HAPPY HALLOWEEN! BOFCA members Sean Burns, Bob Chipman and Charlie Nash take a look at a horror-saturated October in the Boston-area repertory scene.
THE EQUALIZER
“THE EQUALIZER contains the mature rated kind of violence that one would hope to see in a modern-day action movie that isn’t restricted by the all too common PG-13 rating.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show
HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS
“Is it just class envy that makes Stiller’s thrill-seeking expeditions in WALTER MITTY and Julia Roberts‘ hedonistic adventures in EAT PRAY LOVE such a dependable trigger for instinctive eye-rolling? Hector doesn’t make it any easier to like him when his midlife crisis takes the form of extreme wanderlust and he books flights to Asia, then Africa, then America.” – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap
“…despite the fact that the premise of the movie is endearing enough, and Simon Pegg, who I’ve adored since his breakout role as the title character in Edgar Wright’s millennial cult-hit SHAUN OF THE DEAD, stars as the title character of the film, the execution of HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS is about as elegant as watching a car drive off of a cliff.” – Charlie Nash, Edge Boston
“Too much formulaic watering down keeps HECTOR from self-actualizing its own narrative.” – Monica Castillo, Movie Mezzanine
JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE
“If you are a fan of movies that are so bad they’re good, then get ready to watch the Mommie Dearest of rock movies.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide
GOOD PEOPLE
“GOOD PEOPLE is, in short, a bad movie, but that’s not its cardinal sin. Bad movies, after all, can offer a few laughs or the occasional cinematic innovation. Far worse than being a run-of-the-mill misfire, this movie takes the rare distinction of being a total waste of time.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston
Inkoo Kang joined the VoiceFilmClub Podcast for THE MAZE RUNNER and more
Bob Chipman said #WalrusNo to TUSK
Kilian Melloy dug into THE LAST OF ROBIN HOOD
Spoilerpiece Theater took on TUSK and A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES
John Black reviewed LAST DAYS IN VIETNAM and a slew of new DVD releases
A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES
“I think there’s an audience for A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES. Not only because it’s Liam Neeson, but it’s also just an interesting movie to watch.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show
“What a grisly delight, to have the second Liam Neeson film released in 2014 plumb such gruesome depths.” – Andy Crump, Movie Mezzanine
“At this point, Neeson — a walking spectre of regret — feels a bit like a special spice you add onto otherwise tired action movies. Need some pathos? Just sprinkle some Liam on it.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston
“So yes, on one level this is another film in which Liam Neeson has “a certain set of skills,” but part of what makes A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES so interesting is how hard he’s trying not to have to use them.” – Sean Burns, North Shore Movies
THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU
“In an ensemble cast this large it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle, but Levy manages to give each of the main characters their due.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies
“The clichéd nature of THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU does some legitimate damage here, but it’s only one of the many issues that are put on display.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show
“No sooner has a moment of almost genuine contact between two characters appeared than it’s canceled out by the next scatological joke or mortifying sexual mishap.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston
THE MAZE RUNNER
“Despite its racial diversity, instead of forging a new trail, THE MAZE RUNNER follows a fairly formulaic and familiar story filled with tired tropes.” – Megan Kerns, Bitch Flicks
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY
‘THEM’ was created in the editing room, with Benson splicing together scenes from ‘HIM’ and ‘HER’. If this plodding, gloomy version is any indication of Benson’s aims, it appears he’s prioritized quantity over quality. – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap
“Occasional neutrals, like when the couple is shown in happier times, are fair, but nothing stands out in the hodgepodge of the he-said, she-said half-gossiped yarn.” – Monica Castillo, Movie Mezzanine
THE SKELETON TWINS
“Despite dipping into formula, THE SKELETON TWINS still pulls off the miracle of remaining funny while honestly dealing with the subject of depression.” – Brett Michel, The Improper Bostonian
“Johnson and Heyman’s screenplay shoves these two through enough traumas, revelations and reconciliations that at times, it feels like they just decided to shoot the entire Sundance catalog.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine
TUSK
“Outside of some of the lengthy dialog heavy scenes, I didn’t find myself having that many problems with TUSK.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show
“TUSK’s biggest strength is that it knows what the audience’s expectations are and it exceeds each of them. It is preposterous, disgusting, and hilarious.” – Deirdre Crimmins, All Things Horror
“The point is to experience the rare thrill of a movie that manages to go to the wildest extremes of its premise while never taking itself seriously.” – Kristofer Jenson, Dig Boston
LAST DAYS IN VIETNAM
“No matter how mediocre Kennedy’s filmmaking, it’s hard not to get swept up in some of these stories — in the haunted reminiscences of some damn good men who bent the rules as far as they could to save as many people as possible.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine
“Watching Rory Kennedy’s brilliant new documentary, LAST DAYS IN VIETNAM, you quickly learn that the final chapter of the story begins where your basic knowledge of the Vietnam War ends.” – John Black, Boston event Guide
THE GREEN PRINCE
“As thrilling as it becomes to watch, though, it is the feeling the film leaves you with when it is over that really matters.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide
Another week, another mid-week roundup. Let’s see what BOFCA was up to recently:
Jaskee Hickman interviewed the real figures behind THE GREEN PRINCE
Bob Chipman joined the Escapist Movies & TV Podcast
Spoilerpiece Theater talked GHOSTBUSTERS and more
Inkoo Kang talked to the director of DEAR WHITE PEOPLE
Deirdre Crimmins looked at FantasiaFest offerings