Archive | October 2013
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Flashback: on 1976’s Assault on Precinct 13
It’s incredible. In fact, it’s astonishing upon looking back, that a full half of John Carpenter’s intitial six feature films are bona-fide masterpieces. The other two being 1978’s “Halloween” and 1982’s “The Thing”. But “Assault on Precinct 13” was the first one that really showed Carpenter’s stuff, after debuting with his low-budget, extended “student” film, […]
Much Ado About Nothing
It can’t be avoided, I’m going to have to compare. I mean, I admire the heck out of Joss Whedon for getting this project done AND released to theaters—that alone must have been somewhat of a task. However, I guess the stock that comes with directing one of the highest-grossing films(a little superhero movie from […]
Ralph Fiennes & co. in “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
With the heat of the 2013 film season really starting to percolate, I have to confess that I recently got excited in anticipation of the arrival of 2014. Yes, David Cronenberg’s “Maps to the Star” will be released next year, but that’s not the one that currently has me all jazzed up. The March 2014 […]
Carrie
They had me until the prom. There is so darn much that goes right in the brand new “Carrie” film from Kimberly Peirce(1999’s “Boys Don’t Cry”)that it’s a resounding disappointment when she finally manages to misstep. And I believe the gymnasium celebration/mutilation(and the subsequent walk home to bat-shit crazy Momma)is where it goes awry. It’s […]
Spring Breakers
Well, count me among the group that feels that Harmony Korine’s “Spring Breakers” finally just runs out of steam. I like it enough and all, but it has garnered an extraordinary amount of effusive praise since opening earlier this year. Am I missing something? I mean, it certainly appears to me that Manohla Dargis from […]
“Carrie”-on, Miss White!
Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the original “Carrie” novel by Stephen King, and I’ve just experienced the Kimberly Peirce movie remake(a mere three hours ago). Actually, strike that word “remake”—it’s a revision. What did I think of it? Well, you are going to have to wait just a little bit for that information. […]
Fetch Clay, Make Man off-Broadway
In 1965, Muhammad Ali was boxing’s Heavyweight Champion, and also a scary, threatening figure to a substantial portion of “white” America. Soon after winning the title the previous year, he announced to the world that he was abandoning his “slave” name of Cassius Clay, and that he was a member of the Nation of Islam(sometimes […]
Escape from Tomorrow
Am I going to have a mid-life crisis when I go to Disney World next month? I haven’t been there in over 25 years, and from what I understand it has changed immeasurably. Also, although I’m excited for my children to have a fun time, I am anticipating this trip with some trepidation. Everyone tells me […]
This Is The End
End-of-the-world comedy? I’m in. End-of-the-world comedy starring Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, Michael Cera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as themselves? Fuck yeah! And the apocalypse is taking place right outside James Franco’s house? First of all—where else? And secondly—why did I skip this when it was in theaters?. Count me among the group […]
“Escape from Tomorrow” on VOD!!!
Escape From Tomorrow trailer And the 2013 prize for audacity goes to…Randy Moore. If you haven’t heard about “Escape From Tomorrow” yet…don’t worry, you will. The balls on this writer/director! This guy is awesome. He secretly shoots a creepy film noir that “exposes” the dark underbelly of Disney World, using digital video recording cameras and […]
Reviewed by Mark Leonard 