Posts by Archive Authors

I must admit, I came at The Storm Warriors with very little knowledge of its creators, the Pang brothers, but as someone who appreciates Asian cinema, I felt that I had the sensibilities to enjoy the film.

Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is a self-centered dealer in exotic cars. He imports high-end sports cars into the states and sells them to the highest bidder. Within the first 10 minutes, we learn that he is not above bribing the EP for the cars to pass emissions, that he treats his girlfriend poorly, and that his father has just passed away. As he goes to the reading of the will, hoping for a big payday, his father leaves him only a car.

Written by Diane Tillis

It is rare for a film to create a complex portrait of a child with the same thoughtfulness as a serious portrait of an adult. The Girl is unusual compared to the countless other coming-of-age films is in its depiction of the title character and the events she experiences in one summer.

Written by Diane Tillis

See You in September is Tamara Tunie’s (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) first attempt behind the camera as director and producer. It is a romantic comedy with a cast of recognizable faces, such as Estella Warren from Planet of the Apes (2001) and Justin Kirk from Showtime’s Weeds. See You in September is a lighthearted film for the optimistic romantic in all of us.

Written by Diane Tillis

Like Dandelion Dust is a compelling drama that focuses on the complexities of parental love towards a child. There are two families at the center of the film. The Porters are a blue-collar couple that gave their newborn up for adoption after struggles with domestic violence and alcoholism.

The Freebie is a festival friendly drama-comedy about Darren (Dax Shepard) and Annie (Katie Aselton) ailing sexual relationship.  The film is interested with relationships after they pass the lust stage.  How do couples maintain a healthy romantic relationship? Darren and Annie strive for ways to spice up their situation and the idea eventually becomes one night of freedom from each other to explore other options. 

Denis Leary and Friends presents: Douchebags and Donuts includes stand up sets from Adam Ferrara, Lenny Clarke, Whitney Cummings and Denis Leary. Also, there are musical performances by The Enablers featuring the Rehab Horns.  All proceeds from this event (as well as portions of the DVD sales) went/go to Denis Leary’s charity, The Leary Firefighters Foundation.

“’Have gun, will travel’ reads the card of a man. A knight without armor in a savage land…”

Those words ended every episode of Have Gun Will Travel, sung by Johnny Western in a time that such words could be sung without irony. Outside of Richard Boone’s black-clad, craggy Rhett Butler gone-to-seed gunfighter, that song was all I could really recall about this venerable Western from television’s golden age.

There’s no doubt that Kevin Costner’s name has been attached to some pretty crappy projects during his career – Waterworld, The Postman, and 3000 Miles to Graceland to name a few – and it’s unfortunate, because the aforementioned dirt loafs have tarnished the fine film that we’re here to discuss, Dances With Wolves. Heck, even I had horrid recollections of the film from viewing it years ago in theaters. However, this review forced me to check the film out again and I actually found myself…enjoying it – and enjoying it immensely.

Written by Diane Tillis

Magic is a source of great debate. From the great magicians like Harry Houdini to the modern magicians like David Blaine, they continue to force their audiences to pick a side of the debate. Should you believe the truth of the trick? On the other hand, you could forget the truth and believe in the magic. Which side would you choose?