Film Reviews

Never Let Me Go

ljmandell — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:46:49 -0400

Beautiful, leisurely, tender and sad, Never Let Me Go is one of the finest films of the year so far. Even the hardest hearts will be touched, and the least sensitive will be impressed with the aesthetic.

Bran Nue Dae

ljmandell — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:35:09 -0400

Any film that can get you to leave the theater singing and dancing to an infectious tune with the lyrics, "There's nothing I would rather be than to be an Aborigine!" must be fun and original. A masterpiece it isn't, but Australian musical Bran Nue Dae is certainly worth the price of admission, and is destined to become a cult favorite in the not-too-distant future.

Going the Distance

ljmandell — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:43:46 -0400

This film would have been a whole lot better if co-stars Justin Long and Drew Barrymore hadn't gone quite such a long distance. Although it comes in at just under two hours, watching these two cuddle and coo and be impossibly cute with each other feels like it goes on and on for hours without end.

The American

ljmandell — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:17:42 -0400

For a film called The American, this film feels extremely European in a brooding, independent sort of way. And although it features everyone's favorite born-in-the-USA homeboy George Clooney, I think most American audiences will find it just a wee bit too foreign. As much as both men and women love to look at Clooney's handsome, craggy face, part of his charm is the smile, the wit, the banter.

The Last Exorcism

ljmandell — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:45:57 -0400

You might be asking yourself, “do we really need another addition to this horror franchise?” The answer would be, most assuredly yes if it’s of the caliber of The Last Exorcism. It has very little in common with the original The Exorcist, so it can’t really be considered a part of the on going story. But it is an original addition to a very spooky genre.

Nanny McPhee Returns

ljmandell — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:47:33 -0400

If small children with British accents aren’t adorable enough, how about those synchronized swimming piglets? Nanny McPhee Returns has a sweet, uncomplicated, old-fashioned charm that is rare in children’s films these days. What, no 3D? Thank you, director Susanna White! It’s really not necessary with a charming story and capable actors.

Vampires Suck

ljmandell — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:29:29 -0400

Yank my credentials and call me a hack, but I thought Vampires Suck was really funny. Even though it had received a pathetic 0% Rotten Tomatoes ranking when I wrote this review, I think it’s worth the price of admission alone just to see newcomer Jenn Proske mimic Kristen Stewart. Girlfriend has her down.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World

ljmandell — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:12:13 -0400

Even if you’re not much for video games or graphic novels, you can’t help but have fun with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Make sure you see it, or discuss it with someone who likes both, however, because you’ll get a lot more out of it if you do.

Eat Pray Love

ljmandell — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:57:30 -0400

Even the many talents of uber-charismatic Julia Roberts can’t redeem the fact that this is a film about a shallow, self-obsessed woman based on a book on the same topic. It’s a two-and-a-half hour exercise in self-indulgence, and while pretty to see, it’s painful to watch.

Step Up 3-D

ljmandell — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:26:33 -0400

I get it. You don’t go to dance movies like these for the plot or acting, you go for the amazing moves. Still, is it asking so much for filmmakers to put forth the tiniest effort to hammer out a script that made even a little sense and get a lead who could believable deliver a line, in addition to his dancing?