Posted in: The Reel World by Archive Authors on September 23rd, 2011
Written by John Delia
Sweet, charming and touching, My Afternoons with Margueritte has what it takes when it comes to entertainment value. What makes the film so good comes from the acting of Girard Depardieu, Gisèle Casadesus and fine directing by Jean Becker. If you prefer a film that has excellent acting with a loving script, then My Afternoons with Margueritte is your French strawberry croissant.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on September 22nd, 2011
By Natasha Samreny
Judd Nelson and cupcakes. Cue Whitney, Didn't we almost have it all? If you must, at least don't watch this one an empty stomach. The movie's about a small town's star cupcake baker Mary Maroni (Lea Thompson) who ends up becoming Mayor on a fluke. And besides Judd (yes we're on a first-name basis) as Thompson's moustachio'd, harmonica-playing husband, frankly, the endless beauty shots of rainbow-colored cupcakes stole the show.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on September 22nd, 2011
By Natasha Samreny
“Maybe that day when I ran out of the hotel, maybe I never stopped running really. Maybe I'm running away from the hurt.”
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on September 21st, 2011
By Natasha Samreny
Fans of Airwolf will recognize the DVD as a version of the movie that launched 1980s TV series of the same name. For those who aren't familiar with the show, director Don Bellisario also created Magnum, P.I., JAG, Quantum Leap and more recently NCIS.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on September 21st, 2011
By Natasha Samreny
Dear Lemon Lima is the story of a girl who loves a boy and realizes what a jerk he is. But there's more, and if the story doesn't keep you, the characters will.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on September 20th, 2011
Written by John Delia
If you are a Keanu Reeves fan, then you won’t want to miss Henry’s Crime, now out on DVD. The movie, released in 2010, has a thin storyline, but the good acting overshadows this downside. His support cast includes nice performances by Vera Farmiga and James Caan, so the film can’t be all that bad. The film is directed by Malcolm Venville.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on September 20th, 2011
Written by John Delia
This television movie fits into the hackneyed cinema mold of predictable storyline ordinary camerawork, low-budget talent and the absence of any realistic special effects. If you can’t find anything else to rent, however, then it will do in a pinch. Geared for the terror crowd, the insipid acting, unimpressive script and implausible actions are all downsides for this film genre.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on September 20th, 2011
Before I review the DVD copy of The Last Godfather, I should mention that the previews that preceded it had me scratching my head. They played Bad Santa and Scary Movie, and I’m going, “What the heck?” Then they played Everything Must Go and I say, “Oh, Okay.” It was just disconcerting to see films from such divergent time periods slapped together like that.
The film stars Harvey Keitel, Michael Rispoli and Jon Polito, who are respectable actors we would expect to see in a Mafia movie. It also stars Jason (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) Mewes, John (You go NOW! )Pinettte, and our writer/director/star Hyung Rae Shim. Here it is again, divergent disparities.
So you come into this film knowing it is a goof just by seeing the cast list. The question then becomes, “Is it a good goof or a bad goof?” It’s not important that we know that Hyung Rae Shim is a big fat Korean superstar (he does like to show off his belly) because since this is an English language film set in New York City it is meant to broaden whatever international appeal he may have. They are probably hoping for the next Jackie Chan.
I’ll tell you up front that Hyung is a comedian, but the kind of comedian that would probably make Jerry Lewis blush with embarrassment. I’m not necessarily saying this is a bad thing, but I’m just saying that he would make Ace Ventura Pet Detective look like The Merchant of Venice. This is a Mafia story, and they are relatively faithful to the tradition but in a broad comedic fashion.
Still, I’d hate to see what would happen if the heads of the families saw this.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Archive Authors on September 20th, 2011
Disco Worms
Disco Worms is animated film featuring Jane Lynch of Glee. When I first saw the title of this film, I was rather skeptical about another animated movie singing old hits all over again. I was surprised to see that it was actually very well done. The animation is fairly enjoyable. I especially liked the brilliantly-designed body language of the worms whose tail-gestures make up for the lack of arms.
Posted in: The Reel World by Archive Authors on September 16th, 2011
Written by John Delia
Here’s a remake that actually makes for better entertainment. It’s called Straw Dogs, and the cunning little tale takes you into the dark side of a dysfunctional town and renders fear. I was very much blown away by the film from its mellow beginning to a buildup of concern and a final turn of events that made me shudder. If you like films that have a deep seeded alarming undertone, then rush to see Straw Dogs.
