BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 10/26

CLOUD ATLAS

“The kitsch factor is weirdly in keeping with the picture’s ardent, disarming sincerity. Even at its most risible, this oddball movie has a groovy, inclusive spirit that feels downright revolutionary.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly


“The key is not to take CLOUD ATLAS too seriously. If you try to invest yourself in the sci-fi framework or the Wachowski-esque philosophical theory, you’ll be too busy chewing on sand rather than eating up the goodies.” – Norm Schrager, Meet In The Lobby

“This is not just a movie. It’s a cinematic mural, and while its elements may sometimes clash a bit, the overall form is really rather lovely.” – Kilian Melloy, Kal’s Movie Blog

“The year’s most ambitious film, one that will divide critics as well as audiences. You will either be enthralled or bored beyond tears. Given its nearly three hour running time, you’d best be prepared.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, The Sci-Fi Movie Page

“As it took up residence in my memory, my relationship with this film simply grew. I liked CLOUD ATLAS when it ended. But by the next day, I had fallen in love.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

“It looks like the short segments were put together by an editor wearing a blind fold and watching it gives audiences the kind of motion sickness feeling one gets trying to read a book in a moving car.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“At first, the frequent jumping between time periods is a bit jarring, but it quickly becomes second nature as you get invested in each one of the individual stories.” – Evan Crean, Reel Recon

“Not just one of the best movies of the year, but one of the most ambitious and audicious in a year that has been big on ambitious and audacious.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist

 

SMASHED

“Just as the melodrama gains traction we cut to a coda and the credits. It runs a scant 85 minutes, and feels unfinished.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix

 

 

THE SESSIONS


“Such an earnest little puddle of feel-good inspiration that I feel like an  asshole for disliking it so much.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

“This is a movie not about sexual exploitation, but rather about sexual healing.” – Kilian Melloy, Kal’s Movie Blog


“It is entirely daring in what it chooses to show, but rather tame in what it chooses to say.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

 

CHASING MAVERICKS


“A Lifetime movie with some actual life to it, lending tender observation to the idea that dreams are sitting out there waiting to be seized.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

“An acting range that seems more suited to pouting on the fashion runway than performing as a fully fledged character.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“A coming-of-age story which should end with the young boy becoming a young man. Unfortunately, fate had other ideas. As the old saying goes, God writes lousy theater.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

 

SILENT HILL: REVELATION

“It’s like watching a recording of someone else playing a video game. You have no control and you have nothing invested in the characters or the outcome.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, The Sci-Fi Movie Page

“It’s more of the same, on a cut-rate budget, without Gans’s atmospheric reverie.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix

“A full-on, visceral thrill ride that uses 3D technology to throw buckets of blood and gore at the audience with gleeful abandonment.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

 

FUN SIZE

“Crud. Perfectly unpleasant fluff that offers a few good moments in a mess of horrible ones.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

“If your ‘tweens and young teens are into the offerings on Nickelodeon and Disney then they’ll enjoy this, but there is stuff that parents may find surprising and even disturbing.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 10/17

ALEX CROSS

“You’ve seen this movie before, but what makes this one almost interesting is just how amazingly poorly miscast the main hero and villain are.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist

“The usual over-familiar mélange of forensic evidence and titillating torture-porn that reminds me why I don’t watch network television procedurals.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

“Lazy, tedious, contrived. This is, by far, the worst action movie of the year.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

 

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4

“Of course it’s all fake and pretty stupid, but that’s beside the point.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, The Sci-Fi Movie Page

 

CONNED

“It’s hard to ferret out who’s screwing whom, but surely, it’s the viewers who are being conned.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix
 
 
 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 10/12

ARGO

“One of the most entertaining and smart movies to come out of Hollywood this year. Affleck emerges into the front rank of contemporary American directors.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

“I think it would be impossible to make a movie about U.S. and Iranian relations that had less to say about our current situation than ARGO. Affleck has everything but a strong vision.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

“A fast, no B.S. procedural drama that harkens back to the glory days of smart, tense espionage dramas.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist

“Affleck also draws out the ending more than necessary, straying from the historical record in order to goose the audience along for the ride. No matter, as it’s a hell of a ride.” – Sean Burns, The Improper Bostonian

“Truly one of the best films I’ve seen this year. Affleck has successfully set a new bar of excellence for himself with this entertainingly complex slice of history.” – Tim Estiloz, Boston Movie Examiner

“If there is any film of 2012 more appropriate of being deemed a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, I have yet to find it.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

“I didn’t feel any tension or drama. I could hear the music pump up, I could see the editing speed up. And Affleck gives himself too many close-ups.” – John Black, The Post-Movie Podcast

“Ben Affleck may very well be one of the best directors of solid Hollywood entertainment today, a confident, reliable and effective visual storyteller.” – Norm Schrager, Paste Magazine

 

SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS

“I’m not sure it all hangs together in the end, but McDonagh’s grasping at something interesting. And I laughed so hard, I made a spectacle of myself.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
 
“With a title like SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS, you shouldn’t be expecting sweetness and light. This is a violent, profane and hilariously dark comedy.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net
 
“I can’t think of any single moment I didn’t enjoy, even though some feel slightly out-of-place.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune
 
“There’s a seething, underlying rage these guys all have that makes for great comedy.” – Steve Head, The Post-Movie Podcast
 
“The pieces of the action movie puzzle are the same, sure. But you’ve never seen them arranged quite like this.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston
 

 

THE PAPERBOY

“I don’t want to start giving things away, but get ready for watersports, telepathic blowjobs, and much more.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston
 
“Is there a way to make heads or tails of this icky cinematic mess?” – Monica Castillo, Bitch Magazine
 
 
 
SINISTER
 
“A frequently effective fright-machine that makes the most of the familiar footing it treads.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune
 
“The result isn’t one of the great horror films, but it’s a lot better than many of the other offerings in the genre this year.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, The Sci-Fi Movie Page
 
 “A virtual encyclopedia of scenes and themes from other, better movies without an identity of its own.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

 

HERE COMES THE BOOM
 
“In fact, here’s an idea: Kevin James should get a professional divorce from Adam Sandler. They can socialize in their off hours if they must.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net
 
“The movie doesn’t fire on all cylinders, but it fires full force with what it’s got; dumb fun, clever strategy. All in all, it works.” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE Boston
 
“Yes, the movie has some stupid moments. Yes, the plot is absurd. But no, you won’t be bored.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune
 
“The implausibilities of the film are insane.” – Steve Head, The Post-Movie Podcast
 
“Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions is the perennial pop-culture zombie that refuses to die and wants to eat your brain.” – Monica Castillo, The Boston Phoenix
 

 

KEEP THE LIGHTS ON

“In trying to capture a moment in time, Sachs has left nothing uncovered. Navigating his darkest moments with unsparing honesty, he finds a flicker of hope.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix 
 
 
 
ATLAS SHRUGGED: PART II
 
“It’s cute that Objectivists now have a BATTLEFIELD: EARTH of their own.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly 
 
 
 
 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 10/5

FRANKENWEENIE

“Like it or not, not everything lasts, and if Burton’s supposed golden age has passed it might be something not even a bolt of lightning can revive.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist
 
“This is very much the work of an older man revisiting the obsessions of his youth, struggling at times to reconnect with them.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
 
“An animated tour de force that perfectly encapsulates both the wide-eyed, aspiring filmmaker Burton was and the distinctive auteur he has become.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune
 
“The film is a very average animated tale geared toward kids.” – Evan Crean, Starpulse
 
“Uncritical young viewers will no doubt enjoy such antics, but even they may find themselves bored or baffled by some of Burton’s choices.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net
 
 
 
TAKEN 2
 
“Liam gets mad, Liam escapes, Liam kills everyone. This one is more of the same, slashed to ribbons from what I imagine was an exceedingly gory first cut.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston
 
“The more elaborate scenes are so silly you end up laughing in all the wrong places. It’s just kind of dull, really.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist
 

“As absurd as it is, with ham-fisted dialogue and utterly incredible plot turns, no one who is an action fan is likely to be disappointed.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

“Watching Liam Neeson demand the absolute ludicrous while Maggie Grace frantically struggles to comply is some of the funniest junk I’ve witnessed this year.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

“Olivier Megaton could use some more lessons in directing as he bombs in his strained efforts to recreate Pierre Morel’s original.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix

“As silly as this movie turns out to be, the action sequences are entertaining and there’s a heartwarming family element to the story.” – Evan Crean, Starpulse

 
 

HEAD GAMES

“One wishes James stuck with Nowinski for the whole film, rather than going with an episodic construction that feels destined for PBS.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix
 
 
 
BUTTER
 
“Despite an appealing cast of oddballs, the satire spreads pretty thin.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix
 
 
 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 9/28

LOOPER

“A neat little movie that leaves you with the nagging feeling it could have been so much more.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
 
“I’m convinced Rian Johnson has a great film in him somewhere. This just isn’t it.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston
 
“It feels like Johnson painted himself into a corner with his time travel story and retrofitted it with this additional gimmick to get himself out.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net
 
“Big, bold, brainy, and ultimately brilliant, this movie doesn’t just have heart. It has soul.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune
 
“Minor annoyances aside, LOOPER is compelling character piece that begs for more viewings.” – Evan Crean, Starpulse
 
“Thoroughly entertaining and shocking. A couple moments visually, I was like: I’ve never seen that before. Fucked-up and cool.” – Steve Head, The Post-Movie Podcast
 

 

WON’T BACK DOWN

“This is one of those feel-good movies that doesn’t necessarily feel good so much as contrived. Like a jigsaw puzzle with jumbo pieces, its every element feels exaggerated and obvious.” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE Boston

“A pernicious utopian fantasy where no child gets left behind, just so long as we finally free ourselves from the shackles of organized labor. Hey, it worked out great for the NFL.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

“The movie preaches about ‘hope’ and ‘yes we can.’ But a slightly different buzzword comes to my mind: bullshit.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix 
 

 

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

“A funny and delightful horror spoof. This may be the surprise of the season.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

“It’s not awful. It’s just terribly pleasant, that’s all.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

“A mess. Bascially something to keep your kids entertained for
eighty-something mintues.” – Steve Head, The Post-Movie Podcast

 

BACKWARDS

“In this romantic drama, sweet and innocent equals plain and predictable. It’s all as expected as a Sylvester Stallone training sequence in any ROCKY film whose title ends in a number.” – Norm Schrager, Meet In The Lobby

“A master class in lazy writing.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix

 

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

“This sweet coming-of-age story is populated by actors who are slightly older than the characters they’re playing, but that shouldn’t distract you from a universal tale of growing up as an outsider.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix
 
“You may laugh. You may shed a tear. You will likely see some part of your life reflected on screen. It is the best film about high school in years.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net
 
“It’s a film that makes you feel warm, especially for those who are wallflowers themselves.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune
 
 
 
 
DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL
 
“It may be enough for people who have already drunk the Kool-Aid and worship at the altar of Diana Vreeland, but it leaves anybody looking for a balanced portrait out in the cold.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide
 
“Judging from the yarns she spins, that hothouse was a sinfully good place to be a fly on the wall.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix
 

 

SOLOMON KANE

“There’s a lot of generic swordplay, some better than generic special effects and some worse than generic dialogue.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Writer-director Michael J. Bassett stages the carnage under so much rain-soaked filth, you can almost smell the stench. It’s a good stench.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix

 

VULGARIA

“This limp look inside the life of a fifth-rate film producer jumps on the bandwagon of HANGOVER-inspired hijinks. Only it fails to produce any humor.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix
 
 
 
PITCH PERFECT
 
“The experience most resembles a simultaneous stabbing of the eyeballs with an icepick to the ears.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune
 
“Jason Moore’s musical doesn’t hit all the high notes, but guilty pleasures are seldom perfect.” – Monica Castillo, The Boston Phoenix
 
“This high energy mess of a movie makes up for what it lacks in basic competence with goofball exuberance. It’s a slovenly lark, but a spirited one.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly 
 
“In terms of characters, pacing, writing, and sheer wit, this is one of the funniest films of the season.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net