Friday, February 14, 2014
Movie Review: The LEGO Movie (2014)
My fear going into The LEGO Movie was that it would
be an obvious 90 minute ad for the brand, sacrificing a chance to create
a truly unique stop-animation feature. Strangely enough, my fears were partially
realized. It is true that the movie is little more than a glorified
advertisement, yet everything about it is so charmingly wonderful that I
can’t help but love it, even if it’s trying to sell me a product. With
incredible animation, a hilariously anarchic tone, and a surprisingly
smart story, The LEGO Movie is a huge win. It intelligently blurs
the line between art and commerce, forcing me to rethink the way I view
advertising, which apparently can be a legitimate form of expression. This is the first great film of 2014, not to mention one of
the best animated features in upwards of a decade.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
The Most Underrated Movies of 2013
Critics shunned them, moviegoers ignored them, and award shows laughed at them. Still, despite all the negative press, some of the “worst” films of 2013 may actually be worth your time. Here’s a short list of “bad” movies that you should judge for yourself.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Instant Reaction: In a World... (2013)
In a world where comedy is becoming uninspired and
derivative, a new hero has arrived to breathe life into the genre. Her name is Lake Bell...
Hopefully you added appropriate emphasis and pauses while you read that.
Ok, let me explain my cheesy intro. In a World… is a comedy with a rather unique concept, one that’s sure to please film buffs: Since the death of voice-over legend Don LaFontaine, the cliché words “in a world” have never been uttered during the opening of a film trailer. But a new wind is about to blow. It seems Hollywood is ready to revive the phrase which, as we’re told, is an extremely big deal for anyone who sweet talks a mic for a living. Every hilariously egotistical voice actor in the business dreams of a chance to fill the shoes of the late LaFontaine -- and if not, at least this is a fresh idea for a comedy.
In a World… is unexpectedly original and super charming, putting the talents of auteur writer/director/star Lake Bell on display in glorious fashion. If this is a sign of what’s to come for Bell, we may finally live in a world where someone other than Wes Anderson has the exclusive rights to make quirky comedies for hipsters. But only time can tell us for sure.
Hopefully you added appropriate emphasis and pauses while you read that.
Ok, let me explain my cheesy intro. In a World… is a comedy with a rather unique concept, one that’s sure to please film buffs: Since the death of voice-over legend Don LaFontaine, the cliché words “in a world” have never been uttered during the opening of a film trailer. But a new wind is about to blow. It seems Hollywood is ready to revive the phrase which, as we’re told, is an extremely big deal for anyone who sweet talks a mic for a living. Every hilariously egotistical voice actor in the business dreams of a chance to fill the shoes of the late LaFontaine -- and if not, at least this is a fresh idea for a comedy.
In a World… is unexpectedly original and super charming, putting the talents of auteur writer/director/star Lake Bell on display in glorious fashion. If this is a sign of what’s to come for Bell, we may finally live in a world where someone other than Wes Anderson has the exclusive rights to make quirky comedies for hipsters. But only time can tell us for sure.
Directed by: Lake Bell
Starring: Lake Bell, Fred Melamed, and Demetri Martin
Starring: Lake Bell, Fred Melamed, and Demetri Martin
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Movie Review: All is Lost (2013)
I’m known for liking experimental films that sacrifice entertainment value in order to explore something interesting. I knew what I was getting into when I sat down to watch All is Lost, a film featuring Robert Redford trapped on a sinking boat. I expected to see largely only Redford on screen for the entire film, and I even expected some stretches to be uneventful. But what I didn’t expect was that I would be bored to death for the entire duration, only to have the film conclude itself in the worst way imaginable.
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