Haiku Review: Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams & Zach Braff
Written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Sam Raimi

The story of how a swindling magician became the Wizard of Oz and defended the fantasy realm from a pair of evil witches.


Like Oz himself, this
film is just a screen with no
magic behind it.

Grade: C-


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Oz the Great and Powerful is playing now in theaters nationwide.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1623205/?ref_=sr_1

Haiku Review: Cosmopolis (2012)

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Sarah Gadon, Mathieu Amalric, Jay Baruchel, Kevin Durand, Samantha Morton & Paul Giamatti
Written and directed by David Cronenberg

The life of a young billionaire begins to unravel during the course of a tumultuous trek across the city in his stretch limousine.


R-Patz proves he’s more
than a sparkley vamp – he’s
a total bore, too.

Grade: C-


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Cosmopolis is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1480656/?ref_=sr_1

Haiku Review: The Awakening (2011)

Starring: Rebecca Hall, Dominic West & Imelda Staunton
Screenplay by Stephen Volk and Nick Murphy
Directed by Nick Murphy

A woman who debunks supernatural hoaxes is called upon to investigate a ghost that allegedly haunts a boarding school.


I say ghosts are just
what you need to keep a school
full of brats in line.

Grade: B-


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
The Awakening is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1687901/?ref_=fn_al_tt_5

Haiku Review: Bachelorette (2012)

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, James Marsden, Kyle Bornheimer, Rebel Wilson & Adam Scott
Written and directed by Leslye Headland

After a bachelorette party goes awry, three women must rush to fix the bride’s dress before the wedding.


Setting out to prove
that women can be just as
unfunny as men.

Grade: C


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Bachelorette is available on Blu-ray and DVD tomorrow.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1920849/?ref_=sr_1

Haiku Review: The House I Live In (2012)

Featuring: David Simon
Written and directed by Eugene Jarecki

A documentary about the War on Drugs, and the dramatic toll it has taken on the United States, its criminal justice system, and its economy.


The War on Drugs failed
long before you got your weed
card for swimmer’s ear.

Grade: A-


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
The House I Live In is now playing in select cities and on VOD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2125653/

Haiku Review: Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Isla Fisher & Hugh Jackman
Screenplay by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Peter Ramsey

The Guardians of Childhood – Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Sandman, and the Tooth Fairy – recruit Jack Frost to help them battle the boogeyman.


I thought that Jack Frost
was a snowman that sounded
like Michael Keaton.

Grade: C


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Rise of the Guardians is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 3/12/13.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446192/?ref_=sr_1

Haiku Review: Identity Thief (2013)

Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, Robert Patrick & Eric Stonestreet
Written by Craig Mazin
Directed by Seth Gordon

After his identity is stolen, a businessman finds his life turned upside-down, and to put things right, he must travel from Colorado to Florida and return with the eccentric woman who did it.


Two funny people
swindle some laughs, but should have
nabbed a better script.

Grade: B-


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Identity Thief is playing now in theaters nationwide.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024432/

Haiku Review: To Rome with Love (2012)

Starring: Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, Ellen Page & Alison Pill
Written and directed by Woody Allen

A series of comedic and romantic vignettes set in the city of Rome.


As in his films, it
can be easy to fall out
of love with Woody.

Grade: C


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
To Rome with Love is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1859650/?ref_=sr_1