Film

Beating Logic in 'Hancock'

By Daniel Montgomery

‘Hancock’ can be summed up in three words: error in judgment. There are some movies that are born bad; from the drawing board, the pitch meeting, the first word on the first page of the first draft of the screenplay, they seem never even to have been intended to be good. ‘ Click here for the full article

'The Love Guru' Wallows in Juvenile Humor

By Daniel Montgomery

The good news is that it’s not as bad as it looks, which is kind of like saying food poisoning isn’t as bad a cancer, but never mind. Expecting a grand spectacle of awfulness, I was treated instead to a kind of average terribleness, and there are even one-and-a-half chuckles—I counted—courtesy of erstwhile TV host Stephen Colbert as a drug-addled sports commentator, but he should write a letter of apology to any member of the Colbert Nation who foolishly stumbles into the film to see him in it, because they’ll have to sit through the rest of it. Click here for the full article

'Brick Lane': Indie drama is short on nuance

By Daniel Montgomery

As ‘Brick Lane’ begins, it bears no small resemblance to Mira Nair’s ’The Namesake’, in regard to its story—both films follow the lives of young Bengali women married off to husbands living in the Western world—and in regard to its style. As Nair did, director Sarah Gavron focuses her camera on colors and textures—traditional garments in bright hues, clear water and lily pads, and deep, foreboding skies. Click here for the full article

NewFest: Bravo for 'Just As We Are'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

‘Just As We Are’ is perhaps one of the best documentary films I have seen in the festival circuit so far. It definitely represents the New Fest, NYC’s LGBT film festival, commitment to feature outstanding filmmakers and stories within the community. Director Judith McCray presents an upbeat and unapologetic picture of seven men and one transgender Latina talking about their experiences as gay men. Click here for the full article

NewFest: 'Whirlwind' Falls Flat

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

‘Whirlwind’ misses the mark in many levels. Yes, at the end the glossy ending that true friendship will prevail comes across but to what cost. How can one man – no matter how charming – aggressively change the strong bonds between friends and lovers? Are gay men really that shallow and easily conquerable? Click here for the full article

'The Incredible Hulk': Awesome Green Punch

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

The story touches on the very beginning of the superhero through flashbacks and dialogue revelations and still moves the action forward. There’s also the human connection to the character, unlike Ang Lee’s version, there’s a clear struggle between Bruce Banner and the monster within him. Ultimately, a successful character development that all comic heroes go through, that of tapping into a superpower or ability they are not quite aware they had to begin with. Click here for the full article

'Kung Fu Panda': The great Black-and-White hope

By Daniel Montgomery

The theme will be familiar to anyone who saw ‘Ratatouille’ last year: From humble beginnings can come greatness. Just as Remy the rat was one of the finest chefs in France, so too can a portly panda with short, stubby legs be the hero of China. ‘Kung Fu Panda’ is not the equal of that Pixar masterpiece—few films are, animated or otherwise—but it’s among the stronger achievements of an era where the expectations for such films are high. It’s visually beautiful and delightfully funny. Click here for the full article

Side-Splitting 'Zohan'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

The story and its setting are far ridiculous – in a good way – that will have you laughing until the end credits. Sandler has created the most outlandish character to date. Zohan is a combination of kick-ass soldier with a softer side for a perfect haircut. The ‘silky, smooth’ line is a combination of his efforts to make his childhood dreams a reality – even if it’s working at the Paul Mitchell salon. Click here for the full article

Lightly Glittery for 'Sex'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

New York City is all about labels and love; at least when it comes to the women that surround this concrete jungle. Of course, I’m deliberately paraphrasing Carrie Bradshaw’s opening line in the ‘Sex and The City’ film. So it seems to me that the ever posing question – what do women want and can they have it all? – has suddenly taken the backseat in the film version of a successful show. Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha have returned to the big screen to fill in the gaps that the show couldn’t explore in cable network. Click here for the full article

Terrifying 'Strangers'

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Bryan Bertino’s feature film debut ‘The Strangers’ is a well crafted psychological thriller. The story – touted as ‘based on real events’ – is strong enough to give the audience chills for the summer season. The film is definitely a surprise in the horror genre, especially when most of these films are filled with blood, gore and the gratuitous nudity. There’s no doubt Bertino is one of the few storytellers that will have a solid Hollywood career. Click here for the full article