Month: April 2009
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Ordinary People (1980)
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Read more: Ordinary People (1980)In addition to ushering in the unchecked era of narcissistic self-regard, mushy, feminized therapeutic healing, and an undying cynicism about the Academy Awards, Robert Redford’s Ordinary People remains one of cinema’s undisputed heavyweights of dubious character loyalties and directorial sympathies. From its opening chill to the final, despicably affluent sweater-filled frame of father/son reconciliation, this…
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Out For a Kill: 90’s Inaction
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Read more: Out For a Kill: 90’s InactionIs it even possible to articulate the premise? Unfortunately, it is. Seagal is “the most distinguished academic” at Yale, because it would be a bit of a stretch for him to be the most distinguished academic at Harvard. He’s so smart that he becomes a patsy for a Chinese drug ring who try to smuggle…
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Cyber Tracker: 90’s Inaction
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Read more: Cyber Tracker: 90’s InactionCan the premise even be articulated? Sort of. Mix Robocop with The Terminator and cast the robot with a big bald fucker that looks like Steve Wilkos. Add a real-life kickboxer Don “The Dragon” Wilson as a human who is targeted by the Steve Wilkos which is controlled by his former employers (a senator and…
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Goodbye Solo (2008)
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Read more: Goodbye Solo (2008)In its own way, this film is perfect. From start to finish, the performances are flawless, not a moment is wasted, and the story ends just as it should. I would use the word masterpiece, but director Ramin Bahrani is only on his third feature, and given his work in Man Push Cart and Chop…
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Tokyo Sonato (2008)
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Read more: Tokyo Sonato (2008)The creeping dread of a faltering global economy is likely to inspire a wave of films with themes of depression, loss, and vulnerability within developed nations. Punching holes in ideas of safety and permanence while all of our friends and neighbors lose jobs and businesses would seem to be a fairly easy target, and one…