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‘Tusk’s” Movie Review – production more interesting than the final product

Kevin Smith’s early work, guerilla-style films about disenfranchised geeks and losers, helped gain him a strong and dedicated audience. While many of his most dedicated fans seem to find the best in even his weakest films, Smith has never found the same success in critical circles. The negative critiques of his films has only been exasperated by Smith himself, who seems to struggle with dissenting takes on his work, leading him to withdraw into podcasting. Though this was not a strategic choice on Smith’s part, it seemed to pay off as his audience only grew and he is now among the most influential people in the ‘Twittersphere’. This allowed Smith to distribute his 2011 film Red State himself. He described the entire process as “Indie Film 2.0.”; it was no longer about just making the film yourself but distributing it as well.

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‘Veronica Mars’ a fine bit of fan service, but not much else

The phrase “for the fans” has a new definition, and its name is Veronica Mars. Here, at least, the descriptor doesn’t automatically speak ill qualitatively, as the long-rumored film based on the cult TV series only came to fruition thanks to a massively successful Kickstarter campaign last March. (The overwhelming response to the Veronica Mars campaign has since inspired a number of other filmmakers and actors to call upon their fans to help long-gestating projects become the real thing.) Veronica Mars, the film, will easily cater to the series’ most passionate fans, but it’s just as safe to assume that if you’re not that familiar with the three-season TV show, you might as well start there and eventually build your way up to the movie.

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How The Room’s unintentional absurdity hides its dark heart

The cult that is The Room is truly fascinating and turned Wiseau into the most unlikely of internet sensations. But the accidental comedy is a boon not just for us but for Tommy Wiseau himself. Were it not so funny, it would just be depressing or perhaps even infuriating.

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Kristen Bell barely keeps ‘The Lifeguard’ afloat

Coming of age stories have come to multiplexes in different ways this summer. From Mud in the spring to The Kings of Summer, The Way Way Back and The Spectacular Now this summer, these films have proved that the genre doesn’t have to be littered with carbon copies and new entries can add unique touches to familiar territory. Also, these films were excellent and among the strongest of 2013.

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Kickstart This Project: ‘The Veronica Mars Movie Project’

Over the years, as the popularity of television has exploded, numerous critically acclaimed shows have found themselves unable to pick up traction amongst the commercial viewing audience, much to the chagrin of those who become ardent fans and supporters of the show. One such show was Veronica Mars, a modern-day hardboiled detective mystery series that starred Kristen Bell …

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‘Hit & Run’ an affable, low-key action comedy with some charm

Hit & Run Directed by David Palmer and Dax Shepard Written by Dax Shepard USA, 2012 Twenty years after his breakout hit, Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino’s influence is being felt in mainstream cinema. His penchant for hyper-literate, self-conscious characters and dialogue mixed with sudden bursts of violence has become almost commonplace in 21st-century filmmaking, but …

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