One Paragraph Review: American Gangster

Take the money-making montages from "Scarface," the duality of depicting the cops and gangsters from "King of New York," and the drugs & random hot Latin girl from "Blow" and what you have is American Gangster. I couldn't help but feel that this movie falls short of being in the category of the movies from which it clearly drew inspiration, despite the interesting plot, competent writing and solid performances frmo Denzel & Russel Crowe. Though lacking the emotional weight of "Donnie Brasco," the sweeping brilliance and intimacy of "The Godfather"or the mayhem and violence of "Scarface," "American Gangster" is a solid crime flick that is definitely worth your time.

One Paragraph Review: Superbad

I've always felt that competent comedy was a matter of timing. Get that down and you're good to go. But what makes great comedy? I'm not sure I know, but if I had to guess I'd say that great comedy comes when the subject matter is both funny and true. Superbad fits this bill. It takes juvenile behavior to a high art form. It left me with the feeling that high school wasn't the horrible mess of growth and confusion, but actually was kind of fun. The movies was incredibly clever, and it was oh so Superbad.

One Paragraph Review: Charlie Wilson's War

This is one of those reviews where I make a disclosure which should make you question my critics license: I more than loved the book Charlie Wilson's War and I'm a fan of Aaron Sorkin's work. So what do I think when you put them together? A wonderful, hilarious and even poignant movie. Charlie Wilson's War was just great. Endlessly funny, with the kind of writing and physical comedy you find in Sorkin's good TV works, but also managing to make an important point about people and history. Of the larger lesson about history and foreign affairs, take it or leave it. Tom Hanks and Phillip Seymour Hoffman nail it and you shouldn't miss it.

One Paragraph Review: Ratatouille

As are most Pixar movies, Ratatouille was an absolute home run with me, as I loved both the movie and its message. The characters were hilarious and the movie even took time to poke fun at itself (which always wins points with me): such as when Linguini, in commenting on how his arms move when Remy pulls on his hair, sarcastically comments, "Wow, this is strangely involuntary!" And who can't love a little rat who would rather risk his life to salvage a disgusting batch of soup instead of sneak out of the kitchen to freedom. Great flick with solid humor for adults and a great message for kids about how everybody can (and *should*) be a cook!

One Paragraph Review: The Simpsons Movie

This movie did what South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut did so well, and that is to make you feel like the movie was just one big long episode of The Simpsons. I think when you make a movie out of a TV show that has been around forever it's probably very easy to be tempted to doing something hugely different and grandiose. But I think most people don't want that. We like The Simpsons. No reason to go and do something out of the box and stupid (like a live action movie). As the South Park movie was one extra long and brilliant "South Park" episode, The Simpsons Movie is one extra long and great Simpsons episode. If you like the show, you'll like this movie. Nice and simple.

One Paragraph Review: Beowulf

I like movies based on comic books, such as Spider-Man, X-Men, and Batman. I like movies based on graphic novels such as 300, and V for Vendetta. But I guess I don't like movies based on epic poems, because I did not like this movie. I understand the appeal of reinterpreting the story and turning Beowulf into a flawed character instead of a hero. But if you are going to do that, then why use the animated motion capture film technique that they did? I don't think the screenplay and the film technique meshed.

One Paragraph Review: 3:10 to Yuma

There is a phrase: if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it probably is a duck. The same could be said for movies based off Elmore Leonard novels. If it sounds like an Elmore Leonard movie, it probably is one. And guess what, 3:10 to Yuma walks like a duck carrying a poncho and a rusty six-shooter with something to prove. It's neat to see a piece of pulp fiction translated into a Western story, with Western themes. I love a good shoot 'em up, especially if its got brains. And 3:10 to Yuma has both. The story, acting and imagery were well above average. Definitely check this flick out.

Haiku Review: Stealth

Barely watchable
Unholy pact with Satan
Putrid waste of time

Jessica Biel’s ass
A merciful distraction
But still not enough

What were they thinking?
Barbaric anti-art shit
Thoughts of suicide

Please, never ever,
Contribute to mass dumbing
By watching this film

Put out with garbage
Not even close to worthy
Of these lame haikus

Haiku Review: Charlie Wilson's War

Wonderful movie
Sorkin does not disappoint
So fun, so funny

One Paragraph Review: The Kite Runner

Trying to review this movie leads me to pose a question: what criteria do you use when judging a movie's interpretation of a book? As someone who read and enjoyed the book The Kite Runner, I don't know how well I can assess this movie. I usually judge based on two criteria. First, if it is actually a good movie, and second, if it honors the general themes of the book. Well, the movie Kite Runner met both of those criteria. I thought it was a well done film and did capture the themes and overall emotional state of the book. But then again, the movie wasn't really exciting to me because I knew what was going to happen. I wonder what people who haven't read the book thought of the movie...