One of the pitfalls of being a full-time movie critic is that you sometimes have to give less-than-positive reviews to films that you really, really wanted to like.It’s even more difficult when the director who made the film is someone you admire. But the new remake of The Day the Earth Stood … [Read more...]
Dark Knight one of the best superhero films ever made
August 24, 2008 By
For years, the people who write the Batman comics and movies have been drawn to the theme of insanity.The Joker is wild, of course, and so are many of the other villains; and it is often suggested that a billionaire like Bruce Wayne must be crazy on some level too, if he feels compelled to wear … [Read more...]
Shyamalan’s cinematic magic no longer Happening
July 19, 2008 By
It's a common mistake, but still worth noting: Contrary to what many people seem to think, The Sixth Sense was not M. Night Shyamalan’s first movie.It was, in fact, his third. But virtually no one had seen his first film, Praying with Anger (still not available on DVD), or his second film, … [Read more...]
Ben Stein’s Expelled generates more heat than light
June 27, 2008 By
Canadians are making their mark on the evangelical movie scene -- but unlike our brethren south of the border, most of us may have to wait until the movie in question comes out on video to see what all the fuss is about.The latest Christian film to crack the all-important top-10 list at the box … [Read more...]
I am legend
January 1, 2008 By
I have never read Richard Matheson’s novel I Am Legend, but I have seen all three of the films that have been based on it. It is probably safe to say the newest version, starring Will Smith, is the most obvious in its use of religious themes – but also the shallowest. In other words, it’s all … [Read more...]
Lars and the Real Girl – An Endearing Parable
November 11, 2007 By
Lars and the Real Girl stars Ryan Gosling as a loner who doesn’t allow himself to come close to anyone, not even his brother (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law (Emily Mortimer). He certainly can’t handle the thought of a relationship with an actual woman, even though he has a co-worker named … [Read more...]
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days – Unflinching
November 11, 2007 By
What with films like Waitress, Knocked Up and the upcoming Juno, this seems to be the year of the unplanned pregnancy in North American films – and many critics have asked why the women in these films don’t just have their pregnancies terminated. That is, beyond the obvious fact that, if these … [Read more...]
Real Girl an endearing parable
October 25, 2007 By
Lars and the Real Girl stars Ryan Gosling as a loner who doesn't allow himself to come close to anyone, not even his brother (Paul Schneider) and sister-in-law (Emily Mortimer). He certainly can't handle the thought of a relationship with an actual woman, even though he has a co-worker named Margo … [Read more...]