Author Archives: The_Critic

A TRIBUTE TO ROGER EBERT For the last eight years, Thursday night has held a special place in my heart. No matter what I had going on, I’d make sure that – before I went to bed – I had … Continue reading →

5 Great Performances Snubbed an Oscar Nomination We are currently in an odd film awards season where three of the biggest powerhouse talents of the year (any of which would have deserved a win in their category) didn’t even garner … Continue reading →

The First Installment of “The Hobbit” a Solid and Fun Adventure Grade: A- I’m changing things up a bit by posting my “big” reviews on Geekenstein.com! So if you’re wanting to enjoy my wealth of words regarding all things Tolkien, … Continue reading →

“SKYFALL” CONTAINS DEPTH AND AMBITION UNCHARACTERISTIC FOR BOND Rating: A- Apparently, MGM’s financial woes couldn’t have been a bigger boon for its biggest money-maker. Using the forced hiatus since 2008′s “Quantum of Solace,” the James Bond franchise was able to … Continue reading →

“CLOUD ATLAS” IS A MONUMENTAL FEAT IN EXPERIMENTAL CINEMA Rating: MASTERPIECE Every once in a while, you come across a film that gives you hope that maybe, just maybe, cinema still has a few surges of innovation, passion, and vision … Continue reading →

THE QUIRKS ALL WORK IN “SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS” Rating: A Colin Farrell and Sam Rockwell star as best friends Marty and Billy. Marty is an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter trying to write an original screenplay entitled “Seven Psychopaths” and Billy is a … Continue reading →

THE REAL STAR OF “LOOPER” IS WRITER/DIRECTOR RIAN JOHNSON Rating: A Rian Johnson’s “Looper” is explosive in how blasts beyond the structural confines of the science fiction genre. Johnson is that special type of director and storyteller who doesn’t allow … Continue reading →

NAOMI WATTS AND EARNESTNESS CATAPULTS “THE IMPOSSIBLE”  Rating: B+ We’ve seen natural disasters on film before, but never like “The Impossible.” From the cast to the directing to the effects, this is one disaster drama that will stick with its … Continue reading →

MICHAEL SHANNON TURNS “THE ICEMAN” INTO INTRIGUING TALE  Rating: B+ “Look at this guy,” Roy DeMeo (Ray Liotta) mutters in something akin to wonder as he aims a revolver right at the expressionless face of Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon). “As … Continue reading →

“DREDD” EMBRACES ITS SOURCE MATERIAL WITH THRILLING COMPETENCE  Rating: B+ Action movies don’t have to be intelligent or even be particularly good in order to be an enjoyable and entertaining experience. One of my guiltiest pleasures in this regard would … Continue reading →

“THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES” IS A SEARINGLY POWERFUL DRAMA Rating: A The Right Thing. That elusive concept that drives so many to compromise their values and make life-shattering choices. Here is a film that studies that concept and its … Continue reading →

NOLAN’S BATMAN TRILOGY ENDS ON AN EPIC NOTE Rating: A Greatness is a title not easily won. Not for our cinematic heroes and assuredly not for our filmmakers. To be great, one has to do something utterly unexpected, fresh, or … Continue reading →

MARVEL FINALLY GETS SPIDER-MAN RIGHT IN REBOOT Rating: A- Finally, a Spider-Man movie that delivers the character as I always envisioned him. Impressively armed with Marc Webb’s dedicated direction, a undeniable cast chemistry, an intelligent script, and a star turn … Continue reading →

“MOONRISE KINGDOM” A TRIBUTE TO THE TIMELESSNESS OF CHILDHOOD Rating: A I swear Wes Anderson has a direct line to whatever vague thoughts, dreams, and ambitions I had during my early adolescence. It’s amazing how everything always looked just a … Continue reading →

“ROCK OF AGES” IS A MUSICAL FOR THE AGES Rating: A- “Rock of Ages” is a rock-in-your-seat celebration extravaganza of the rock n’ roll culture in the late 80′s that, to this day, still has an impact on the way … Continue reading →