AltWeeklies Wire
Scott Pilgrim captures its source material's energy, but not its soulnew
In Edgar Wright's adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's cult-favorite Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series, the visuals pop with jagged panel-break split-screens and straight-outta-Batman on-screen sound effects.
Charleston City Paper |
Scott Renshaw |
08-12-2010 |
Reviews
'The Men Who Stare at Goats' Falls Short of Strangelovian Laughsnew
Grant Heslov's film is so intent on being funny and ironic that it erodes any audience investment in the characters and their plights. We spend so much time laughing at their travails that when it's time to root for their victory, it's just too damn late.
Charleston City Paper |
Felicia Feaster |
11-04-2009 |
Reviews
Sacha Baron Cohen Hunts for Narrow-Minded Bigots in 'Bruno'new
While so many public figures are deliberately shocking and offensive because they want us to join them in being small and mean and petty and tribal, Baron Cohen does the same thing but for the very opposite reasons. That is a good thing, and a thing very much worth celebrating -- and it's also outrageously funny to watch, too.
Charleston City Paper |
MaryAnn Johanson |
07-08-2009 |
Reviews
Sam Raimi Returns to His Horror Roots with 'Drag Me to Hell'new
Not only is Sam Raimi daring to push the mainstream studio horror movie to a new and uncomfortable place, he may even be daring his longtime fans to come along with him.
Charleston City Paper |
Maryann Johanson |
05-27-2009 |
Reviews
Hollywood Explains the Fall of Real Journalismnew
I am a profound fan of State of Play, the tele-cinematical crumpet of solemn and fervent perfection the BBC offered us in 2003. Therefore, I am so glad to be able to say Hollywood didn't fuck up boiling down that six-hour story into a two-hour, 2009 version.
Charleston City Paper |
Maryann Johanson |
04-15-2009 |
Reviews
The Perfect Vampire Movie: 'Let the Right One In' Is Far Superior to 'Twilight'new
It is a rare movie indeed that comes across as instant horror classic, multilevel preteen wish-fulfillment fantasy and Euro-arty critical darling all at once. Rarer still that such a movie should be coming soon to a theater near you.
Charleston City Paper |
Jonathan Kiefer |
02-11-2009 |
Reviews
Bad Banks Are Back: Clive Owen and Naomi Watts Sizzle in 'The International'new
The timing of this smart, savvy thriller couldn't be better, what with its corporate-banks-are-evil theme and a hero who yells at banksters that he wants "some fucking justice." And, of course, Clive Owen is always welcome on my movie screen.
Charleston City Paper |
Maryann Johanson |
02-11-2009 |
Reviews
Clint Eastwood's Changeling is All Tell, No Shownew
Eastwood may be aiming for a more restrained and dignified sort of period drama with Changeling, but here he's all surface, preferring the familiar scheme of evil and good, crime and punishment, over delving deeply into character or meaning.
Charleston City Paper |
Felicia Feaster |
11-05-2008 |
Reviews
Lonely Beast: Ben Kingsley Nimbly Carries 'Elegy'new
Elegy's satisfying complexity comes from this honest appreciation of men's fears informed by a woman director's touch.
Charleston City Paper |
Felicia Feaster |
09-24-2008 |
Reviews
Brainy and Brutal: 'Tell No One' is Classic Noirnew
The film, like the book before, is a thrill ride. The protagonist, knowing himself to be innocent, is nonetheless pursued by police. Running makes him look guilty, but surrendering sacrifices the opportunity to clear his name and at long last learn whether his wife is still alive: classic film noir stuff there.
Charleston City Paper |
Jason A. Zwiker |
09-24-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Guillaume Canet, Tell No One
After 'No Country,' 'Burn After Reading' is a Letdownnew
What does a lackluster project matter, coming off four Academy Awards and a devout fan base? Like Wal-Mart and obesity, the Coens are an American institution with no chance of going away despite anyone's protests.
Charleston City Paper |
Felicia Feaster |
09-17-2008 |
Reviews
Documentary of Philippe Petit's Incredible Coup Inspires Human Spiritnew
Watching Man on Wire seven years after the fall of the Twin Towers sends chills down the spine: There is no other way to put it. The artistic coup described in this documentary is awe-inspiring and exhilarating, nothing short of a celebration of human potential and fearlessness.
Charleston City Paper |
Jason A. Zwiker |
09-11-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: James Marsh, Man on Wire
'American Teen' Documents High School's 'Total Caste System' and Morenew
Documentarian Nanette Burstein spent an entire school year at the only high school in tiny Warsaw, Ind., where there is no escape from the pressure cooker of adolescence or from conservative small-town conformity.
Charleston City Paper |
Maryann Johanson |
09-03-2008 |
Reviews
Fortunately, 'Traitor' Has Don Cheadle's Moral Heftnew
Now that Traitor is done, it seems like puffing this package up with commercial viability also was a way of watering its premise down.
Charleston City Paper |
Jonathan Kiefer |
08-27-2008 |
Reviews
You'll Get Drunk Watching 'Bottle Shock'new
The story is perfect timing for our foodie-obsessed age, showing the backstory behind something we take for granted -- global wine culture -- while also delving into the finer points of winemaking, like the potential disaster of too much oxygen in producing a winning chardonnay.
Charleston City Paper |
Felicia Feaster |
08-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Randall Miller, Bottle Shock
