24 Sep 2002

Hawn and Sarandon Miraculous as "The Banger Sisters": Also, "The Four Feathers" and "Trapped"

By Mike Schulz

Susan Sarandon and Goldie Hawn in The Banger SistersTHE BANGER SISTERS

The Banger Sisters is a textbook example of the alchemy that can occur when two movie stars, stuck in a rather worthless vehicle, say, "What the hell, let's run with it."

28 Aug 2001

Smith Strikes it Rich with "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back": Also, "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" and "Captain Corelli's Mandolin"

By Mike Schulz

Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith in Jay & Silent Bob Strike BackJAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK

Kevin Smith's Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, the fifth and reportedly final installment in his View Askewniverse series, is less a movie than a live-action thank-you note to his fans.

22 May 2001

"Shrek" Is For Kids: Also, "Angel Eyes" and "A Knight's Tale"

By Mike Schulz

ShrekSHREK

Let's face it: Kids are gonna love Shrek, Dreamworks' comedic, computer-animated fairy tale. They'll get a kick out of the loud, outsize characters and superb visuals, and they'll probably laugh a lot. No one under 12 will want to miss it.

As for the rest of us ... .

20 Feb 2001

Remakes Beg One Question - Why?: "Down to Earth," "Sweet November," and "Saving Silverman"

By Mike Schulz

Chris Rock in Down to EarthDOWN TO EARTH and SWEET NOVEMBER

Is it a coincidence, or a frightening sign of flicks to come, that the two most high-profile movie releases this past weekend were remakes of movies that no one could have reasonably wanted remakes of at all? Sure, it's commonly accepted that Hollywood has all but run out of fresh ideas, but to be subjected to both Down to Earth and Sweet November in the same weekend seems a little harsh.

21 Nov 2000

Giving Romantic Comedy a "Bounce": Also, "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stone Christmas"

By Mike Schulz

Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow in BounceBOUNCE

Writer-director Don Roos might never be a great filmmaker - his staging is obvious in that Kevin Smith way (a lot of two-shots of characters talking) and there's no real visual life on display. But he's wonderful with actors, and he has a great ear for dialogue, writing realistic lines that can flip in a moment's notice to something truly comic or poignant.

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