Tag: Christopher Walken

Reviews

EDDIE THE EAGLE

Michael J. Casey

Based on the true story of an unlikely Olympian, Eddie the Eagle is a paint-by-numbers crowd-pleaser about the British ski jumper, Michael Edwards — better known as Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards. It aims to please and nothing more, much like Edward’s dream to participate in the Olympics, but not compete. Edwards has no interest in a medal, or doing anything beyond simply being an Olympian. His dream was to pass the trials, don the jacket and have his picture taken. This dream, or blind obsession, began at an early age when Edwards manages to holds his breath under water for … Continue reading EDDIE THE EAGLE

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 06.20.14

Michael J. Casey

Code Black – If the outside of LA County Hospital looks familiar, it’s because the exterior was used for the popular daytime soap, General Hospital. Inside, it’s far more dramatic than your average soap opera as LA ER is one of the most intense and chaotic ones in the nation. Follow the doctors and surgeons who joined this cause in pursuit of helping people and saving lives and have now found their lives complicated by bureaucracy and paperwork. Documentary scripted by Joshua Altman and Ryan McGarry with McGarry directing as well. Out in limited release from Long Shot Factory. Coherence … Continue reading Movie Beat – 06.20.14

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Movie Beat – 02.15.13

Michael J. Casey

The Bitter Buddha – Eddie Pepitone is what people call “a comic’s comic”. In short, he is very good, but is not very successful. There are a variety of reasons why some people simply don’t break through. Why was Jerry Seinfeld so popular? Why did it take Louis C.K. so long to drop the act and find his voice? Why is Eddie Pepitone still struggling out there? There has been an incredible renaissance with stand-up comedy in the past five years, partly helped by the advent of podcasting, Twitter, and YouTube, and partly because there are some many strong and … Continue reading Movie Beat – 02.15.13

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 02.01.13

Michael J. Casey

As Luck Would Have It – With echoes of Billy Wilder’s Ace in the Hole, comes a very dark comedy from Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia about a man who will go to great lengths to take care of his family. Roberto (José Mota) is having a terrible time and his wife, Luisa (Salma Hayek), is trying to help out, but doesn’t have a clue how bad the situation is. Roberto has a terrible car accident, and finds himself with an opportunity on his hands. Because of the freak nature of the accident, Roberto becomes the center of a wild media … Continue reading Movie Beat – 02.01.13

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 12.14.12

Michael J. Casey

Any Day Now – Inspired by a true story comes a tale of how you can make your own family. It’s the late 1970s and Rudy and Paul are a very in love gay couple living in an apartment complex in West Hollywood. Next door, a single mother is raising her son, Marco who suffers from Down syndrome, in the worst way possible. One night she leaves, and Rudy goes to check on Marco, and they begin to develop a relationship. Rudy and Paul decide to take in Marco and raise him like their son, and all is going in … Continue reading Movie Beat – 12.14.12

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 11.02.12

Michael J. Casey

Another week, another batch of new releases for you to dig into. Quite a selection to choose from, and for the first time in a while, there are multiple good options. Let’s dive on in! The Bay – Remember a few years ago when a mass of dead fish washed ashore? Or when a thousand blackbirds suddenly dropped out of the sky? What happened there? Hard to say, but plenty of people had theories, most of them conspiracy theories, and it looks like those people got together and made a movie. It’s another found footage film, which most of us … Continue reading Movie Beat – 11.02.12

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 10.12.12

Michael J. Casey

3,2,1… Frankie Go Boom – We kick this week’s list of releases with writer/director Jordan Roberts’ second feature.  Frankie (Charlie Hunnam) has a problem, and that problem is his brother (Chris O’Dowd), a recovering addict who loves to film Frankie’s every embarrassing and personal moment, including, Frankie and a girl (Lizzie Caplan) having sex. Now Frankie has to track the video down and keep it out of the hands of a notorious pornography producer (Chris Noth) who happens to be the girl’s father. This is one of those movies where nothing is easy.  You can’t even go and hire an old prison cellmate without some dramatic twist. … Continue reading Movie Beat – 10.12.12

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SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS

Michael J. Casey

Seven Psychopaths is writer/director Martin McDonagh’s second feature film.  McDonagh, probably best know as a playwright, debut feature, In Bruges (2008), was critically accepted and doubled its budget in sales.  In Bruges starred Colin Farrell, who takes the role of the central character, Marty, in this film as well.  Marty is a screenwriter who is also dealing with a pretty serious case of alcoholism, he is rarely seen without a drink in his hand.  It is later pointed out by Marty’s friend that it’s in his nature to be an alcoholic, he is a writer and Irish, two strikes against him.  In real life, Farrell … Continue reading SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS