Jersey Boy, Clint Eastwood’s rousing, sexy and deliciously nostalgic film about sixties’ pop idols The Four Seasons. It tells the story of their rise to fame in the late fifties to become the top group of the pre-Beatles era. They shared a fascinating backstory, personally and professionally, including run-ins with the Mafia and tumultuous love
Then, again, so are many corporations. When Yes Men Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno launched their “Survivaballs” into New York’s East River to protest the lack of an effective United Nations climate change policy, they were not surprised when legal action ensued (“Yes, just stay to the left of the machine gun…”). In fact, they
In 1755, the Leininger family, Lutherans from Germany, came to live in the British Colonies in America to escape persecution at home. They settled in the Ohio Valley but soon found their farm was at ground zero for the war between the French and British for control of the Colonies. It was the earliest stage
3 Days to Kill manages to have some decent action sequences and a few laughs, but the film is a misfire for Kevin Costner and director McG. Written by Luc Besson and Adi Hasak, the film sees Costner joined by a talented cast including Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld, Connie Nielsen, Richard Sammel, and Eriq Ebouaney.
New director William Eubank gives it a good try but fails to capitalize on a good idea, Screened at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival, computer hackers Brenton Thwaites (playing Nic Eastman) and Beau Knapp (playing Jonah Breck) receive a very mysterious message. A couple quick replies indicate they are being challenged to a computer
A minimalist investigation into Turkish women bearing the sins of the world. Screened at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival, Saodat Ismailova’s “Chilla” came as a surprise to an audience expecting the Indian crime thriller “Monsoon Shootout.” As the SIFF staff pointed out, “this is no Monsoon Shootout.” Indeed, Ismailov’s movie probably produces more lasting
A fantastic and supremely realistic journey into the underworld of the subway and the nether world of the illegal alien. Emerging Director Sam Fleischner is able to put his dozen-plus lenser creds to good use in this surrealistic yet grounded narrative of a boy lost in the New York subways. Winner of a Special Jury
No history-making drama here, but a sincere journey into solidly founded fears that dog the parents of the new millennium Screened at the 40th Seattle International Film Festival, Craig Johnson directs “Saturday Night Live” alums Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader as estranged twins reuniting after ten years of silence. The film starts off with the
There’s a character in Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s romantic comedy Blended that is the sizzle on every steak, the Fourth of July fireworks, the life of the party. Petite and pretty, movie newcomer Jessica Lowe’s wicked delivery and comic intelligence takes “life of the party” up several dozen notches. Once seen, she’s not forgotten.
Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles proved not all westerns have to be serious and managed to show just how far the iconic director could push the envelope. The film manages to offend just about everyone possible, but you can’t help but laugh – even if you kind of feel like you shouldn’t be laughing. Celebrating the