Directed by: Ben Stiller
Running time: 106 minutes
Release date: August 13, 2008 (wide)
Genre: Comedy
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
MPAA Rating: R

In this "laugh-fest" from beginning to end an unlikely group of self-absorbed prima donna actors come together to film an epic war movie and unwittingly wind up in a real battle in Southeast Asia. They are all trying something different with their careers, something new, and they're hoping this war movie will be the way they reach that next level in their craft.
The cast members consists of Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) a pampered action superstar on the downswing of his career. Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) is the star of a popular T.V. series that gets its laughter from him passing gas. He's wants to show the world he can do more. Australian thespian Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downing Jr.) the "method" actor has won five Oscars and is always challenging himself and wanting to expand his talents. He transforms himself into a African American for this film. Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson) the multi-platinum hip-hop turned-entrepreneur is eager to move up to the ranks of serious actors. The newcomer to the industry is Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchey) who is just happy to get this part.
The real fun comes when the studio head portrayed by Tom Cruise in a fat body suit, bald head and a hairy chest cameos into this movie and threatens to shut down production because of the cost of the budget, thus frustrating British director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) who refuses to stop shooting with the help of special effects man Cody (Danny McBride). However he unsuspectingly sends the cast of misfits into the jungle of Southeast Asia to complete the "guerilla style" film footage. The realism is to be authentic by the consultant John "Four Leaf" Tayback (Nick Nolte) who is suppose to be a war hero who wrote the best selling book "Tropic Thunder". The unknown truth is that there are real bad guys in this jungle and Four Leaf Tayback is a fraud. Meanwhile, back in Hollywood is Tugg's agent played by Matthew McConaughey (in cameo parts) who fears for his client's life and not mention his commissions from the work Tugg gets.
This genre-bending action-comedy assembled an ensemble cast with actors who could pull off the comedic elements while still being believable in the movie's more realistic moments. This laugh-fest flick shows the ability to masterfully portray a wide range of roles and keep an audience very well entertained with non-stop gags.

FOR MORE FILM REVIEW by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com/Gerald/allreviews_gerald.html]www.HDFest.com/Gerald/allreviews_gerald.html and [url=http://www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com]www.FilmShowcase.Blogspot.com

"PINEAPPLE EXPRESS" review by Gerald Wright
Directed by: David Gordon Green
Running time: 112 minutes
Release date: August 6, 2008
Genre: Comedy, Crime and Thriller
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
MPAA Rating: R

From the filmmaking team Apatow Productions (Judd Apatow) along with the comedic writing team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg comes a funny tale. Process Server Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) finds time to get high during his rounds of slapping summons in the hands of those he hunts down. His choice of drug is weed and the laconic Saul Silver (James Franco) is his dealer. Saul has the primo stuff known as Pineapple Express. While attempting to serve drug lord Ted Jones (Gary Cole), Dale witnesses the murder of an Asian man by Ted and a crooked cop named Carol (Rosie Perez). Dale panics and dumps his Pineapple Express pot at the scene of the crime. When it's traced back to him and Saul, they go on the run in one of the funniest improv films I've ever seen. When they involve their dealer friend Red (Danny R. McBride) the trio discover that this is not weed-fueled paranoia; incredibly, the bad guysand gal really are hot on their trail and want to kill them. If you're looking for an action-comedy that is spiked with a non-stop theme of silliness, this is your movie.

"THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS" review by Gerald Wright
Directed by: Sanaa Hamri
Running time: 116 minutes
Release date: August 6, 2008
Genre: Kids/Family, Romance, Adaptation and Sequel
Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Based on Ann Brashares' best-selling series of novels about four young women who share an unbreakable bond through the unpredictable events of their lives. This movie leads off with Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Carmen (America Ferrara), Bridget (Blake Lively) and Lena (Lexis Bledel) in the months following their first year in college. Having ben apart all year, their plans for the summer will take them even further along separate paths as each experience their freedom, love, choices and challenging life lessons that mark their individual journeys toward adulthood. Usually this means boy meets girl, boy kisses girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl and boy gets girl back as the plot. However, this film gives more to the audience such as challenging drama, heart trob moments, impressive settings and brilliant performances by the leading ladies. I enjoyed the pure escapism of this romantic coming of age movie. This film should not be considered as a "chick flick", because it's not.

FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to [url=http://www.HDFest.com/Gerald/allreviews_gerald.html]www.HDFest.com/Gerald/allreviews_gerald.html

STEP BROTHERS, from Columbia Pictures and directed by Adam McKay, screenplay by Will Ferrel and McKay from a story written by Ferrell, McKay, and John C. Reilly is a "goof" movie where the unlikely pair of men Ferrell who plays Brennan Huff, a sporadically employed 39 year old who lives with his mother, Nancy (Mary Steenburger). Reilly plays Dale Doback, a terminally unemployed 40 year old who lives with his father, Robert (Dale Doback). When Robert and Mary marry and move into Roberts' home, Brennan and Dale are forced to live with each other as step brothers. As their narcissism and aggressive laziness threaten to tear the family apart, these two middle-aged, immature, overgrown boys will orchestrate a crazy, elaborate plan to bring their parents back together. To pull it off, they must form an unlikely alliance. For 93 minutes, this "R" rated farce is an improv of dialogue and hilarious scripted silliness that will have you holding your side with laughter.
Relase date: July 25, 2008

BAGHEAD, from Sony Pictures Classics and directed by Jay and Mark Duplass is a "spoof" movie. This absurdly low-concept idea of wanting to make a film for wanna-be actors who are themselves is the theme. There's Matt (Ross Partridge) who comes up with the brainstorm idea of writing their own screenplay and star themselves. His cast consist of his best friend Chad (Steve Zissis) a chubby sidekick who has the hots for Michelle (Greta Gerwig) a midwest transplant to the LA scene who has the hots for Matt. There is Catherine (Elise Muller) a painfully desperate "pushing 40" actress who wants to solidify her on and off relationship with Matt before she loses him to a younger woman. These four venture off to a secluded cabin to write their story, but unknown to at least three of the crew they are being watched by a person wearing a bag over his head. Reminiscent to The Blair Witch Project in its format and the process of guerilla style filming on a HD camera, the movie captures them living together and going through a fright night with a spark of humor and sexual escapades as they are unaware of one member filming them in scary situations. This film combines "mumblecore" verite' aesthetics with genre elements in new and surprising ways and establishes the Duplass Brothers at the forefront of next generation filmmaking.
Release date: July 25, 2008

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A VERY BRITISH GANGSTER, is a 97 minute documentary from filmmaker Donal MacInyre and distributed by ANYWHERE ROAD. Great Britian's foremost investigative reporter and now director MacIntyre examines England's answer to New York's late John Gotti: Dominic Noonan. The Noonan's is one of England's most notorious crime organizations. Strange as is sounds, the Noonans open their life and doors to the film crew. The daily film shootings involved the operations of how this gang rules their N.W. Manchester neighborhoods with their laws and punishments. The communities are poor, struggling with drugs and violence, but respect their corrupt overlords. Meanwhile, the actual police step aside and allow this type of behavior. Over a three year period the film crew witnessed Dominic and his family members walk away from many prosecutions, such as murder, extortion, drug possesion, torture, and witness tampering charges. This is a rare type of documentary that takes the audience to a point of reality that is very seldom seen. This is one gritty film that will shock you.

LOU REED'S BERLIN, directed by Julian Schnabel is a feature length documentary and distributed by THIRD RAIL. This PG-13, 85 minute film is film at Reed's December 2006 performances of his rock opera, Berlin, at Brooklyn's St. Ann Warehouse. In 1973, the musical tale of junkies in love flopped at the box offices commercially and Reed did not perform again for 33 years. This is his return with a 35 piece ensemble that include guitarist Steve Hunter (performed on the original film), Antony (front man for Antony and the Johnsons), Rob Wassermann, Rupert Christie & Sharon Jones and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. The setting is Lou's one sided love affair with Caroline (shown on a greenish hotel wall backdrop) played by Emmanuelle Seigner. The backstory is that, she was a fast and loose woman who never knew how to stay true to Lou. This was his journey into depression and obsession of a woman who did not want him or perhaps wanting everyone she came in contact with. In 1974, Lou Reed came out with a record called Berlin, however his record company suggested that this record was evidence the he was not of sound mind to manage his own life let alone have a say on what a record should be. The album title Berlin was named one of the most depressing albums ever made. In my opinion, this musical documentary is a step above the 1973 version due to the excellent performance by Antony and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, but not by much.

THE EXHILES is directed, written and produced by the late Kent Mackenzie and restored with a classic black and white format that still holds up today. Released by Milestone Films this 72 minute film was screened at its World Premiere during the 1961 Venice Film Festival. It is a story odd one wild but typical night in the lives of three young American Indians who have left their reservations to live down in downtown Los Angeles. It presents the lifestyles and actions of these people that are not true of all Indians of the time but typical of many. The characters in this movie is Yvonne (Yvonne Williams), a young pregnant Apache who wanders around shops of Grand Central Market in downtown Bunker Hill, LA, gazing at things in stores knowing she can't afford these things. She must face that facts that her mundane life is her only existence. Her husband Homer (Homer Nish) and Tommy (Tommy Reynolds), a Mexican who lives with them entertain themselves by hanging out all night with other native Americans drinking, card player, picking up girls and fighting. Yvonne's lonely, uneventful existence of being left by herself daily causes her to go along with this way of life. These two scenarios sum up the confused lives of a group that is part of a new generation caught between opposing forces which is the past traditions and the modern day living.

DEATH DEFYING ACTS, directed by award-winning director Gillian Armstrong (Charlotte Grey, Little Women) blends fact with fiction in a 96 minute romantic period piece drama released by The Weinstein Company and Third Rail set around the triumphant Britain tour of escape artist Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) and the mysterious woman psychic he meets. In 1926 Harry is on his last leg of his world tour and at this time a great scientific debate of the supernatural is the talk in Edinburg. Harry offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can contact his late mother from beyond the grave. The beautiful but deceptive psychic Mary McGarvie (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and her daughter Benji (Saoirse Ronan) take the challenge. As Harry spends more time with Mary, he falls in love with her, and what begins as a con evolves into more complicated and dangerous affair. With the two con artists are playing each other for all they're worth, they face the biggest risk of all - falling for the magic of love. Guy Pearce plays Harry Houdini with a physical style of acting that matches very much who Houdini was as a person and a performer. Catherine Zeta-Jones' portrayal of the ficticious Mary is brilliant. As a performer Zeta-Jones comes from the stage and uses her talent in this character as a very charismatic, very smart, very clever and very alluring, mysterious and natural person. Twelve year old Saoirse Ronan as Benji is very professional as a young actress. Her role is a very pivotal role and her time on screen is almost as weighty as her co-stars, so it was very important that she carry that load and she did with intelligence and sensitivity.

GARDEN PARTY, written and directed by Jason Freeland merges the life of several young people in this 89 minute drama released by Roadside Attractions. Set in Los Feliz, CA which is the sleazier side of the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, 15 year old April (Willa Holland) finds herself in search of a Hollywood dream. She has humble ambitions but is caught up in running from one bad situation (homeless and unemployed) into another, hoping to find answers that doesn't involve the low life porn world. As April navigates Los angeles, she falls in with a group of confused kids struggling to chase their dreams. She meets Sally St. Clair (Vinessa Shaw) a realtor whose business has built upon her appeal and her secret past as a porn star. She is a hardened woman, however she reaches out to lost souls, such as her assistant Nathan (Alex Cendese) who moved to LA from Nebraska in search of fame as a dancer. Then there is Todd (Richard Gunn) is one of those prospective real estate clients who is a porn addicted artist in search of a way out of a sexless relationship and into an sexual adventure with Sally. Next character is Sammy (Erik Scott Smith) a cunning, off the bus musician/street kid with his eyes on stardom. He meets Sammy who has eyes for him and they move in together. Along the way there are several more young people that cause a domino affect of chance encounters and each comes away changed in the strangest ways. These young actors gave performances that will rock you. This is a very clever and well crafted film that is extremely enjoyable to watch.

THE STONE ANGEL, directed by Kari Skogland gives an epic tale of a woman who watches her family fall under the spell of her father's legacy of shattered affection. This 115 minute drama, released by Vivendi Entertainment stars Ellen Burstyn as Hagar Shipley a feisty woman in her 80s who reflects on her life prior to her being ship off to a nursing home by her son Marvin and her daughter-in-law Doris (Dylan Baker and Sheila McCarthy). The stylish flashbacks paint a picture of young Hagar (Christine Horne) and her father Jason Currie's (Peter MacNeill) ill relationship. Her father, the founder and richest man in the town of Currie rules her with a stern hand, but never gives her younger brother Matt (Aaron Ashmore) a second thought. This sets the stage for resentment and jealousy within the Currie clan which carries on with calamity damage in following generations. The scenes in this poignant film refer back and forth; to a backstory of Hagar's rebellious nature and chosing to marry a free spirited Bram Shipley (Cole Hauser) without approval of her father and ultimately placing her and her now family with two sons in poverty. This is a result of being disowned by her father. She eventually leaves her husband and begins showing favoritism towards her younger son John (Kevin Zegers) over her older son Marvin, much like what her father did. It seems that John is much like her in his rebellious ways where as Marvin is much more practical. But the town of Currie has a "Peyton Place" scandalous background that reaches out to John and his new girlfriend Arlene (Ellen Page) who happens to be blood related. All this comes to a head when scenes come full circle when older Brams (played by Wings Hauser, Cole's real life father) dies. The family gravesite that has the towering Stone Angel monument tells a story of hardship and misery. This film based on the best selling novel, The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence delivers one of the most sensitive and emotional performances by a cast of brilliant actors this year. The veteran actress Ellen Burstyn is as always in top form and the ensemble matches her excellence. As a bittersweet tale of love and hate, joy and pain, lust and loss I recommend this movie for all those who want to get into a serious drama.

FOR MORE FILM REVIEWS by Gerald Wright go to ([url=http://www.HDFest.com/Gerald/allreviews_gerald.html]www.HDFest.com/Gerald/allreviews_gerald.html)