Even after tons of great press and top-notch reviews, I was hesitant to see Borat (or as it’s officially called, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan). Reviews universally praise how funny Borat is, and how star and co-writer Sacha Baron Cohen is a comic genius. However, no one tries…
Category: Movies
The Prestige – Movie Review
I’m still scratching my head a day after watching The Prestige, and it’s not because of the plot twists (though there’s plenty of those) but I haven’t quite figured out how I feel about the movie. From Christopher Nolan, director of Memento (which is more of a similar work than his other more-hyped project Batman…
Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker – Movie Review
Is Alex Rider the “spy” version of Harry Potter? Let’s see how Rider stacks up. Both are based on a successful series of novels? Check. Both are British? Check. Both are orphaned boys living with uncle’s families? Check. Both have a special destiny beyond that of normal boys? Check. Both have cute teenage lead actors…
Picking the Pix at the Toronto International Film Festival 2006
Each year it becomes more of a challenge to pick movies to see at the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s not that there aren’t really good movies at the fest, it’s just that I don’t really see very many, so I have to use a set of criteria to choose what to see. I don’t…
Idlewild – Movie Review
I had such high hopes for Idlewild, the movie musical from Outkast (hip-hop group responsible for 2004 overplayed-catchy-song-of-the-year, “Hey Ya!”). I expected a fresh, innovative film full of the energy and enthusiasm that you might associate with the group’s style (and videos). I was all set for a cooler version of Chicago (both movies being…
The Illusionist – Movie Review
Edward Norton stars as the movie’s namesake—Eisenheim the Illusionist—a stage magician in turn-of-the-20th-century Vienna. His amazing illusions gain him a huge audience, including the prince and his entourage. When Eisenheim asks for a volunteer, the prince puts forward his fiancée (played by Jessica Biel), who happens to be Eisenheim’s old friend. As the childhood sweethearts’…
Fifteen Flicks for Fall 2006
Exactly one year ago, I posted my previews of about 15 movies that sounded cool for fall 2005. I ended up watching all but three of them. This year, there are fewer movies that I am dying to see (no Harry Potters), but I still managed to cobble together a decent roster (there’s at least…
Monster House – Movie Review
Monster House is the animated tale of a group of kids living in a Leave It To Beaver-style neighbourhood who take on that creepy old house across the street (y’know the one: a cranky old man lives there who apparently hates children and is very strict that no one trespasses). It turns out that (surprise…
Lady in the Water – Movie Review
As a kid, did you believe your bedtime stories? Did you ever think that a particular doorway, a tall old tree, or certain peculiar grown-ups might be more than what they seemed? If you didn’t transfer much magic from bedtime stories into your daily childhood that’s OK, but Lady In the Water might not be…
Alvin's Adventures in Pop Culture 