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Review: Sofia Coppola's 'Bling Ring' a pretty, empty Hollywood tale
For a brief and blinding moment in 2009, the Bling Ring crime spree ruled the social networks, TV news cycles and front pages of newspapers around the globe, including this one. At the time, I was bothered by the way the stories about a gang of affluent teen fashionistas stealing from trend-...
Review: In 'Stepping High,' life's answers are found on the dance floor
At 32, Sima (Palmer Davis) is ready to grow up. In "Stepping High," that doesn't mean moving out of her conservative Iranian American parents' house, or even introducing them to her white boyfriend. It just means finally pausing her dreams of being a professional hoofer to take her first real job as...
Review: 'Vehicle 19' delivers in its own right
Six films into "The Fast and Furious," Vin Diesel, The Rock, Sung Kang, Ludacris and Tyrese have crowded Paul Walker out of his own franchise. With "Vehicle 19," Walker takes the wheel. Only now, it's on the wrong side of the dashboard.
Movie review: 'The Wall' makes isolation work
"The Wall" is a remarkably involving film, especially given its brave, self-imposed limitations. Writer-director Julian Roman Pölser, working with the superb Martina Gedeck ("The Lives of Others") — in effect, the movie's sole actor — has crafted a gripping tale of survival, loss,...
'Plimpton!' an engaging life story told in his words
George Plimpton spent a lifetime stepping into other people's shoes. It's only fitting that he's finally talking about what it was like to walk in his own.
'Violet & Daisy' loses its nerve
Of all the things I imagined Oscar-winner Geoffrey Fletcher might choose for his directing debut, "Violet & Daisy," the story of two teenage assassins on the loose in New York City, was not on the list.
Review: Reporting America's 'Dirty Wars'
Richard Rowley's documentary "Dirty Wars" is a sobering account of acclaimed journalist Jeremy Scahill's reporting on the war on terror in the Middle East and Africa, and the effect its clandestine operations have had not just on those shaken by its violence but also on Scahill himself. He's the...
'After Earth' crashes on take-off
I have so many questions after seeing "After Earth," the new sci-fi action-adventure starring Will Smith and his 14-year-old son, Jaden.
'Epic' looks like its title but doesn't feel that way
"Epic," a fairy tale about a tiny universe of creatures who protect the forest, has many virtues.
'Now You See Me' a not-so-magical game of cat and mouse
There's little magic to be had from watching "Now You See Me," a splashy, noisy and frankly preposterous action caper about a quartet of illusionists with a Robin Hood complex. For all the talent up on the screen — and one can't fault the performances — the movie just doesn't deliver.
'The Kings of Summer' find safe haven under the sun
"The Kings of Summer" is a coming-of-age story that keeps its humor as dry as the sunbaked days of its particular teen rebellion.
Review: 'Shadow Dancer' follows its lead
Ascending British actress Andrea Riseborough's face is an exquisite road map of pain, fear and resolve in "Shadow Dancer," a thriller that explores questions of loyalty against a backdrop of Northern Ireland politics in the early '90s.
Movie review: 'I Do' doesn't do much for same-sex couple love story
It was only a matter of time before the green-card marriage immigration scheme and the marriage equality issue merged in one well-meaning romantic comedy. That film is "I Do," a sweet, sincere, yet ultimately tepid story about Jack (David W. Ross, who wrote and produced) — a gay, single,...
Movie review: 'American Mary' wields a creepy surgical knife
"American Mary" is a deceptively benign title for a movie filled with so many sick puppies, twisted sisters and horrific images. But the joke is ultimately on the audience as writer-director siblings Jen and Sylvia Soska allow their film to turn slack and unfocused after an enticingly lurid,...
Movie review: Restroom repartee in 'Head'
In "From the Head," Shoes (writer/director/star George Griffith) is a bathroom attendant in the strangest restroom in Manhattan. It's not just that it's in a strip club — it's that every guy who enters strikes up a conversation, and most of them even tip.
Review: 'Free Samples,' with a sour taste
Today at the ice cream truck, a free sample of chocolate soft serve comes at a price: You have to deal with Jillian (Jess Weixler).
Movie review: 'The Painting' a broad brushstroke on prejudice, romance
Consider "The Painting," the fourth feature by slow-moving 74-year-old French director Jean-François Laguionie, a twee "Wreck-It Ralph." Inside a primitive portrait, the subjects are divided into three canvas castes: Sketchies, wraith-like creatures made of pencil lines; Halfies, who were...
Movie review: 'Vampire's' serial-killer story a draining experience
A morose young woman, a soft-spoken blood-drinker and plenty of rainy skies — no, it's not "Twilight," but a languid, micro-budgeted serial killer drama called "Vampire," the first English-language film from Japanese writer-director Shunji Iwai ("All About Lily Chou-Chou").
Movie review: 'A Green Story' a sudsy tale of man's American dream
Though it's not that gracefully told and sometimes seems to exist just to plug eco-friendly cleaning supplies, "A Green Story" holds interest as a gentle, old-fashioned look at achieving the American dream. Credit veteran character actor Ed O'Ross ("Full Metal Jacket," "Six Feet Under"), who plays...
Review: 'Becoming Traviata' strikes a vibrant chord
Zeroing in on the art of rehearsal, "Becoming Traviata" is an exquisitely observed look at performance and the creative process. You don't need to be an opera buff to appreciate Philippe Béziat's documentary, which makes the essentials of Verdi's romantic drama "La Traviata" clear while...
'3 Geezers' review: Raunchy, imbecilic and so not funny
"The Hangover" franchise comes to an end this week. For the bereaved who long to see the Wolfpack as grandparents, there's "3 Geezers," Michelle Schumacher's competing comedy about a trio of scatologically obsessed septuagenarians (Lou Beatty Jr., Basil Hoffman and Tony Cummings) who thrive on...
'Star Trek Into Darkness' ramps up action, leaves room for heart
"Star Trek Into Darkness," bursting at the seams with enemies, wears its politics, its mettle, its moxie and its heart on its ginormous 3-D sleeve. Director J.J. Abrams and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise try to build a better sequel with action spectacles to get lost in, clever asides to amuse,...
'Frances Ha' a charming portrait of youth and spirit
Effortless and effervescent, "Frances Ha" is a small miracle of a movie, honest and funny with an aim that's true. It's both a timeless story of the joys and sorrows of youth and a dead-on portrait of how things are right now for one particular New York woman who, try as she might, can't quite get...
'The English Teacher' has a class of underachievers
"The English Teacher" is a tragedy masquerading as a comedy and doing a disservice to both. The same could be said for the film's normally fine cast. Julianne Moore, Greg Kinnear, Nathan Lane and Michael Angarano have all had better days.
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