (2013)

"The Lifeguard" is a monotonous coming-of-age story for adults. A murky morality tale that’s lead characters are next to impossible to sympathize with. Broken by the big city, Leigh (Kristen Bell) a 29-year-old AP writer returns to her hometown to find comfort from a horrible mother, and henpecked father.

TV Rundown: March 30 - April 4: 'DWTS' Inspires

Most Awe-Inspiring Moment: Amy Purdy’s Dance on Dancing with the Star: After watching the emotional package that led into Purdy’s contemporary dance, there was no doubt it would follow suit with matching poignancy. Viewers were given a snap shot of all she and her family have overcome and it was heart-wrenching.

Then with majestic elegance, she once again defied all of the obstacles life has thrown in her way as she gave a magnificent tribute to the human spirit and more pointedly, her own. It’s moments like these that prove DWTS is more than a reality/competition series and why after 18 seasons it’s still a must-see.

Best New Movie Bets: April [The Complete Guide]

Under the Skin: Scarlett Johansson’s meditative indie about an alien coming to earth has been garnering critical buzz. Potential viewers should be warned that if you are a dialogue enthusiast, there is reportedly about one line uttered, in the entire film. Despite sounding dreadfully boring, director Jonathan Glazer has sold personal interest by promising an introspective look at celebrity by using aliens as a profound metaphor.

Johansson, who stunned with a riveting vocal performance in “Her,” is poised to remind audiences that she can captivate in a small project and hold attention in a role where a lot of Hollywood’s signature glitz and glamour are out of sight. This is Glazer’s first feature film since he helmed the controversial “Birth” starring Nicole Kidman. Known to plot quietly, Glazer is a director of the more avant garde so this definitely isn’t a film for everyone. Release Date: April 4

Quick Hit Movie Reviews #3: 'The Food Guide to Love' (2013) And 'Some Girl(s)' (2013)

"The Food Guide to Love" (2013)

Quality romantic comedies are hard to come by these days, an extinct breed of filmmaking that has been disparaged to the point that few are even produced. Once the crème de la crème of 90’s cinema; the low budget charm of a genre that actually focuses on relationships devoid of crude shenanigans and characters worth caring about, has steadily diminished.

“The Food Guide to Love” provides hope that not all is lost in the arena of adult comedy. Richard Coyle stars as Oliver, a food critic, and lothario who has merged his two great passions together. Using food as a metaphor for love and relationships, he has found success as an author. His world of playboy frivolity is halted when he meets the free-spirited Bibiana (Leonor Watling).

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