AltWeeklies Wire
Horror Showdown: 'Halloween II' vs. 'The Final Destination'new
Horror sequels Halloween II and The Final Destination both open this week, but neither was screened in time for review. So instead, we've devised this scientific system (note: system not scientific at all) to determine which one might be worth horror fans' time and money.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Josh Bell |
08-27-2009 |
Movies
'Taking Woodstock' is Ang Lee's Lamest Movie Evernew
If this film winds up being all that remains after a nuclear holocaust, it’ll be a valuable document. Otherwise, zzz.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Mike D'Angelo |
08-27-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Taking Woodstock, Ang Lee
Rob Williams on How He Fell into Filmmakingnew
The director of Make the Yuletide Gay only dreamed of being a screenwriter, but while attending a scriptwriting workshop with his life partner Rodney Johnson, the light bulb went on.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Kristian Lin |
08-27-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Rudo y Cursi': Fraternal Futbolnew
Beto (Diego Luna) and Tato (Gael Garcia Bernal) are half-brother plantation workers in a rural Mexican village where they play on a local soccer team. After talent scout Batuta (Guillermo Francella) catches a weekend scrimmage and offers them representation on rival teams, the two yokels head for Mexico City and sport stardom.
Boise Weekly |
Jeremiah Wierenga |
08-26-2009 |
Reviews
Ang Lee's 'Taking Woodstock' is a Bad Tripnew
You'd expect more from Lee, who is unquestionably a talented director. But his direction here, aside from an impressive sequence or two, is lackluster and flabby, like a loose joint of skanky weed.
San Diego CityBeat |
Anders Wright |
08-26-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Taking Woodstock, Ang Lee
'Shorts' is Bigger Than You'd Expectnew
Shorts is a zippy, slapsticky comedy about a suburban company town going bonkers when a wish-granting, rainbow-colored rock falls out of the sky.
C-Ville Weekly |
Jonathan Kiefer |
08-26-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Shorts, Robert Rodriguez
'Adam' is Pretty Schmaltzynew
The movie's trajectory is more that of a made-for-TV special than a feature, and its subplot concerning Beth's fraudulent father is completely extraneous.
Baltimore City Paper |
Jeff Niesel |
08-25-2009 |
Reviews
Ang Lee Revives an Idealistic View of a Legendary Event in 'Taking Woodstock'
Taking Woodstock falls squarely within Lee's sweet spot. This may not be a look at the Woodstock that was, but it's fairly charming as a look at the Woodstock that we sort of wish it had been.
Salt Lake City Weekly |
Scott Renshaw |
08-25-2009 |
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
The R&B of 'Soul Power' Rumbles in the Junglenew
The "Zaire '74" concert now serves as a kind of a footnote to the "Rumble in the Jungle," but the 35-year-old concert footage and behind-the-scenes moments make Soul Power feel like a backstage pass to a now overlooked musical event.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Curt Holman |
08-25-2009 |
Reviews
'Inglourious Basterds' Uses Words to Win World War IInew
Quentin Tarantino's weird war epic emphasizes tense conversations over explosive missions.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Curt Holman |
08-25-2009 |
Reviews
The Epic, Overstuffed 'Inglourious Basterds' is WWII Through a Tarantino Lensnew
Tarantino is more interested in tailoring the WWII movie to fit his preoccupations than the other way around. He even manages to satisfy his foot fetish by having an errant high heel play a pivotal role in the climactic sequence.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Sam Adams |
08-25-2009 |
Reviews
The First New Episodes of 'Mad Men' Have Been a Disappointmentnew
So far this season is like finally landing your Carnegie Hall debut and discovering your violin is out of tune.
Metro Times |
Jim McFarlin |
08-25-2009 |
TV
Jim Sturges and Ben Kingsley Share Ireland's 'Troubles' in 'Fifty Dead Men Walking'
There's a lot to understand -- politically and emotionally -- about Martin McGartland. Kari Skogland's film makes it happen with muscle, brains, and loins.
City Pulse |
Cole Smithey |
08-24-2009 |
Reviews
'You, the Living': Everything's Funnier With Weltanschauungnew
Perspective is what separates the brilliant You, the Living, a Swedish import, from the mediocre The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, which Paramount snuck into theaters last week without any timely press screenings.
Chicago Reader |
J.R. Jones |
08-24-2009 |
Reviews
