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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
Based on writer-director Rebecca Miller’s acclaimed book of stories, this trio of exceedingly intimate short films concerns three vastly dissimilar women facing decisions of life-altering importance. In Delia, a battered wife (Kyra Sedgwick) struggles to summon the courage to leave her violent husband. In Greta, an ambitious cookbook editor (Parker Posey) contemplates an extramarital affair. … Continue reading
At a time when “indie” means million-dollar budgets and A-list stars, Personal Velocity takes the genre back to its modest origins. Small, delicate and deeply incisive, it eschews the flashy self-awareness typical of independent fare these days and draws viewers in the old-fashioned way – with a well-crafted story and exceptional performances. To be precise, … Continue reading
It’s hard to believe the grungy goth chick with the tattoos and combat boots at the center of Pieces of April is actually former Dawson’s Creek cutie-pie Katie Holmes. Made over here as a very credible East Village hipster, Holmes delivers a fantastic performance that all but erases any lingering memories of her girl-next-door TV … Continue reading
Mike Rucker Writes 