entertainment » movies
"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" offers as little as its title
By Kevin Teng | Nov. 20, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Few movies targeted at young children feature a silent audience – babies cry, small boys laugh uncontrollably or little girls scream in delight. In "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium," however, the only excitement within the movie theater comes from the children on the movie screen playing with magical toys.
Run away from "August Rush"
By Kiera Zitelman | Nov. 20, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Note to viewers: movie trailers can deceive. The worst movies often have the best trailers. Take, for example, "August Rush." Trailer version: an imaginative, lighthearted drama about an orphaned boy trying to find his parents through music. Actual movie: an awful creation that wastes the talents of some decent actors and focuses its energy on meaningless blather.
Visually stunning "Beowulf" fails to charm
By Monica Wei | Nov. 19, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
The oldest and greatest English epic tale comes to life with the newest cutting edge technology in "Beowulf." Director Robert Zemecki combines 3D imaging with motion capture technology (improved since the creepy people of Zemecki's "Polar Express) to create the beautiful world of Beowulf. Unfortunately, even these amazing visuals cannot rescue the film from a predictable plot and lackluster characters.
A heartwarming "August Rush"
By Charles Kong | Nov. 19, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
After a disastrous experience six years ago with "Disco Pigs," a violent and twisted romance, director Kirsten Sheridan has rearranged her mindset with "August Rush," a light-hearted family film. Instead of showcasing a hysterical mess with crime at its center, "August Rush" brings forth a fountain of music and magic that is bound to compel even the coldest people to sniff back a few salty droplets.
D'you know "Juno"?
By Kiera Zitelman | Nov. 18, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
"I'm not sure I'm ready for this" is a frequent response to pregnancy, according to "Pregnancy for Dummies," which Ellen Page read to prepare for her role as a pregnant teenager in "Juno." But a note to those who might write off "Juno" as another tragic tale of a teen mom: it's not. The film is a hilarious comedy from Jason Reitman ("Thank You For Smoking"), and it is not just about pregnancy. "Juno" is a classic-to-be about growing up and the little "bumps" along the way.
"No Country" for bad movies
By Ya Zhou | Nov. 12, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Ethan and Joel Coen's new psychological thriller "No Country for Old Men" artfully draws viewers through the too often mishandled subject of horror and torture and into a complex web of fantastic plot and striking cinematography.
"Fred Claus" deserves a Christmas cheer
By Maya Calabrese | Nov. 12, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
With Christmas fast approaching, everyone is focused on finding the perfect tree, buying presents and writing their letters to dear Santa Claus. Amidst the chaos of a season dedicated to jolly ol' Santa, everyone seems to forget about his brother, Fred. But after watching "Fred Claus," it will be hard for anyone to forget about him, especially with the film's impeccable casting and integration of humor for all ages.
A "Bee" grade movie
By Anika Manzoor | Nov. 6, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Jerry Seinfeld has never exactly been known to be particularly kid friendly. So the thought of him portraying a bee – of all creatures – in an animated comedy certainly raises eyebrows. "Bee Movie" says no, mainly due to the film's more mature-oriented gags, which fail to appeal to the target kid audience.
A hackneyed "Dan"
By Anika Manzoor | Oct. 31, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
With two hit movies and an extremely popular TV show, Steve Carell has set quite a high standard for himself. For this reason alone, Carell's new comedy "Dan in Real Life," which otherwise would have earned average marks as a romantic comedy, has been downgraded to a downright disappointment.
A rusty "Saw" doesn't cut it
By David Zheng | Oct. 29, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
"Saw" was brilliant. "Saw II" was enjoyable. "Saw III" was captivating. "Saw IV" is, at best, disappointing as a part of the series and even worse as a stand-alone movie. The once gripping psychological thrills have fallen to mediocrity, and the franchise has been reduced to a jumbled mess of disjointed plotlines.
"Gone Baby Gone" is all there
By Monica Wei | Oct. 23, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Ben Affleck can be written off as an actor who relies on a pretty-boy face rather than talent, but thankfully this time he avoids the spotlight. In "Gone Baby Gone," Affleck steps behind the scenes as director and delivers an emotional and disturbing film that delves into the lives of those who fall through the cracks.
"We Own the Night" owns the theater
By Sean Howard | Oct. 17, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
If forced to choose between your family, your significant other or the lifestyle you love, which would you choose? In "We Own the Night," director James Gray beautifully illustrates the struggle of an ordinary man seeking to find the balance between kin, love and career.
"The Kingdom" comes with a blast
By Kevin Teng | Oct. 3, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Politics and economics are the basis for the troubling war that is going on in the Middle East, something that director Peter Berg's "The Kingdom" tries to convey and capture while flaunting the brutality of armed conflict. The unexpected combination of violence and a serious message about world affairs allows for an enjoyably explosive film experience.
Successful "Hunting" in new territory
By Lucas Alvarado-Farrar | Oct. 2, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Wandering through war zones, disregarding dying civilians and escaping close encounters with soldiers all while filming and reporting the pure carnage is a job fit for only the most daring of reporters. In "The Hunting Party," this astounding journalism team consists of nimble cameraman Duck (Terrance Howard), and the cocky yet honest war-correspondent Simon Hunt (Richard Gere). The team leaps over dead bodies in war-torn countries from Somalia to El Salvador all while dodging bullets, rockets and negative reviews from viewers at home.
"Good Luck Chuck” is not so lucky
By Anika Manzoor | Sept. 25, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Jessica Alba and Dane Cook are two good-looking individuals. Exceptionally good-looking, in fact, which is probably the sole reason these two were paired to star in a new comedy from first time director Mark Helfrich. After all, everyone loves it when two hotties fall in love. However, the makers of "Good Luck Chuck" were under the false impression that this premise alone, accompanied with tons of bare breasts and ill-conceived potty jokes, would be enough substance for a successful romantic-comedy. Sure enough, the end result is vulgar, sexist and painful to watch.
"Extinction" of originality
By David Zheng | Sept. 25, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Welcome to the wonderful world of "Resident Evil: Extinction," where viruses can dry up lakes and rivers, genetic mutations can grant telekinetic powers capable of frying computer chips in satellites thousands of miles away. The third installment of the hack and slash zombie series based on the popular "Resident Evil" video games, "Extinction," like its predecessors, falls into a painfully familiar rehashing that leaves the film as brainless as the zombies in it.
"Sydney White:" a much less magical Snow White
By Ya Zhou | Sept. 24, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
From director Joe Nussbaum, who brought audiences the oh-so impressive and epic film "Sleepover" (2005), "Sydney White" stars Amanda Bynes, Sara Paxton and Matt Long in a movie which, though it is wrought for a narrow teenage population, still squeezes in humorous characters and brief moments of true sentiment.
"Sydney White" is no fairy tale
By Emily Hsiao | Sept. 24, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" is a classic fairy tale that everyone hears when they are kids. But what happens when Snow White goes to college? "Sydney White" takes this tale on a spin, making it into a modern-day comedy, mixing in the theme of geeks taking revenge on the popular crowd. Although the plot is too foreseeable, the movie is still enjoyable, with some pleasant humor and sincere acting.
"D-War" is a monstrosity
By Emily Hsiao | Sept. 18, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Legends filled with giant dragons, snakes, monsters and lots of fighting are supposed to be exciting and suspenseful. But even though "Dragon Wars: D-War" contains all of the above, it lacks the directing, acting and plot that makes other fantasy films worth seeing. Instead, the film appears to be a rip-off of "Godzilla" and "King Kong" with extra special effects.
An exciting film if you're a ‘Brave One'
By Jasleen Salwan | Sept. 18, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
"Why don't my hands shake?" says Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) after shooting two men who assault her on a subway in "The Brave One." Though Erica may remain stoic through killing scenes, the audience is constantly trembling through the psychological thriller.
"The Brave One" does too much at once
By Monica Wei | Sept. 17, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
From thugs in Central Park to illegal gun sales in back alleys, "The Brave One" is sure to instill fear into even the hardiest travelers with its harsh portrayal of New York City. But while the movie successfully terrifies tourists, it misses both of Director Neil Jordan's aims – to shine as a thrilling action film and simultaneously examine moral dilemmas.
The "One" that you shouldn't watch
By Kevin Teng | Sept. 17, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
This movie is boring. Naps are appropriate during several irrelevant scenes throughout the movie, since most of the two hours of screenplay are of Erica Bain (Jodie Foster) talking in a stoic tone or walking, listening to the environmental noise in New York City. The only substance in the movie comes from the sporadic vulgarity and gunshots, barely enough material to make a ten minute short film that belongs on YouTube.
The "Devil" that haunted the world
By Amanda Pollak | Sept. 17, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
If you can get through Brian Steidle's poignant new documentary, "The Devil Came on Horseback," without being affected by the vivid images of genocide, you're probably not human.
"Balls of Fury" is not very furious
By Sean Howard | Sept. 6, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
In this sports comedy directed by Ben Garant, a disgraced ping-pong champion is given a shot at redemption and a chance to avenge the death of his father in the world of secret underground ping-pong tournaments.
Cross Bacon's path and get a "Death Sentence”
By Anika Manzoor | Sept. 5, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
There are many degrees of Kevin Bacon. He has done angst-ridden teen with crazy-cool moves. He has done misunderstood child molester. Heck, he has even done gay German hairdresser. While he has rarely disappointed, it is a wonder if he can pull off the role of the vengeful vigilante in this thriller that is loosely based on Brian Garfield's 1975 novel of the same name. But indeed he has, with a stunning performance that greatly outshines the poor plot and writing.
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