'Cairo Time' Review

I'm a devout Patricia Clarkson fan, and I've loved her every time I've seen her on screen, but she may be what I loved the least about "Cairo Time," the first movie to give her a romantic leading role. The "Cairo" part is what entranced me here -- when the movie ends, the aching sensation that lingers is as much a product of the film's atmosphere as its delicate affair.


Read my full review of "Cairo Time," along with a word on the "Red Riding Trilogy," now online at SouthPhillyReview.com. CLICK HERE.

Your Movie Buddy gets a little famouser

Tony Rogers, my invaluable journalism professor and a 20-year veteran of the newspaper biz (his credits include The New York Daily News and the AP), recently asked if I'd take part in a little interview about freelance journalists for the Journalism Guide he writes and edits over at About.com. You know, ask me about film criticism and making little money and such. 'Without question,' I said. This guy has a lot to do with how and why I decided to pursue journalism full steam ahead, and he's always offered sound advice and insight.

The interview was only six questions, but it was fun to be on the other end of those questions for once, and that someone cared to know what I do for a living, and how I do it, felt pretty damn good. The little interview is now posted on About.com, along with the handsome photo you see here. Best of all, the piece now comes up as the No. 2 result when I Google my byline, inching me ever closer to sweet, elusive fame. (I jest a bit, but don't scoff...you know you Google yourself, too.)

'The Expendables' Review

Sly Stallone's star-studded machismo machine "The Expendables" is so soullessly obsessed with shooting dudes, blowing up dudes, cutting dudes and talking to dudes about doing other dude stuff that -- dude! -- it practically put me to sleep.

That cast list is plenty cool, and it's fun to watch the names flash across the screen in the unembellished opening credit sequence, but the movie itself -- not campy enough to be camp, not committed enough to be cult -- is a throwaway, through and through. It should be called...oh, wait...

Catch my full review of "The Expendables," now online at SouthPhillyReview.com. CLICK HERE.

Black Swan

So, while I'm sure you've heard of Darren Aronofsky's upcoming dark dancer drama "Black Swan," perhaps you weren't aware that the trailer (and poster) have landed. I love, love, love when an enticing film aimed right at my pleasure zone is perfectly, artfully packaged to increase my excitement.


The poster will likely be among my favorites of '09 (what with its beautiful white space and the enhancement of Nat Portman's perfecto facial symmetry), but the trailer, embedded below, is easily one of the year's best. Offering gorgeous teases of the lensing by Aronofsky's favorite DP, Matthew Libatique, and a whopper of a final revelation that never gives away too much, it practically wills you to dish out the ticket price. See for yourself:

'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' Review

I know plenty of folks are flipping out over this hyperactively hipster media mash-up, but despite being tickled and impressed, the chief feelings I had walking out were dizziness and fatigue. Flick needs some serious Concerta.


Catch my full review of "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" at SouthPhillyReview.com. CLICK HERE.

'Dinner for Schmucks' Review

The exploitation of the broadly-drawn grotesques in "Dinner for Schmucks" is neither clever nor funny, and many scenes are squirm-inducing in their short-sighted desperation. See it if you like not laughing.


Read my full review, now online at SouthPhillyReview.com. CLICK HERE.