Peculiar Reviewer

Opening night felt like a momentous event. Stoner nerds and Comic-Con leftovers lined up for the anticipated eccentric Marvel sci-fi experience that is Guardians of the Galaxy . Everyone is here to blast off for Marvel Studios' 10th addition to the Marvel Universe. Chris Pratt ( Parks and Recreation , Moneyball ) in space with aliens is a geek magnet, myself included.  It often begins with someone beaming up. This time, it's Earth 1988. Lone star Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is but a wee lad, and suffers from a major loss in the family. 26 years later we are greeted with a grownup Peter, who is now the pilot of Milano (a spaceship named after Alyssa Milano, director/co-writer James Gunn's childhood crush). Quill is now known in the galaxy as Star-Lord. To give you a sense of the tone of Guardians - this Marvel superhero prances across the room with his "pelvic sorcery" to 70s love grooves, and never leaves without his "Awesome Mix Vol. 1" on tape. Qu...

Here I go again on my own, contemplating whether or not I want to write about another movie I had high hopes for this year. It actually pains me to say bad things when I wanted it to be so good. From the current 94% critic rating on the Tomatometer, I am of the 6%.  After being caught, successful con man Irving Rosenfeld ( Christian Bale ), and his British partner Sydney Prosser ( Amy Adams ), take a deal with FBI agent Richie DiMaso ( Bradley Cooper ) to bring down Jersey powerbrokers and mafia in American Hustle .   America's favorite genres, mobster and con artist movies, are combined to produce what is supposedly one of the best hustles in history (only some of it is based on a true story). Everybody loves a good take-down. Set in 1978, Hustle opens up with a nearly 5-minute intro of a balding Bale hooking up his comb-over at the Plaza Hotel. In fact, director David O. Russell ( Silver Linings Playbook , The Fighter ) gives many of the stellar cast members grand eth...

"If you ride like lightning, you're gonna crash like thunder." Director Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling team up again after 2010's Blue Valentine for the crime drama focusing on fathers and sons,  The Place Beyond the Pines . Gosling plays Luke Glanton, a motorcycle stunt man for a traveling circus. While Luke is passing through Schenectady, New York, with his carnival, he runs into an old flame Romina ( Eva Mendes ). Driven by the new found knowledge that he had become a father during his absence from Romina's life, Luke's ambitions have moved from entertaining audiences to providing for his son Jason. After being spotted riding like lightning through the pines, Luke lands a job working in a repair shop. Frustrated with his lack of finances, he is persuaded by his manager to apply his talents as a stunt man and getaway robbing a bank. I drew from Gosling's Luke undeniable similarities to his character in...

Critics' Choice Awards  is the show that jump starts the awards season every year, and the outcome generally satisfies the critics, as well as movie buffs. Now this awards show is a good time for the audience - and why? Because the actors, directors, producers and such are having a good time. For one - there's alcohol. How else are you gonna loosen up Tommy Lee Jones , the great stone face? The emotional blow of losing to your fellow nominee is diminished after 5 glasses of champagne. On the contrary, the loser is cheerful, and gently mutters out: "I love you, man!" The tables are arranged by the members of each nominated movie that night. The pressure of walking up on stage alone after winning an award is lightened, as you have your cast at your side while you stumble up, say something charming, and peace out because there is no annoying shut-up-and-leave-the-stage song like at the Academy Awards . The first award of...

Every so often, there is an American picture that rattles your bones, checks your pulse, and reminds you of the real reason why you still buy a movie ticket - to feel. Writer/Director David O. Russell ( The Fighter , Flirting with Disaster ) brings us a new film that is beautifully fucked up, with a touch of old school romance. In Silver Linings Playbook , Bradley Cooper plays a former teacher who moves back in with his parents ( Robert De Niro and  Jacki Weaver ) after being discharged from a mental institution, in hopes to reconcile with his ex-wife. Cooper's character suffers from bipolar disorder with mood swings, which makes it difficult for other people to understand his choice of words. David O. Russell's camera techniques provide a portal into the character's mind, allowing the audience to feel the swings along with him. Silver Linings Playbook is raw, in-your-face drama, and gut-busting comedy. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence p...