Category: Movie Review

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The Day Before: What The Critics Are Saying About ‘After Earth’ and ‘Now You See Me’

John Stark

AFTER EARTH: 15% on Rotten Tomatoes (currently) “Some of “After Earth” is intriguing, if you ignore the premise and the story and the direction and much of Jaden Smith’s performance.”- Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic “After Earth may lack the neck-swiveling awfulness of Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender, but it quickly sinks in its logorrheic solemnity.”- Richard Curtis, Time “[Shyamalan’s] grasp of film fundamentals is so tenuous that this hot-air balloon gets blown into the rarefied air of the worst movies ever made.”- Joe Williams, St Louis Post-Dispatch “Nobody on-screen has much fun with “After Earth.” And neither do we.”- Chris Hewitt, … Continue reading The Day Before: What The Critics Are Saying About ‘After Earth’ and ‘Now You See Me’

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10 Totally Helpful Reviews From Netflix Users

John Stark

Trying to figure out what to watch this weekend? Maybe these Netflix users can help you decide. Blue Mountain State: “Make another season!!!!! BMS is the best~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL YEAH” Glee: “if u dont put season four on here im quitting netflix SO HURRY!!!! AND BTW I NOT LYING I WILL POEPLE WILL START GETTING MAD” House At The End Of The Street: “Best Movie Ever! You will not waist your time watching this believe me. Jennifer Lawrence is such a great actrees” Bruno: “I found this film to be deeply inspirational. This film changed my life. I love this film.” Dumbo: … Continue reading 10 Totally Helpful Reviews From Netflix Users

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Arthur Christmas

John Stark

WITH THE VOICES OF: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton WRITTEN BY: Peter Baynham and Sarah Smith DIRECTED BY: Sarah Smith and Barry Cook So, I definitely did not watch this movie during the Holiday season. Sometimes though, halfway through the year, you can enjoy a nice holiday pick-up, like a reminder that Christmas is coming. Arthur Christmas was a nice reminder of that. Somewhere nestled between other Christmas classics like  Polar Express and How The Grinch Stole Christmas is now Arthur Christmas, despite its depressingly low box office. Only 48 million? Really? This film deserved … Continue reading Arthur Christmas

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Movie Review: Iron Man 3

John Stark

STARRING: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Don Cheadle, Rebecca Hall, Ben Kingsley, Jon Faverau, James Badge Dale, William Sadler, Dale Dickey, Ty Simpkins, and Miguel Ferrer WRITTEN BY: Drew Pearce and Shane Black. DIRECTED BY: Shane Black First off. Mad props for a studio taking a risk on Shane Black, because he is a fantastic director. Sure, he wrote some shitty films, but he directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which is a great film. It demands your attention. It’s possible that this entry is the best in the franchise, moreso because there is a great plot twist that … Continue reading Movie Review: Iron Man 3

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This Is 40

John Stark

STARRING: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Albert Brooks, Jason Segal, Maude Apatow, Iris Apatow, Megan Fox, Robert Smigel, Charlyne Yi, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O’Dowd, John Lithgow, and Lena Dunham. WRITTEN BY: Judd Apatow DIRECTED BY: Judd Apatow Judd Apatow movies have their haters. I think people have gotten tired of his “brand” of films, much like people got bored with Adam Sandler after Big Daddy. Just like no one had a problem with Michael Bay when he directed The Rock and Bad Boys. But when Armageddon came around? Something happened. And now everyone hates Michael Bay, even though his movies are … Continue reading This Is 40

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Tears Of The Sun

John Stark

STARRING: Bruce Willis, Monica Bellucci, Cole Hauser, Johnny Messner, Tom Skerritt, Nick Chinlund, Eamonn Walker WRITTEN BY: Alex Lasker and Patrick Cirillo DIRECTED BY: Antoine Fuqua There are war movies that document the historic battles and remind us of the times in our past that have created the present we love and know. There are other war movies that are basically just action movies masquerading as war movies. This is one of those movies. Nothing historic, just a fake battle between our American soldiers and some rebel forces, and there are some people who need some saving. Oh, and, Bruce … Continue reading Tears Of The Sun

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Play It To The Bone

John Stark

STARRING: Antonio Banderas, Woody Harrelson, Lolita Davidovich, Tom Sizemore, Lucy Liu, Robert Wagner WRITTEN BY: Ron Shelton DIRECTED BY: Ron Shelton I can’t believe this movie is 14 years old. Woody Harrelson looks exactly the same in this film as he does now. It’s startling to see that he really hasn’t aged much since then. Antonio Banderas has put on a few years, but not much, certainly not 14. In Play It To The Bone, both men are pegged as boxers who are really too old to still be doing this, yet are still looking for a second chance. While … Continue reading Play It To The Bone

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For A Good Time, Call

John Stark

Cast: Lauren Miller, Ari Graynor, Justin Long, Mark Webber, James Wolk, Nia Vardalos, Seth Rogen, Kevin Smith Written By: Lauren Miller, Katie Naylon Directed By: Jamie Travis In case you were wondering if you missed a good comedy in 2012, you probably did. This gem didn’t get a wide release, so you had to live in a major market, or wait for DVD. That’s a shame, because it’s one of the smarter comedies to come out of last year. That is, if you don’t get offended easily with in your face sexual comments. This film is definitely very frank. Lauren … Continue reading For A Good Time, Call

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Stand Up Guys

John Stark

STAND UP GUYS Cast: Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin, Vanessa Ferlito, Julianna Margulies, Judy Punch, Courtney Galiano Written By: Noah Haidle Directed By: Fisher Stevens You likely missed this movie. That would be a mistake. Really, almost any time you have the opportunity to catch a film starring Pacino, Walken, and Arkin, you should catch it. Yes, this film has a few problems, but Pacino and Walken specifically make the most out of it.  The plot of the film centers around Val (Pacino), a man recently released from prison after 28 years, spends his first day out with his … Continue reading Stand Up Guys

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Won’t Back Down

John Stark

WON’T BACK DOWN Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Oscar Issac, Holly Hunter, Rosie Perez, Ving Rhames, Emily Alyn Lind, Lance Reddick Written By: Brin Hill, Daniel Barnz Directed By: Daniel Barnz Surprisingly, this isn’t the first film by Daniel Barnz. He previously directed the little-seen Phoebe In Wonderland, and the floptastic Beastly. After the box office for Won’t Back Down, I doubt we’ll be seeing much of him as a feature director. The truth is, that despite the stellar cast, Won’t Back Down never feels like it’s anything more than a made-for-TV movie. It’s a Hallmark “Movie of the Week”. … Continue reading Won’t Back Down