DVD Review: The Hoax
The Hoax (2007)–*** DVD Review The main conflict in The Hoax is illustrated in the second scene when we hear an executive at McGraw-Hill publishing discuss Clifford Irving’s book about the infamous art forger Elmyr de Hory. The executive juggles his words, determining whether to call de Hory an artist or an art forger. We too are often juggling our own thoughts when it comes to Irving, who attempts to publish a fake autobiography about Howard Hughes. Is he just a liar, or is he a damn good liar, worthy of admiration? In the hands of actor Richard Gere, the character Irving is, in fact, an artist who works in lies. The lies start quickly after McGraw-Hill rejects a fiction novel written by Irving. Desperate to do something, to be someone, Irving barges into the McGraw-Hill offices and tells...
Read MoreDVD Review: Lucky You
Lucky You (2007)–* DVD Review Someone forgot to tell Curtis Hanson that he was directing a competition film. I should probably clarify that. Someone forgot to tell Hanson that he was directing a competition film about poker. Yes, poker. Lucky You is an epic failure from a cast, director, and writer (Eric Roth), all whom would have bankability written all over them in any other circumstance . Not here, though. Instead of a dramatic film that happens to take place in the world of high stakes poker or a film about a poker game with a romantic and dramatic subplot, we are presented with a movie about both—and neither. Take actor Eric Bana’s character Huck. Huck isn’t a good guy. He spends his life playing poker, borrowing money from friends to play poker and pawning his personal property to...
Read MoreDVD Review: We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall (2006)–***1/2 DVD Review Does a sports film have to transcend genre to be great? If you watch We Are Marshall you will know the answer is a definitive “no.” Director McG’s football movie succeeds because it is about football. Sure, you have a film that deals with mourning and survivor’s guilt. At the core, though, is the decision to continue to play the game after a tragedy. I’m not a fan of that game, either. In spite of my own bias and in spite of an onslaught of sports film clichés, We Are Marshall achieves the status of being one of the greatest football films I’ve ever seen. The film’s title comes from the team cry, “We Are Marshall!” It’s shouted in huddles. It’s shouted as a sign of camaraderie across the campus. It’s also shouted...
Read MoreDVD Review: Death Proof
Death Proof (2007)–** DVD Review It seems that Quentin Tarantino finally missed with Death Proof. The prolific writer/director, whose nearly infallible career made some believe Christ had returned, stepped out of bounds with his half of Grindhouse, now a standalone film thanks to a DVD director’s cut release. Of course there are some who still believe that his slasher/revenge film is just as great, maybe even greater, than his other work. To them I say, if Death Proof is a masterpiece, then Tarantino made one of the most unwatchable masterpieces in cinematic history. The film is split into two parts with the first following crazed killer Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) as he stalks a group of unsuspecting ladies in Austin, Texas. How does Stuntman Mike attack his victims? With his reinforced, “death proof” stunt car. While Stuntman Mike succeeds...
Read MoreDVD Review: 30 Rock – Season 1
There are some books that you can’t put down. And then there are some DVD sets that you can’t stop watching. NBC’s 30 Rock is too hilarious and too lovable to merely casually watch one episode at a time. The half-hour comedy, set in the world of late-night TV, is a riotous laugher that tempts first time viewers with seven and a half hours of marathon-worthy episodes. Starring Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock follows Liz Lemon (Fey), head writer and producer of The Girlie Show. Lemon’s show is a safe, secure hit until GE exec Jack Donaghy (Baldwin) takes over as Vice President of Television and Microwave Oven Programming. Donaghy, the author of Jack Attack: The Art of Aggression, sees a hit that can do boffo business outside of the show’s mostly female audience. Before Lemon can...
Read MoreDVD Review: Year of the Dog
Year of the Dog (2007)–*** DVD Review Mike White’s directorial debut Year of the Dog is definitely a Mike White film. The quirky, subtle comedy surprises the audience as it sneaks in alongside the tale of a tender, animal-loving secretary. More surprising, though, is seeing how much of White’s vision not only plays into this film, but also into the films he wrote before directing (The Good Girl, The School of Rock, Nacho Libre). I didn’t realize how much I loved White’s voice until I saw Year of the Dog. Molly Shannon stars as Peggy, an executive assistant whose life revolves around her beagle Pencil. One night, Peggy lets Pencil outside but doesn’t wait for him to come back inside. She wakes to find her beloved pet in her neighbor’s yard, nearly lifeless, barely whimpering. Yes, Pencil dies. Without...
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