New Movie Reviews

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2009-10-09T03:18:00.001-07:00

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Fame

2009-10-08T21:55:00.000-07:00

Rated: PG for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language.

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Theatrical Release:Sep 25, 2009 Wide

Box Office: $16,507,188

Synopsis: A reinvention of the original Oscar®-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a... A reinvention of the original Oscar®-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame...the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work.

In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, plagued by self-doubt, each student’s passion will be put to the test. In addition to their artistic goals, they have to deal with everything else that goes along with high school, a tumultuous time full of schoolwork, deep friendships, budding romance, and self-discovery.

As each student strives for his or her moment in the spotlight, they’ll discover who among them has the innate talent and necessary discipline to succeed. With the love and support of their friends and fellow artists, they’ll find out who amongst them will achieve Fame …

The cast includes Asher Book as Marco, Kristy Flores as Rosie, Paul Iacono as Neil, Paul McGill as Kevin, Naturi Naughton as Denise, Kay Panabaker as Jenny, Kherington Payne as Alice, Collins Pennie as Malik, Walter Perez as Victor, and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle as Joy. Their instructors include Debbie Allen as Principal Simms, Charles S. Dutton as Alvin Dowd, Kelsey Grammer as Joel Cranston, Megan Mullally as Fran Rowan, and Bebe Neuwirth as Lynn Kraft.

Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Kay Panabaker, Bebe Neuwirth, Naturi Naughton

Director: Kevin Tancharoen

Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Screenwriter: Aline Brosh McKenna, Allison Burnett
Studio: MGM

The Informant!

2009-10-06T22:24:00.000-07:00

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Sep 18, 2009 Wide
Box Office: $26,469,331
Starring: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey, Tony Hale, Thomas F. Wilson
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Screenwriter: Scott Z. Burns
Producer: Gregory Jacobs, Jennifer Fox, Howard Braunstein, Kurt Eichenwald
Composer: Marvin Hamlisch
Studio: Warner Bros.

Synopsis:
What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre (Matt Damon) suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company's... What was Mark Whitacre thinking? A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre (Matt Damon) suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company's multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent.

Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn't been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre's ever-changing account frustrates the agents (Scott Bakula and Joel McHale) and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real and what is the product of Whitacre's active imagination.

Academy Award® winner Matt Damon ("Good Will Hunting," the "Bourne" movies) stars in "The Informant!," based on the true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in U.S. history. The film also stars Scott Bakula, Joel McHale and Melanie Lynskey.

"The Informant!" is directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Soderbergh ("Traffic") from a screenplay by Scott Z. Burns, based on the book The Informant (A True Story), written by Kurt Eichenwald. The film is produced by Gregory Jacobs, Jennifer Fox, Michael Jaffe, Howard Braunstein and Kurt Eichenwald. George Clooney, Jeff Skoll and Michael London served as executive producers, with Michael Polaire co-producing.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes production designer Doug Meerdink, editor Stephen Mirrione and costume designer Shoshana Rubin. The music is by multiple Oscar® winner and nominee Marvin Hamlisch ("The Sting," "The Way We Were").

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Participant Media and Groundswell Productions, a Section Eight-Jaffe/Braunstein Enterprise, "The Informant!" --© Warner Bros

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Zombieland

2009-10-06T00:16:00.000-07:00

Rated: R
Runtime: - mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Screenwriter: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Producer: Gavin Polone
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sinopsis:

By Steven Rea

Inquirer Movie Columnist and Critic

From its inventive opening credits to a surprise cameo and accompanying laugh-riot Ghostbusters homage, the zom-com Zombieland delivers gore and gags in equally satisfying spurts, so to speak. (There's lots of projectile body fluid.) It also boasts one of the funniest, loopiest Woody Harrelson turns in years.

A Mad magazine-like counterpoint to the forthcoming post-apocalyptic grimfest The Road, Zombieland is set in a wasteland where blood-spewing flesh-eaters roam what's left of the U.S. of A. A crazy virus has infected the population, and only a lucky few, or unlucky few, have managed to stay untainted.

One gamer-nerd college student, nicknamed Columbus because he's heading home to the Ohio town where, hopefully, his parents still live, is among the survivors. As played by Jesse Eisenberg, the droll, nervous ninny of Adventureland and The Squid and the Whale, Columbus is the first-person protagonist of first-time director Ruben Fleischer's raucous road movie.

Columbus has survived thus far thanks to a serious case of OCD: He has a list of rules (avoid public rest rooms and fasten your seat belt, not to mention the more zombie-specific "double-tap" rule) and sticks to them. The kid makes an oddball companion to Tallahassee - Harrelson's character, a zombie-bashing road warrior with a furious lust for Hostess' Twinkies - when the two team up on a carnage-strewn interstate.

Originally heading east, the unlikely duo soon meet two sisters - Little Rock (Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin) and Wichita (Superbad's Emma Stone). The girls aren't as helpless as they first appear, but after a couple of wary, scary encounters, the foursome turn their wheels around and head west together. Word has it that there's a zombie-free colony in a California amusement park.

Like Shaun of the Dead, the film parodies and pays tribute to its genre antecedents and inspirations. There are gory nods to George Romero's cannibal canon, and the aforementioned "Who you gonna call?" stoner salute to Ghostbusters. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (of Spike TV's Invasion Iowa and The Joe Schmo Show) go gonzo with the comedy, and Eisenberg and Harrelson share inspired moments of lunacy: the former deadpan and neurotic, the latter wild-eyed and weird. When Tallahassee finally sinks his teeth into one of his beloved junk-food snacks - his quest for Twinkies is akin to Lancelot's for the Holy Grail - the close-up of Harrelson's mad mug is truly sublime.

Source: www.rottentomatoes.com

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TOY STORY 3D

2009-10-05T01:15:00.003-07:00

Rated: G
Runtime: 88 mins
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release: Oct 2, 2009 Wide
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Laurie Metcalf, R. Lee Ermey, Penn Jillette
Director: John Lasseter
Producer: Ralph Guggenheim, Bonnie Arnold
Studio: Disney/Pixar

Sinopsis:

It has been nearly 15 years since this animated adventure was released, but it is a classic which

stands the test of time – and what better excuse to see it again at the cinema than its re-release in 3D. Especially for a new generation of children who have only ever seen it on DVD.

It’s the story of a little boy, Andy, and his toys, which can come alive whenever he is out of the room.

His favourite toy is cowboy Woody (Tom Hanks), the leader of a gang which includes Mr Potato Head (Don Rickles), Slinky Dog, Rex the dinosaur and Hamm the piggy bank (John Ratzenberger).

Then Andy is given a new toy for his birthday, a gleaming Buzz Lightyear action figure (Tim Allen).

Andy spends most of his time playing with him, but jealous Woody is more infuriated with the fact that Buzz does not realise he is a toy. He thinks he is a real Space Ranger from the Universe Protection Unit who can fly.

But Woody and Buzz must bond if they are to escape the evil clutches of Sid, the sadistic boy next door.

The only downside to this inventive, clever and thrilling film, is that the 3D element is a little disappointing, as it does not exactly take us to infinity and beyond.

It is quite subtle, but adds to the depth of a film which is rich in detail in both animation and script.

Each viewing brings up something new to delight which you will not have noticed before.

This is real movie magic, a perfect appetiser for Toy Story 2 in 3D in January and, even more exciting, the brand new Toy Story 3 next July.

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