“Gangster Squad”: Worth the wait for a history buff

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Los Angeles has a highly documented history of gang violence and organized crime.  After World War Two there was a well-known criminal that was “wrapping the West Coast up in a pretty little bow,” to quote Sean Penn’s dangerous character, Mickey Cohen. Mickey Cohen had the reigns of Los Angeles and was directing it towards a path of violence, danger, murder, and a whole lot of money in the pockets of the wrong people.  Continue Reading

“The Man with the Iron Fists” is a gory good time…some of the time

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Within the first two minutes of RZA’s directorial debut, The Man with the Iron Fists, we see a man’s arms get pulled out of his sockets in a Kung Fu dinner brawl. And so the dominant tone of gory, zany unexpectedness that’s embedded in RZA’s flick is sprung upon us rather quickly. By the time the end credits invade the screen, we’ll have seen enough dismembered and punctured body parts to fill an episode of The Walking Dead. Yes, The Man with the Iron Fists likes extra servings of blood with its screen time, but there’s also some fun and laughs to be found amidst the guts strewn about the floor. Just watch where you step. Continue Reading

“Skyfall” is a practical addition to the James Bond series

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In his third time around portraying the iconic, timeless spy James Bond, Daniel Craig looks like a perfect candidate for a Viagra commercial. There’s gray in his stubble, the bags under his eyes are starting to sag, and his hairline has perhaps taken a step or two back in retreat from the intensity that lives in his eyes. And yet, Bond still has a solid three inches of muscles slapped on his chest, the ability to charm women into bed with just one look, and the endurance to sprint rather than walk to destinations. Skyfall makes a point of featuring a Bond whose mind and body has lost a step in the wear-and-tear field of espionage, but who is still capable of getting the job done, even if you doubt he’ll succeed along the way. Continue Reading

“Seven Psychopaths” stands tall on its own blood-soaked platform of comedy

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Writer/director Martin McDonagh’s Seven Psychopaths contains enough spilled blood to fill more than a dozen of those orange Home Depot buckets. It’s also one of the most intelligent and funny movies to come out in the past decade. Starting as a dog kidnapping gone wrong before expanding into its own vast creative universe where both meta-humor and original ideas thrive, this film can’t be pinned down to one genre because it won’t allow itself to be confined to such limitations. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Continue Reading

Ben Affleck is adept at creating suspense in “Argo”

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Based on a declassified true story about a daring and deceptive rescue attempt in the aftermath of the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, Argo is a film that is sure to make you break out in an apprehensive sweat thanks to its expert direction and spot-on performances. Ben Affleck not only takes the lead acting reigns, but also directs. He takes this period piece as far as it can go, which turns out to be a pretty impressive distance. Continue Reading

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is poignant perfection

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a unique and bold take on the traditional coming-of-age storyline. Yes, a high school freshman has trouble fitting in. Yes, there are members of cliques clustered together in the cafeteria. And yes, there is an “untouchable” girl the protagonist pines for. But this film rips deeper than many in its genre by taking a long, focused look at uncomfortable topics like death in the family, suicide, LSD, depression, homophobia, and physical and mental abuse. And oh yeah, there’s also enough comedy to make you laugh till your jaw is sore. Continue Reading