TC's Recent Raves

Not just one of the best films of the year but one of the best OF ALL TIME! Incredible techno-fused hybrid of animation and live aciton is a joy for kids of ALL AGES! Emile Hirsch is brilliant as Speed, and the movie has one of the best, most positive messages of recent memory. Don't listen to the savage critics on this one, SPEED RACER is a 100% WINNER!

2008's #1 PNR Rising Star winner Anton Yelchin gives another stellar performance in this comedy about a rich kid trying to fit into public school who finds his way into his peers' good graces by becoming their psychologist and a bit more. Kat Dennings is excellent as his girlfriend, and Robert Downey Jr gives one of his best performances as the school principal. Yelchin's talent for mimicry shines in a number of spots. Hilarious from beginning to end..and my first Five Star film of 2008!

WINNER of 3 2007 Poppies - BEST PICTURE, Best Actor (Patrick Fugit, co-winner with Christopher Plummer of "Man In The Chair"), Best Original Song ("Through The Roof And Underground"). I fell in love with this hilarious little movie at a special screening in April 2007 and named it my #3 all time Personal Pantheon favorite film this past June. Patrick Fugit is absolutely brilliant here, as are Shannon Sossomon and Shea Whigham. One of the best movie songs of all time in "Through The Roof And Underground" by Gogol Bordello. The end left me with tears in my eyes and a huge grin on my face!

Discovered this little gem in September thanks to a tip from entertainment writer Larry Richman. Absolutely one of my favorite movies this year, and probably of all time! A major contender for 2007 Poppies and easily will end up on my first revised Pantheon list next year. An absolute tour-de-force performance from young Anton Yelchin- FANTASTIC!

WINNER of FIVE 2007 Poppies including Best Director (Michael Schroeder), Best Actor (Christopher Plummer, co-winner with Patrick Fugit of Wristcutters), Best Supporting Actor (M. Emmet Walsh). Superb character drama about a young aspiring filmmaker and the embittered old stagehand he persuades to help him with his student film. Top notch performances from Michael Angarano and Christopher Plummer, as well as a strong supporting cast including M Emmet Walsh and Robert Wagner. A MAJOR Poppies contender this year - definately a "Don't Miss" Movie! NOw showing on IFC Festival Direct on many ONDemand cable systems, andc !oming soon to DVD

Absolutely mesmerizing tale of a teenager caught in a downward spiral after being involved in the death of a security guard. Told in non-linear fashion, it keeps you guessing what the teen is feeling and how he's going to deal with what has happened. Gabe Nevins shines as Alex, and I for one hope he continues to pursue acting as a career - he is absolutely FANTASTIC - he and co-star Lauren McKinney both made PNR's 2008 Rising Stars list in July. Great performances all around, and an eclectic soundtrack that will get under your skin. This is Gus Van Zant's BEST FILM EVER - BAR NONE!

I for one think this movie is being unfairly maligned by some people. A farewell party for a young businessman heading to Japan to work gets interrupted by a bad-ass monster ravaging the city, knocking down buildings, ripping the head off the Statue Of Liberty, and generally trashing Manhattan. Shot in first person camera, I absolutely LOVED this film, it's technique (though somewhat nausea-inducing in some people) and the leads. Mark my words - Michael Stahl-David is going to become a HUGE star in the next year or so. Monster is bad, but it's offspring (?) are WAY worse when it comes to the scary factor. I cannot recommend this movie enough...

This is one of the most messed-up, ultimately incredibly entertaining films i've ever seen! Director Guy Maddin has put together an homage to 1920's silent films in this offbeat (ok, downright WEIRD) tale of a young man remembering his childhood at an orphanage run by his parents in a lighthouse on an otherwise deserted island. Very bizarre and ultimately very satisfiying, if for no other reason that you can say you've seen it and survived! Highly recommended for adventurous film fans!

Engaging and quirky indie film about 24 hours in the life of a young lady looking for the friend she's supposed to be staying with and the stranger she asks directions from who ends up becoming her guide to the big city. Shot for just $2000, and using mostly non-actors, this movie surprised the hell out of me. Similar to Once in many ways, it's not going to be for everyone, but I think more people than not will quickly fall in love with this quirky film...