AltWeeklies Wire
Why 'Wall-E' is Fucking Phenomenalnew
Wall-E won't only be one of the best films of the year, but may become one of the best science-fiction films ever made.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
06-27-2008 |
Reviews
Geeking Out with 'Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures'new
Like developer Traveller's Tales' Lego Star Wars games, Lego Indiana Jones has a simple premise: You run, swing, jump, and punch your way through the three original Indiana Jones films, from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Temple of Doom to Last Crusade.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
06-19-2008 |
Video Games
Mike Myers Isn't Funny Anymore ... and It Makes Me Sadnew
Buried inside The Love Guru, there's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to Wayne's World, and man, is it depressing. I know Wayne's World isn't necessarily a work of cinematic genius, but it was funny when I was 12, and it's funny now -- which is more than I can say for Mike Myers' latest.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
06-19-2008 |
Reviews
Indiana Jones Wants You Damn Kids to Get off His Lawn!new
Harrison Ford is, once again, funny and tough and cool, able to crack a bullwhip and punch out a stooge with the best of 'em. But the film doesn't feel the same. There's CG and sci-fi.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
05-23-2008 |
Reviews
'Mario Kart Wii': More Speed! More Racing!new
With the just-released Mario Kart Wii, Nintendo hopes to tap the collective nostalgia vein yet again, and while it doesn't quite live up to the phenomenal Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario Kart Wii still ranks among the best games on the console.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
05-09-2008 |
Video Games
David Mamet Knows Kung Funew
The ghosts of the Shaw Brothers haunt this tale of Mike Terry, a painfully noble Los Angeles jiu-jitsu instructor who, through a series of increasingly unlikely occurrences, gets sucked into a world of sketchy movie producers and unethical mixed martial arts fighters.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
05-09-2008 |
Reviews
My Only 'Iron Man' Complaint?new
With all of Iron Man's blockbuster-y action and sharp banter, only one thing's missing: Unlike in the comics, where Tony can't ever seem to put down the bottle, not once does he get drunk in Iron Man.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
05-01-2008 |
Reviews
Solid Acting Helps 'Smart People'new
The cast is understated in painting a portrait of an unhappy, too-clever family in suburban Pittsburgh, writer/director Noam Murro hits several choice moments of sweet, sharp, and melancholy humor.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
04-10-2008 |
Reviews
Let's Fieldtrip to David Ayer's Los Angelesnew
Think Miami Vice minus the self-conscious cool, or The Departed minus the smarts, and you'll have a pretty good idea what to expect from Street Kings.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
04-10-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Keanu Reeves, crime, action, David Ayer, Street Kings, Common, cops, Forest Whitaker, Jay Mohr, The Game
In Defense of Keanu Reevesnew
Think about it: Everyone makes fun of you, but everyone has also seen everything you've ever been in.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
04-10-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: humor, Keanu Reeves
I Might Be in Love with George Clooneynew
Set when professional football consisted of little more than "miners and farmers and shell-shocked veterans" beating each other up in turnip fields, Clooney's Leatherheads continues the star/director's steady march back through time.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
04-03-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: George Clooney, Leatherheads
'Run Fatboy Run' Should be Betternew
Everyone who's seen Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, or Spaced knows that Simon Pegg is hilarious. It is scientific fact. So -- scientifically speaking -- it follows that Pegg is hilarious in Run Fatboy Run, even though the movie pretty much defines mediocrity.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
03-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: David Schwimmer, Run Fat Boy Run
'Superbad' for Kidsnew
No one really needs a PG-13 version of Superbad, but that's what Drillbit Taylor is.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
03-20-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Drillbit Taylor, Steven Brill
Creepy Not Scarynew
Not quite good enough to be entirely interesting and not quite scary enough to be... well, all that scary, Duma Key is a weird book.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
02-28-2008 |
Fiction
Ron Burgundy Plays Basketballnew
The once-hilarious Will Farrell has found his shtick, and it is this: Dress up in outdated clothes, slap on a ridiculous wig, and act befuddled and loud.
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
02-28-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Kent Alterman, Semi-Pro
