While its recent Emmy sweep was well-deserved, “Modern Family” may never be as good as the new-to-disc sophomore season. Because roughly halfway into the current airing one, the show has failed to be anything but a hair above average, and sometimes going a week without a single laugh. But that second season was fairly solid, especially […]
Rod Lott
Posted inArts & Culture
Spiderhole
It’s been such a cliché for decades that the recent comedy “Tucker and Dale vs Evil” may have parodied it (however unlikely) to its well-deserved death. At least the quartet of UK collegians of “Spiderhole” has done something different: Rather than go away for the weekend, these students leave their dreary dorms behind for good. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Big Book of Breasts 3D
But I’m going to try anyway. Taschen is one of the world’s most renowned publishers of art books, and this square-shaped (but not square-minded) hardback is but one reason why: top-quality treatment with top-quality material. It’s just in this case, the subject is top-heavy. Roughly 100 full-page, black-and-white images are included, comprising the meat of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Texas Killing Fields
While Ami Canaan Mann’s “Texas Killing Fields” is her first, she no doubt picked up some tips from her director dad, Michael Mann, who’s made more than his fair share in “Heat,” “Thief” and “Manhunter.” That much, I’d expect. What I didn’t expect was that the daughter’s film would be better than her revered father’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Give a Hoot
The 25-year-old Missouri native currently represents Oklahoma as one of 16 women competing for the title of “Hooters DreamGirl.” Shot in Aruba, the reality series airs on Speed, but the first episode will replay at 11:59 p.m. Sunday and 5 p.m. Wednesday on Fuel TV. Come Feb. 11, only two ladies will be left standing; […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Don’t Let Him In
I couldn’t help but think of that throughout the whole of “Don’t Let Him In.” Don’t. Don’t. Don’t! The “Him” of this particular title refers to “the Tree Surgeon,” the serial killer who comprises a quarter of a group going off to a cottage retreat for the weekend. Half of the group is a secure […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Dead Hooker in a Trunk
Substitute “bomb” with “whore corpse,” and you have the Canadian crime spree known as “Dead Hooker in a Trunk.” The title is the best thing about it, raising all sorts of hope it cannot satisfy. Written and directed by sisters Jen and Sylvia Soska — who star as Geek and Badass, respectively — the low-budget […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Julia’s Eyes
The latest case in point is “Julia’s Eyes,” a Spanish thriller that kept me on that proverbial edge of my seat for most all of its 115 minutes. A good rule of thumb is that if you were moved and menaced by 2007’s “The Orphanage,” then by all means, see this. Sharing a leading lady […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Lethal Ladies 2 Collection
Nope, that nugget of wisdom isn’t from Starz’s hit “Spartacus,” but from producer Roger Corman’s 1974 hit “The Arena,” one of three female-centric actioners that comprises Shout! Factory’s double-D, double-disc “Lethal Ladies 2 Collection.” Naturally, it’s the latest entry in the as-addictive-as-crack “Roger Corman’s Cult Classics” line. Unimaginatively remade with Playboy Playmates Karen McDougal and […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Justified: The Complete Second Season
Fresh off an Emmy nomination for his starring role, Timothy Olyphant owns his character of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens to such a degree, it just may prove to be the one that defines his career. In short: He’s badass. Givens remains in his godforsaken hometown of Harlan County, Ky., a backwater, redneck-ridden hellhole that he […]