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Brief
Shorter reviews.
Black Dynamite (2009)
Feb 21st
Director: Scott Sanders | Rated: R | Review date: 20-Feb-2010
Long-barreled revolvers, kung-fu, and funky pimps are the key ingredients to Black Dynamite, starring (and also co-written by) Michael Jai White. Black Dynamite (White) is ex-CIA; back on the streets to get revenge after his brother is murdered by the Man. In his rampage, Dynamite discovers the pool of corruption and conspiracy by the Man to keep the black people down. White is hilarious as the title character, keeping a serious face during the most obnoxious of moments. White’s cut physique and nicely choreographed kung fu moves make him the ideal More >
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006)
Feb 14th
Director: Lloyd Kaufman | Rated: Unrated (extreme gore & nudity) | Review date: 14-Feb-2010
The title says it all. Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead is as loony and over-the-top as it sounds. Jason Yachanin hilariously plays Arby, a young man who takes up work at a local fast food chain (which happens to be on top of an indian burial ground) to support his unable parents. Before you can say “Sloppy José,” the restaurant is plagued with possessed chicken carcasses that soon make hosts of those that consume them. The final product is a hysterical chicken flavored zombedy musical topped with More >
Before Sunrise (1995)
Jan 22nd
Director: Richard Linklater | Rated: R (language) | Review date: 16-Jan-2010
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy star in this basic drama that does away with all the exaggerations and pretenses of Hollywood romances. Richard Linklater instead takes us on a simple and conceivable journey through Europe where two lone travelers cross paths. Hawke and Delpy’s chemistry was incomparable and their characters were portrayed with utter realism. The film really thrives on the story and it really causes us to feel for and relate to the characters. Though simplistic, it manages to capture the emotions felt when one falls in love without More >
Once (2007)
Jan 15th
Director: John Carney | Rated: R (language) | Review date: 15-Jan-2010
Once is one of those simplistic masterpieces that manages to captivate audiences with very little effort. It’s a modern day approach to the musical, replacing the theatrical song and dance routines with honest and heartfelt singer-songwriter ballads. The performances by the guy and girl, played by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, were astounding, so much that I at times forgot that they were acting. The relationship between the two on camera is a far cry from the mushy and unrealistic Hollywood romance most often seen. Instead, this film gives us More >
Squid and the Whale, The (2005)
Jan 13th
Director: Noah Baumbach | Rated: R | Review date: 12-Jan-2010
Baumbach’s own childhood experiences are conveyed in this quirky comedy drama dealing with the ramifications of a divorce involving two writer parents living in Brooklyn. Most of the film follows brothers Walt and Frank as they transition between shared custody and deal with choosing sides. Perhaps it’s because I can’t really relate to the main theme of the film, but I found certain aspects to be somewhat disappointing. The main things that made this film enjoyable to me and provided most of the humor were Jeff Daniels and Jesse Eisenberg. The More >