AltWeeklies Wire
Two Girls, One 'Life Before Her Eyes'new
The most striking aspect of this film is its look: Beautiful shots of swimming pools, falling leaves, and dead birds intersperse the film's narrative scenes, taking some edge off the otherwise pensive pacing.
The Portland Mercury |
Marjorie Skinner |
05-01-2008 |
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
'Expelled': Intellectual Bankruptcynew
The most bizarre thing about the new intelligent design propaganda film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed isn't that former Nixon speechwriter Ben Stein is being paid to extol a pseudoscience whose hypotheses can't be tested. It's that the filmmakers don't seem to understand the tenets of intelligent design.
The Portland Mercury |
Annie Wagner |
04-25-2008 |
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
'Stop-Loss' Is Frustrating Failurenew
Stop-Loss relies on stereotypes and cartoonish oversimplification to critique the US military. It's a frustrating failure, both ideologically and creatively.
The Portland Mercury |
Alison Hallett |
03-27-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Kimberly Peirce, Stop-Loss
'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
On the Roadnew
Although Bonneville is only the second film directed by Christopher N. Rowley, he managed to woo some classy ladies into this post-menopausal road-trip romp.
The Portland Mercury |
Marjorie Skinner |
02-28-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Bonneville, Christopher N. Rowley
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
Sex and Sensibilitynew
The Other Boleyn Girl's sordidly fictionalized account of the love triangle between Anne Boleyn, her sister Mary, and Henry VIII seems perfect for a gleefully trashy Hollywood period piece -- all ripped bodices, knowing glances, chamber clothes, and that looming, inevitable axe drop.
The Portland Mercury |
Zac Pennington |
02-28-2008 |
Reviews
Harold and Flawednew
We get it, Jon.: You think you're remaking Harold and Maude.
The Portland Mercury |
Zac Pennington |
02-21-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Charlie Bartlett, John Poll
A Strange Michael Gondry Movie? No Way!new
How else can I describe Be Kind Rewind than as a very strange fish? This movie has almost nothing to do with reality.
The Portland Mercury |
Charles Mudede |
02-21-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Be Kind Rewind, Michael Gondry
