http://craiger.criticalblogs.com Film reviews by Craig J. Koban - www.craigerscinemacorner.com Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:47:03 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en ****  out of  **** If you want to see an impeccably modulated and masterfully underplayed performance, then look no further than George Clooney in the wonderfully crafted new legal thriller, MICHAEL CLAYTON. In the film Clooney erodes away all of that cocky and suave bravado that he exhibited playing Danny Ocean ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/10/18/as-an-ode-to-the-morally-complex-and-ambivalent-genre-films-of-the-1970s-michael-clayton-is-a-searing-and-evocative-political-legal-thriller-that-stands-far-apart-with-its-oscar-caliber-performances-a/ ***  out of  **** James Gray’s new police thriller, WE OWN THE NIGHT, represents one of the most difficult of films to critique considering its elements, some of which work marvelously, some of which fall flat.  This film occupies that always awkward middle ground between being a really absorbing and invigorating ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/10/18/james-grays-we-own-the-night-overcomes-its-predictable-and-routine-story-and-logical-loopholes-with-its-decent-performances-and-compelling-themes-of-family-duty-and-loyalty/ ***1/2  out of  **** Canadian born director David Cronenberg has always been a master storyteller when it comes to horror stories.  Some of his most memorable works explored people’s fears and anxieties with transformation, whether it be of a physical or mental nature.  Efforts like THE FLY obviously reflected a more ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/10/07/david-cronenbergs-eastern-promises-is-a-strong-and-powerfully-mounted-drama-that-revels-in-the-directors-trademark-esoteric-flourishes-and-contains-a-standout-career-high-performance-by-viggo-mortense/ ***  out of  **** The Valley of Elah that is referred to in the title of Paul Haggis’ newest film is the same well known  place where the Israelites were encamped when little David fought that gigantic Goliath with a rock and a sling shot. The story of how the ordinary man ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/10/07/despite-its-preachy-and-oftentimes-heavy-handed-approach-to-its-themes-and-story-paul-haggis-in-the-valley-of-elah-captivates-with-its-fine-direction-and-oscar-worthy-performances-by-jones-and-theron/ ***  out of  **** “Love is the delightful interval between meeting a beautiful girl and discovering that she looks like a haddock.” - John Barrymore I am a rabid Farrelly brothers apologist.  Whereas some have been mortified by the lewd and crude content of their films, I have a sort of perverse ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/10/07/although-not-achieving-the-high-gross-out-hilarity-of-theres-something-about-mary-and-kingpin-the-farrelly-brothers-revel-in-scatological-merriment-in-their-remake-of-1972s-the-heartbreak-kid/ *1/2  out of  **** Geez…I have not been this depressed in a long time. I can’t recall - in all of my three and a half years as a film critic - being a victim of seeing such an abysmal streak of terrible films…all in the same three week period. September started ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/10/07/with-a-one-joke-sitcom-worthy-premise-an-unsympathetic-and-unlikable-male-lead-and-an-utter-lack-of-decent-laughs-good-luck-chuck-is-yet-another-dreary-and-dismal-2007-comedic-effort/ 1/2*  out of  **** If one scene alone sums up my viewing experience with SHOOT ‘EM UP then it would be the moment where one of the bad guys takes a feces-filled diaper and shoves it in another man’s face.  I felt as if the whole film was doing that to ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/09/17/shoot-em-up-is-a-joyless-heartless-and-soulless-action-spectacle-that-squanders-the-talents-of-of-its-two-male-lead-actors-and-substitutes-wit-and-cleverness-with-mind-numbing-over-the-top-carnage/ **1/2  out of  **** 3:10 TO YUMA is the type of western that wants to be introspective and complex with its characters, but instead it offers up more disillusionment in the end than genuine interest.  At the heart of the film is a notion that is not altogether new and fresh ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/09/17/director-james-mangold-fosters-strong-and-evocative-performances-in-his-remake-of-1957s-310-to-yuma-but-the-film-suffers-from-sluggish-pacing-and-his-take-on-the-material-lacks-conviction-and-credibil/ *  out of  **** You know a comedy is in trouble when the blooper reel that is put in its end credits suck. Usually these outtakes are a pathetic attempt to keep viewers in their seats.  I have enjoyed blooper reels before, even in the worst screen comedies (the one from CANNONBALL ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/09/17/monumentally-juvenile-and-moronic-sight-gags-and-jokes-not-to-mention-teeth-grating-performances-by-the-two-leads-makes-the-brothers-solomon-a-cringe-inducing-comedy-to-sit-through/ **1/2  out of  **** There is a fleeting moment in the new thriller THE BRAVE ONE where the character played by Jodie Foster is shown purchasing a black market gun from a dealer.  She holds the gun in her hands with idle curiosity at first and then she lifts it up, ... http://craiger.criticalblogs.com/2007/09/17/stylish-and-effective-direction-by-neil-jordan-and-brilliant-performances-by-jodie-foster-and-terrance-howard-cant-overcome-the-lackluster-handling-of-the-underlining-themes-in-the-brave-one/