I really need to rewatch more movies. Yet again, a film I once dismissed as cheesy and tedious proves much more entertaining on a second visit. First, Conan the Barbarian went from being a bloody drag to a damn good time in my eyes, and now Tron, which I once considered fairly dull and lacking in dramatic…
Month: June 2014
BORGMAN Review – **½
I’m not going to say much about Borgman. By my rules, it’s a 2013 film, so I wouldn’t have to worry about factoring it into this year’s rankings or awards–and since I didn’t care for it, I wouldn’t have given it much, anyway. But it’s the kind of film I didn’t care for that I’m not going…
JERSEY BOYS Review – **½
Whatever Clint Eastwood is up to these days, it’s hard to deny that his recent track record has been shaky. Gran Torino was good and Invictus was fairly well-received, but Hereafter got mixed reviews at best, and J. Edgar was a mess, with a few strong scenes undermined by a clumsy script and some of the worst old-age makeup on record. Sadly, Jersey Boys isn’t…
NEIGHBORS Review – ***½
I still haven’t reviewed this. Huh. Well, I’ll knock this one out quickly. Neighbors is a funny movie, and in a few choice moments, it’s legitimately thoughtful. It makes some lame choices which undermine its subversive quality, and Seth Rogen really needs to find a new shtick (hopefully The Interview will help with that), but on the whole,…
NIGHT MOVES Review – ***½
In 2011, I saw Kelly Reichardt’s minimalist Western Meek’s Cutoff and was, to put it mildly, affected. Without violence or any kind of overt dramatics, she created one of the bleakest, most despairing films I’ve ever seen. Night Moves is not on the same level as a film, but in its own right it’s an effective, contemplative thriller,…
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS Review – ***
Going to see Edge of Tomorrow, I saw a tide of teenage girls pouring out of The Night Before Our Stars (a special opening-night screening with plenty of bonus material featuring the stars and John Green, who wrote the source novel). I was glad I opted not to see the movie at the time (to put it mildly,…
CHEF Review – ***½
There’s not a whole lot to say about Chef, but that’s not because it’s a bad film; it’s a sweet, light-hearted film about food and finding yourself–or rediscovering yourself, as the case may be. It’s on the lower end of the ***½ range, but it sneaks in on the strength of its charm, its lack of…
Manhattan Special Espresso Coffee Soda Review
Arguably the premier coffee soda, and one which has long reigned at the top (since 1895). But it is truly worthy? I’ve had it before, but I review no soda for this site without drinking it afresh. Manhattan Special has stayed in my good graces with their pleasant Gassosa, so let’s give their flagship product…
Mason’s Root Beer
Distributed by Real Soda, bottled by the Monarch Company Inc. in Atlanta. I decided to try this because A. I kind of liked the label B. I’m always down for an obscure brand and C. the proprietors of the soda shop I frequent think pretty highly of it. So, let’s delve right in!
If You Want the Gravy... 