FullReviews Index - page 4
Inland Empire - DVD 2 Disc Set
A review of the DVD release of David Lynch's "Inland Empire." Jurgen Fauth writes, "INLAND EMPIRE is a shape-shifter of a movie that reconstitutes itself differently every time, and my own TV screen turned out to be a fascinating place to see it."
Becoming Jane
Anne Hathaway stars as Jane Austen in Julian Jarrold's costume drama. The American actress looks lovely in an empire ball gown, and she skillfully puts on the English accent as yet another typical Jane Austen heroine--only this time, she's the real Jane Austen.
Hannah Takes The Stairs
Joe Swanberg's "Hannah Takes The Stairs" is a collaboration between the independent filmmaker and his tight-knit cast. Greta Gerwig stars in the title role as Hannah, a young college graduate suffering from "chronic disatisfaction" who plays emotional havoc with the men that she meets.
Joshua
A thriller about the horrors of parenthood, "Joshua" takes its cues from the tradition of "The Omen," "Rosemary’s Baby," and "Poltergeist." Vera Farmiga and Sam Rockwell star as the overwhelmed parents when their oldest son, the titular Joshua, doesn't like the new baby. Filmmaker George Ratliff knows his genre, effectively building the dread.
Evening
Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham’s adaptation of Minot’s beloved novel Evening features an extraordinary ensemble cast including Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Patrick Wilson, Hugh Dancy, Natasha Richardson, Mamie Gummer, Eileen Atkins, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close.
A Mighty Heart
Angelina Jolie plays Mariane Pearl in Michael Winterbottom’s docudrama about the kidnapping and murder of her husband, the journalist Daniel Pearl.
Fido
In Andrew Currie's new comedy FIDO, rotting zombies deliver the mail in Willard, a small town lost in the idyllic world of the 50's. Starring Carrie Anne Moss, Billy Connolly, Tim Blake Nelson, Henry Czerny, Dylan Baker and K’Sun Ray. Opens March 9, 2007.
The Wendell Baker Story
The Wendell Baker Story, written by Luke Wilson and co-directed by Luke and his brother Andrew Wilson, grafts a number of borderline absurd conceits onto a ramshackle story about a small-time con-man trying to make his way in the world. Owen Wilson, Eva Mendes, Kris Kristofferson, Harry Dean Stanton, and Seymour Cassel co-star.
Hollywood Dreams
Margie Chizek (Tanna Frederick) is not a character you want to spend time with. Unpleasant on the eyes and ears, this Midwestern ingenue schemes to make in Hollywood and grates on your nerves. Henry Jaglom's little indie comedy "Hollywood Dreams" tries and fails. Justin Kirk co-stars.
The Dead Girl
Five short films, all of them strong pieces of filmmaking on their own right, focus on a different aspect of the death of a young woman. Sarah Bardin guest reviews Karen Moncrieff's "The Dead Girl." The richly talented cast includes Brittany Murphy, Toni Collette, Piper Laurie, Giovanni Ribisi, Rose Byrne, Giovanni Ribisi, Kerry Washington, Mary Steenburgen and Mary Beth Hurt.
Day Night Day Night
DAY NIGHT DAY NIGHT is the bold first fiction feature from New York filmmaker Julia Loktev. The film tells the story of a 19-year-old girl (Luisa Williams) who prepares to become a suicide bomber in Times Square.
Waitress
Keri Russell stars as Jenna, a pie baking, unhappily pregnant young waitress in Adrienne Shelly's final film. "Waitress" completed only days before Shelly's tragic murder, premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The cast also includes Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Sisto, Andy Griffith, Cheryl Hines, and Shelly, herself as another waitress in the pie diner.
Paris, je t'aime
PARIS, JE T'AIME, a love letter to one of the world's most transcendent cities in which celebrated directors—including the Coen brothers, Gus Van Sant, Gurinder Chadha, Wes Craven, Isabel Coixet, Walter Salles, Alexander Payne and Olivier Assayas-contribue short films in tribute to Paris. The cast includes Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Fanny Ardant, Nick Nolte, Bob Hoskins, Juliette Binoche, Emily Mortimer, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Rufus Sewell, Ludivine Sagnier, and Steve Buscemi.
Year of the Dog
Mike White, the writer of "Chuck and Buck", "The Good Girl" and "School of Rock", has directed his first movie, a comedy about a contemporary archetype: the middle-aged woman in love with her dog. SNL veteran Molly Shannon goes soul searching after the death of her beloved beagle. Peter Saarsgard, John C. Reilly, Regina Davis, and Laura Dern co-star.
The TV Set
Jake Kasdan's comedic satire "The TV Set" wants to give an insider's view of what happens behind the scenes of a television pilot. Problem is, he is telling us nothing new. David Duchovny plays a sad sack writer who wills the "Wexler Chronicles" into existence. The ensemble cast also includes Lindsay Sloane, Sigourney Weaver, Ioan Gruffudd, Judy Greer, and Justine Bateman.
Fay Grim
Parker Posey stars in Hal Hartley's new film Fay Grim, about a worried mother in Queens. Jeff Goldblum, Saffron Burrows, Liam Aiken, and Elina Lowensohn co-star. Opens May 18th 2007.
Come Early Morning
Ashley Judd stars in Come Early Morning, an official selection at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, which marks the writing and directing debut of Golden Globe-nominated actress Joey Lauren Adams. The film opens November 10, 2006.
Review: Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine was the talk of this year's Sundance film festival: receiving the festivals biggest distrubtion deal ever and getting a standing ovation after the premiere. The good news: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris debut film (a comedy/roadtrip/family drama) is worthy of the buzz. Toni Collette, Steve Carrell, Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, Paul Dano and newcomer Abigail Breslin star.
Brothers of the Head
The author of a novel about conjoined twin pop stars reviews a film about conjoined twin rock stars and must admit to being doubly impressed. Guest writer Tara McCarthy calls "Brothers of the Head" the "best conjoined-twin movie ever made."
Another Gay Movie
Crude, lewd, and pretty freakin' funny: Another Gay Movie is an unrated and unrelentingly queer take on Porky's and all the other teenage sex comedies you've ever snuck into. Director Todd Stephens (Edge of Seventeen) made a Scary Movie spoof that nobody would ever call "not gay enough."
Half Nelson
Ryan Fleck's "Half Nelson" turns a genre upside down: the free-thinking junior high school teacher (Ryan Gosling) is also a crack addict. Gosling turns in a marvelous performance, as does newcomer Shareeka Epps as a vulnerable teen.
Sherrybaby
It's obvious, but it needs to be said: Maggie, baby. If ever there was
a reason to see Laurie Collyer's earnest indie film "Sherrybaby",
it's Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance. Gyllenhaal stars in the title
role of Sherry Swanson, a recovering heroin addict, who after three
years in prison, returns home to restart her life and reclaim the
young daughter she left behind.
Babel - A film by Alejandro González Iñárritu
From Alejandro González Iñárritu, Babel is an ambitious new film, shot in four countries, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal, Koji Yakusho, and Elle Fanning.
For Your Consideration
Christopher Guest turns the camera on Hollywood in "For Your Consideration." The all-star ensemble cast includes Bob Balaban, Ed Begley, Jr., Jennifer Coolidge, Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, and Catherine O'Hara.
The Lookout - a Scott Frank Film - The Lookout
THE LOOKOUT marks Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Scott Frank’s (Out of Sight), directorial debut. Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Mysterious Skin) stars as a once promising high school athlete, who after a tragic accident, inadvertently gets involved in a heist. The film also stars Jeff Daniels, Isla Fisher, Matthew Goode and Carla Gugino. Opens March 30, 2007.