Movies

From the very start, I was both optimistic and worried about “Tropic Thunder.” On one hand, it promised a great ensemble cast, including Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. It also seemed to have a genuinely good concept, something criminally lacking in most films these days. On the other hand, a lot of what I saw in the trailers seemed to be in questionable taste- Downey Jr. in blackface, Stiller waving around prosthetic arm stumps, and Jack Black being… well… Jack Black.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

By: Lee Rice

Ah, the stoner comedy. Let’s face it, there’s something inherently watchable about a couple of guys blundering their way through comedic situations while baked out of their minds. Sometimes it works, sometimes, it winds up being “Harold & Kumar.” Speaking of “Harold & Kumar,” that’s where I first saw the trailer for “Pineapple Express.” It’s kind of ironic that one of the worst stoner comedies of all time had the trailer for one of the better ones.

THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR
By: Lee Rice

Usually, when a franchise goes underground for a few years, it’s a safe bet that the series is either dead, or that the next installment is going to be a remake. “Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” defies that convention by rising from the dead and delivering a sequel that audiences can get behind.

By: Lee Rice

Back in the 90’s, The X-Files took the world by storm, creating a fun and interesting world where there was a conspiracy around every corner, an alien in every shadow, and a sinister conspiracy in every coincidence. Now, years after the end of the show, The X-Files is back on the big screen, but even though legions of fans may ‘want to believe,’ chances are that they‘ll find themselves disappointed.

By: Lee Rice

Last week, I crowned “Hellboy II” as possibly the best superhero movie of the summer. Now, I have to snatch that crown back for “The Dark Knight,” Christopher Nolan’s second entry in his brilliantly re-imagined Batman franchise.

Although “Batman Begins” was a breath of fresh air from the horrific mess that Joel Schumacher made of the series with “Batman & Robin,” (Neon in Gotham? Bat-nipples?) "Begins" did have several flaws, namely the poor action cinematography and some of the dopier elements of the plot (Batman’s a ninja? Since when?).

By: Lee Rice

“Meet Dave,” Eddie Murphy’s latest multi-role comedy, is a classic case of style over substance. Although everything is technically well executed, everything else seems to be ridiculously recycled and tired.

HELLBOY II

By: Lee Rice

In the recent deluge of super-hero related films, “Hellboy II” stands apart as possibly the best this summer. Sandwiched between the much anticipated “The Dark Knight” and hot on the heels of the abysmal “Hancock,” “The Golden Army” is a great reminder of what it's like to be floored by a superhero movie.

Like the character that it is named after, “Hancock” tries very hard to do the right thing, but winds up making a terrible mess in the process.

When I first heard about the concept behind “Hancock,” that of a homeless hero trying his best to curb his strength and attitude for the greater good, I was intrigued.

I’ve always felt that superhero movies are not made solely on the basis of special effects, but also on the strength of the characters. What would the Hulk be without Bruce Banner’s pathos? Batman without his tortured past as Bruce Wayne?

Disney and Pixar studios have given some great family entertainment over the years, including “The Incredibles,” “Toy Story,” and “Finding Nemo.” What most people don’t know about these projects is that all of them supposedly sprang from one gigantic brainstorming session. “WALL-E” is the last of the projects created at that brilliant meeting, and it upholds the high bar set by its predecessors.

REVIEW: The Foot Fist Way

By Lee Rice

Although occasionally funny, “The Foot Fist Way” makes a lot of mistakes, and usually bumbles along with at least one foot and one fist planted firmly in its mouth.

The film, a small independent feature, gained enough publicity for a wider theatrical release through the support of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, who are respectively starring in and writing the upcoming “Step-Brothers.” As the story goes, Ferrell and McKay saw the movie, and liked it so much that they wanted to share it with the rest of the world.