Authors Articles
Q&A: Hoffman makes directoral debut
Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Ortiz have worked together for more than a decade as two prominent members of the LAByrinth Theater Company. Their ...
John Ortiz gives memorable performance
A small mountain of obligatory information stands between audiences and good review of “Jack Goes Boating.” This film is Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman’s feature directorial debut, though he has been directing ...
It’s a ‘Babies’ world
Director records lives of four babies living in different countries
Sometimes filmmakers try to pick mysterious and alluring titles for their work, but it’s impossible to imagine "Babies" from French documentary director Thomas Balmés, by any other name. This movie isn’t just ...
‘Gift Shopping’ unsurprising
Aristic documentary disappoints, yet provides insight into street art
Consider it a ‘Date’
Comedic duo create laughs, action but lack in overall inspiration
Names in comedy don’t get much bigger than Tina Fey and Steve Carell, so a feature film starring the pair is bound to get noticed. Thankfully, the marketing campaign is light on ...
Movie remixed with ‘SNL’ alums
Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan take roles in 'Death at a Funeral' remake
“Saturday Night Live” has been a launching pad for dozens of actors and comedians the last 35 years. One of its recent graduates, Tracy Morgan, stars in “30 Rock,” a show essentially ...
Comic revels in weirdness
‘Pictures for Sad Children’ gave a happy life for John Campbell
The Internet is often synonymous with global anonymity. But one webcomic author lives right in our backyard. “Pictures for Sad Children” is self-described as “a bad feeling you get when you are ...
A kicking good movie
Superhero movie indulges audience with perfect action, plot
Preproduction for the film “Kick-Ass” reportedly started within three months after the release of the Mark Millar-created, Marvel-published comic, which hit shelves in February 2008. That’s an even faster turnaround than his ...
‘Time’ to direct again
Former Columbia student, Chicago director films latest movie, ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’
Steve Pink grew up in Evanston during the’80s alongside John and Joan Cusack, Jeremy Piven and Lili Taylor. Unlike those four, his acting career has been limited, but he has flourished behind ...
Drowning in the tub
Bad humor, plot line, character development plague sci-fi movie
“Hot Tub Time Machine” by director Steve Pink, co-writer of “High Fidelity” and “Grosse Pointe Blank,” is a dumb movie. That much should be obvious given not just the title, but the ...
‘Greenberg’ talent talks collaboration
Noah Baumbach has spent equal parts of the 21st century...
Sundance festival director talks film
Danny Perez is a visual artist with a powerful aesthetic. He considers himself 21st century, which is a much nicer term than post-postmodern. His work is expansive, textured and dark, bordering on ...
Not so wonderful Alice
Director’s usual dark, weird creativity becomes normal
Tim Burton is not a director—he is a brand. His name defines an aesthetic built from dozens of longtime creative collaborators, from Danny Elfman and Helena Bonham Carter to the lesser known ...
A plot obsessed ‘prophet’
Crime movie brings genre back to life with action, realism
Why do we love organized crime films? Let me count the reasons. They offer immersion into another culture operating within society, but independent of its mores. We are seduced by their proximity ...
Insane thriller delivers
Film delivers mystery, drama, keeps audience on their toes
“Who is 67?” asks Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels. He believes that number refers to a secret inmate held at the maximum security mental hospital for the criminally insane on ...
The movie of ‘love’
Meyers, Travolta give audiences fun, intense shoot-em-up action
The movie poster for “From Paris with Love” is a not-too-subtle collage of a handgun with the Eiffel Tower where the barrel should be. It implies the status quo in Americanized action-film ...
