AltWeeklies Wire
The Latest 'Transformers' Ups the Ante on Big and Dumbnew
Revenge of the Fallen might not be louder than its predecessor, but it's assuredly "noisier" in the sense that the film is a clanging, full-metal racket from start to finish, with only the rare narrative pause for dramatic scenes devoted to exclusively human interactions.
Austin Chronicle |
Marjorie Baumgarten |
06-26-2009 |
Reviews
'My Sister's Keeper': A Three-Hankie Circusnew
Unsubtleties be damned, our defenses fall, and Nick Cassavetes' reign as the go-to waterworks man remains uncontested.
Austin Chronicle |
Kimberley Jones |
06-26-2009 |
Reviews
'Food, Inc.': Appetite Suppressantnew
Doomsday opening aside, Food, Inc. largely forgoes bombast, but you don't need the pictures to get the drift here, which is, more or less, that the American food industry is pretty much fucked.
Austin Chronicle |
Kimberley Jones |
06-26-2009 |
Reviews
'Cheri' is Quite a Monument to Michelle Pfeiffernew
This is sensual, cerebral, and surprisingly weighty stuff, which should come as no surprise to anyone who's been following the careers of Stephen Frears, critically neglected, perhaps, because he's so hard to pin down.
Austin Chronicle |
Kimberley Jones |
06-26-2009 |
Reviews
'Burma VJ' is a Journalistic Masterpiecenew

This gripping doc makes an airtight argument for the absolute necessity of a free press, and it should be required viewing for anyone thinking of becoming any kind of journalist.
Austin Chronicle |
Marc Savlov |
06-26-2009 |
Reviews
Congress for the New Urbanism Agenda Is Compact, Climate-Friendly and Competitivenew

To restart the economy while saving the planet, the Congress for the New Urbanism in Denver advocated traditional neighborhoods for all.
Austin Chronicle |
Katherine Gregor |
06-26-2009 |
Environment
Not So Cool: Austin Struggles With Climate Protectionnew
The Austin Climate Protection Plan was among the most ambitious in the country when announced in 2007; two years later, making it real remains a challenge.
Austin Chronicle |
Katherine Gregor |
06-21-2009 |
Environment
'Away We Go': A Journey Through Life With Baggagenew
See it for the many lovely performances, although the film's vision of Gen-Y nesting is liable to leave you up a tree.
Austin Chronicle |
Marjorie Baumgarten |
06-19-2009 |
Reviews
To the British Manor-Born Comes Jessica Bielnew
It may tell you everything you need to know about this film to note that Hollywood hottie Jessica Biel receives top billing over veteran Brit thesps Kristin Scott Thomas and Colin Firth.
Austin Chronicle |
Marjorie Baumgarten |
06-19-2009 |
Reviews
'Enlighten Up!' Documents a Skeptic's Journey into the Big Omnew

Director Kate Churchill, who admits up front that her own yoga discipline has changed her life dramatically, chooses a 29-year-old New York journalist to serve as the control factor in her argument for the benefits of yoga.
Austin Chronicle |
Marc Savlov |
06-19-2009 |
Reviews
'The Proposal': Altar-ationsnew
The Proposal doesn't reinvent the romantic-comedy wheel, but Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds ensure that it's a likable cut above the usual fare.
Austin Chronicle |
Kimberley Jones |
06-19-2009 |
Reviews
Pixar Flies High with 'Up'new

Pixar tops itself with its new animated film that offers so much more than its promotional promise: a fantastical movie about a house that flies on balloon power.
Austin Chronicle |
Marjorie Baumgarten |
05-29-2009 |
Reviews
Sam Raimi Returns to His Rootsnew
Sam Raimi makes a triumphant return to the "splatstick" horror genre he more or less invented with The Evil Dead trilogy.
Austin Chronicle |
Marc Savlov |
05-29-2009 |
Reviews
On Relinquishing Our Right to Be Hypocriticalnew
Outrage argues that its objective is to out hypocrisy rather than homosexuality. However, were we to give up our right to self-denial, wouldn't America cease to be a land of freedom?
Austin Chronicle |
Marjorie Baumgarten |
05-29-2009 |
Reviews
'The Brothers Bloom' Is a Con Job to Enjoynew
Rian Johnson's sophomore effort is an imperfect film, but his retro sensibility is a balm for those born in the wrong era.
Austin Chronicle |
Kimberley Jones |
05-29-2009 |
Reviews