Archive for January, 2009

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Lakeview Terrace

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Dvd release date: 01/27/2009

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson
Director: Neil LaBute
Category: Thrillers
Rated: PG-13

In “Lakeview Terrace”, a young couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) has just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor, who disapproves of their interracial relationship. A stern, single father, this tightly wound LAPD officer (Samuel L. Jackson) has appointed himself the watchdog of the neighborhood. His nightly foot patrols and overly watchful eyes bring comfort to some, but he comes increasingly harassing to the newlyweds. These persistent intrusions into their lives ultimately turn tragic when the couple decides to fight back. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Chicago Tribune: ** (out of four)
New York Post: **1/2 (out of four)
USA Today: ** (out of four)

Overall: ** (out of four)

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Pride and Glory

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Dvd release date: 01/27/2009

Starring: Edward Norton, Colin Farrell
Director: Gavin O Connor
Category: Drama
Rated: R

Four cops down: two dead, two likely. An NYPD drug bust has gone horribly wrong, and Detective Ray Tierney heads the investigating task force. He already has ties to this case. His brother was commander of the ambushed officers. His brother-in-law, a fellow officer, often partnered with them. The more Ray uncovers, the more those family ties are tested. And the more the fraternal order starts to fray. Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight and Noah Emmerich star in a gritty, tension-packed tale of a multigenerational family of cops facing hard realities and tough choices. Set and filmed in Manhattan’s Washington Heights, “Pride And Glory” draws you into a grippingly raw real world…and into a house divided. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Chicago Tribune: ** (out of four)
New York Post: *1/2 (out of four)
Rolling Stone: *** (out of four)
USA Today: *1/2 (out of four)

Overall: ** (out of four)

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The Rocker

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Dvd release date: 01/27/2009

Starring: Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate
Director: Peter Cattaneo
Category: Comedy
Rated: PG-13

Rainn Wilson (TV’s “The Office”) drums up huge laughs in this hilarious comedy about living in a rock ‘n’ roll dream…and waking up in a midlife crisis. Twenty years after being kicked out of his nearly famous ’80s hair band, retired rocker Robert Fishman (Wilson) gets a hilarious second chance at stardom and must pull out all the stops to reclaim the rock-god throne he always thought he deserved. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Chicago Tribune: *** (out of four)
New York Post: *** (out of four)
USA Today: *1/2 (out of four)

Overall: **1/2 (out of four)

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Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Dvd release date: 01/27/2009

Starring: Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz
Director: Woody Allen
Category: Comedy
Rated: PG-13

Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”), Oscar nominee Penelope Cruz (“Volver”) and Golden Globe nominee Scarlett Johansson (“The Nanny Diaries”) light up the stunning city of Barcelona in this sexy romantic comedy. Vicky and Cristina are two young Americans spending a summer in Spain, who meet a charming “Casanova” and his beautiful but volatile ex-wife. When they all become romantically entangled, the smoldering sparks begin to fly in hilarious fashion. Critics rave, “‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ is one of Woody Allen’s finest films, with bravura performances from its incredible cast” (Jeffrey Lyons, Reel Talk/NBC). (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

Chicago Tribune: *** (out of four)
New York Post: ***1/2 (out of four)
Rolling Stone: *** (out of four)
USA Today: ***1/2 (out of four)

Overall: ***1/2 (out of four)

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RocknRolla

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Dvd release date: 01/27/2009

Starring: Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson
Director: Guy Ritchie
Category: Thrillers
Rated: R

“I own this town.” But owning is getting expensive for old-school London gangster Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson). A wealthier foreign mob is moving in with a riverfront property swindle. A small-timer (Gerard Butler) and his crew think they can play both sides and become big time. Now add a hard-as-ice accountant (Thandie Newton), a rocker playing dead to boost sales, wannabe music moguls (Jeremy Piven and Chris Bridges), a missing painting and a mad mosh of money and muscle, and you’ve got a real “RocknRolla”. From Guy Ritchie (“Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”) comes a fierce and funny caper, a smash-mouth cinematic smackdown of sex, thugs & rock ‘n’ roll. (Publisher)

Summary of critic reviews:

New York Post: *** (out of four)
Rolling Stone: **1/2 (out of four)
USA Today: **1/2 (out of four)

Overall: **1/2 (out of four)

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