Mini Review: "Resident Evil: Retribution"

This is one of my favorite franchises right now.  Sure none of the films are what you'd call "good", but they work on a 4 part formula:  BIG (gunfights, zombies, explosions), LOUD(soundtracks, gunfire, explosions), DUMB (scarcest of plotlines), FUN (you walk in and out w/a smile on your face).  However, "Retribution" loses the most vital part of the equation (fun) and loads up on the dumb leaving it a bit hollow.

D

2 more mini reviews!

2016 Obama's America:  Interesting look into the history of the "president", smartly stays out of moron birther territory by pointing out birth announcements in newspapers and other more important reasons to vote for anyone but him in Nov.  B-

Fat Girl:  2001 French film about a difficult family dynamic, focusing on 12 year old Anais (the titular fat girl) and her older, more attractive sister Elena.  Brilliant look at sibling rivalry and family dysfunction with an ending that opens up to much interpretation.  A

2 mini reviews!

Butter:  A black comedy allegedly intended as an allegory to the 08 democrat primaries, some interesting moments (admittedly, the intimate scene involving Ashley Green and Olivia Wilde was one) but overall not that good.  D

Cosmopolis:  A seemingly allegorical movie, very introspective and almost too deep for its own good, will polarize audiences.  Love it or hate it, Cronenberg brings out the best in star Robert Pattinson, who reveals some talent underneath the pre-teen-girl-panty-tingling sparkling he's mainly known for.  A+

Mini Review: "Juan of the Dead"

Low budget Cuban variant of the classic Shaun of the Dead has none of the intelligence, wit or heart of what it mimics, and in fact is shockingly dull.

F

Mini Review: "Birdemic: Shock and Terror"

A film so bad it may actually be the worst film ever made.  However, unlike many bad films ("The Room" comes to mind), this one has no redeeming qualities whatsoever to make it viewable.

F

3 Mini Reviews!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Disappointing, slow, poorly acted...this summers Cowboys and Aliens  F

The Five-Year Engagement - Such a fun movie, Jason Segal must be a joy to work with as his chemistry with his co-stars is always top notch.  A-

Starship Troopers: Invasion - This CGI shitheap should have never seen the light of day.  F

2 mini reviews!

V/H/S is an outstanding low budget horror film, made all the better by stellar special effects and smart, original stories.  Well worth an "on demand" or redbox rental.  A

The Assault is based on the true story of an Air France hijacking in 1994.  Slow, dull storytelling and a dull effort at humanizing one of the GIGN soldiers who freed the hostages.  D