A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas should have gone back to White Castle

Posted on November 14, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The Hangover made Warner Brothers half a billion dollars worldwide and became the comedy favorite of many, but it owes a serious debt to Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.  Before The Hangover posse woke up to a lion in their midst, Harold and Kumar rode a cheetah through the woods; random celebrity cameo from Mike Tyson?  Neil Patrick Harris’ recent career revival is directly related to his cocaine cameo in the franchise’s first outing.  Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle was the reigning champion of surrealist, insane, shenanigan-filled movies.  Which is why it’s so disappointing that despite a bigger budget and a chance to make up for the lack luster sequel Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, the boys still fail to live up to the hilarity standard they set in 2004. Continue reading →

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Melancholia – A Stark Fantasy of Depression

Posted on November 7, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Lars von Trier made headlines earlier this year for his Hitler-sympathy gaffe at Cannes, and as a result, that controversy took up the bulk of the conversation. I can’t help but wonder what might have happened had he not spoken out of turn. We might have been more focused on the film he was representing at the Croisette, because truth be told, Melancholia is a devastatingly beautiful film from the famed provocateur. Continue reading →

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Kevin Smith completely reinvents himself with Red State

Posted on October 26, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Kevin Smith has been making films for almost twenty years, generating a couple of films that hit critical pay dirt (Clerks, Dogma), a few that made cash and satisfied the converted (Clerks II, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), and others that achieved an almost cult status (Chasing Amy, Mallrats).  Before bromance became a part of our lexicon thanks to Judd Apatow flicks, Smith was perfecting the model (Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Clerks II).  Considering Smith’s reputation, deeply entrenched within the bromance and dick jokes niches, it’s a dumbfounding discovery to find that his tenth film is a mature, nuanced look at the horrors of contemporary America.

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Moneyball eschews convention

Posted on October 17, 2011 by | Leave a comment

You know that fall Oscar season is on the march when the “based on a true story” dramas start rolling out to your local cinema.  Moneyball looks to be cashing in on this tired format, combining baseball with all-American star Brad Pitt as he tries to win the big game against all odds.  Yet it refuses traditional trappings that are both pleasurable and middling. Continue reading →

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Life with cancer not all tragedy in 50/50

Posted on October 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The last time comedy was placed alongside cancer, it was called Funny People.  Despite Funny People being a quality film, audiences were supremely annoyed that it wasn’t the usual Adam Sandler shenanigans but instead consisted more of drama than comedy.  50/50 should avoid the same sort of audience disdain, as it blends comedy and drama with equal measure. Continue reading →

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Nicolas Winding Refn – A Brutal Name to Watch

Posted on September 26, 2011 by | Leave a comment

There are very few directors working today as in control of their craft as Nicolas Winding Refn. With his most recent film, Drive, Refn has had his most evident success yet, and probably his greatest work.  Yet Drive is bound to Refn’s previous work via its thematic material and similar cinematic devices.

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Drive is the coolest film of the year

Posted on September 16, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Nicolas Winding Refn should be mandatory viewing for film nerds.  The audacity and craftsmanship of his filmmaking put him on par with the likes of Darren Aronofsky (see Refn’s Bronson), but with a sense of subtlety (Valhalla Rising).  Pair Refn with the magnetic Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson, Lars and the Real Girl) and a high concept heist film that co-stars Bryan Cranston, and you have an unholy concoction of brilliant variables unseen since the release of the Double Down (with less heart disease).  But this is far from an action film… Continue reading →

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