And that would be a bad thing, because “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” hoses off any stink Burton left behind. It’s one of the year’s nicest surprises. An origin story to the sci-fi franchise that began on the big screen in 1968, “Rise” draws upon story elements of 1972’s “Conquest of the Planet […]
DVD reviews
Posted inArts & Culture
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXII
Now that we’re up so far in the chain of “MST3K” box sets, I’m assuming everyone reading knows and loves the show’s concept; I’ve reviewed so many of these, it seems pointless at this juncture to repeat it. So I won’t. This latest, “Volume XXII” (that’s “22” for those who didn’t pay attention in school), […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XXII
Now that we’re up so far in the chain of “MST3K” box sets, I’m assuming everyone reading knows and loves the show’s concept; I’ve reviewed so many of these, it seems pointless at this juncture to repeat it. So I won’t. This latest, “Volume XXII” (that’s “22” for those who didn’t pay attention in school), […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Superheroes
Per Michael Barnett’s entertaining documentary, “Superheroes,” a handful of people exist who believe that local police either aren’t doing their job, too corrupt to do their job or can’t do their job to the fullest needs of the neighborhood. These costumed citizens are profiled. Among them are …• Mr. Xtreme, a chubby, slovenly guy who conducts […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Superheroes
Per Michael Barnett’s entertaining documentary, “Superheroes,” a handful of people exist who believe that local police either aren’t doing their job, too corrupt to do their job or can’t do their job to the fullest needs of the neighborhood. These costumed citizens are profiled. Among them are …• Mr. Xtreme, a chubby, slovenly guy who conducts […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Little Deaths
If such a thought makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable, I can’t emphasize this enough: This movie is not for you. Its intent is to disturb, and succeeds. This sort of thing’s been done before, in virtually every episode of “The Hunger” TV series. But, hell, I love that show, so I was cool […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Little Deaths
If such a thought makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable, I can’t emphasize this enough: This movie is not for you. Its intent is to disturb, and succeeds. This sort of thing’s been done before, in virtually every episode of “The Hunger” TV series. But, hell, I love that show, so I was cool […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Another Earth
Relative newcomer Brit Marling, who co-wrote and co-produced the picture, portrays Rhoda, an intelligent young woman with a scholarship to MIT and plans to become an astrophysicist. Those dreams disappear in an instant, however, when she causes a car accident that kills a woman and her small child. That wreck leaves a grieving husband and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Another Earth
Relative newcomer Brit Marling, who co-wrote and co-produced the picture, portrays Rhoda, an intelligent young woman with a scholarship to MIT and plans to become an astrophysicist. Those dreams disappear in an instant, however, when she causes a car accident that kills a woman and her small child. That wreck leaves a grieving husband and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Pearl Jam Twenty
It’s an incredible song, but the chest-beating refrain of “I’m still alive,” speaks as more than just a mere hooky, accessible line that’s easily sung by an arena’s worth of ecstatic fans. It serves as a quip on the grunge band’s post-“Yield” legacy, which is more remarkable for its longevity than the ragged quality of […]