AltWeeklies Wire
Will Smith Encores His 'Pursuit of Happyness'new
Watching Smith and Muccino's latest collaboration, Seven Pounds, I marveled (to paraphrase the great Jermaine Jackson) that something so right could go so wrong.
L.A. Weekly |
Scott Foundas |
12-19-2008 |
Reviews
'The Class': To Sir, With Attitudenew
French cinema is famously dialogue-heavy, but next to Arnaud Desplechin's A Christmas Tale, The Class qualifies hands down as the chattiest movie of the year.
L.A. Weekly |
Ella Taylor |
12-19-2008 |
Reviews
Weighty Matters Get Treated Carelessly in 'Seven Pounds'new
Pounds' moral preaching is kinda twisted, yet it's delivered up on the same kind of redemptive platter -- swelling music, tears, and all. You've gone too far, guys, with the angel act, and God's gonna smite you down.
The Portland Mercury |
Marjorie Skinner |
12-19-2008 |
Reviews
Mickey Rourke Stages a Comeback in 'The Wrestler'new
He's pretty much a lock for a Best Actor Oscar nomination, and he deserves it, though Sean Penn, for Milk, is a better bet to win.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Andy Klein |
12-19-2008 |
Reviews
'Synecdoche, New York': Everyone is Everyonenew
Charie Kaufman's directorial debut is a thoughtful, existential, and brilliant film
'Slumdog Millionaire': The Great Escape
Danny Boyle's film is a hugely appealing slice of old-school Hollywood -- and Bollywood -- escapism.
Jim Carrey Misses in the Buzz-Kill Comedy 'Yes Man'new
Too bad Yes Man is directed by Peyton Reed, a tone-deaf, buzz-kill comedy specialist. You've never seen Carrey flail like he does under Reed's incompetence -- although the Quasimodo face he makes with scotch tape and some of his rubber-legged paroxysms are inspired.
New York Press |
Armond White |
12-18-2008 |
Reviews
Will Smith Needs Cinema Lessons to Cure His Scowls in 'Seven Pounds'new
A glib, charming movie star -- but resourceless actor -- Smith must think scrunching-up his face and looking worried for two hours shows serious concentration and emotional gravity. Apparently, he is unaware of the ways that movies and movie stars communicate depth and sincerity.
New York Press |
Armond White |
12-18-2008 |
Reviews
The Hype for Mickey Rourke in 'The Wrestler' is an Embarrassmentnew
Rourke's too good for this crap and has proved it consistently throughout his up-and-down career. Forget The Wrestler's hype; it's worth remembering Rourke's finest performance and best film, Walter Hill's 1989 Johnny Handsome.
New York Press |
Armond White |
12-18-2008 |
Reviews
'Yes Man' Isn't Exactly 'Liar Liar,' but It's Closenew
Even though the lesson gets a little heavy-handed, the film is full of goofy, joyful moments, anchored by the sweet chemistry between Carrey and Deschanel as well as a life-affirming message that everyone could use these days.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-18-2008 |
Reviews
'Seven Pounds': Hoping Strategiesnew
Will Smith's latest finds a way to be optimistic without turning him into a ham.
Washington City Paper |
Tricia Olszewski |
12-18-2008 |
Reviews
'Seven Pounds' is Agonizing, Incessant and Impervious to Ironynew
Will Smith continues in the vein of his last three movies by maintaining a clenched, anguished, clotted expression on his face. He has completed his transfiguration into the Fresh Prince of Airlessness.
Willamette Week |
Aaron Mesh |
12-17-2008 |
Reviews
Stop the 'Earth,' We Want to Get On!new
The cheesy new Keanu Reeves film, however utterly unnecessary and half-assedly realized and anticlimactic it may be (quite, it's fair to say), is also, in fact, a model of the true and absolute essence of cinema. I am offering a way to really appreciate this film, if only you can open your mind.
C-Ville Weekly |
Jonathan Kiefer |
12-17-2008 |
Reviews
'Gran Torino' is a Gleeful Astonishmentnew
Gran Torino is a dark comedy, an engaged anecdote about class and race, a stripped-down example of palooka art, and Clint Eastwood, at 78, has made a modest yet almost radical entertainment.
Chicago Newcity |
Ray Pride |
12-17-2008 |
Reviews
'Cadillac Records': Rhythm & Beyoncenew
Beyonce Knowles excels as Etta James in Cadillac Records, a movie that has flaws but is notable the detail of its development -- and the music.
