Review: Hard Candy (B)

Hard Candy (2005)
Directed by David Slade
Starring Patrick Wilson, Ellen Page and Sandra Oh
MPAA: R

Review by Bobby Nashville

Hard Candy is the type of well acted thriller that you can't help but get sucked into. It's basically a two person film (perhaps the script started as a play at one time?) and the characters bounce off each other like pinballs. The story is mesmerizing, the performances are very good and the film has a decent look to it. Hard Candy comes in with a very solid "B".

Hard Candy tells the story of Hayley, a young girl (she's only 14) that has met a guy online. They meet up at a coffee house to get to know each other. The potential suitor ends up being a 32 year old photographer named Jeff. He's interested in taking her pictures and without much struggle, she goes along for the ride. One dreads where this is going.

Jeff and Hayley go back to his place and have a few cocktails. Here is where the story twists and takes an unusual turn. He is obviously the creepy predator. Or is he? And does she know exactly who he is and what he is up to? I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but this little indie thriller has some decent moments of suspense, and you really find yourself drawn into this war zone between two simple human beings.

I can't stress enough just how good the acting is in Hard Candy. Ellen Page (Hayley) is simply amazing and she is definitely someone to keep an eye on down the road. Patrick Wilson (Jeff, the photographer) also does a fantastic turn here as the creepy guy that obviously is a sexual predator. Hard Candy is a powerful independent film and it is highly recommended.

Black Snake Moan Poster

Wow. Check out the movie poster for the upcoming film Black Snake Moan, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci and Justin Timberlake. Man, this one could be good. By the way, Black Snake Moan (love the title) is from the writer and director of Hustle and Flow (one of our favorites from last year).



By the way, the studio behind this one is also Running A Contest where you can make your own trailer for the film and possibly win a trip to Sundance. Hmmm... Intriguing..

Trailer Time: Saw III, Deliver Us From Evil

It's Wednesday. Hump day. Blah, blah, blah. Well, here's a little fun to get you through the day. Two awesome trailers.

Check out the trailer for Deliver Us From Evil, a documentary about the Catholic sexual abuse scandal coming to theaters on October 13th. Saw III really needs no introduction, but of course, it's the second sequel to the ground breaking indie hit, Saw. Saw III hits theaters October 27th.

Saw III Trailer (Windows Media)
Deliver Us From Evil (Windows Media)

Movie Rumors: Star Trek, Transformers, Terminator 4, Jackie Chan

Matt Damon's name has been linked to the role of the young James T. Kirk in the proposed new Star Trek film. Actually, in our opinion, that's perfect casting. Can you think of anyone that would play a better Captain Kirk?

Reportedly, plans are underway to produce a new Terminator film, titled (of course) Terminator 4. Do we really need another Terminator film? Not so sure about that one.

Michael Bay has a new film on the way, and it's a film version of the popular TV series from the 1980's: The Transformers. Is Hollywood so devoid of original ideas that it has to dig up a tired old cartoon and try and turn it into a blockbuster? Apparently so.

Jackie Chan and Jet Li are reportedly going to star together in what some are calling "the next great action film of our time". Gotta love it.

Review: The Office (Season Two) (A-)

The Office (Season Two) (2006)
Directed by Roger Nygard
Starring Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski
MPAA: UR
Grade: A-

Review by Mark Focus

If there's a funnier show on network television right now, someone let me know. The Office is a re-make (of sorts) of the hit BBC series of the same name. If you haven't heard of The Office by now, you must have been on Mars for the last two years. Of course, the star of the show (Steven Carell) was the star of the mega-hit 40 Year Old Virgin.

The premise behind the Office is pretty simple: work sucks, but the strange people that we work with everyday makes it, well, at least humorous. Carell plays Regional Manager Michael Scott, a politically incorrect, totally out of touch boss that thinks he's the hippest guy around. Michael is worshipped by the office dork Dwight (played by Rainn Wilson), a very strange guy that due to his bizarre paranoia, he just doesn't seem to fit in. Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) are co-workers that are smitten with each other, but can't seem to get the courage up to act on their feelings.

Season Two of the Office shows the series hitting its stride. The writing is pure genius and the acting is right on. The funniest episodes (in my humble opinion) include the Office Olympics and Valentine's Day. The Office won the Emmy for Best Comedy Series in 2006. If you have a funny bone in your body, then this is the TV show for you.

Review: Gerald McBoing Boing Adventures (B)

Gerald McBoing Boing Adventures (2005) &
Gerald McBoing Boing Fairy Tales (2005)

Review by Bobby Nashville

Honk! Beep! Bong! With a story by Dr. Seuss, how can you go wrong? Gerald McBoing Boing is one of the good doctor's lesser known works but it remains classic. These two DVDs of classic Gerald McBoing Boing cartoons brought back some great memories for me, so I have to give this three thumbs way up.

For those not in the know, Gerald McBoing Boing is a young lad that doesn't talk like you or me - he tries but only weird noises come out. Sometimes he beeps, sometimes he sounds like a car horn, it's actually quite surreal. Kids love this cartoon (of course) and I think there is something here for adults as well. There are several compilations of Gerald McBoing Boing stuff out there, but I found these two titles to be the best.

For cartoon fans or avid admirers of the legendary Dr. Seuss, the Gerald McBoing Boing Adventures and the Gerald McBoing Boing Fairy Tales are dynamite. Boing! Beep! Honk!

Review: An Evening With Kevin Smith (A-)

An Evening With Kevin Smith (2002)
Directed By J.M. Kenny
Starring Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes & Scott Mosier
MPAA: UR
Grade: A-

Review by Bobby Nashville

I've never been a huge fan of Kevin Smith movies (although Dogma is pretty cool), but I have to admit it: Kevin Smith is hilarious. He's a fantastic story teller and I've always thought he was great on IFC's Dinner For Five. He is a very likable guy and he knows how to work an audience.

An Evening With Kevin Smith is one of the funniest films I've seen in a long time, and yet, its hard to call it a film. It's well... an evening hanging out with an indie filmmaker. It's no frills, but it's damn funny. And yes, I am aware that this thing came out several years ago. I've just recently discovered this and I just had to let you know.

The premise is simple: Kevin takes the stage and answers questions from the audience. The audience tosses up lots of questions about his films, focusing on sex, religion, and of course Hollywood. Smith's stories about the Hollywood experience are amazing. My favorites were his story about writing Superman and shooting a documentary for Prince. I can't do these stories justice, so I won't even try. But trust me, they are damn funny.

I loved this one. If you like Kevin Smith or Hollywood stories in general, this is a must own.