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Bigger, Stronger, Faster* (2008): B+
Christopher Bell uses his family as a microcosm for America’s relationship with steroids in Bigger, Stronger, Faster*, an engaging pop-documentary about the myriad implications of our national love-hate affair with performance-enhancing drugs. Bell’s younger brother “Smelly” juices for powerlifting meets and his older bro “Mad Dog” does it to land a professional wrestling contract with…
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Too Much Bull, Not Enough Whip
After 19 years in hibernation, the swashbuckling Dr. Jones reappears on the big-screen this weekend in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Alas, while the heroic archaeologist’s latest adventure certainly has a few sterling moments, his is, ultimately, not a triumphant return. In more heartening news, however, next week brings an honest-to-goodness…
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Prince Teenybopper
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was, like its source material, a second-rate Lord of the Rings fantasy epic drenched in religious allegory, and Prince Caspian, its follow-up, is similarly underwhelming. Except, however, that it’s worse in virtually every way. Today: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Slant magazine) Yella (Slant magazine) After Today:…
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Reprise (2006): A-
That rare debut in which self-conscious formal daring proves exhilarating rather than excruciating, Joachim Trier’s Reprise is a constantly fracturing wonder that finds exuberant expressiveness in its splintered structure. Trier’s film, set in Oslo, commences by imagining a potential bright future for writer best friends Phillip ( befuddled, morose Anders Danielsen Lie) and Erik (smiling,…
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Go Monkey Go!
The best thing about Speed Racer is a monkey, which tells you something about the lameness of the Wachowski Brothers’ spazzy remake of the 1960s Japanese cartoon. Still, it’s far superior to Uwe Boll’s latest, which earns my third zero-star review of the year. Friday: Speed Racer (Slant magazine) Battle for Haditha (Cinematical) The Tracey…
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Iron Giant
Summer unofficially begins today with the release of Iron Man, the latest Marvel superhero to warrant a big-screen franchise. It’s far from perfect, and certainly no Spider-Man 2. But thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s fantastic performance, it’s also a good way to kick off this spectacle-heavy cinematic season. Iron Man (Slant magazine)
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Laziness Rules
The summer movie season begins tomorrow with the NYC press screening of Iron Man, and to prepare for this coming onslaught of popcorn, I’ve been saying my prayers, taking my vitamins, and…oh, wait, that’s someone else. Actually, I’ve been doing very little other than working and sleeping, the latter of which is to blame for…
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Baghead (2008): B-
When it pokes fun at itself – and the low-fi “mumblecore” movement from which it sprang – Baghead can be a minor lark. However, when this latest from Jay and Mark Duplass (The Puffy Chair) attempts to both scare and, to a lesser extent, deconstruct its own horror movie devices, it deflates rapidly. With considerable…
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Errol Morris’ Procedure
Acclaimed documentarian Errol Morris tackles the infamous Abu Ghraib photos with Standard Operating Procedure, though his latest film is ultimately less an investigation into uncovering the scandal’s true villains than an examination of image construction and interpretation. Morris discussed his motivations for making the film, as well as his dramatic recreations of the Abu Ghraib…
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Standard Operating Procedure (2008): B-
Errol Morris’ trademark aesthetic – a combination of free-reign confessional interviews, dramatic recreations, expressionistic interludes and a grandiose score (here by Danny Elfman) – does more harm than good in Standard Operating Procedure, the documentarian’s examination of the Abu Ghraib scandal. For his latest, Morris provides a forum for the thoughts of, among others, Lynndie…
