AltWeeklies Wire
'The Perfect Game' Swings and Missesnew
The formula is all but etched in stone: Choose a ragtag, underdog team and follow them to their triumphant, come-from-behind victory at whatever national championship courtesy of whichever unconventional but inspiring coach they’ve stumbled across.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
04-19-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: The Perfect Game, William Dear
'Chloe': Canadians Get Dirty (in a Clean Way)new
By about the halfway point, the film 'Chloe' starts to morph into your basic erotic thriller.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
03-30-2010 |
Reviews
'Sweetgrass' is a Raw, Open-Eyed Elegy for the American Cowboynew
Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Ilisa Barbash, the husband-and-wife filmmaking team behind Sweetgrass, apparently prefer the term “recordist” over the term “director.” Once you see the documentary, you might be inclined to agree.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
03-16-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Sweetgrass
'Coco Before Chanel' Looks Fabulous but Hangs Kinda Funnynew
While bolstered by the magnetic central performance of the always-charming Audrey Tautou and some damn fine period re-creation, Coco Before Chanel is also restrained by slow pacing and a general lack of drama.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
11-03-2009 |
Reviews
'Bright Star' Casts John Keats as King of All Proto-Emo Boysnew
If you got a D in English Lit, Bright Star probably isn't the romantic ode for you. If you've got a taste for chaste love affairs with unhappy endings, however, Bright Star delivers.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
10-06-2009 |
Reviews
DIY Documentary 'Handmade Nation' Chronicles the Indie Crafts Movementnew
Several years ago, Faythe Levine set out to document the world of DIY art, craft and design. This deeply personal quest led to the creation of a just-released feature documentary called Handmade Nation and a popular companion book of the same name.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
09-01-2009 |
Reviews
The Simple Drama of 'Lemon Tree' Makes for a Powerful Middle East Parablenew
The story, based on a real incident, reads like a fable. Paying attention strictly to the David vs. Goliath surface of it, viewers will be amply rewarded. But Lemon Tree has a number of subtle stories lurking just under the surface.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
08-25-2009 |
Reviews
'Sleep Dealer' Hits Some High Notes Despite its Micro Budgetnew
There are glitches in Sleep Dealer (cheap effects, wobbly acting, an ending that's far more emotionally rewarding than logically satisfying), but most of them are the charming flaws of a homegrown work of art.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
08-18-2009 |
Reviews
Bleary-Headed Party Boys Aren't Quite As Bad As They Wanna Be–But They're Still Funnynew
Arguably, the cumulative effect of The Hangover isn't quite as outrageous as it could (or probably should) be. But fans of Todd Phillips' previous efforts will nurse sufficient belly laughs from the film's post-drunken shenanigans.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
06-09-2009 |
Reviews
'Milk' Breathes Life into Counterculture Crusadernew
There is an inevitability to the tragedy of Milk, but the film never wallows in the downbeat. Instead, it gently celebrates the spirit of its indefatigable hero. More than just a martyr to the cause of gay rights, Milk was a leader who stepped up when troubled times demanded.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
12-09-2008 |
Reviews
'Pride and Glory': When Good Cop Movies Go Badnew
The film is so dark, tonally as well as visually, the entire affair looks like it was shot during a solar eclipse. In other words, it looks and feels right. But something is off. Mostly, it's the script.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
10-28-2008 |
Reviews
Isn't It Funny When 'Smart People' Do Stupid Things?new
On the surface of their new film, first-time filmmakers Mark Poirier and Noam Murro are in danger of stepping into all the cliche pitfalls of the genre. Fortunately, an intelligent script and a fine cast conspire to make this a sharper-than-average slice of indie satire.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
04-15-2008 |
Reviews
'Under the Same Moon' Puts a Cute Lil' Face to Illegal Immigrationnew
It's fairly safe to say that this film was not made by right-wing-radio-listening, border-fence-building members of the Minuteman Project.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
03-25-2008 |
Reviews
'Over Her Dead Body' is Dead on Arrivalnew
The best thing about this new supernatural rom-com is the title, which allows for plenty of creative interpretation. For example: Under what circumstances should you see this film?
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
02-12-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Jeff Lowell, Over Her Dead Body
'Hatchet' Brings Back Blood-and-Boobs Filmmakingnew
Despite the fact that assorted sun-deprived internet bloggers are dubbing writer/director Adam Green the savior of modern horror, it should be noted right up front that Hatchet isn't clever, smart, original, particularly well-made or all that convincingly acted.
Weekly Alibi |
Devin D. O'Leary |
09-11-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Adam Green, Hatchet
