Starring – Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Alan Alda
Director – Rod Luries
Domestic Gross – Direct to DVD
Running Time – 108 minutes
Nothing But The Truth is a Rod Lurie film that combines and fictionalizes two recent real-life cases. It is an intense political thriller that was not released in theaters due to the distributor’s economic issues and not the quality of the film. Kate Beckinsale was very believable as a reporter that outs a CIA operative and is then jailed for refusing to reveal her source. David Schwimmer is equally believable as her unsupportive and generally douchey husband. Dillon and Alda, who I normally like, are unfortunately just passable as the opposing lawyers in the case. The film runs a bit long, but that seems to be by design to highlight how long the protagonist is stuck in prison. Lurie proves once again that he belongs in the small, but elite club including Aaron Sorkin of guys that can get me to watch any political film that took the time to write.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
TV Review – Skins (2007) aired on BBC
Starring – Nicholas Hoult, Mike Bailey, Michelle Richardson, Dev Patel
Season – 1
# of Episodes – 10
Length of Episodes – 60 minutes
“Skins” is how teen melodrama should be. Oh, and it’s a constant reminder of how much American TV sucks. “Skins” aired their first season on the BBC in 2007. They tell the story of a group of college friends who date each other, drink, do drugs and god forbid have sex. You’ll have seen a few of the stars before. Nicholas Hoult starred in “About a Boy” and “Dev Patel” was actually cast for “Slumdog Millionaire” from his part on “Skins”. All the staples of teen melodrama are here… The kid who wants his best friend’s girlfriend. An affair with a teacher. But then they branch in to some more modern topics of discrimination based on sexual orientation or religion. “Skins” is a well crafted and interesting story of a group of friends surviving college. They are in Season 3 now so adopt a new guilty pleasure and pick up the first two seasons on DVD.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Season – 1
# of Episodes – 10
Length of Episodes – 60 minutes
“Skins” is how teen melodrama should be. Oh, and it’s a constant reminder of how much American TV sucks. “Skins” aired their first season on the BBC in 2007. They tell the story of a group of college friends who date each other, drink, do drugs and god forbid have sex. You’ll have seen a few of the stars before. Nicholas Hoult starred in “About a Boy” and “Dev Patel” was actually cast for “Slumdog Millionaire” from his part on “Skins”. All the staples of teen melodrama are here… The kid who wants his best friend’s girlfriend. An affair with a teacher. But then they branch in to some more modern topics of discrimination based on sexual orientation or religion. “Skins” is a well crafted and interesting story of a group of friends surviving college. They are in Season 3 now so adopt a new guilty pleasure and pick up the first two seasons on DVD.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Movie Review – His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th (2008)
Starring –
Director – Daniel Farrands
Domestic Gross – Direct to DVD
Running Time – 90 minutes
Released just before the most recent Friday the 13th this retrospective is more than just a promo. They do a great job of combining original footage, stories from cast members and famous fans. Plus, it’s always fun to look back at the 80’s originals. There’s some really funny stuff from Seth Green and James Roday talking about growing up with Jason. Even if you’re a passive Friday the 13th fan this is worth the 90 minutes.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Director – Daniel Farrands
Domestic Gross – Direct to DVD
Running Time – 90 minutes
Released just before the most recent Friday the 13th this retrospective is more than just a promo. They do a great job of combining original footage, stories from cast members and famous fans. Plus, it’s always fun to look back at the 80’s originals. There’s some really funny stuff from Seth Green and James Roday talking about growing up with Jason. Even if you’re a passive Friday the 13th fan this is worth the 90 minutes.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Movie Review – Hamlet 2 (2008)
Starring – Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler
Director – Andrew Flemming
Domestic Gross – $4,886,216
Running Time – 92 minutes
After an unsuccessful acting career Dana Marschz (Coogan) becomes a high school drama teacher directing quirky adaptations of Hollywood movies. After being told that the drama budget was being cut and that this would be his last performance he decided to go out on top with some of this own material. That “original” material is Hamlet 2 a sequel to the Shakespeare classic. For those unaware Hamlet dies at the end. So, Marschz’s version involves a time machine and Jesus among other liberties. This sounds really quirky and fun, but in reality it’s just one joke over and over for 90+ minutes. I was really excited to see this when I first saw the trailer and heard the premise, but was sorely let down. There are enough indie comedies out there if you’re in the mood for one so… skip this one.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Director – Andrew Flemming
Domestic Gross – $4,886,216
Running Time – 92 minutes
After an unsuccessful acting career Dana Marschz (Coogan) becomes a high school drama teacher directing quirky adaptations of Hollywood movies. After being told that the drama budget was being cut and that this would be his last performance he decided to go out on top with some of this own material. That “original” material is Hamlet 2 a sequel to the Shakespeare classic. For those unaware Hamlet dies at the end. So, Marschz’s version involves a time machine and Jesus among other liberties. This sounds really quirky and fun, but in reality it’s just one joke over and over for 90+ minutes. I was really excited to see this when I first saw the trailer and heard the premise, but was sorely let down. There are enough indie comedies out there if you’re in the mood for one so… skip this one.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Movie Review – Bottle Shock (2008)
Starring – Randall Miller
Director – Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, Rachael Taylor, Freddy Rodriguez
Domestic Gross – $4,078,607
Running Time – 93 minutes
Bottle Shock is the true story of how California wines began to be taken seriously on the world stage. It stars Bill Pullman as Jim Barrett the owner of Chateau Montelena, a fledgling winery. He is assisted by his general screw-up son Bo played by Chris Pine and his best friend Gustavo (Rodriguez). Alan Rickman plays Steven Spurrier an ex-pat Brit living in France and running his own wine store. In an effort to stock his store with the finest wines he travels to California to test the new offerings from the Americans. Along the way he collects samples to bring back to France and display in an open wine competition. While I didn’t expect to enjoy this Pine and Rodriquez were great together and it had a little “Miracle” feel where we’re rooting for the Americans. On the whole though it was just okay. I honestly don’t have any major complaints, but on that same token there’s nothing to rave about either.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Director – Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Bill Pullman, Rachael Taylor, Freddy Rodriguez
Domestic Gross – $4,078,607
Running Time – 93 minutes
Bottle Shock is the true story of how California wines began to be taken seriously on the world stage. It stars Bill Pullman as Jim Barrett the owner of Chateau Montelena, a fledgling winery. He is assisted by his general screw-up son Bo played by Chris Pine and his best friend Gustavo (Rodriguez). Alan Rickman plays Steven Spurrier an ex-pat Brit living in France and running his own wine store. In an effort to stock his store with the finest wines he travels to California to test the new offerings from the Americans. Along the way he collects samples to bring back to France and display in an open wine competition. While I didn’t expect to enjoy this Pine and Rodriquez were great together and it had a little “Miracle” feel where we’re rooting for the Americans. On the whole though it was just okay. I honestly don’t have any major complaints, but on that same token there’s nothing to rave about either.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Movie Review – American Teen (2008)
Starring – It’s essentially reality so there’s nobody you’ve ever heard of…
Director – Nanette Burstein
Domestic Gross – $942,441
Running Time – 95 minutes
A reality movie. I know… some of you call that a documentary, but no… this is a reality movie. Essentially Nanette Burstein goes to Warsaw, Indiana and chronicles the lives of 4 high school seniors. The film begins the first day of school and extends right through graduation. That’s really all you need to know. They marketed it as the reality Breakfast Club and I suppose that’s somewhat true, but it felt a lot more like a long episode of MTV’s True Life: I’m a High School Senior. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if you’re in to reality. Which if you are I would recommend this. Otherwise, it’s really not worth the effort… There’s nothing groundbreaking here.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Director – Nanette Burstein
Domestic Gross – $942,441
Running Time – 95 minutes
A reality movie. I know… some of you call that a documentary, but no… this is a reality movie. Essentially Nanette Burstein goes to Warsaw, Indiana and chronicles the lives of 4 high school seniors. The film begins the first day of school and extends right through graduation. That’s really all you need to know. They marketed it as the reality Breakfast Club and I suppose that’s somewhat true, but it felt a lot more like a long episode of MTV’s True Life: I’m a High School Senior. That’s not necessarily a bad thing if you’re in to reality. Which if you are I would recommend this. Otherwise, it’s really not worth the effort… There’s nothing groundbreaking here.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Movie Review – Nobel Son (2008)
Starring – Alan Rickman, Bryan Greenberg, Shawn Hatosy, Mary Steenburgen
Director – Randall Miller
Domestic Gross – $540,382
Running Time – 110 minutes
Alan Rickman is at his best when playing a douche bag. Score… Here he plays a Nobel Prize winning physicist who is so self-involved he really seems to dislike his family. Bryan Greenberg plays the son that can’t quite measure up and stopped trying by going in to the academic field of cannibalistic studies. Steenburgen rounds out the family as the dutiful wife that holds the family somewhat together and a renowned academic in her own right. A bizarre kidnapping plot is followed by revelation after revelation each one crazier than the last. This is a true black comedy. Some of the twists are a bit far-fetched but the ending is satisfying enough for the effort.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
Director – Randall Miller
Domestic Gross – $540,382
Running Time – 110 minutes
Alan Rickman is at his best when playing a douche bag. Score… Here he plays a Nobel Prize winning physicist who is so self-involved he really seems to dislike his family. Bryan Greenberg plays the son that can’t quite measure up and stopped trying by going in to the academic field of cannibalistic studies. Steenburgen rounds out the family as the dutiful wife that holds the family somewhat together and a renowned academic in her own right. A bizarre kidnapping plot is followed by revelation after revelation each one crazier than the last. This is a true black comedy. Some of the twists are a bit far-fetched but the ending is satisfying enough for the effort.
I’m Mike D and I approve this message.
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