BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 7/12

Pacific RimPACIFIC RIM

“A towering, immensely imaginative testament to just how good mass entertainment can be. Attempting an explanation of this movie’s greatness is like trying to explain the awesomeness of ice cream or buffalo wings.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist

“There’s one aspect that separates it from every other blockbuster movie released this summer: Love. Guillermo Del Toro loves these characters. He loves these monsters. He loves this world.  And I love him for it.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

“PACIFIC RIM exists in a complete, fully realized universe, which is a high compliment indeed for a movie that also feels like it was dreamed up by an 8-year-old splashing around with toys in the bathtub.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

“The summer’s best by several leagues. Del Toro dares to rewrite the grammar of the modern blockbuster by filling the space between each action set piece with intelligence, wit and heart.” – Andrew Crump, Go See Talk

“After a time, the deafening sound design, together with the sheer enormity of the creatures and cybernetic weapons involved, leave you cross-eyed. And a little bored.” – Kilian Melloy, Kal’s Movie Blog

“Del Toro’s editing is handled carefully and his gliding camerawork is smoothly executed in a way that allows you to not only see the action clearly, but to be transported directly into it.” – Evan Crean, Starpulse

“Go and enjoy yourself. Just don’t expect it to make much sense logically, narratively or visually. It’s not a very good science fiction movie, but it’s a heck of an amusement park ride.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

“The story that fuels  PACIFIC RIM is non-existent. It’s just an excuse to stage enormous digital fights. It also doesn’t make much sense.” – David Riedel, C-Ville Weekly

Grown Ups 2GROWN UPS 2

“This witless sequel to Adam Sandler’s 2010 blockbuster exercise in indolence is another hacky work release program for otherwise unemployable SNL veterans. Laziness wafts from the screen like a foul odor.” – Sean Burns, Metro

“We know we’re in Sandler territory when the first ‘joke’ involving urination takes place not two minutes into the film. There will be more, with some poop and vomit gags… you know, just to mix it up a little.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, North Shore Movies

 

VHS2V/H/S/2

“There hasn’t been a scarier movie released in 2013 thus far. Even the worst of V/H/S/2 rivals everything its predecessor had to offer. This is a sequel that operates on a totally different plane than its progenitor.” – Andrew Crump, Go See Talk

“Addresses many of the major complaints people had with its predecessor. Although the movie still isn’t perfect, it vastly improves upon the formula established by the first film.” – Evan Crean, Starpulse

 

Im So ExcitedI’M SO EXCITED

“He’s returned to the ridiculous, screwball nature that made Almodovar a name in the first place. Yes, the film is ludicrous, ridiculous, over-the-top. It’s exuberantly tacky, and gleefully crass.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

“Almodovar’s new film I’M SO EXCITED is a brightly colored 60’s style pop art farce set on an airplane that’s full of troubled characters and has no way to land. Think AIRPLANE! but with even more sex, drugs, and relationship jokes (yes, it’s possible).”-Monica Castillo, Bitch Magazine

 

A Band Called DeathA BAND CALLED DEATH

“The total package is simply joyous, a lovingly told celebration of big dreams and second chances. What an uplifting surprise that A BAND CALLED DEATH is so full of life.” – Norm Schrager, Meet In The Lobby