Film Review: “Primetime”

Pattinson leads stellar cast in gritty drama

“To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson) prepares to make his move.

Actor Robert Pattinson is having quite the year. After starring alongside Zendaya in the terrific The Drama, he turned in the only performance worth watching in The Odyssey. Now he takes the lead in Primetime, an entertaining, if sometimes hard-to-watch, very loose retelling of the heyday of the Dateline reality show To Catch a Predator and its host, Chris Hansen. Pattinson will be seen in Dune 3 in December, but if you want a sense of just why he may be so in demand, go see Primetime. Continue reading “Film Review: “Primetime””

Film Review: I Give It a Year

The anti-rom com: When “I do” becomes “Actually, I might not”

Josh (Rafe Spall) and Nat (Rose Byrne) optimistically share a dance at their wedding.
Josh (Rafe Spall) and Nat (Rose Byrne) optimistically share a dance at their wedding.

Two weeks ago, I reviewed the insipid Austenland, a banal, predictable, utterly forgettable romantic comedy. This week, however, I am happy to report that I have found its antithesis with I Give It a Year, an edgy, brilliantly funny British romantic comedy that is as fresh and inspired as Austenland is stale and uninspired. If a film like Austenland makes you think you hate romantic comedies, then you owe it to yourself to go see I Give It a Year, which, I promise you, not only will make you laugh, but will also give you a newfound appreciation for the genre’s possibilities. Continue reading “Film Review: I Give It a Year”

Film Review: “The Dictator”

Anna Faris and Sacha Baron Cohen in THE DICTATOR

starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley

written by: Sacha Baron Cohen, Alec Berg, David Mandel, Jeff Schaffer

directed by: Larry Charles

MPAA: Rated R for strong crude and sexual content, brief male nudity, language and some violent images

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Film Review: “What’s Your Number?”

Anna Faris in WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?

starring: Anna Faris, Chris Evans, Ari Graynor, Blythe Danner, Joel McHale, Chris Pratt, Martin Freeman, Zachary Quinto, Andy Samberg, Thomas Lennon, Ed Begley Jr., Anthony Mackie, Dave Annable

written by: Gabrielle Allan and Jennifer Crittenden

directed by: Mark Mylod

MPAA: Rated R for sexual content and language

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Film Reviews: “Beastly” / “Take Me Home Tonight”

Mary-Kate Olsen and Alex Pettyfer in BEASTLY

Beastly

starring: Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, Neil Patrick Harris, Mary-Kate Olsen, Peter Krause, Lisa Gay Hamilton

directed by: Darren Barnz

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for language including crude comments, brief violence and some thematic material.

Topher Grace, Anna Faris, and Dan Fogler in TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT

Take Me Home Tonight

starring: Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler, Teresa Palmer, Chris Pratt, Michael Biehn, Lucy Punch, Demetri Martin, Michelle Trachtenberg, Michael Ian Black, Angie Everhart, Bob Odenkirk

directed by: Michael Dowse

MPAA: Rated R for language, sexual content and drug use.

Continue reading “Film Reviews: “Beastly” / “Take Me Home Tonight””