http://gomemphis.com/news/movies/reviews/?partner=RSSGo Memphis Stories: Movie Reviewsen-usmovies/reviews/news/movies/reviews/?partner=RSShttp://gomemphis.com/feeds/headlines/movies/reviews/2008-12-01T12:35:38.869751Copyright Go Memphis, 2008http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/nov/28/a-grandiose-trek-through-the-outback/?partner=RSS Overlong and self-indulgent, Baz Luhrmann's "Australia," a homage to epic adventure films, feels like a slog through the Outback itself. Still, the stunning beauty of the pre-World War II romance will take your breath away, even if the narrator's broken English is annoying and the script repetitive and predictable. Fri, 28 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/nov/28/a-grandiose-trek-through-the-outback/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews1094212008-11-28T00:00:002008-11-28T00:00:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008 Overlong and self-indulgent, Baz Luhrmann's "Australia," a homage to epic adventure films, feels like a slog through the Outback itself. Still, the stunning beauty of the pre-World War II romance will take your breath away, even if the narrator's broken English is annoying and the script repetitive and predictable. Memphis, TNFilm Review: A grandiose trek through the OutbackGo Memphisa-grandiose-trek-through-the-outbackhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/nov/21/no-headline---2008-11-20-094814236282/?partner=RSSOPENING TODAY: Bolt (PG, 96 min.) Forest Hill 8, Stage Cinema, Majestic, Collierville Towne 16, DeSoto Cinema 16 (in 3-D), Raleigh Springs Cinema, Cordova Cinema, Paradiso (in 3-D), Palace Cinema, Hollywood 20 Cinema, CinePlanet 16 (in 3-D), Southaven Cinema, Summer Quartet Drive-In. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:01:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/nov/21/no-headline---2008-11-20-094814236282/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews1083692008-11-21T00:01:002008-11-21T00:01:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008OPENING TODAY: Bolt (PG, 96 min.) Forest Hill 8, Stage Cinema, Majestic, Collierville Towne 16, DeSoto Cinema 16 (in 3-D), Raleigh Springs Cinema, Cordova Cinema, Paradiso (in 3-D), Palace Cinema, Hollywood 20 Cinema, CinePlanet 16 (in 3-D), Southaven Cinema, Summer Quartet Drive-In.Memphis, TNMovies: In theaters nowGo Memphisno-headline---2008-11-20-094814236282http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/31/opposites-attract-in-sex-comedy/?partner=RSSThe extreme opposites within Kevin Smith's filmmaking personality coexist in "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," to hit-and-miss effect. Yes, there is a ton of sex as the title would suggest, including one scene that is so incredibly wrong, words don't even begin to describe it. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/31/opposites-attract-in-sex-comedy/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews1048402008-10-31T00:00:002008-10-31T00:00:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008The extreme opposites within Kevin Smith's filmmaking personality coexist in "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," to hit-and-miss effect. Yes, there is a ton of sex as the title would suggest, including one scene that is so incredibly wrong, words don't even begin to describe it. Memphis, TNFilm review: Opposites attract in sex comedyGo Memphisopposites-attract-in-sex-comedyhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/31/mayhem-marks-rocknrolla/?partner=RSSJust as Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven" and its sequels seem distinctly American, reflecting the glitz and ersatz class of Las Vegas, so Guy Ritchie's crime capers feel distinctly British. His latest, "RocknRolla," set in the greasy streets and smoky pubs of London, lacks the glamour of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, but it compensates with plenty of rough humor, bruising action and a wicked dark streak. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/31/mayhem-marks-rocknrolla/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews1048462008-10-31T00:00:002008-10-31T00:00:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008Just as Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven" and its sequels seem distinctly American, reflecting the glitz and ersatz class of Las Vegas, so Guy Ritchie's crime capers feel distinctly British. His latest, "RocknRolla," set in the greasy streets and smoky pubs of London, lacks the glamour of George Clooney and Brad Pitt, but it compensates with plenty of rough humor, bruising action and a wicked dark streak. Memphis, TNFilm review: Mayhem marks 'RocknRolla'Go Memphismayhem-marks-rocknrollahttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/31/changeling/?partner=RSS Angelina Jolie, who won her Oscar by playing a mentally ill character in "Girl Interrupted," returns to the psych ward for Clint Eastwood's "Changeling," a movie he might have titled "Motherhood Interrupted." It's a period piece, a true-crime mystery and a slice of history, vintage Eastwood in many ways. If the film is too long and a little unwieldy in its late acts, the consummate craftsman in Eastwood glosses over that with detail and righteous rage. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/31/changeling/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews1048312008-10-31T00:00:002008-10-31T00:00:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008 Angelina Jolie, who won her Oscar by playing a mentally ill character in "Girl Interrupted," returns to the psych ward for Clint Eastwood's "Changeling," a movie he might have titled "Motherhood Interrupted." It's a period piece, a true-crime mystery and a slice of history, vintage Eastwood in many ways. If the film is too long and a little unwieldy in its late acts, the consummate craftsman in Eastwood glosses over that with detail and righteous rage. Memphis, TNFilm review: 'Changeling' is true tale of a son lostGo Memphischangelinghttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/24/film-bytes-quothigh-school-musical-3-senior/?partner=RSSSomeday, Troy and Gabriella will actually open their mouths when they kiss. Someday, Sharpay won't have backup dancers magically appear out of nowhere during her self-glorifying production numbers. But for now, everything remains safely wholesome and intact in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," even as the series leaps from television to the big screen. Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/24/film-bytes-quothigh-school-musical-3-senior/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews1036332008-10-23T11:58:002008-10-24T00:00:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008Someday, Troy and Gabriella will actually open their mouths when they kiss. Someday, Sharpay won't have backup dancers magically appear out of nowhere during her self-glorifying production numbers. But for now, everything remains safely wholesome and intact in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," even as the series leaps from television to the big screen. Memphis, TNFilm bytes: "High School Musical 3: Senior Year"Go Memphisfilm-bytes-quothigh-school-musical-3-seniorhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/17/w-biopic-surprisingly-normal/?partner=RSSAll he wanted to do was watch baseball and drink beer all day. Instead, George W. Bush ended up being chosen as leader of the free world. Twice. That's Oliver Stone's surprisingly fair and balanced assessment of the president, who truly needs no further parodying, in "W." Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/oct/17/w-biopic-surprisingly-normal/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews1023802008-10-17T00:00:002008-10-17T00:00:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008All he wanted to do was watch baseball and drink beer all day. Instead, George W. Bush ended up being chosen as leader of the free world. Twice. That's Oliver Stone's surprisingly fair and balanced assessment of the president, who truly needs no further parodying, in "W." Memphis, TNFilm review: 'W.' biopic surprisingly normalGo Memphisw-biopic-surprisingly-normalhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/sep/18/film-bytes-baghead/?partner=RSSHumiliation, sexual tension and a mysterious, knife-wielding possible maniac with a grocery sack over his head are the uninvited guests that join four young actor friends during a boozy weekend retreat at an isolated cabin in "Baghead," written and directed by "mumblecore" auteurs Jay and Mark Duplass (whose best-known previous film, "The Puffy Chair," screened in 2006 at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art). beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:02:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/sep/18/film-bytes-baghead/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews973532008-09-18T16:02:002008-09-18T16:02:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008Humiliation, sexual tension and a mysterious, knife-wielding possible maniac with a grocery sack over his head are the uninvited guests that join four young actor friends during a boozy weekend retreat at an isolated cabin in "Baghead," written and directed by "mumblecore" auteurs Jay and Mark Duplass (whose best-known previous film, "The Puffy Chair," screened in 2006 at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art). Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm bytes: 'Baghead'Go Memphisfilm-bytes-bagheadhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/aug/15/in-theaters-now/?partner=RSSCapsule descriptions and starred mini-reviews by The Commercial Appeal movie writer John Beifuss. beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:00:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/aug/15/in-theaters-now/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews909992008-08-15T00:00:002008-08-15T00:00:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008Capsule descriptions and starred mini-reviews by The Commercial Appeal movie writer John Beifuss. Memphis, TNJohn BeifussIn theaters nowGo Memphisin-theaters-nowhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jul/28/strong-sultry-actresses-maria-bello-michelle-yeoh-/?partner=RSSAt first glance, “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” looks like another slam-bang action movie. Opening Friday, it stars the likable Brendan Fraser as intrepid explorer Rick O’Connell, who comes out of retirement to take on an ancient Chinese ruler (Jet Li) who has risen from the dead with his army of animated terra-cotta warriors. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:57:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jul/28/strong-sultry-actresses-maria-bello-michelle-yeoh-/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews880252008-07-28T17:57:002008-07-28T17:57:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008At first glance, “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” looks like another slam-bang action movie. Opening Friday, it stars the likable Brendan Fraser as intrepid explorer Rick O’Connell, who comes out of retirement to take on an ancient Chinese ruler (Jet Li) who has risen from the dead with his army of animated terra-cotta warriors.Memphis, TNStrong, sultry actresses Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh star in "The Mummy"Go Memphisstrong-sultry-actresses-maria-bello-michelle-yeoh-http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jul/04/will-smith/?partner=RSSAs a surly and homeless antihero of a superhero known as Hancock, Will Smith flies through the air with a drunkard's wobble, like a helicopter with a bent rotor. beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:05:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jul/04/will-smith/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews835992008-07-04T00:05:002008-07-04T00:05:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008As a surly and homeless antihero of a superhero known as Hancock, Will Smith flies through the air with a drunkard's wobble, like a helicopter with a bent rotor. Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm review: Will Smith's superstar power isn't enough to rescue 'Hancock'Go Memphiswill-smithhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jul/04/an-homage-to-unselfish-heroism/?partner=RSSIt's certainly easy to take potshots at "The Children of Huang Shi." It's another film in which a white person proves to be the savior of the members of an apparently less fortunate race. It's solemn and old-fashioned. And its lead couple -- Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Radha Mitchell -- don't exactly blaze with star power. beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:03:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jul/04/an-homage-to-unselfish-heroism/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews836052008-07-04T00:03:002008-07-04T00:03:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008It's certainly easy to take potshots at "The Children of Huang Shi." It's another film in which a white person proves to be the savior of the members of an apparently less fortunate race. It's solemn and old-fashioned. And its lead couple -- Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Radha Mitchell -- don't exactly blaze with star power. Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm review: 'The Children of Huang Shi' pays homage to unselfish heroismGo Memphisan-homage-to-unselfish-heroismhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/27/film-review/?partner=RSSWALL-E the robot may be battered and obsolete, but "WALL-E" the movie is a marvel of state-of-the-art technological achievement -- perhaps the most brilliantly designed, beautifully executed and technically accomplished feature yet from Pixar Animation Studios, the company responsible for more than a decade of computer-generated milestones, from "Toy Story" in 1995 to "Ratatouille" in 2007. beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:05:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/27/film-review/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews823482008-06-27T00:05:002008-06-27T00:05:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008WALL-E the robot may be battered and obsolete, but "WALL-E" the movie is a marvel of state-of-the-art technological achievement -- perhaps the most brilliantly designed, beautifully executed and technically accomplished feature yet from Pixar Animation Studios, the company responsible for more than a decade of computer-generated milestones, from "Toy Story" in 1995 to "Ratatouille" in 2007. Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm review: 'WALL-E' is all nuts, bolts and heartGo Memphisfilm-reviewhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/27/in-wanted-overkill/?partner=RSSIt's true that I frequently wax grumpy about "MTV editing," spastic camerawork, digital trickery and the other currently fashionable filmmaking tools that too often sacrifice visual coherence for momentary sensationalist impact. beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:04:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/27/in-wanted-overkill/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews823512008-06-27T00:04:002008-06-27T00:04:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008It's true that I frequently wax grumpy about "MTV editing," spastic camerawork, digital trickery and the other currently fashionable filmmaking tools that too often sacrifice visual coherence for momentary sensationalist impact. Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm review: In 'Wanted,' overkill is understatementGo Memphisin-wanted-overkillhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/27/sweep-realism/?partner=RSSIn the tradition of "Young Tom Edison," "Young Winston" and "Young Mr. Lincoln'' comes "Mongol," a movie that could have been titled "Young Genghis Khan." beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:03:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/27/sweep-realism/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews823542008-06-27T00:03:002008-06-27T00:03:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008In the tradition of "Young Tom Edison," "Young Winston" and "Young Mr. Lincoln'' comes "Mongol," a movie that could have been titled "Young Genghis Khan." Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm review: Sweep, realism of 'Mongol' bring legendary warrior to lifeGo Memphissweep-realismhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/20/get-smart-gets-dumb/?partner=RSSMissed it by that much. When secret agent Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) uttered that catch phrase on the much-admired spy-spoof sitcom of the 1960s, "Get Smart," he usually was referencing a thrown knife, tossed bomb or falling object that had missed its target by inches. beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:05:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/20/get-smart-gets-dumb/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews810572008-06-20T00:05:002008-06-20T00:05:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008Missed it by that much. When secret agent Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) uttered that catch phrase on the much-admired spy-spoof sitcom of the 1960s, "Get Smart," he usually was referencing a thrown knife, tossed bomb or falling object that had missed its target by inches.Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm review: 'Get Smart' gets dumbGo Memphisget-smart-gets-dumbhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/20/film-review/?partner=RSSIs "The Love Guru" a trial balloon for a new comedy franchise or for Mike Myers' post-movie stardom career as the next Dr. Phil? beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:03:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/20/film-review/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews810592008-06-20T00:03:002008-06-20T00:03:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008Is "The Love Guru" a trial balloon for a new comedy franchise or for Mike Myers' post-movie stardom career as the next Dr. Phil? Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm review: 'Love Guru' takes a shot at self-help humor -- and missesGo Memphisfilm-reviewhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/20/in-theaters-now/?partner=RSSCapsule descriptions and starred mini-reviews by The Commercial Appeal movie writer John Beifuss. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:00:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/20/in-theaters-now/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews810682008-06-20T00:00:002008-06-20T00:00:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008Capsule descriptions and starred mini-reviews by The Commercial Appeal movie writer John Beifuss. Memphis, TNIn theaters nowGo Memphisin-theaters-nowhttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/13/cinematic-procedure/?partner=RSSWatching "Standard Operating Procedure," a provocative investigation into the infamous Abu Ghraib prison abuse photographs, it occurred to me that Errol Morris has become the Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese of documentary filmmaking, with all the positives and negatives that rather facile comparison implies. beifuss@commercialappeal.com (John Beifuss)Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:05:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/13/cinematic-procedure/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews799062008-06-13T00:05:002008-06-13T00:05:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008Watching "Standard Operating Procedure," a provocative investigation into the infamous Abu Ghraib prison abuse photographs, it occurred to me that Errol Morris has become the Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese of documentary filmmaking, with all the positives and negatives that rather facile comparison implies. Memphis, TNJohn BeifussFilm review: 'Standard Operating Procedure': Stark look at Abu Ghraib prison abuseGo Memphiscinematic-procedurehttp://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/13/shyamalan-gets-really-spooky-this-time-around/?partner=RSS Clunkers don't get much clunkier than "The Village" (2004), writer-director M. Night Shyamalan's drama about a group of crime victims driven to near-madness, or "The Lady in the Water" (2006), a mermaid-out-of-water fantasy so ill-conceived that it instantly vaulted onto the short list of the grandest cinematic follies of all time. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:01:00 -0000http://gomemphis.com/news/2008/jun/13/shyamalan-gets-really-spooky-this-time-around/?partner=RSSmovies/reviews799252008-06-13T00:01:002008-06-13T00:01:00Copyright Go Memphis, 2008 Clunkers don't get much clunkier than "The Village" (2004), writer-director M. Night Shyamalan's drama about a group of crime victims driven to near-madness, or "The Lady in the Water" (2006), a mermaid-out-of-water fantasy so ill-conceived that it instantly vaulted onto the short list of the grandest cinematic follies of all time. Memphis, TNFilm review: 'Happening' twists suspense around green messageGo Memphisshyamalan-gets-really-spooky-this-time-around