BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 12/31/2014

Monica Castillo lists her Top 15 of 2014

Jaskee Hickman interviews SELMA director Ava DuVernay and THE GAMBLER’s Rupert Wyatt

Spoilerpiece Theatre gets into UNBROKEN, ANNIE and INTO THE WOODS

Deirdre Crimmins gives us an all-horror Top Ten

Inkoo Kang talks THE INTERVIEW and the year in TV on the Village Voice Film Club Podcast

Charlie Nash has a Top Ten at All Things Horror

Bob Chipman begins his countdown of the 20 Worst Films of 2014

Kris Jenson brings you DIGBoston’s First Annual Romney Awards

Andy Crump published a Top Ten list

Norm Schrager gives you his Top Ten

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/26/2014

into-the-woods-05

INTO THE WOODS

“How many different ways can one shoot trees?” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

“Outside of the criticisms that I have, nothing in INTO THE WOODS is below average. Then again, nothing in it is that far above average either.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“Director Rob Marshall… makes good use of Hollywood magic to make the fairy tale magic seem real in a way that is not possible on stage.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

unbroken-cover-2UNBROKEN

“If you’re hoping for more than the usual, you’re most likely going to be disappointed in some fashion, because there isn’t much to offer in UNBROKEN.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“In choosing to make the POW experience the crux of the film, the preliminary material goes on far too long as we await the story proper to finally begin.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

bgiBIG EYES

“…a feminist crowd-pleaser with the force of moral righteousness on its side.” – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap

“The Margaret Keane biopic never finds its own inspired streak, because it gives Burton nothing to paint.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

 

the-interview-is-the-interview-controversy-a-publicity-stunt-a11b8a7e-b7ec-4250-9f9a-b952e7a61695THE INTERVIEW

“This buddy comedy is no classic on the level of PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, and it’s not nearly as self-critical as THIS IS THE END.” – Monica Castillo, Movie Mezzanine

 

 

THE GAMBLERTHE GAMBLER

“Although I wish that THE GAMBLER actually gambled by take some risks to give us viewers an authentic sense of suspense and trouble, I can’t say that this remake resulted in failure.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“THE GAMBLER has been adjusted for inflation.” – Jake Mulligan, Edge Boston

“It’s not quite a holiday movie, but a powerful performance by Wahlberg makes it worth seeing.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

BOFCA MID-WEEK ROUNDUP 12/24/2014

Jake Mulligan talks Capra and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Charlie Nash interviews SELMA’s Ava DuVernay

Andy Crump analyzes THE HOBBIT for Badass Digest

Deirdre Crimmins looks back at Bill Murray in SCROOGED for The Brattle

Bob Chipman puts his Top Ten into video form and remembers lesser-known Christmas Specials

Spoilerpiece Theatre is all over THE INTERVIEW and THE HOBBIT

Sean Burns catches up with TWO DAYS ONE NIGHT

BOFCA REVIEW ROUND-UP: 12/19/2014

hobbit2THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

“[J]ust read THE HOBBIT instead of waiting for the movies, for Christ’s sake.” – Andy Crump, Movie Mezzanine

“…it comes across like a very impressive video game, one in which you’re watching Peter Jackson doing the playing. It’s hard to get worked up about any of it.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“…the problem here, as before, is that pitched battles quickly become tiresome.” – Kilian Melloy, Edge Boston

“Due to its length and the fact that we pretty much know what’s going to happen, these types of movies turn out to be nothing more than a chore to watch.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“…Eru help us all if Peter Jackson ever decides to adapt WAR AND PEACE.” – Kristofer Jenson, Dig Boston

“Not even Bilbo (Martin Freeman, a supporting player here) or Billy Connolly, who pops up all too briefly, or Benedict Cumberbatch, can save THE BATTLE FOR MY SANITY.” – David Riedel, Santa Fe Reporter

 

annie-2014-movie-trailerANNIE

“…ANNIE is the second most embarrassing thing Sony did this week.” – Sean Burns, Movie Mezzanine

“There’s a special place in hell for the perpetrators of ANNIE, not so much for the unconventional casting as for the shamelessly misleading advertising campaign trying to convince people they’re going to be seeing a film version of the beloved Broadway musical.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“There’s a good amount of energy while they’re introducing you to the world of ANNIE, but unfortunately, it doesn’t hold up to that level as well as it should have.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show

“Olivia Pope herself couldn’t have devised a more cynical political campaign than the one at the center of the new ANNIE…” – Inkoo Kang, The Wrap

 

1406498856002-4NIGHT-MUSEUM-3-MOV-JY-1304--66046672NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 3: SECRET OF THE TOMB

“This final edition of NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM is not only a fitting end to the series. It is a sheer delight.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“The undeniable sense of déjà vu one gets sitting through the film wouldn’t be so painful if the cast at least looked like they were having fun (or trying to) with the material, but they all act as bored as you feel watching the movie.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB is simply a piece of entertainment that will stand up well for audiences of all ages.” – Jaskee Hickman, The Movie Picture Show