text reviews
I predict… disappointment.
March 19th, 2007
Premonition Director: Mennan Yapo Cast: Sandra Bullock, Julian McMahon TriStar Pictures, 2007 Rated: PG-13 According to Webster’s Dictionary, a premonition is “previous notice or advance warning”. If only Sandra Bullock had received such notice before signing on to star in this Jenga-like movie that crumples under its own internal logic. Better yet, if only I’d [...]
Read More...Come and Get Them…
March 11th, 2007
In 480 B.C., Leonidas and his 300 Spartans sacrificed themselves to buy time for the Greeks as an army of Persians beyond count sought to conquer the lands. Over time, the story has become legend; I actually passed through Thermopylae Pass on a trip through Greece, where the Spartans fell in battle for their families, [...]
Read More...Out of Control
July 28th, 2006
A review of “Final Destination 3″ by James Harleman One of the first images that greets us in James Wong and Glen Morgan’s third “Final” (?) installment is a merry-go-round. a three-fold metaphor for the franchise, the plot, and the very nature of scary movies. In a movie most will undoubtedly dismiss as vapid, I [...]
Read More...X-Men: The Last Stand has legs
May 25th, 2006
When a cure for the mutant gene is announced by a corporation working with the government, the militant Magneto rallies his mutant brotherhood for a decisive strike against Homo sapiens humanity. Charles Xavier and his school of X-Men prepare to respond in kind, but the return of a former teammate, thought to be dead, upsets [...]
Read More...Wooden Jesus
July 28th, 2005
A review of “Constantine” by James Harleman Starring Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeaouf, Djimon Hounsou Directed by Francis Lawrence Rated R Ah, Hollywood. While Hollywood often pillages books, television and comic books for film ideas, voraciously mauling the source material beyond recognition, the process never ceases to amaze me. Particularly in light of recent [...]
Read More...It Is As It Was?
January 28th, 2004
“THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST” directed by Mel Gibson Evocative. There has already been so much said regarding the production of Mel Gibson’s film, the subsequent controversy it has evoked, and the cross-denominational support it has engendered. One could talk endlessly about any one of these subjects. However, the flurry of emotions preceding and running [...]
Read More...The Devil You Know
July 28th, 2003
A review of “The Exorcist” by James Harleman Director – William Friedkin Writer – William Peter Blatty Ellen Burstyn – Chris MacNeil Max von Sydow – Father Merrin Jason Miller – Father Damien Karras Linda Blair – Regan MacNeil From a filmmaking perspective, the power of “The Exorcist”, directed by William Friedkin and based on [...]
Read More...ZOMBIE MOVIES RISE AGAIN
September 29th, 2002
A review of “Resident Evil“ Starring Milla Jovovich Michelle Rodriguez Eric Mabius James Purefoy Martin Crewes Directed by Paul Anderson Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Rated R Nothing on film scares me quite like Zombies. Frankenstein, Dracula, werewolves and even stories about demons rarely tickle the hair on the back of my neck like [...]
Read More...Introspection First, Invasion Second
September 18th, 2002
“M. Night Shyamalan’s SIGNS” Starring Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Cherry Jones, Rory Culkin, and Abigail Breslin Directed by M. Night Shyamalan Running Time: 107 minutes Released August 2, 2002 Rated PG-13 A crop circle appears in a field near Bucks, Pennsylvania, and the owner must cope with the repercussions this has on his family, and [...]
Read More...A Sleeper Hit
July 28th, 2002
A review of “INSOMNIA” by James Harleman – Starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams – Directed by Christopher Nolan – 1 hour 58 minutes, rated R The previews make it appear fairly simple; Al Pacino plays grizzled veteran L.A. cop, Frank Dormer, sent with his partner up to the frigid north of Alaska to assist local [...]
Read More...