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BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 10/12

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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

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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

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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
 
 
 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 9/21

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DREDD

“I am kind of at a loss for words at the moment. This is really impressive filmmaking.” – Steve Head, The Post-Movie Podcast

“The gushing blood and continuous violence get to be too much. Everything’s so amped up that the individual moments fail to register.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

“It’s a good deal wittier than expected from a movie that consists mostly of people getting shot in the face.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

“Mildly rattled me with visceral gruesomeness, and yet had me giggling in delight at the audacity of its superb presentation.” – Tim Estlioz, Boston Movie Examiner

“Erase your memories of Sly’s bomb with this, director Pete Travis and writer/producer Alex Garland’s lean reboot.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix

“DREDD has all the hard-hitting violence an action movie fan could ever want, and because it’s rated R, it’s not afraid it rub your nose in it.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“This is one of the most violent movies released this year. Consider that less a criticism than a warning. This is not for the squeamish.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, The Sci-Fi Movie Page

“A slam-bang joyride with a grim canvas — a darkness interrupted by vibrantly violent bursts of red.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

“The extreme violence and satire are very much an amusing throwback to films of the late 80s/early 90s such as THE RUNNING MAN, ROBOCOP and TOTAL RECALL.” – Evan Crean, Reel Recon

 

END OF WATCH

“Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña aren’t exactly corrupt cops in this self-important police drama. They’re just fascistic assholes.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix
 
“This whole point-of-view, hand-held shaky camera crap has got to stop.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide
 
“Trying to follow the action made me so nauseous, I had to take a break halfway through and go walk around the lobby for a few minutes to keep from throwing up.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
 
“It’s nothing we haven’t seen in countless other cop shows and movies, but the Anglo/Hispanic rapport here seems fresh because of the enthusiasm the two actors bring to their roles.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net
 
“Ayer’s gut wrenching flick is so emotionally charged, it makes his previous police film TRAINING DAY seem wimpy.” – Evan Crean, Reel Recon
 
“A gratuitous migraine of narrative voids.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune
 
 
 
TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE
 
“Clint Eastwood’s most embarrassing public moment might have been his infamous speech to an empty chair at the Republican National Convention. Up until now, that is.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide
 
“The star power helps the charm outweigh the schmaltz.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix
 
“TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE doesn’t just remind you what a great screen presence Clint Eastwood is; it makes you appreciate him even more as a director because Lorenz does such a terrible job.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
 
“If the plot points are a bit too neat, the emotional truths are not.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net
 
“His acting style consists mainly of grunts and curse words, and every little sound or swear that comes through his mouth is a small stroke of grumpy geezer genius.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

 

 
THE MASTER
 
“A miserable film about miserable people, and sitting through it for 137 minutes is a miserable experience.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide
 
“If Anderson can ever figure out how to tell a story with a beginning, a middle and an end, cutting out long scenes that go nowhere, he might make a really great film.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net
 
“The actors are all pretty excellent but the mercurial Phoenix is a surprising standout. He makes Quell into a fascinating human freakshow, alternately frightening or pathetic.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist
 
“Confounding and troubling. This is an ambivalent picture, one that remains stubbornly unresolved. It’s a singular vision, and the movie haunts.” – Sean Burns, The Improper Bostonian
 
 
 
HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET
 
“‘I think this place is gonna be good for us,’ Sarah says to Elissa. Nope… not for any of us.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix 
 
 
 
 
CHICKEN WITH PLUMS
 
“The many pieces never coalesce into a satisfying whole, yet the indelible images make up for the lack of harmony.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix
 

 

LIBERAL ARTS

“This is a little more than an affable, self-absorbed fable for Generation Y as it pauses on the threshold of middle age.” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE Boston

“Radnor steals a lot from Woody Allen, particularly MANHATTAN. If only he could replicate the wit.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix

 

KNUCKLEBALL!

“Less a film about baseball itself, and more a film about two men who struggled with rejection, self-doubt and ultimate triumph against odds.” – Tim Estiloz, Boston Movie Examiner

 

10 YEARS

“Jamie Linden’s directorial debut proves what we long suspected: all movies could use a little more Channing Tatum.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

 

THE AMBASSADOR

“Taken as satire, this isn’t particularly funny.  But then, the corruption he’s exposing is anything but a joke.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix

 

 
FOR ELLEN
 
“Shaylena Mandingo’s so good, it’s a shame that Paul Dano is his typically mannered self.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix
 
 

BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 9/14

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ARBITRAGE

“Watching that facade crack, and watching a good actor at the top of his game portray a man losing everything is absolutely fascinating.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“Isn’t it compelling enough to watch Gere engineer a high-stakes fraud without a dated melodrama hogging all the foreground?” – Sean Burns, The Improper Bostonian

“The weird murder mystery is a bit much. I’d rather just stick to the numbers and personal drama for once, which is probably the first time I’ve ever written such a statement.” – Monica Castillo, DigBoston

 

FINDING NEMO 3D

“The compositions still exhilarate, and the smooth ocean renderings still amaze. It’s all just a little bit dimmer.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

 

LITTLE WHITE LIES

“And then there’s the films debilitating length, which is never – not even for a stretch – earned by the content.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

 

RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION

“An extended, mostly slow-motion gun battle that serves solely as a set-up for, yes, another sequel. Now that’s evil.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix
 
“You either enjoy an hour and a half of buff female and male characters in tight, form-fitting outfits shooting at zombies and each other, or you don’t.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, The Sci-Fi Movie Page
 
“I have very low expectations with a movie like this. I just want to be entertained and stare at Milla Jovovich. And I did.” – John Black, The Post-Movie Podcast
 
“Look, it’s September. Let’s just try and ride this crappy season out until the good stuff starts to hit in a week or two.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist