|
86%
|
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
|
"To boldly go where a "Star Trek" film has gone before. That's my main beef with "Star Trek: Into Darkness." "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
65%
|
Mama (2013)
|
"The story-telling may be a bit confused at times. But, you've got to love the genuine scares and images that "Mama" brings to the table. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
32%
|
Gangster Squad (2013)
|
""Gangster Squad" is like "The Untouchables" without a heart. De Palma delivered the goods on Ness and company. The goods were hijacked in this gangster tale. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
78%
|
Iron Man 3 (2013)
|
"Tony Stark, as played by Downey, is more than just a rich self-centered inventor. He's stylishly glib, smart and overwhelmingly cool. Downey is what makes the movie tick. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
47%
|
Pain & Gain (2013)
|
""Pain & Gain" is the type of film that makes you feel like need a shower after you watch it. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
8%
|
The Big Wedding (2013)
|
"If we're going to continue to make French comedies into American films, then we must insist France write something original. Please."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
It's In The Blood (2013)
|
"This direct-to-video horror flick has some good ideas working, but the execution (especially the writing and direction) is weak."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
56%
|
Oblivion (2013)
|
"Unfortunately, they didn't get the story right. The first three-quarters of the film is very predictable. And, despite a couple of nice twists in the last act, it's not enough to counterbalance that predictability."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
6%
|
A Haunted House (2013)
|
"Truly one of the worst horror spoofs of all time, and there have been some hideous failures over the years. Poorly written, repetitive and offensive on every level without being funny. Wait, I'm just getting started."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
84%
|
Dragon (2012)
|
"A superior martial arts film with excellent cinematography and a story to match."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
68%
|
Trance (2013)
|
"This isn't your classic film noir, but director Danny Boyle has put an interesting spin on the genre with "Trance.""
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
92%
|
Jurassic Park: An IMAX 3D Experience (2013)
|
"The 3D effects had me nearly jumping out of my seat. Some say Hollywood is converting too many old films to 3D. But, "Jurassic Park" was the perfect choice. There's nothing more fun than sharing a seat with a snapping dinosaur."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
Seeds of Destruction (The Terror Beneath) (2013)
|
"The acting, the script, the just about everything associated with this film are overwhelmingly sub-par that I doubt anyone professionally associated with this production will have it listed on their résumé. It's best to forget. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
67%
|
Stoker (2013)
|
"Shades of Hitchcock, but this horror thriller lacks a protagonist worthy of its audience."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
28%
|
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)
|
"You should be able to sit through a big-budget action flick, based on action toys, without being intimately familiar with the toys. That's what bugs me about "G.I. Joe: Retaliation.""
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
85%
|
Side Effects (2013)
|
"Soderbergh, with the help of some excellent writing by Scott Z. Burns and an outstanding cast, take you to Hitchcock territory."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
52%
|
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)
|
"You don't know Jack. And, I'm not so sure you want to get to know him, because he's a bit on the bland side."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
76%
|
The Bay (2012)
|
"It's a low-budget film, but often has effective death sequences with moderately good special effects. If only we could move away from the shaky-cam storytelling, I would be so much happier. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
Eaters (Eaters: Rise of the Dead) (2010)
|
"Hey, now that's Italian! There are zombie movies of every nationality, so why not Italy? The big problem with "Eaters" is that it needed a bigger budget and more coherent screenplay. The basic story is sound."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
Lake Placid: The Final Chapter (2013)
|
"You know, I can't remember "Lake Placid 2″ or "Lake Placid 3," but here we are with the fourth-and-purportedly last film in the giant crocodile creature features. I feel like I've been eaten alive."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
Calling Philo Vance (1940)
|
"A remake of "The Kennel Murder Case" except with European spies. This was about the time that the Germans and Austrians became the usual bad guys in Hollywood mystery films. James Stephenson is a ho-hum Vance. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
The Garden Murder Case (1936)
|
"Another Philo Vance entry with familiar MGM contract players, including Edmund Lowe as Vance. Nat Pendleton adds some humor. Mostly forgettable."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
The Casino Murder Case (1935)
|
"Excellent production values. Silly plot. And, the beautiful Rosalind Russell in one of her early roles."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
The Dragon Murder Case (1934)
|
"A moderately interesting murder tale with Warren William as Philo Vance, looking into a tragic drowning at a ritzy estate that could be murder."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
The Bishop Murder Case (1930)
|
"Stars a pre-Sherlock Holmes Basil Rathbone as Philo Vance. Overly melodramatic murder yarn with the cast throwing their voices like it was a stage production."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
80%
|
The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
|
"William Powell returns to the role that he originated in the late 1920′s. This is perhaps the finest of all the Vance films. It was directed by the legendary Michael Curtiz and features an early performance by Mary Astor. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
Sushi Girl (2013)
|
"There's nothing wrong with paying homage to a film that went before (Reservoir Dogs), if you make it clear that's what you're doing. I never got that vibe with "Sushi Girl." "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
58%
|
Snitch (2013)
|
"A U.S. attorney cannot authorize the set up of a civilian drug sting. Can you imagine the liability concerns if something goes wrong? And, because this is Hollywood, you can bet plenty goes wrong."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
15%
|
Special Forces (2012)
|
""Special Forces" has nothing constructive to say about bravery or the conflict in Afghanistan. It's just mindless action, and boring to boot. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
21%
|
Hollow ()
|
"If "Hollow" is found footage, then for gosh's sake, put it back. The only shocking thing about this British direct-to-video import is how it ever got made in the first place."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
Kill for Me (2013)
|
"What if you crossed "Single White Female" with "Strangers on a Train?" You'd still have a better movie than "Kill For Me.""
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
45%
|
Beautiful Creatures (2013)
|
""Beautiful Creatures" is a supernatural southern-fried teen romance that's a bit on the corny side and far from scary."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
6%
|
Silent Hill: Revelation (2012)
|
"Confusing and loud. That's the best way to describe "Silent Hill: Revelation.""
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
15%
|
A Good Day To Die Hard (2013)
|
"It may be time to put the "Die Hard" series to rest. Of course, the box office for "A Good Day to Die Hard" may tell a different story. Suffice it to say that the fifth film in the series is the weakest of the bunch."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
30%
|
Broken City (2013)
|
"An excellent cast, but what a turkey. "Broken City" wallows in its terrible plotting."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
61%
|
Jack Reacher (2012)
|
"Cruise may be getting older, but he's still the best action star in Hollywood. "Jack Reacher" is typical of the kind of smart choices he's making these days. We could really use more films like this one. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
48%
|
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012)
|
"In "The Twilight Saga-Breaking Dawn, Part 2," Bella gets a much-needed fire in her belly. Her wimpy former self is suddenly a badass."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
65%
|
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
|
"Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien may like sitting through a 169 minute film, that easily could have been trimmed by at least 50 minutes. But, I was constantly aware of the long running time. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
80%
|
Warm Bodies (2013)
|
""Warm Bodies" is charming, funny and a little gross. It's got something for everyone. It's not too scary for those inclined to stay away from horror films. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
64%
|
The Liability (2013)
|
"A bit of a surprise in the direct-to-video market. "The Liability" is not the greatest film about British gangsters. Not by a long shot. But, it does have its moments, thanks to the excellent Tim Roth."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
40%
|
Death Race 3: Inferno (Unrated) (2013)
|
""Death Race 3: Inferno" is like a monster truck rally. People go to see mayhem. And, people who like the "Death Race" movies are also watching to see the stunts. They don't expect a good story. Thank goodness. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
85%
|
End of Watch (2012)
|
"It's time to ride along with the LAPD through South Central, but this is no "Adam 12″. It's a realistic roller-coaster ride told with hand-held cameras and other devices."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
67%
|
I Am Bruce Lee (2012)
|
""I Am Bruce Lee" is a documentary that mostly praises a mighty icon in the world of martial arts. It's a thoughtful repackaging of information we've seen before. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
21%
|
Taken 2 (2012)
|
"Good action. Neeson rocks as the death-dealing American ex-spy. What else do you need? Maybe "Taken 3″ isn't such a bad idea. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
Murder Is My Beat ()
|
""Murder is my Beat" is not one of your better films of the film noir genre. But, this black & white thriller directed by Edgar G. Ulmer has enough going for it to permit a recommendation."
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
39%
|
The Possession (2012)
|
""The Possession" offers a few scares here and there. But, mostly it's a retread of spooky films that went before. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
30 Nights Of Paranormal Activity With The Devil Inside The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2013)
|
"Dumb, dumb, dumb. And, not funny. That's the best thing you can say about "30 Nights of Paranormal Activity With the Devil Inside the Dragon Tattoo.""
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
78%
|
Dredd (2012)
|
""Dredd" is non-stop action plus excellent 3D effects peppering an above-average story. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
——
|
Scene of the Crime (1949)
|
""Scene of the Crime" is full of familiar faces from the movies of decades past. It's not all that exciting. But, it's worth a look, if for no other reason, than to see Gloria DeHaven's smoky performance. "
|
Paul Chambers
|
|
10%
|
Branded (2012)
|
"Branded" is a confusing sci-fi thriller that takes itself much too seriously."
|
Paul Chambers
|
86%
22%
90%
