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Choke - R
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Off the wall, filthy and funny comedy about a sex addict who has mother issues. Sam Rockwell is hilarious as Victor, Angelica Huston steals the show as his mother. I can recommend it to those who won't be offended, but that could be anyone - be forewarned, lots of "F" bombs drop all over the place. But still much better than I originally expected!
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October 28, 2008
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N/A
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My Winnipeg - Unrated
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Another romp through the psyche of director Guy Maddin, once again using psuedo-autobiographical form as he did in BRAND UPON THE BRAIN. This time, it's a travelogue of his youth in Winnipeg and his attempts to get out of the city. As Guy's movies always are, it's quirky, filmed in black and white with that silent film look, and overall, an interesting if somewhat bizarre experience.
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September 7, 2008
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N/A
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Star Wars: The Clone Wars - PG
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Good but not great prequel to the final live action film. Great performances all around, the computer animation takes some getting used to, and Anakin's new Padawan absolutely reminds me of Jade from Jackie Chan Adventures, but if you're a SW fan, you will be satisfied and looking forward to the new TV series premiering on Cartoon Network in October.
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September 7, 2008
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N/A
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The Dark Knight - PG-13
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What can I say that hasn't already been said? Positively THE BEST SUPERHERO MOVIE EVER MADE! Christian Bale completes the job of making the character his own and the late Heath Ledger is INCREDIBLE as The Joker - had he lived, this would have put him on the A List for SURE! DO NOT MISS THIS MOVIE!
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September 7, 2008
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N/A
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Lords of Dogtown - PG-13
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Named my #4 Personal Pantheon favorite film, multiple Poppy winner for 2005, including ensemble cast, breakthrough performance, and Best Supporting Actor for Michael Angarano. I just don't get how people could NOT love this movie...the cast is stellar in depicting the lives of the three men who helped launch the modern era of skateboarding - John Robinson (2007 #1 PNR Rising Star) is brilliant as Stacy Peralta, Victor Rasuk is fantastic as Tony Alva, and Emile Hirsch launched himself on a path to superstardom as Jay Adams. All the right elements for an absolutely fantastic and CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED movie. Director Catherine Hardwick made me a fan FOR LIFE with this film!
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July 11, 2008
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N/A
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Charlie Bartlett - R
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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!
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July 11, 2008
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N/A
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Paranoid Park - R
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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!
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July 11, 2008
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N/A
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Cloverfield - PG-13
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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...
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July 11, 2008
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N/A
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Man in the Chair - PG-13
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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
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July 11, 2008
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N/A
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Kung Fu Panda - PG
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Although ultimately a decent film, it is NOT the be all end all as some people have insisted it is. The first 20 minutes of this film are excruciatingly painful to sit through, though this might be a personal reaction to my own past. But the kung-fu sequences are as good as any live action films (the dumpling battle between Master Shifu and Po is a BRILLIANT accomplishment). Overall, it's enjoyable, but not fantastic. Great voice cast, and a wonderful turn by one of my favorite character actors, James Hong, as Po's goose (?) father.
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July 11, 2008
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N/A
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WALL-E - G
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Unusally depressing for an animated film, but ultimately very rewarding - top notch love story between two robots who are involved in bringing the earth back to life after 700 years of nothing but garbage cleanup. Very deceptive ad campaign promises screwball comedy but it's anything but - though it has its comic moments, it's mostly a look at society today, and the environmental problems therein. Wall-E himself, along with EVE, will work their way into your heart. One of Pixar's BEST.
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July 11, 2008
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N/A
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War, Inc. - R
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May 24, 2008
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N/A
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The Children of Huang Shi - R
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May 24, 2008
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N/A
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Postal - R
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May 24, 2008
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N/A
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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - PG-13
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May 24, 2008
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N/A
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Speed Racer - PG
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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!
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May 14, 2008
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N/A
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Iron Man - PG-13
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What an absolutely PERFECT summer movie blockbuster! Robert Downey Jr gives one of the finest performances of his career bringing Marvel comics legendary hero to life. Great supporting cast in Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrance Howard, and Jeff Bridges. Absolutely a DO NOT MISS blockbuster!
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May 10, 2008
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N/A
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The Forbidden Kingdom - PG-13
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Excellent adventure yarn with Michael Angarano shining (as usual) as a modern day teen thrust into medieval China when he is entrusted to take a bowstaff back to it's rightful owner. Powerful performances by Jet Li and Jackie Chan, and also Collin Chou and Yifei Liu. Incredible action and beautiful cinematography enhance what is already a fine film.
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May 10, 2008
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N/A
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10,000 B.C. - PG-13
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Typical Roland Emmerich film - long on action and visuals, light on script. Still, it wasn't a bad choice, and Steven Strait (Sky High, The Covenant) gives his usual stellar performance. While I wouldn't see it a second time in the theater as I usually do when I really enjoy a movie, I would recommend it on DVD when it comes out.
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April 16, 2008
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N/A
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Brand Upon the Brain! - Unrated
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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!
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April 16, 2008
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N/A
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No Country for Old Men - R
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There is a first for everything, and this is honestly the first Coen Brothers film I have ever really loved. Javier Bardiem is FANTASTIC as a psychotic killer for hire and Josh Brolin turns in a stellar performance as the cowboy who accidentally gets in his way. Worthy of all the Oscars it just won, I cannot recommend this movie enough. A couple things about the movie did bug me, thus not a perfect 5-star movie, but still an absoutely MUST SEE film well worth your time!
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March 1, 2008
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N/A
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Quiet City - Unrated
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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...
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March 1, 2008
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N/A
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The Spiderwick Chronicles - PG
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A pretty decent family film. Freddy Highmore is a top notch young actor, though I wasn't completely enchanted by his dual role here - when his two characters are on screen together,they often don't mesh well. Still, it's an enjoyable 2 hours if you've got the spare time.
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March 1, 2008
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N/A
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Juno - PG-13
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Fantastic, hilarious commentary on todays' youth! Ellen Page is just brilliant as the pregnant 16 year old carrying her baby to term so a young yuppie couple can adopt it. Great performances from Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Olivia Thirlby, Allison Janney, JK Simmons, and Michael Cera. Highly Recommended
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February 6, 2008
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N/A
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Wristcutters - A Love Story - R
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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!
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January 2, 2008
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N/A
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241 ratings
66 reviews
