Movie Review: The Disaster Artist

The Room is, hands down, one of the worst movies ever made. The funny thing is that we are here talking about it years after its release, which was really no more than a blip. Why? Why are we still talking about this awful movie? Let’s take that a step further, why are theaters having midnight screenings? Why do these screenings sell out? Why? Why? Why? The only thing that I can surmise is that we, as a collective, are attracted to crap. Seriously. I admit it, I have seen The Room and would likely watch it again. I must be some sort of masochist. Now, we have reached the ultimate in our collective love for bad filmmaking, a movie made by bi Hollywood names attempting to find the source of enjoyment of this terrible movie and deeper than that, an understanding the enigmatic figure at the center of it all.

Movie Review: The Interview

Well, I am happy to say that I finally saw it. Yes, yours truly has gotten to take in The Interview. In a theater no less. A local second run theater got it this past weekend, and since I was already interested in it since before the hoopla, I made it a point to go and check it out. Does it live up to the "hype"? Not at all, but that is to the movie's fault. Now, if you are one of those who believe this was a publicity stunt, you can stop reading now. No one in their right mind would go so far as to fake a hacking that legitimately damaged a company and a lot of regular folks. That is crazy talk.

Movie Review: Veronica Mars

Ten years ago Rob Thomas (not the Matchbox 20 guy) introduced us to the character of Veronica Mars and a whole host of colorful supporting characters. It was a show that I took to pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it was canceled after three seasons. The series, of the same name, ended up being another critical success and popular failure that became a victim of the UPN and WB network merger. I was sad to see it go, but that is the way things seem to go. I never did think I would see the character again, despite Rob Thomas talking about bringing the series back or making a movie. Now here we are.

Movie Review: This is the End

I can honestly say that I did not see this coming. I expected a fun but potentially dodgy time in the theaters. What I got was an incredibly funny comedy that is great whether you look at it as a whole or in parts. There is just something about this movie that is very appealing. It is crass, over the top, vulgar, funny, violent, and just utterly ridiculous, but it as this underlying thread of friendship and even something of a reflection on celebrity.

Movie Review: Spring Breakers (2013)

Now, here is a movie I had no idea what it was going to be about. Even now, some time has passed since I saw the movie and I am still at a loss to really explain all that happened. I think that may be part of the point. It is certainly a strange trip, a fever dream exploitation film, a smashing of Disney and the Grindhouse through an MTV generation filter. It is an experience more that a movie, better experienced as stream of consciousness as opposed to any type of traditional narrative.

Movie Review: Oz, the Great and Powerful

Considering how bright, colorful, and broad the Oz universe is, I find it surprising that we have not had more attempts to create films in its playground. I cannot say that I have done a lot of research, but since the 1939 classic feature was released there have been but three features that use L. Frank Baum's books as a basis, The Wiz, Return to Oz, and Oz, the Great and Powerful. I know there has been at least one televised take with the mini-series Tin Man. I guess all I am really getting at here is that this is a great playground with plenty of room for ideas and interpretations to play in and I wish this new movie was just a bit better.