BOFCA REVIEW ROUNDUP: 8/3

RUBY SPARKS

“As sophomoric as it may sound on paper, RUBY SPARKS clicks, with a script that embraces as much convention as it intends to buck.” – Norm Schrager, Meet In The Lobby 

“Hobbled by one of the least appealing lead performances of this or maybe any year and directed with tone-deaf inconsistency at every turn.” – Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly
 
“Just because the filmmakers wink at us through all this sub-Woody Allen bullshit doesn’t mean it isn’t sub-Woody Allen bullshit.” – Jake Mulligan, The Suffolk Voice

 

 TOTAL RECALL

“I didn’t hate the new TOTAL RECALL. But only because it’s way, way too forgettable to be worth the effort to hate. Call it extreme indifference, I guess.” – Bob Chipman, The Escapist

“I’d rather watch paint dry. At least then, when the process was finished, I’d be looking at something different than what I was looking at before.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

“One of the few, fortunate movies to do something interesting with an old favorite, preserving timeless tropes while addressing contemporary concerns.” – Kilian Melloy, Kal’s Movie Blog

“It takes the central conceit of the original film and saps away all the irony and bombast that made it endearing in the first place.” – Jake Mulligan, The Suffolk Voice

“TOTAL RECALL doesn’t forget its roots. It simply overwrites them with some new memories.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

 

EASY MONEY

“Tides of fear, rage, and greed sweep through the cast of characters, propelling them on disastrous collision courses.” – Kilian Melloy, EDGE Boston
 
“In this world, it’s not the blood on your hands that brings you down — it’s the stain on your cufflinks.” – Jake Mulligan, The Boston Phoenix
 
 
 
KLOWN
 
“Like HEART OF DARKNESS if it were built around semen humor, KLOWN gives us the kinkiest trip down a river since DELIVERANCE.” – Jake Mulligan, The Suffolk Voice
 
“Denmark’s answer to CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, with vestiges of Dogme 95.” – Brett Michel, The Boston Phoenix
 
 
 
GIRLFRIEND BOYFRIEND
 
“Complicated but compelling, the film also struggles a bit with Yang’s erratic direction.” – Monica Castillo, The Boston Phoenix
 
 
 
 THE BABYMAKERS
 

“A testosterone-fuelled view of infertility; meaning it’s all about sperm jokes, penis jokes, masturbation jokes and, when all that fails, getting hit in the crotch.” – John Black, Boston Event Guide

“I promise you, I’m not making this up: this is a movie someone paid to make, and assumed other people would pay to see. I’m at a loss.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston

 

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS

“More like diary of a little asshole.” – Greg Vellante, The Eagle Tribune

“If you’re over the age of 12, chances are you’re already too old for these movies.” – Daniel M. Kimmel, NorthShoreMovies.net

 

AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY

“Some bio-docs let you feel as though you’ve lived the subject’s life. For better or worse, this one makes you feel like an eavesdropper.” – Jake Mulligan, EDGE Boston