Why I’m Sick To Death of Sly Stallone

As a writer and a movie-lover, I’ve long admired Sylvester Stallone’s brilliant early effort as the writer, star, and visionary behind the first Rocky movie.

Back then, a still-poor Stallone famously held out against studio offers that would have cast a more well-known actor as the lead while lining his pockets with a huge payday.  In the end, he got to make the movie he wanted; the result is a moody, realistic, and inspirational film.

In the decades since, Stallone has unapologetically rested on the laurels of his bold, early success.  There was one scene, I admit, in the latest installment of Rocky that got to me.  But that moment came well before the old fighter stepped into the ring and took his shirt off, where he quickly made Mark McGuire and Barry Bonds look like steroids taste-testers. Continue reading Why I’m Sick To Death of Sly Stallone

27 Dresses: A Dramedy for both Man and Woman

Each year seems to bring more and more films released into theaters that do nothing short of underwhelm and disappoint. The genre that seems to top this list, besides horror, is the comedy-drama. Or as some in the business call it, dramedy.

For this reason, I have made a point to avoid the majority of these releases. But recently, in a screening of the new dramedy 27 Dresses, I was pleasantly surprised. And being a person who does not like movies that are billed as “chick flicks,” it is a big deal that I put my stamp of approval on this film.

The premise of 27 Dresses plays on the old formula of a woman hopelessly in love with a man who views her as nothing more than a friend and employee. Jane, played by Katherine Heigl, has been a bridesmaid in 27 weddings throughout her life. It’s what she excels at. But when it comes to her own love life, she doesn’t have the guts to let her boss know that she is uncontrollably in love with him. Continue reading 27 Dresses: A Dramedy for both Man and Woman

Walk Hard…right on out of the movie theater

These days most actors seem to be jumping at the chance to work with Judd Apatow.

Apatow, who has been credited with some of the best comedies to come out lately, has written The 40 Year Old Virgin, Fun With Dick And Jane and Knocked Up, and now seems to be the new “it” film guy of the moment.

In addition to attaching his name to comedy gems like those, he also boasts an even more impressive resume by having produced Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby and Superbad. As his new film, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, hit theaters, the magnitude of support from recognizable names is easily realized.

Too bad this time around Apatow missed the mark completely, despite having probably one of the strongest and most expansive cast of actors in Hollywood. This film also marked the first time John C. Reilly took to the big screen in a lead role. Continue reading Walk Hard…right on out of the movie theater

“The Closest Shave You’ve Ever Had” - Sweeny Todd

When I recently secured a spot for a screening of Tim Burton’s new film Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, I was elated to have the chance to see a Burton film before the masses.

See, I have been a huge Burton fan ever since I saw The Nightmare Before Christmas. And the trailers for Sweeney Todd looked as dark as ever, which is what I love about Burton’s projects. Then the day of the screening, I heard the film was nominated for four Golden Globes. This moved my excitement to the next level. Continue reading “The Closest Shave You’ve Ever Had” - Sweeny Todd

And Now For Something Completely Different…

After keeping tabs on the political articles popping up on The Dagger lately, I came to the conclusion that some entertainment news needs to be inserted to break-up the seriousness of this site That’s why I have chosen to post a movie review. This time around I tackle David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises.

I went to see Eastern Promises with the idea it would blow my mind. What I was left with was a very unsatisfying feeling. Now a days, when I go to the movies, I want a big surprising twist in the movie to awe me. But maybe that’s just asking for too much. Eastern Promises did not live up to the hype, but it was a solid film. Continue reading And Now For Something Completely Different…