Margaret Cho returns to the screen in The Notorious C.H.O., a film that opened the New Festival here a few weeks ago. The title, an allusion to the powerful women of hip-hop, seems at first to be somewhat of a misnomer, since Cho never really references ‘Lil Kim, Eve or Mary J or their awe-inspiring … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: April 2013
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Even if film adaptations of literary classics make you edgy, there’s nothing to fear in O Brother, Where Art Thou, a rousing joyride that’s sure to entertain even those who have never read The Odyssey, on which it’s loosely based. For those who may have “forgotten” it, The Odyssey tells of King Odysseus (also called … Continue reading
Old School
“If grown men living out their every adolescent fantasy constitutes a happy ending, then Old School is an absolute fairy tale.” School Dazed In Old School, laughs come at the expense of taste Perhaps the reason Saturday Night Live alum Will Ferrell has found more success in Hollywood than most of his fellow SNL graduates is that … Continue reading
Old School (Q Syndicate)
Facing eviction from their university-owned residence, Mitch (Luke Wilson), Beanie (Vince Vaughn) and Frank (Will Ferrell) find a legal loophole allowing them to keep their place by starting a fraternity – even though they’re not college students. Before long, they’ve established a veritable Animal House, raising the ire of the malevolent college dean (Jeremy Piven), … Continue reading
Once Upon a Time in the Midlands
It seems just about every British film washing up on American shores these days is heralded by somebody (usually an overly enthusiastic P.R. flack) as “The Next ‘Full Monty’!!!” So it should come as no surprise that people are saying precisely that about Once Upon A Time In The Midlands, especially since this latest English … Continue reading
One Hour Photo
I hate Robin Williams. I always have. I thought he was obnoxious on Mork and Mindy, and he’s gone downhill from there. I find his comedy spastic and grating and his dramatic efforts earnest and maudlin. His movies have made me physically ill; I developed such a severe headache watching Mrs. Doubtfire I almost walked … Continue reading
Orange County
If you’ve already seen the trailer for Orange County, do everything you can to forget what you’ve witnessed. In a world where even the most dreadful of movies can be made to seem appealing by a three minute clip, Orange County is an anomaly: it’s actually much better than its preview would lead you to … Continue reading
Ordinary Sinner
As Ordinary Sinner opens, Peter (Brendan P. Hines), a seminary student, is suffering a crisis of faith after a boy he’s been mentoring is arrested for murder. Unsure if priesthood is his true calling, Peter sets out in search of a “quiet place” to sort his thoughts, ultimately moving into a tiny, tin-roofed shack near … Continue reading
Owning Mahoney
It’s hard to say whether Minnie Driver’s oversized, Tootsie-style glasses or her over-the-top Canadian accent is more distracting in Owning Mahoney, but both pale in comparison to the dreadful, blonde polyester wig she’s saddled with throughout the entire film. I know I’ve joked about hideous hairpieces before, but I think I’ve reached my boiling point: … Continue reading
Party Monster
“Without giving us a glimpse at what lay underneath the garish costumes, this Party never even gets started.” Monster’s Ball Club Kid pic has style to spare but no substance From the beginning, Party Monster has faced an unenviable challenge here in New York. True, giddy glamsters have created a mildly feverish pre-opening buzz around this dramatized … Continue reading
Mike Rucker Writes 