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10,000 B.C. - PG-13
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Roland Emmerich's big, dumb blockbusters still somehow manage to pack theatres despite the fact that they feel bloated and ridiculous nowadays, but in my opinion this may be his least entertaining film to date. There aren't enough action scenes or special effects set pieces to ogle, and not enough campy dialogue to make it fun in an ironic way. Also, if you're looking for a real history lesson, this certainly isn't the movie for you.
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April 5, 2008
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N/A
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Semi-Pro - R
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I usually find that Will Ferrell's brilliance can save any comedy from mediocrity, but this is one case where it shows that Ferrell can't pull off a miracle without a decent script or supporting cast. For the most part the movie played like a completely straight-faced underdog sports movie, with laughs far and few between. I was hoping for a pleasant surprise like Blades of Glory, but I was really disappointed with Semi-Pro.
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April 5, 2008
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N/A
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Sour Grapes - R
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I think Larry David's directorial debut was unfairly slagged when it originally came out, and is worth another look now, especially for fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm. It's definitely dark and mean-spirited, and at times a bit too silly for its own good, but there are more than enough classic Larry David moments to satisfy fans.
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April 5, 2008
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N/A
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Margot at the Wedding - R
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Noah Baumbach's latest indie drama centers around another group of selfish and unlikeable characters but somehow you can't stop watching to see what impulsive thing they'll do next. It certainly lacks the spark of brilliance that The Squid and the Whale had, but Nicole Kidman plays a great bitch and who knew Jack Black could actually act?
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April 5, 2008
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N/A
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Koko, le gorille qui parle (Koko, a Talking Gorilla) - Unrated
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Fascinating documentary that will have you wondering what makes humans any different from the rest of the animal kingdom. Perhaps a little dry at points, but if you're at all interested in the subject matter, definitely check it out.
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April 5, 2008
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N/A
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Akumu tantei (Nightmare Detective) - Unrated
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A Japanese film about a mysterious serial killer who can invade people's minds and cause them to commit suicide. The movie had a cool set up but then descended into a whole lot of surreal dream imagery and weirdness. Recommended for the cool and disturbing visuals, but ultimately it was a bit too abstract for my taste.
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February 27, 2008
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N/A
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The TV Set - R
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I'm not sure how much of this movie is based on reality, but I get the feeling that it's pretty much dead on. Directed by Jake Kasdan, who worked with Judd Apatow on the doomed TV shows Freaks & Geeks and Undeclared, this is the amusing story of a writer who wants to get his TV pilot off the ground and ends up having to compromise with the studio execs so much that his show is almost unrecognizable. Check out the audio commentary track with Apatow and Kasdan for insight into some of the true stories.
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February 27, 2008
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N/A
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Kurt Cobain About a Son - Unrated
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More of a visual art collage than a documentary, this film takes audio from interviews with Kurt Cobain and mixes it with filmed footage of the cities where he grew up. It's certainly not your typical rock doc, but it's a beautiful tribute that Nirvana fans will appreciate and admire.
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February 27, 2008
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N/A
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Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight - Unrated
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I don't very often review or rate a movie without having given it my attention for its entire running time, but I'll make an exception in this case. After watching 15 minutes, I can tell you this Dragonlance animated movie is a complete abomination. Horrible character designs, choppy animation, awkward 3D graphics integration. I will admit that the Dragonlance books are by no means masterpieces, but they certainly deserve better than this. Don't let the big name voice actors fool you... AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
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February 27, 2008
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N/A
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Gone Baby Gone - R
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Who knew Ben Affleck could direct? I suppose it helps when you start with a great book, but there's so much texture and grittiness to the movie that it gets under your skin. A great detective story with fantastic performances and plenty of twists and turns. Even though the ending hits you over the head with its supposedly deep philosophical question, I can't necessarily knock it because the question is a powerful one. This would have been in my top 10 of 2007 if I saw it last year.
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February 27, 2008
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N/A
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Jumper - PG-13
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I don't think Jumper deserves all the hate that critics have been giving it, but in the end, the bottom line is there's a cool concept and some decent effects, but no real story to go with it. Despite what some people are saying, I don't think Hayden Christensen is to blame here. If they would have focused on a more satisfying standalone story instead of preparing for a sequel I think it could have been something great.
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February 27, 2008
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N/A
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Atonement - R
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I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this is definitely my least favourite of the Oscar nominees from this year. From a technical point of view it's more than competent, and sure the 10 minute tracking shot is impressive, but all of the emotion just seemed forced to me. This may be a case where reading the novel helps to flesh out details, but the way the story was framed just seemed pretentious and showy.
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February 27, 2008
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N/A
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Be Kind Rewind - PG-13
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A joy to behold from start to finish. This is a movie celebrating the raw creative process of independent filmmaking by one of the most creative filmmakers working today. Not as hilarious as I expected it to be, but this was compensated with heart and ingenuity. Despite some of its silliness, there was a general sentiment here that I could really get behind -- I'm not sure why a lot of other people haven't been digging it.
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February 27, 2008
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N/A
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Rocket Science - R
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A cynical coming of age story about a shy boy with a stuttering problem who joins the school debate team due to an invitation from a headstrong girl. It touches on elements of Rushmore, Election and Thumbsucker but still finds its own path (which ultimately, falls short of those films). Alternately funny and touching, with plenty of awkward moments, it did feel a bit muddled at points but overall it was still an enjoyable watch.
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February 13, 2008
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N/A
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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - R
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Those hoping for a ton of wild west shoot outs need not apply, but the film provides an intriguing study of both celebrity and fear by recounting the death of legendary outlaw Jesse James. Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck are great, but also helped by a solid supporting cast. Despite the extraneous length, the movie doesn't really drag so long as you can appreciate the beautiful scenery along the way.
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February 13, 2008
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N/A
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Right at Your Door - R
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Given the low budget restrictions of the film, it does a great job of creating a believable view of how a terrorist attack with a toxic bomb might play out in a major city. In some ways it a bit too limited in terms of settings and characters to be fully satisfying, but all in all, it was both gripping and unnerving.
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February 13, 2008
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N/A
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I'm Not There - R
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I'm not a big Dylan fan, nor am I very familiar with his life, so I think that was the main downfall of this movie for me. I get that it's a unique tribute to a complicated and mysterious artist, but without a coherent story or any explanation for its existence this was just an experimental art house flick that looked pretty but went way over my head. I suppose the one selling point that most people can agree on is the standout performances from an intriguing assortment of brilliant actors.
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February 5, 2008
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N/A
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No End in Sight - Unrated
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Somewhat bland documentary that conveys many important and lesser known facts about the current situation in Iraq. Informative without being overwhelming, but the "all substance/no style" delivery makes this something worth seeing only once.
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February 3, 2008
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N/A
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Fido - R
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A zombie movie set in a 1950's Leave it to Beaver-style world. Colourful and charming, though not necessarily hilarious, this is still worth checking out as a unique twist on the undead genre.
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February 3, 2008
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N/A
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Confessions of a Superhero - R
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An intriguing documentary about the second rate superheroes who patrol/panhandle the streets of Hollywood. The four main subjects all have troubled pasts of some sort, and although they aspire to be actors, they also take their job wearing tights very seriously. Funny yet touching.
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February 3, 2008
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N/A
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Rambo (Rambo IV) - R
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Borderline exploitation, but if you can get past the brutal violence this is a great throwback to mindless 80's action movies. It would have been nice to have an actual plot, but I gotta give Stallone credit for delivering exactly what he promised.
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February 3, 2008
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N/A
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Funny Games - Unrated
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A clever and masterful thriller that draws its audience in even as it strives to distance itself from them. The movie manages to be very intense while withholding most of the on screen violence. The slow build-up is brilliant and the acting outstanding, even if some of the art house shenanigans feel a bit heavy handed.
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January 28, 2008
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N/A
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Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Unrated
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A standalone made for TV movie that further fuelled my love/hate relationship with this epic SF series. There are some truly gripping moments, but also a few too many flashbacks and a storyline that felt ultimately inconsequential. Still, it was good enough to convince me to give Season 3 another shot.
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January 28, 2008
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N/A
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Cloverfield - PG-13
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If you ever wondered what it would actually be like to witness a real monster attack on a major city, this movie puts you right in the middle of the action. The experience is intense and riveting, and although some of the acting and effects took me out of the movie, the 9/11 imagery made for an eerie realism. Not a perfect movie and not a movie for everyone, but I definitely applaud the effort.
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January 28, 2008
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N/A
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My Kid Could Paint That - PG-13
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This is the kind of documentary that I live for. It explores so many fascinating issues within a simple story about a four year old girl who became an overnight sensation. From the parenting and family issues, to truth and the perpetration of hoaxes, to the value of abstract art and the nature of creativity, it's all here. The true mark of its brilliance is how it manages to change sides so many times and keep you rethinking your opinions right to the final frame.
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January 15, 2008
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N/A
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169 ratings
107 reviews
