Skip to Content

‘Pixels’ will steal your quarters

Nostalgia oozes from every cinematic pore of ‘Pixels,’ as director Chris Columbus weaves these videogame relics into a modern landscape. Unfortunately, rather than fully committing to his elegant premise, Columbus gets bogged down in unconvincing character development. Sandler fans and little kids might enjoy this rollcall of ‘80s game icons, but everyone else should just rent ‘Ghostbusters’ instead.

Read More about ‘Pixels’ will steal your quarters

A neglected imp wreaks havoc in ‘Looking for Group’ #4

To put it bluntly, this is probably the best issue of Looking for Group that has been published by Dynamite to date. As expected, Sohmer works plenty of D&D and MMORPG tropes into his script along with a larger dose of comedy, but it is DeSouza’s artwork that truly stands out in this issue. His rendering of Hcitb, Richard, and Little Dick take Sohmer’s funny script into realms of hilarity. Even those comic readers not normally into the sword and sorcery would enjoy this issue for the comic relief alone. Hopefully, once they are snagged that way they will give the rest of the LFG series a shot, because it is a truly good book as fans of the series already know.

Read More about A neglected imp wreaks havoc in ‘Looking for Group’ #4

‘Magic Mike XXL’ will make you laugh until your chiseled abs hurt

‘Magic Mike XXL’ is a thoroughly entertaining trifle that doesn’t have a malicious bone in its perfectly-sculpted body. Director Gregory Jacobs serves up a hilarious slice of All-American beefcake that puts a smile on your face and a wiggle in your hips.

Read More about ‘Magic Mike XXL’ will make you laugh until your chiseled abs hurt

‘Get Hard’ stays surprisingly flaccid

Get Hard is an episodic comedy that seems determined to botch its ‘can’t miss’ premise. No amount of riffing from Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart can overcome a script that’s obviously cobbled together from multiple projects. Director Etan Cohen’s feature-length debut lacks the big-ticket gags to overcome its flawed execution. Ultimately, this is a ‘star vehicle’ that should have stayed in the driveway.

Read More about ‘Get Hard’ stays surprisingly flaccid

‘Hot Tub Time Machine 2’: Because money!!!

“This shit’s pretty flat, bro.” So sayeth the rudest man in the world, who just happened to be sitting behind me at the screening for Hot Tub Time Machine 2. He began the evening sitting in front of me; deliberately stealing a seat marked ‘Studio Representative’ so he could talk to the beautiful publicist. Shockingly, she rebuffed his drunken advances. “Whatever, bro,” he dismissively burped, and then ambled to the seat behind me. Yes, he’s the guy who calls both men and women ‘bro.’ He’s also the guy who talks through the entire movie, eats handfuls of popcorn with his mouth wide open (ostensibly, so he can still breathe), and kicks the back of the seat like a bored child. In other words, he’s the target audience for Hot Tub Time Machine 2. It’s a bad sign, then, that he laughed a grand total of two times during the entire film. That was exactly two more times than I laughed.

Read More about ‘Hot Tub Time Machine 2’: Because money!!!

‘Top Five’ delivers raunchy, heartfelt laughs

Top Five Written & Directed by Chris Rock USA, 2014   Chris Rock’s new tour de force, Top Five, is so cleverly written that you don’t even realize it’s a romantic-comedy until the deed is nearly done.  By that point, even the coldest, most cynical man is powerless to resist its charms.  Smart, nasty and …

Read More about ‘Top Five’ delivers raunchy, heartfelt laughs

‘Why Don’t You Play in Hell?’ is an instant cult classic

While audiences and critics are still debating the unbridled ambition of Nolan’s Interstellar, an equally-madcap film (finally) makes its way into North American theaters this weekend. Japanese auteur, Shion Sono, unleashes his demented ode to cinema, Why Don’t You Play in Hell?, which might be the most uncanny take on filmmaking since The Player. Armed with inspired gags, impassioned characters and enough blood squibs to drown Tarantino, Sono delivers a visual feast that’s destined to be a cult classic.

Read More about ‘Why Don’t You Play in Hell?’ is an instant cult classic

‘Dear White People’ is an ambitious, glorious mess

Dear White People Written & Directed by Justin Simien USA, 2014   Sometimes we need a little anarchy to liven things up.  First-time filmmaker, Justin Simien, isn’t interested in lighting any candles with his debut effort, Dear White People.  He’s here to curse the darkness… and then criticize the darkness for acting too dark.  This …

Read More about ‘Dear White People’ is an ambitious, glorious mess

‘Lakeview Cabin’ is flooded with laughs and screams

Lakeview Cabin Hypnohustler PC Private island. Peaceful cabin. Perfect weather. These hardly seem like the elements of a horror game, but Lakeview Cabin manages to turn this scenic vacation spot into the stuff of nightmares. It’s impossible to talk too much about this horrifyingly comedic puzzle game without ruining the plot, so, SPOILERS AHEAD! You have been …

Read More about ‘Lakeview Cabin’ is flooded with laughs and screams

‘This Is Where I Leave You’ will keep you hanging around

This Is Where I Leave You Written by Jonathan Tropper Directed by Shawn Levy USA, 2014   This Is Where I Leave You is an odd duck.  Its haphazard combination of broad sit-com humor and quirky indie earnestness leaves you feeling a bit punch-drunk.  On the other hand, a superb ensemble cast wrings just enough …

Read More about ‘This Is Where I Leave You’ will keep you hanging around

FNC 2013: ‘Our Sunhi’ is a charming comedy of errors

Our Sunhi, the newest film from Hong Sang-Soo, is enamoured with interconnected romances and the mysteries of affection. A charming and patient comedy, the film excels at presenting the trials and tribulations of desire, offering a rewarding and funny take on the mysteries of love. Though there is nothing exceptional about the title character, Sunhi, she captures the elusive affections of three friends.

Read More about FNC 2013: ‘Our Sunhi’ is a charming comedy of errors

‘The Kings of Summer’ an explosively funny, winning coming-of-age story

It is a blessing and a curse to be a teenager with a wayward imagination, the former because even the most mundane objects in life can be imbued with some sense of mystery and wonder, and the latter because the more fantastical you make the world, the more let down you’ll be when reality sets in.

Read More about ‘The Kings of Summer’ an explosively funny, winning coming-of-age story

‘The Mummy’s Hand,’ gives mummy Kharis less agency

The Mummy’s Hand Directed by Christy Cabanne Written by Griffin Jay Starring Dick Foran, Peggy Moran, and Tom Tyler USA, 67 min – 1940. “You are very beautiful…so beautiful I’m going to make you immortal. Like Kharis, you will live forever. What I can do for you I can do for myself. Neither time nor …

Read More about ‘The Mummy’s Hand,’ gives mummy Kharis less agency

‘The Ghost Train,’ hovers between comedy and suspense

The Ghost Train Directed by Walter Forde Written by J.O.C. Orton, Val Guest, & Marriott Edgar Starring Arthur Askey, Richard Murdoch, Kathleen Harrison, and Carole Lynne UK, 85 min – 1941. “I say, I wonder if I could teach you to talk. I wonder if you could say ‘Heil Hitler.’ Eh? No, not with a …

Read More about ‘The Ghost Train,’ hovers between comedy and suspense

Buddy Cops is More Collision Course than Bad Boys

Story: Nate Cosby Art: Evan Shaner Letters: Rus Wooton Publisher: Dark Horse Comics “Tolerating your ridiculousness is an assignment which I am no longer capable of preforming” Comedy is very hard to pull off. It takes timing, finesse, restraint, and intelligence. Some people have it, and other’s do not. While many comics have funny moments …

Read More about Buddy Cops is More Collision Course than Bad Boys

MIFF 2012: According to “100 Bloody Acres”, country roads really are the most dangerous

100 Bloody Acres Directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes Written by Cameron and Colin Cairnes 2012, Australia Tucker and Dale vs Evil subverted the Evil Hick subgenre of slasher films where others – led by Rob Zombie – were satisfied with mining ever deeper the mythology of the murderous, cretinous backwoods of middle America, the …

Read More about MIFF 2012: According to “100 Bloody Acres”, country roads really are the most dangerous

MIFF 2012: ‘Sightseers’ will tow you right into the dark heart of love

Sightseers Directed by Ben Wheatley Written by Steve Oram, Alice Lowe & Ben Wheatley (with additional material from Amy Jump) 2012, UK Either Ben Wheatley is a boiling pot of pent-up rage, or he is the complete opposite and thus finds perverse pleasure in humouring the rage fantasies and violent tendencies of the frustrated working-class …

Read More about MIFF 2012: ‘Sightseers’ will tow you right into the dark heart of love