WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLDECEMBER 23, 2014 One part spiritual drama, one part “Varsity Blues,” neither quite lands their footing in “When The Game Stands Tall.” Based on the true story of the De La Salle Spartans high school football team who had a record-setting 151-game 1992–2003 winning streak, the film picks up around their eventual defeat and the emotional and … Read More Movie Review: When The Game Stands Tall (2014)
A HAUNTED HOUSE 2 BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAUGUST 11, 2014 After having five “Scary Movie” horror parodies thrown at us, the biggest fear now is that “A Haunted House” will become a franchise. The first film was an answer to the “Paranormal Activity” craze, basically just changing the name of the parodies and letting Marlon Wayans step out on his own to make fun of … Read More Quick Review: A Haunted House 2 (2014)
THE OTHER WOMAN BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJULY 28, 2014 If I wanted to see Kate Upton running in a skimpy bikini, I would just Google it. When it comes to most romantic comedies, I can get on board. Despite almost all of these films having the same plot and story structure, there can be a sincerity brought out by stellar actors and actresses. “The Other … Read More Quick Review: The Other Woman (2014)
THE COLLECTION BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLDECEMBER 23, 2013 Before “The Collection,” there was “The Collector,” a mostly tight-knit and grounded horror film with a more than interesting plot; a man (Josh Stewart) stealing from a family is caught in the middle of a killer’s game of collecting his prey. Josh Stewart was fun to watch, there were heightened moments of violence and sex, and the … Read More Quick Review: The Collection (2012)
JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLNOVEMBER 3, 2013 “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa” succeeds at recreating the real people, real reaction skits that we know and love from the “Jackass” series, posing Johnny Knoxville as his 86 year-old alter ego, Irving Zisman. All would have been well had the film just been skits and even some behind the footage in between these moments. Instead, … Read More Quick Review: Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013)
PASSION BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLSEPTEMBER 7, 2013 Never capitalizing on its strong, power-driven leads, Brian De Palma’s “Passion” is anything but passionate. Remaining surface level for its entire run-time, not only can the film not hold a tone but often falls into a parody of itself. Part office thriller, part crime drama, part halfhearted expose on sexuality, De Palma fails ever actually to come up … Read More Quick Review: Passion (2013)
THE HOST BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLMARCH 18, 2013 Despite being a retread of the themes in Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight,” “The Host” succeeds in two ways. Saoirse Ronan overcomes the odds and delivers a worthwhile performance as best she can give the material. I am more likely to see this again as a silent film to catch her performance. The second success comes from incorporating an … Read More Quick Review: The Host (2013)
A HAUNTED HOUSE BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLFEBRUARY 26, 2013 “A Haunted House” is on the borderline. While it is mostly not funny or creative, it is better than the upcoming sequel to the “Scary Movie” franchise, which almost comes off rated PG. Suffice it to say, “A Haunted House” at least embraces its “R” rating. However, this film is just not funny. It serves caricatures … Read More Quick Review: A Haunted House (2013)
ABOUT CHERRY BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJANUARY 20, 2013 Initially excited about this film, “About Cherry” severely drops the ball with its meandering nature and complete disregard for the talented new actress Ashley Hinshaw. James Franco and Dev Patel have such potential in these roles. Still, they are both squandered for no apparent reason, with all focus placed on Hinshaw and her fall into pornography, which … Read More Quick Review: About Cherry (2012)
FRIDAY THE 13TH BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAPRIL 22, 2012 Most people think they remember the story of Jason Vorhees and Camp Crystal Lake, but if you travel back to the original “Friday the 13th” film, you realize most of what you thought you knew was false. Seeing the 1980 version of “Friday the 13th” in 2012 is enjoyable on many levels. Not only are you … Read More Movie Review: Friday The 13th (1980)
MANAGEMENT BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLDECEMBER 17, 2011 “Management” is a low-budget wonder with a borderline big-budget cast. I am convinced that Jennifer Aniston can sell just about anything since her days on “Friends.” She’s gorgeous yet adorable, witty and intelligent, and in control. She displays these qualities in the film “Management,” but not to the degree that makes this film worthwhile. Aniston plays Sue, a … Read More Movie Review: Management (2009)
Nightmare on Elm Street is not even slightly scary. Had the film not been a remake of such a popular franchise, it fails to scare even on the simplest levels of being a horror film. When did scraping fingers on a wall become the scariest part of a film? There is no depth. Just teens ripe for the killing and even that does not appear to even fit correctly.
Not everyone can make a cohesive film, so developing a conditioned film is a feat. But there comes a point where films are being made simply for the sake of making films, serving no higher purpose. To me, The Square is such a film.
Martin Scorsese delivers gorgeous scenery, fully capturing the grit of the New York streets, but with a lackluster story and overblown performances stemming from the ridiculousness of the situations, After Hours fails to live up to the rest of Scorsese’s anthology.
Perhaps I am among the minority, but the Red Riding Trilogy did little to entertain or inspire me. Much like the reception I gave The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, the Red Riding Trilogy does little to set it apart from any other films in the suspense/thriller genre.
There is a unique experience in viewing a zombie flick directed by the man that revolutionized the genre, much like it probably felt to watch Picasso paint. Romero broke onto the scene 32 years ago and altered the horror brand forever, making the idea of zombies what it is today. Survival of the Dead gives off a radiance that makes you feel at home in the presence of a Romero contrivance, allowing one to confide in the man that set the undead wheel in motion.
One would assume that a film portraying one of the most influential directors in the history of the cinema would unquestionably be an epic masterpiece. Unfortunately, those expectations fall extremely short. In fact, Me & Orson Welles was little more than a flop.
DEATH AT A FUNERAL (2010) BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAUGUST 12, 2010 Before this review begins, I want to first state how exhausted I am with Hollywood and the need to remake films. “Death At A Funeral” was a British comedy released in 2007. Three years later, the same exact film is released with a different cast, set to the backdrop of a Tyler Perry film. … Read More Movie Review: Death At A Funeral (2010)
RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAUGUST 11, 2010 “Resident Evil: Extinction” appears to be the final nail in the coffin of the franchise (until the disaster of “Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D” was announced for September 10, 2010). Milla Jovovich reprises her role as Alice and proves she deserves far better. The graphics continue to improve while the number of zombies declines. Where are the … Read More Movie Review: Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAUGUST 11, 2010 “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” is the whore of the “Resident Evil” franchise. Based completely on the video games “Resident Evil 2” and “Resident Evil 3: Nemesis,” the storyline, characters, and main boss are ripped right from the successful game series. Toss in the character, Alice, from the first film, and the series continues in a dismal attempt … Read More Movie Review: Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
STOLEN BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLAUGUST 6, 2010 Do not expect any “Mad Men” performances here. Jon Hamm rests his character of Donald Draper and plays police chief and father to a missing child, Tom Adkins. The story cuts between Hamm’s story and the parallel story that takes place 50 years earlier with Josh Lucas, playing father to three sons, Matthew Wakefield. When Wakefield is forced … Read More Movie Review: Stolen (2009)
COP OUT BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJULY 21, 2010 Interracial buddy cop comedies are done to death. “Rush Hour,” “I-Spy,” “Nothing To Lose,” “Blue Streak,” “National Security.” The newest in the genre, “Cop Out,” brings nothing new to the table. The hype over Tracy Morgan’s original sense of humor escapes me. At least Martin Lawrence, Chris Tucker, and Eddie Murphy were funny in their corresponding parts. … Read More Movie Review: Cop Out (2010)
THE BOUNTY HUNTER BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJULY 10, 2010 Jennifer Aniston in “Friends” equals a thumbs up. Gerard Butler in just about everything equals a thumbs up. Would it not make sense then that “The Bounty Hunter” would equal a thumbs up? The answer ends up “no”. For a romantic comedy, “The Bounty Hunter” contains no laughs, little to no action, and forgettable performances from … Read More Movie Review: The Bounty Hunter (2010)
FROM PARIS WITH LOVE BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJUNE 23, 2010 After watching “From Paris With Love” on two separate occasions, I found that if you can stomach the Travolta-less first twenty minutes, you are left with nothing but explosions, over-the-top dialogue, and cheesy twist after cheesy twist. In not his best venture, Travolta plays bald man Charlie Wax, the “bad” good guy whose unorthodox way … Read More Movie Review: From Paris With Love (2010)
MAMMOTH BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELLJUNE 22, 2010 Enter into “Mammoth” with an open mind. The film is slow and rather uneventful, yet real and inspiring. No stunning performances or moments that stuck out. The film felt natural and gave off a documentary-like quality. The story is nicely done, with the editing a huge factor in the storytelling. Every cut mattered. Each cut directed your attention … Read More Movie Review: Mammoth (2009)
