Jun

20

Gran Torino (2009)

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June 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Clint Eastwood is a master storyteller.  His direction, particularly as of late with such films as “Million Dollar Baby” and “Mystic River” and, (from what I’ve heard but haven’t seen yet) “Changeling” offer an insight into storytelling lost in many contemporary directors. 
He does it again in “Gran Torino.“ Playing war vet Walt Kowalski, an embittered old man [...]

Jun

15

The International (2009)

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June 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

I missed this in the theatre and being a big Clive Owen fan, Mr_Movie_Maven and I rented it this week (I just had surgery so we rented a LOT of movies.)  While the story had a unique and intelligent premise, the acting, in my opinion (and despite a nice cast) was lacking (even from Mr. Owen [...]

May

25

Rourke’s Comeback

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May 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Still on my post-Oscar kick, I rented “The Wrestler” (2008) with Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei last night.  Despite Darren Aronofsky being one of my favorite directors I was initially not that thrilled to see this film but am glad I did.
A lot of people claim this film was slow and boring but it is a [...]

Apr

24

House (2008) - Not a bad rental

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April 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment

After never even hearing of this film, Mr_Movie_Maven and I rented it because I am a huge horror fan (DUH) who happens to like Michael Madsen.  Based on a novel by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti and adapted for the screen by Peretti and Rob Green, the film is directed by Robbie Henson.  To be [...]

Sep

4

All hail the Tiny Canadian!

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September 4, 2008 | 1 Comment

After seeing “Hard Candy” during my 3 months of free Showtime since DirecTv failed to send me my free dvd player for signing up and I raised not only Cain, but Abel too, I was immediately taken by the diminutive Ellen Page and immediately went to imdb.com to find out more about her.
Therefore, I recently rented “An American Crime” - [...]

Jul

9

I’m Glad My Vacation in Cancun Wasn’t Like This!!

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July 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment

As the horror flick lovers my husband and I are, we (despite being informed by our local Hollywood Video store employees that it was “crap”) rented “The Ruins” - a film which was to Cancun like “Hostel” was to Slovakia and ”Turistas” was to Brazil.
I am a big fan of Jena Malone, and am wondering what on Earth [...]

May

6

Horrorfest 2007 - 8 Films to Die For

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May 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Is it just me, or were last year’s Horrorfest films infinitely better than this season’s fare?  Granted, I have not viewed them all this season (yet); however, I really have not found even one which I enjoyed.
Of last year’s films:  Reincarnation, The Abandoned, The Gravedancers, The Hamiltons, Dark Ride, Penny Dreadful, Unrest, and Wicked Little [...]

Apr

29

Well, I Did It…

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April 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I actually rented “Cloverfield” despite the negative hype I have read.  Not taking my usual “let’s read EVERYTHING about the movie on IMDB before watching it” I have to say I didn’t hate it at all.  Granted, I am glad I watched it at home, for I could see myself succumbing to extreme motion sickness in [...]

Mar

18

New DVD Releases I Want to See

Posted by Movie_Maven

March 18, 2008 | 2 Comments

Having not been to a cinema for months due to the fact that I live in a college town, chock full of incessant yappers, and “going to the movies” - while once a pleasurable experience - now ranks with eyebrow waxing and oven cleaning, I am often forced to wait for release on DVD or [...]