“In every way, The Good Girl outclasses the many crudely-made, half-baked, out-of-focus films created under the “indie” banner these days.” Good Girls Don’t New film by Chuck and Buck creators explores the complexities of the human heart If life were fair, movies like The Good Girl would dominate Box Office Top Ten lists. And in a perfect … Continue reading
“A hellish hybrid of Jerry Springer-style characters and COPS-like cinematography, Good Housekeeping boasts neither the outrageous unpredictability of the former nor the giddy, voyeuristic pleasure of the latter…” Not in My Front Yard Trashy Good Housekeeping really stinks There’s a good chance you haven’t even heard of Good Housekeeping, which opens this week at Two Boots Pioneer Theatre. … Continue reading
In Gosford Park, director Robert Altman packs up his bag of tricks and heads across the pond for the first time in his career. Utilizing the techniques he’s famous for, including multiple storylines, overlapping dialogue and a huge ensemble cast, he’s created an old-fashioned whodunit, only in this case, we witness everything from the servants’ … Continue reading
Most of the “suspense” in Haiku Tunnel hinges on whether or not newly hired secretary Josh (Josh Kornbluth) will manage to mail 17 important letters for his boss. What was probably once a perfectly amusing cocktail party anecdote has somehow made its way to the big screen, losing most of its punch along the way. Kornbluth co-wrote … Continue reading
Ignoring the ominous warnings of a well meaning but misguided elf, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) returns for a second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry only to discover that someone – or something – aims to harm him. With the fate of the entire school hanging in the balance, Harry and his faithful … Continue reading
I shouldn’t have to tell you that Hedwig and the Angry Inch is based on the brilliant Off-Broadway show of the same name, which was written by and starred John Cameron Mitchell as a transsexual rock wannabe on a journey of self-discovery. You should know this because you should have seen the show. If you … Continue reading
Woody Allen isn’t exactly a hot name in Hollywood these days. Still, there’s something about a Woody Allen film that incites eager anticipation, especially in New York. Not many directors can fill a weekday afternoon screening, but the first presentation of Hollywood Ending had critics sitting in the aisles. Unlike the inspired films of his … Continue reading
In roles that aren’t much of a stretch for either of the buddy-pic veterans, Owen Wilson plays a bumbling secret agent and Eddie Murphy a motor-mouthed boxer, who are incredulously paired up to intercept the sale of a stolen spy plane. The mismatched duo travels to Budapest to investigate the evil billionaire (Malcolm McDowell) masterminding … Continue reading
“If heaven is such a wonderful place, why is getting crucified such a big fucking sacrifice,” asks Igby (Kieran Culkin), the rebel without a clue at the center of Igby Goes Down. Questions like this, which Igby hurls at any authority figure he encounters, are supposed to set him up as some sort of angst-filled … Continue reading
I always thought those legends about movies making audiences faint or throw up in the aisles were just P.R. bullshit. I didn’t believe a film could cause that type of physical reaction in someone. I was wrong. Irréversible had me – literally – on the verge of tossing my cookies…twice. A brutal examination of revenge … Continue reading
Mike Rucker Writes 