Lake Bell is good at writing people. The talented actress (“It’s Complicated,” “Children’s Hospital”) has littered her writing/directing debut, “In a World,” with living characters that make the film an ease to watch. Part of this success is that Bell…
As far as I understand it, the word paranoia refers to an irrational state involving intense fear and panic, often involving fantasies of persecution. Oddly enough, while there are a few brief moments of fright and tension for the lead…
Coming of Age films are showing signs of maturing. Back in the seventies and eighties, teen movies used to focus primarily on trying to get laid, smoking some weed and then trying to get laid again. There were some exceptions…
Let’s get all the film critic-y crap out of the way, shall we? “We’re the Millers” has terrible character development and sticks to a textbook template for the Standard R-Rated Comedy. The plot is outlandish to a fault. It is…
It can certainly be tough to make the transition from independent to studio films. With “Elysium,” director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) has managed to maintain a tone and style similar to his previous hit. However, there is still a bit…
Though it may come as a surprise, 2010’s “Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief” was a solid box office performer. At least it was internationally and on DVD; the flick’s combined worldwide and home video grosses were almost three times…
Following in the footsteps of countless buddy movies, “2 Guns” features a lot of well known faces and a set up with great potential. Potential that is ultimately squandered because the script sticks to the most obvious conventions of the…
It has been several years since the lackluster “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” but star Hugh Jackman’s enthusiasm for the Marvel superhero has yet to dissipate. While many would have moved on, “The Wolverine” marks the actor’s sixth appearance in the role.…
“The Conjuring” is a conflicting film that’s been haunting me. On the one hand, director James Wan (“Saw”) has crafted a highly effective film that accomplishes what a horror movie should; it will scare the hell out of you. Most…
A surprise hit three years ago, “Red” hardly seemed like the kind of film that demanded a sequel. Truthfully, I can’t say that I even remember the original particularly well. Warranted or not, a sequel has been produced. And while…