Tag: Nicole Kidman

Reviews

THE UPSIDE

Michael J. Casey

Rumors of an English-language remake of The Intouchables began swirling soon after the 2011 movie became France’s second highest-grossing film. And despite the acclaim and praise garnered when the movie was released stateside in 2012, The Intouchables still felt like a movie a decade too late. Its heart was in the right place, but its sentiment was simplistic and saccharine. Neither of which have been improved by a seven-year lag and a scenery change from Paris to New York City. Now titled The Upside, writer Jon Hartmere stays close to Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache’s Intouchables screenplay except for one … Continue reading THE UPSIDE

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 04.11.14

Michael J. Casey

Cuban Fury – Once a rising star in the world-renowned and lucrative profession of salsa dancer, Bruce (Nick Frost) tossed in the towel and opted for a lifetime of take-out, pastries and self-pity. That was, until the beautiful Julia (Rashida Jones) walked into his life and lit a fire in his loins that would return Bruce to form. Of course, he has a whole lot of obstacles to hurdle, none of which is more damaging than his own lack of confidence. Co-starring Chris O’Dowd, Olivia Colman, Alexandra Roach and the always-incredible Ian McShane. Directed by James Griffiths and in limited … Continue reading Movie Beat – 04.11.14

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STOKER

Michael J. Casey

Stoker - Poster

Stoker is a coming of age tale of a young girl’s sexuality wrapped up in a horror movie. Actually, it’s really a young girl’s coming of age story wrapped up in a pastiche of Hitchcock films. Directed by Korean auteur, Park Chan-Wook, Stoker is his first foray into the English language market and utilizes an international cast (Wasikowska, Goodman, and Weaver are all Australian, Goode is British) to fill out a story set in Nashville, TN. None of the characters act like nor talk like they are from Tennessee, but such is the magic of movies. In addition to accents, the movie is also devoid of pesky neighbors, intelligent law-enforcement, or concerned school counselors. This isn’t a realistic movie by a long shot, this is an exercise in insular drama. A collection of bad people who might have been bad from day one, or who might have learned to like it along the way.

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Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 03.01.12

Michael J. Casey

21 And Over – Jeff Chang (Justin Chon) is a straight-A student who is trying to get into medical school. In fact, he has an interview for said school tomorrow morning, but tonight, tonight he is twenty-one. It would be a real shame to let such a historic moment go by, and one beer won’t hurt, right? One wouldn’t have, but Casey (Skylar Astin) and Miller (Miles Teller) show up and put that idea to bed. Jeff Chang has one hell of a night: drinking, stripping, mayhem, and chicks. Written and directed by the duo that brought you The Hangover (Jon Lucas … Continue reading Movie Beat – 03.01.12

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 10.05.12

Michael J. Casey

Butter – It was Julia Child’s favorite ingredient, it is the best thing to use when sauteing, and everyone is terrified of what it does to our arteries: butter. Here I was spreading it on my toast all this time! I had no idea that butter sculptures were a thing, but that is why we go to the movies, to learn something new. Butter is about a local butter sculpting contest, dominated by the local housewives, and a youngster who discovers her hidden talent. How wonderful it is to realize one’s true potential. Stars Jennifer Gardner, Ty Burrell, Oliva Wilde, … Continue reading Movie Beat – 10.05.12